Emily-May's Ordeal

[OtterPops]

This is the first chapter in a story I have had in mind for a while now, but only just got around to making any progress with. This is my first time posting, and will use the opening chapter to gauge interest and update accordingly.

Chapter 1 - The Picture

Emily-May Lancome stood in her bedroom before her full length mirror, nervously running a brush through her long auburn hair. It had been straight and knot-free for the last minute, but the repetitive motion soothed her nerves. Her hands were lightly trembling, and her stomach was in a knot, but a faint smile was present on her lips. She took in the sight of her new navy blue blazer, admiring the fit of her recently tailored uniform, the crest of her school on her left lapel, the words ‘Head Prefect’ embroidered in gold on the right.

She had been a prefect throughout her third year at Danier's Academy, but head prefect was so much more important. She would be involved with planning every after-school event, act as a liaison between class presidents and teachers, and would be in charge of the leavers ceremony at the end of the year. It was a big responsibility, but Emily-May was one step closer to her dream university.

And on top of that, she hadn't seen her friends all summer. She wasn't the most popular girl in school — far from it — but what she lacked in quantity she believed she made up for in quality, with her three-way best friend group consisting of herself, Margo Wilkes, the lanky, awkward, nerdy girl, and Stephanie Latchman, the slightly chubby Guyanese girl who had moved to their city when she was twelve.

For four weeks over the summer holiday Emily-May had attended summer camp, and on the third day she broke her phone. The camp had a landline which she had used to keep in contact with her parents, but she hadn't so much as seen a message from her two best friends in weeks.

“Sweetie, your breakfast is ready!” Came a voice from downstairs.

She took a deep breath, patted her trousers down one final time, and threw her bag over her shoulder, running down the stairs and into the kitchen.

“Daddy! I told you I didn't need a big breakfast, I have swimming later.” She complained as she sat in front of a plate of sausages, bacon, and scrambled eggs.

“Hush, Emily-May. This is my daughter's first day as head prefect. I am not letting her go to school malnourished.”

Emily-May looked across the table at her dad, her eyes rolling slightly.

“Listen to your father, dear, otherwise he won't shut up all day.”

“Okay, dad. Thank you daddy.”

“You're welcome, precious.” He waltzed over to the table and kissed his daughter's forehead, then tapped his husband on the bald spot on his head with a used spatula. “You're on thin ice, James. I won't shut up all day anyway.”

“Run while you can, Em. I'd choose school over your father's nagging any day.”

“Oh, you love it!” Emily-May's apron clad father said, wiping the grease from his husband's head and then giving it a small kiss as well. “Do you have your swim gear, Em?”

“All packed, daddy. I have everything I need.”

“Oh, our little girl. So responsible, so grown up!” He clasped his hands together with pride. “I can’t believe you’re sixteen already.”

“Start believing, Roger. She's already more grown up than you are.”

“Poppycock.” Roger hit James with a dish towel.

“I rest my case.”

“Right, dads. Behave.”

“Yes boss!” Roger stood to attention. “Eat your food and I'll drive you to school.”

Emily-May managed her eggs and a rasher of bacon before exclaiming that she was finished and needed to leave. With that she hugged James and got in the car with Roger.

The drive only took ten minutes, but without her phone it was boring, highlighted by a morning radio quiz in which the caller scored four out of ten and Emily-May scored nine. Roger once again stated his pride in his daughter, and despite telling him to stop, she loved his praise because it was genuine. He believed she was the smartest girl on the planet.

“I'm probably going to Margo's after swimming. Could you call her parents around five thirty to find out when I need picked up?”

“Of course, honey bun. Have the best day. I love you.”

“Love you, daddy.” She replied as she closed the car door and made her way towards school for her first day of fourth year.

The school, despite not having changed over the summer, felt different. Smaller, somehow. The scent of vape smoke hung in the air, blueberry and strawberry invading Emily-May's nostrils. She suddenly wished she had eaten jam on toast for breakfast.

As she made her way along the courtyard to the front doors, she heard hushed whispers and snickering, the usual prattle of teens who hadn't seen each other in weeks. But she also felt eyes on her. The hushed whispers felt… targeted. She shifted her eyes nervously side to side, confirming that she was indeed being watched.

“Show us your tits!” Someone yelled.

Emily-May's head spun, and everyone was laughing again, more openly this time. She hurried her pace, clutching her bookbag tighter as she pushed open the doors.

Eyes were on her immediately again. A group of boys the year below her smiled hungrily at her, their gaze making her beyond uncomfortable. The shortest of the lot nudged his friend's side and began sauntering in her direction.

“You look almost as good in person.”

“What?”

“Don't worry about it. Me, you, my place after school. What do you say?”

“Gavin, what is wrong with you?”

“Just trying my luck. It's not like it never works for anyone.”

“You have classes soon. Head there and stop harassing girls in the hall.” She ordered, and when he didn't move she placed her foot down and folded her arms. “Now, Lemington!”

“Jeez, alright, fine…” He began walking away, then whispered under his breath. “Slut.”

“Excuse me?”

He didn't answer. Emily-May continued walking through the halls towards the library. She smiled as she saw Margo and Stephanie seated at their usual table, her shoulders relaxing and her jaw unclenching. She waved emphatically at her friends, careful not to call out and disturb the silence of the room.

“Em… ohmigosh, I can't believe it.” Margo's eyes widened as she stood up. “You're here!”

“Margs, Steph!” Emily-May quietly squealed as she rushed forward, grabbing her friends in a hug, squashing Stephanie's face into her own as they both pressed theirs into Margo's collarbone. “I missed you guys so much!”

“Missed you too, Em.” Stephanie replied as she melted into the hug, squeezing back. “When are you getting your phone back?”

“Oh, it fell in the pond when I was at camp, stupid useless pockets. My dads are getting me a new one next week once they get paid.”

“Oh, I assumed they took it off you.” Came Margo's reply.

“Why?” Emily-May's face shifted expression into confusion.

Margo remained quiet.

“Doesn't matter.” Stephanie interrupted. “How was camp? Meet anyone cute?” She asked as if she knew the answer, which was strange because the answer was no.

“Nah, not really. It was pretty standard. Swimming, rowing, hiking. Y'know, nature camp.” She replied offhandedly. “So, what have I missed with you guys? What's the goss’? And why is everyone being so weird? Gavin Lemington called me a slut. Can you believe it?”

“What a little skunk.” Stephanie's eyes narrowed and her lips curled in a frown.

“I can’t believe you came in, Em. You're so brave.”

“Brave? What do you mean…?” Emily-May raised her eyebrow quizzically.

“I just never… y'know… I didn't think you were like that. Not that… y'know, it's bad or anything. Just… you've always been so… I don't want to say, a prude, but…” Margo trailed off.

“Margo, what the heck are you blabbering on about?”

“You know… the picture.” Margo loudly whispered.

“What picture?”

“The picture. You know. Of you…”

Both Margo and Stephanie's eyes bore holes into Emily-May's, darted to look at one another, then back to their friend.

“You… don't know?”

“Know what, guys?”

“Em… You took a picture. A private picture. Of yourself. Someone in school found it, and… everyone's seen it.”

“This is a bad prank, guys. It's not funny, and it's confusing.”

“We're not pranking you, Emily! This is serious!”

“Okay then, show me.” Emily-May confidently shot back.

“I don't… have it.” Margo's eyes widened as if she had been accused of taking the picture herself.

“But I know where to find it.” Steph was already on her phone, thumbs moving in a blur. “Here.” She held the phone out.

Emily-May took it, her curiosity piqued beyond measure, but as she turned the phone around to face her, her stomach flipped, a knot forming where her breakfast sat, and she worried she may vomit.

She was looking at a picture of a girl standing in a bedroom she had never seen before, posters for bands she didn't recognise on the walls, clothes she would never wear on the floor. But the focus of the picture was the girl, who stood in the centre, phone in hand pointed at a full-length mirror, reflecting a totally nude body.

Emily-May’s mouth fell open as she stared, taking in a form that shared Emily-May's straight auburn hair, long slender legs, toned stomach, and her modest B-cup breasts, topped with the same pale nipples that were barely a shade pinker than her skin. Her face was identical, she shared the small raspberry coloured birthmark on her abdomen, just to the left of her bellybutton, and even the hint of labia that peeked out under her hairless vulva was the exact same as the reflection she would recognise from her own mirror.

“This… Where did this come from?” Emily-May asked, her eyes wide, voice robotic.

“It’s everywhere.” Steph answered. “Who did you send it to?”

“That’s not…” Emily-May began. She knew she had never taken the picture. She had never taken any picture of herself undressed. “It has to be fake…”

“Like… AI? A deepfake?” Margo queried.

“So that’s not your body?” Steph raised her eyebrow.

“No…”

But it was undeniable. That was her body.

[Melissaj15]

This sounds like its going to be a very good read. off to a good start..

[jojo12026]

Now I'm curious. Please continue