April-The Butterfly Wanderer

April Olivia Dawn, an autistic woman who lives in a decent neighborhood in Chicago, IL. She seems to have an extraordinarily youthful face, even though she's closer to her mid-30s. She has strawberry blonde/rose gold medium-shaggy hair, and grayish-blue eyes. She has fair-toned skin in her slim body with freckles, some birthmarks around on her back, and scars around her arm. It seems that she has kept it from her darkest past. She has a fancy butterfly tattoo around her left arm where the scars have been hidden. Today, April is wearing a lightest, but long black cardigan with a whimsy floral pattern, a white buttoned/self-tie blouse, and dark denim jeans with comfortable stylish boots. Thanks to April’s boyfriend, Marcus Brown, and friends to help her find a proper outfit for the interview. As everyone knows, April was a drifter for most of her life. She’s also an inspirational, but adventurous blogger, a half-time designer, and a teacher’s assistant with Marcus in psychology class.

April is waiting for her cab. She is getting prepared for her big day for an interview before the cab arrives. April has a peacock blue/purple mermaid scale bag to keep her comfort from sensory issues. She seems like a sweet, heavenly person on the outside. But on the inside, she had been through the most vulnerable and saddest moments from her past.

April was born on April 25th in the late 80s. She was from the farmland area of a country-small town in Kentucky. She’s the second child of the family. She has an elder brother and youngest twins - a brother and a sister. Her biological parents, Bob and Marie, had been mostly between medicine and engineering since their college years. About months after her birth, April was the happiest and friendliest baby in the world. Everyone loved how precious and lovable the baby girl was. Two years later, the big things happened. They moved into the bigger house from Chicago, IL, and the twins were born in early winter. Suddenly, April couldn't speak or make eye contact-both verbally and nonverbally. Her parents had to take her to the pediatrician immediately. At age three, April was autistic. It changed her completely. During that time after diagnosis, her family took April to the institutions and therapies. Her family never gave up. Regardless of her progress, April doesn't seem to know who she was and doesn't even know about her family. April thought about if she was adopted or an alien from another planet. While they dropped April off at the developmental rehab center, she did not like it. Her family only came for a visit every three weeks to a month. She didn't know if her family loved her very much until she was five years old. After April was discharged, this is when it started in reality.

In early November, It was April’s elder brother’s friend’s birthday party. He wondered if April could come along with the twins. April was excited. Unfortunately, the friend’s mother grabbed April on her shoulders. April saw the woman with a mean, suspicious look on her face. It appears that the woman was one of the guards from the institution. The woman took April to the small room and told April that she can't come out until the party is over. She had been staying for hours while the kids were having a good time. April felt lonely and scared. Without further notice, her brother asked the kids where April was. They heard her crying through the door. He and others found April in the room. The kids gave her some goodies and food including a cake. They realized that she was hungry and thirsty. April was pleased. She dried her wet tears. Then suddenly, a voice of rage appeared. “YOU SHOULD NEVER DO THAT!!!” They have been caught by the mother. She threatened the kids to leave, including April. April broke down with her fearful tears. She ran to Marie, her mother, by the time she got out of the car. The children told Marie everything. It broke her heart. It explained why April hated the centers because of those people including this woman.

During elementary school, April has been told by her school that she's unworthy of any classroom. It pressured her that she wasn’t mature, reasonable, friendly, and smart enough like other but “perfect” kids. Nobody wants to play with her. Nobody wants to help her with homework or join her in group projects. Except for two of the girls, Katherine and Ava. They had been friends since April and her family moved in. Most of her teachers didn't see anything good about her at all. Except, they only believed that April was one of the “troubled” kids who won't succeed at anything in school. They discouraged April deeply. It also made her parents worried. April did everything to tell them what happened in school. The teachers kept denying it about bullying and ableist issues.

By the time that her pre-teenage life began, her grades were on and off. The school decided to hold her back to the 4th grade again. April lost all of her friends. They moved on to the 5th grade. This is where April's parents had started up for divorce. Her parents decided that April should be separated for foster care in a different household so that it wouldn't get in her way. April felt troubled. Her siblings are started to worried.

Her first foster family was the widowed mother named Sherri, a daughter named Ellie who is the same age as of April, and two dogs. Sherri is the old friend of April’s mother and April will be still in the same school. The house was only a few miles away. On top of that, Sherri is really restrictive. On the first day, the dogs did not like April at all. Regardless, April doesn't like dogs at all. She hated when dogs barked. No matter where she goes, all the neighbor dogs barked at her. It made her terrified.

On every Friday, April mostly had Cs and Ds on her report cards, including the subjects she hated the most were Reading and English/Writing. The only time she got an A was in the Art class. Sherri gave April nothing but a penny, while Ellie got great prizes because she earned the highest grades. April wished her family could've helped her grades instead of separating her.

During middle school, bullying has gotten worse. When April tried to spoke to all the teachers from her classes, but sadly, they didn't take it seriously. But instead, they labeled her a ‘tattletale’. Then, the bullies kept giggling at her. Even her old close friends hardly recognized her, but they enjoyed themselves with their new friends. One of her ex-old friends, Katherine, has become very popular in school. Of course, She was a spoiled and perfect pet of every teacher. Everyone adored her because she made terrific grades, joined many awesome clubs, and her family was rich from the famous local brewing factory for generations.

Nobody still invited April or even asked her to join for any group project and so on. During that, April binged several cookies, chips, etc. She went to the bathroom without being caught and forced herself to throw up. During purging, she found a paperclip. She was about to cut herself, slightly on her left arm. It's like no one could understand her, except the food and cutting. Occasionally, she spent most of her time with a speech pathologist/therapist, but the sweetest person ever. Her name is Ms. Michele. When April was in Ms. Michele‘s room, she enjoyed the delightful scent from the aromatherapy of lavender. It made her feel safe. Ms. Michele helped her with many great exercises including the sensory tools & fidgeting toys. She encouraged April to draw about her true feelings or what she dreamed of. One of the pictures that April drew was when she went to the Butterfly exhibit from the zoo with her family.

On every field trip, everyone ditched and abandoned her without any reason. With a broken heart, April had no worries about walking alone. She doesn't care if someone kidnaps her or what would happen to her. She can't trust anyone. She doesn't feel lightness and joy like other kids do.

The same thing in high school, it was even worse than before. April had just gained over 30 pounds heavier because of her eating issues. Sherri took all of April’s belongings. Sherri still refused to bring it back even if April gets her grades up better. Sherri took all of April’s cute clothes used to fit April before she gained weight and sent them to Ellie. April sees that all the clothes were perfect on that brat. She also sees that Ava and Katherine are great friends with Ellie. They excluded April. She had also been fat-shamed. Her depression became worse. Every day at lunchtime, the bullies took every lunch because of April's weight. They stomped her lunch, poured down on her head with coke and milk, and called her horrible names. April ran to the janitor’s closet. Then, someone was coming. April realized that someone heard her crying through the closet. The door opened. There was a handsome, but transfer student from April’s class. It was Marcus. He looked surprised but very concerned about why April was in the closet and being soaked. “Are you okay? Here, let me help you.” Then, Katherine pushed April away from Marcus. Katherine came with her snotty look. ‘You stay away from him, you filthy pig. Let's go, darling.” They walked away, then Marcus looked at April sadly. He felt embarrassed and disheartened.

In the mid-week of December, the winter school dance had already been prepared. April just got a letter from her blind date to come to the dance with him. She replied ‘yes’ and wrote the location where she lives so he could pick her up. Unfortunately for April, she didn't have enough money for the dress. The reason why is that Sherri couldn't give her any money or anything because of her grades, except her perfect daughter, Ellie. April just used her worn-out dress and took her old coat to get ready for her date. Ellie just went out. Minutes later, it turned out he was not coming. Silently, she walked alone in the cold night. On a quiet night, shivering cold, April thought death was the better way. She had no choice. She decided to jump off the bridge. Then, a mysterious shadow appeared. “NO! DON'T DO IT!” A shadow ran as quickly as he could and jumped out. He tried to save April's life. It went blackout.

Finally, two weeks later. April woke up from the coma. She opened her eyes, slowly, but it was hard to move. It appeared that April was in the hospital. She was covered in bandages from her broken limbs and scratches. She felt weak and couldn't talk. April went back to sleep. There’s a young man with slight wounds beside her. He pats her head gently. ‘It’ll be okay. I promise.’ He said softly. It was Marcus.

Sherri was disappointed about April’s suicidal attempt. It turned out to be much worse than she thought. Sherri couldn't take it. On Christmas day, Sherri kicked April out with only fewer belongings.”GET OUT!! Get out, I said!! OUT!” It was a cold and rainy night. April was crying so hard. She felt like a failure and worthless. She thought she could go back to her real home and reunite her family. When she walked to the front yard, the light was on. She looked at the window inside of the dining room. She saw her real family. Sadly, she saw that they were happy and laughed together. It felt like they were much happier without her. She walked away with her broken heart without a word. Just then, a blue car appeared. It was Ms. Michele. “Sweetie? What are you doing here outside?” April didn't answer but was shivering from the cold, wet rain and tears. Ms. Michele was shocked that April had been thrown out and had nowhere else to go. She gave April a lift. April thought if she could stay at Ms. Michele’s place for a while. After that, April felt relieved. It's like a Christmas miracle.

After New Year’s week, the school went outrageous after April's suicidal attempt. After being kicked out of an abusive house and a suicide survivor, April doesn't know if she'll be able to get a GED or high school diploma. She was worried that she would get expelled permanently. The office called her name to the principal’s office. She felt anxious like she was going to have a heart attack. The classmates looked at her. Whether they were chatting, whispering, or giggling at her. April opened the door. There were some of the teachers who were very nice to April, the counselor, and Ms. Michele. They wanted to have a pep talk with her and thought about giving her a chance. She didn't deserve to fail. They were concerned that she had severe-clinical depression over a decade ago. They set her up some extra activities and do some for summer school. April accepted. Months later, she did it. She couldn't feel happier.

Two days After graduation, April woke up happily and walked down the stairs. Unfortunately, Ms. Michele was on the floor, unconscious. April tried to wake her up ten times. No Response. April called 911. It was too late. Ms. Michele died from a heart attack. April was devastated. Moments later, The foster care decided that April could stay at Ms. Michele”s older sister’s place temporarily.

She couldn't go to any college or university. Ms. Michele’s older sister and her boyfriend believed that she was unqualified to succeed. Instead, they offered April to the smallest community school, nonetheless the worst college ever. All of the teachers don't seem impressed with April because of her image, learning problems, and autistic traits. She turned it down, otherwise, it would be happening again.

On August 16th, it was almost midnight. April had enough. She was desperate. She had to pack as many as she could-her comfy, casual clothes and some hygiene products including a deodorant in her old big backpack.

She heard, unexpectedly, a loud stomping noise coming through the hallway. It was Ms. Michele’s older sister’s boyfriend. He's an alcoholic.

“HEY! WHERE ARE YOU, YOU STUPID PUNK?!?”

April jumped quickly throughout the window. Just like that, April was free. April had been running as far away as she could. And then, April has been walking, walking, walking for miles away from the state. She had never turned back. From the neighborhood to the woods to the highway road to downtown. She was cold, tired, dirty, lonely, and hungry. She walked through the outlet mall, where there was a nice food court. While she stared at it, her stomach grumbled. She refused it because of the pain she went through. She saw happy families eating and laughing. She felt disconnected and empty that family and love doesn't fit her anymore. On the other hand, she learned her lesson that food made her fat. Food was her worst enemy and herself. She ended up drinking more water. She continued on the journey. It's been days and weeks. April had lost several pounds. She had to tie her pants right away with a rope around the waist. She had to find shelter under the stairs, the patio from the stores, and so on.

On September 23rd, the sun began to sunset. April kept walking on the highway no matter how long she's been. Her old sneakers have begun to wear out. Suddenly, the red car appears. It was a young handsome man with light reddish-brown, shaggy hair. It was Marcus. “April? Is that you? Hey! It's me, Marcus!” April responds but has no words. She was weak and exhausted. Then, her tears went down her cheek to chin. April was about to collapse. Marcus looked shocked. “Oh my God?’ He came and held her. April passed out. ‘‘Come here. it's okay.” Marcus gently accompanied April in the car.

They went to Marcus’s house, it was a lovely neighborhood. April felt warm with Marcus’ light fancy coat. Marcus escorts her to the bathroom for a nice warm bath and pulls out some of his old t-shirts and comfy boxer shorts. He thought that April should relax on the bed. He can tell she looked exhausted and had no energy to go on. Marcus decided to sleep on his couch. Marcus was about to cook something for her, April was starving for days. Marcus offered his homemade veggie stew. “Here you go, April. It's my family’s recipe.” April looked at the stew. Her stomach growled loudly. “Please, April, you need some strength. You can't go on with an empty stomach.” April explained to Marcus about her food addiction and purging. Marcus looked at her left arm and wanted to know what happened. She told him that cutting was the only way to cope with her pain. April asked Marcus and was wondering if she could ever find a good place to hide the scars on her left arm. Marcus read an article on a website about people with their unique photos along with their scars. Furthermore, He has an old friend who owns a tattoo place. So, it was settled. While April was resting, Marcus pats her head and kisses her on her forehead. “It’ll be okay.”

On the next day, April seemed a bit better but she still needed more recovery. Marcus and April went to the Tattoo place and wanted to cover the scars on her left arm. April chose a violet butterfly with vines and added some golden details. Over an hour later, it's finished. It turned out beautifully. “It's beautiful. Thank you,” said April.

Marcus asked April to escort her to the High school reunion. But, April seemed nervous and uncomfortable due to her school life trauma. “I don't know if I should go. Everyone will be laughing at me again.'' Marcus comforted her. “Don't worry. If they do, I'll kick their asses-ok?” April accepted.

Marcus took April to the Hair salon to refresh her hair. Shaped it up. Trim a bit. Highlighting the color. And Viola! It looked marvelous.

After the makeover, they went out to their high school reunion. Everyone is showing their excitement. There was a bartender, it was Katherine. She now seemed like a cheerful lady. And there’s Ava the DJ. They reunited Marcus and April. April seemed nervous, even though they’re friendly now. They thought if they could have a chat with April in the quiet area from outside. they began to cry. They felt remorseful about how they had treated April horribly. Then, one of the jocks, Billy appeared. He used to be a cool, tall-muscular, football player. Now, he was a sloppy drunk. “Hey!*hic* Hey, it's piglet*hic*” April couldn't stand him. “Yo, piglet! Do you remember that *hic* prank from the dance- that was best “ He chuckled hardly from intoxication. April startled. “So it’s you?…you did this?” She was shockingly heartbroken. “Ah, what? Oh, no. You did this to yourself?” April started to cry. Without the warning, April felt angry. She punched Billy in the face. Katherine, Ava, and Marcus were alarmed at what incredible strength that April has. After the punch, April felt relieved.”‘Let’s go.”

One week later after the reunion, Marcus thought April was interested in college with him. Marcus was from an upper-class family so he can afford to help her to do some education and get her confidence back from the learning disorders. “Don't worry. I believe in you.” Then, April smiled and accepted.

In college, April decided to take classes in psychology, marketing, astronomy, and visual arts including graphic design. And just like that, she has been learning, every day and night. It took her four and a half years. She hasn't given up, yet thanks to Marcus’s huge support. Happily, she had succeeded. April had a college degree in science and arts. During ceremony, Marcus gave her some flowers. “April, You did it. I'm very proud of you.” And Then, a kiss...

“DING!” Her phone vibrates. It was from the app and the driver appears. ‘Hey, miss! You’re April?’ Said the driver. ‘Yes sir, I am,’ April replied. It took about at least fifteen to twenty minutes to get there, depending on the traffic from downtown. Finally, April arrives at the radio station building. April seems nervous, still, she has to be brave. April is walking down the hallway. Her heart is beating hard and fast through her chest. The music pops up and the podcaster shouts with an exciting voice, light pink lipgloss, glittery eyeshadow, and wears an autumn-like embroidered jumpsuit. It’s Ava!

‘3..2...1..GO!’

She began to introduce herself and began to record between herself and April. This is when April was about to share her story. It may be deep and very complicated for the audience. She explains how she had been battling from her abusive past and so on. Ava asked April but was curious about a butterfly tattoo. April explained because of her scars. Ava asked. ‘How did this happen?’ ‘It may be shocking...but, I will tell you.’ said April. She stands up.

Two hours later. The interview has ended.

‘Well, that's it for today. And, April, thank you so much for coming.” said Ava. April feels delightful. “You're welcome.” They shake their hands like a proper interview session.

April opens the door. Everyone applauds and congratulates April. Marcus was waiting for April to come out with all the people, including Ava and Katherine. And then, there’s the mother, the father, and their children in their 30s. The eldest son has a wife and a baby daughter. They're all April’s long-lost family. They were happy in tears. “April….we’re so proud of you,” Marie said. April looks confused. ‘Honey, it's us.” ‘Marcus was the one who called us to come to see you, sweetie.” “And the college graduation!” “ We also came to your high school graduation thanks to Ms. Michele. She found our number and gave us the invitation. Don't you see us?” They were worried if April didn't trust them because of the abandonment, and other serious issues. After the divorce, however, the parents became friends. “Please forgive us. We love you.” April begins to cry and shout through her lungs. “Mommy! Daddy!” She quickly hugs them. They hugged her together. The entire family are so happy. She knew that April does have a real, loving family.

The next day, Marcus takes April for their special date. The weather is gorgeous. Marcus and April are walking along in the park, smiling at each other beautifully. Marcus acclaims April for how brave and powerful she is. April looks lovely with her twirling lilac dress with a flowy cardigan. They walk onto the wooden house filled with flowers that look like from the storybook. April saw lights, garlands, and a small table with an antique frame with three letters “I love you.''

Marcus kneels his knees down. He holds April’s hand. “April. You're the most incredible, brave, loving woman in my life. You’re also smart and beautiful no matter what things you have. I know you have been through many times and I am proud of you for how strong you are and you survive from this darkness. You’ve been transformed into an incredible butterfly.”

It was a proposal. Marcus opens the box. It's a cross-cross gold ring with opal and rainbow moonstone.

April’s eyes are wide open.

‘April Olivia Dawn...will you marry me?”

April starts in tears. And then, she smiles.

“Yes...YES!”

April is hugging Marcus as hard as she could. They begin to kiss. April deserves to be loved.

She had never been so happy in her life.