The waiting room was as quiet as a graveyard, where Sarah could not ignore the ticking of the clock.   She sat on the edge of the seat, her palms were wet, like a patient waiting for the final judgment. She couldn't help but shake, staring at the closed door in the corridor. 

" 59,60, one minute. Where is Charlie? I told her today's meeting was very important. She should not be late.  "She murmured. The feeling that Charlie, her little girl, was going to leave her here made her feel very upset. Noticing Sarah's nerves, the nurse handed her a cup of chocolate milk. Taking the cup, Sarah thanks the nurse with a grateful smile. She took a small sip  ."That's so good! I need to save it for Charlie." 

Just then, the entrance door opened and the receptionist asked, "Hi, do you have a reservation? Please provide your name ." Sarah looked up and called Charlie to sit next to her. 

For a moment, there was absolute silence between them.  Fortunately, the nurse called, " Sarah Mexair, you are the next to see the counselor." 
"That's us! Common on Charlie. It is our turn," she said while walking into the room. 

The counselor does not look like what they think. Instead, she is a kind lady who looks like their neighbor. The counselor asked them to take a seat and greeted," Do you wait long? Today is a busy weekend. Tell me about you and why you come ."

Sarah decided to take the initiative," My name is Sarah Mexiar, a 43-year-old single mother. I have one daughter, Charlie. Charlie is now 17 years old and she is preparing for college applications. However, the school has noticed there are some worrisome behaviors in my child. The school is worried that this may affect her score and has opened a chat with me. We all want to solve the problem, and hence the school recommended that we find a family counselor. "

The counselor nodded, " I am aware of the situation, and can you explain further about the behaviors? "

Sarah glanced at Charlie, who was now fidgety in the meeting room.
" Well," she began," She is keeping distance from her friends. This is just strange. However, what is more is that she starts shoplifting, taking away goods that don't belong to her. Lately, she has started to hurt herself and has stopped going to school. I don't know what to do now . That's not my baby girl."

The counselor claimed," Sarah, it is fine to be scared, and I think the most important part is that we need to unveil the reasons behind this act. " 

Sarah continued," She is always a good kid. I just don't know why this would happen. I am an orphan, and my dearest dream is to build a family of my own. I fell in love with Charlie's dad at first sight, and we got married. However, even a happy story has its end. We began fighting on topics like money. Maybe I pushed so much . He started gambling and never came back. He abandoned us, and from that day onward, it is just me and Charlie."
     
Charlie was surprised and could not help staring at Sarah. Sarah went on," I have never told that to Charlie. I want her to have a happy childhood. I know the neighbors are gossiping and looking down on us. I can accept that, but I can't tolerate the same thing happening to my child. I work three jobs a day, barely support our daily living. I don't want to see my child envious of others, and I want to provide the best for them.  I've sold all my luxury clothes and bags to support my girl in courses like drawing. Whenever I saw the smile on Charlie's face, I knew it was worth it. I saved a college fund for Charlie by cutting expenses on unnecessary items.  I want her to have an experience that I did not have. Charlie wants to be a lawyer ."

Charlie interrupted," Mom, that's actually your dream. Not mine. Who has ever cared what I really want?" Charlie burst into tears. 

Sarah replied," Charlie, I just want you to choose a path that is easier for you to have a stable life. Mine is so tough, and I want the best for you ."

Charlie shouted, "It is so cliché . Every time you don't want me to do something, you will talk like this. You have never cared what I feel.  I am like your puppet; all things are under your control. It is like I am suffocating and I can't breathe. It feels like you never love me as a person, not your belongings."

Sarah argued," I never loved you? Do you know it is me who took care of you for the whole time?  I have no plan for remarriage as I don't want you to get hurt, and I don't want a second child to divert my attention.  I woke up early in the morning to prepare breakfast and the ingredients for dinner so you can enjoy healthier food. I pay for all these expensive classes just to let you learn a talent. I have put all of the money and my whole heart into you."

Charlie argued, " You never told me you love me, and you seldom spend time with me. You give me so much pressure, like a stone is pressing on my body. You always ask me to act according to your standard, and it is tearing me apart. I don't know who I am now and what I like. My friends all have their personal charms. When I am with them, I have low self-esteem. I keep them away because...."

Sarah hugged Charlie and asked," Because what, my darling?"
Charlie replied with frustration," Because I am afraid they will see how lost I am, and they will feel ashamed of me. The only spotlight on me is the academic score. I am afraid that what if one day my grade is lower than everyone expected. At that time, everyone will leave me. Mom, please believe me, I don't want to seal things. I just... just accidentally fell into my bag. Then it opened a new world for me, and I felt excited, and all my pressure was gone. I keep telling myself, Don't do that, but I am addicted. I don't know what to do, and I don't want others to know, so I skip classes ."

The counselor encourages Charlie, " It is very brave for you to share your feelings with us. It is fine to be lost, and that is why life is always a journey for us. Just this time, it is about self-discovery."

Sarah hugged Charlie even more tightly," Charlie, I love you very much, no matter whether you are a top student or not."

The counselor agreed, " It is time for the first session to end. In the next session, we will start assisting Charlie to relieve stress and rediscover your color. In the meantime, Sarah, an adolescent, needs to discover the world and themselves on their own. Parents are not controllers but guides to help their children find their own path. Sarah, you should allow Charlie to make her own decisions, starting with small tasks."