Mia's Story
Main Characters / Extra Characters
My Classmates
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Requirements
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Attention, players! As a reminder, this quest contains a story that includes dome details about body images and eating disorders. If you feel uncomfortable reading about these subjects, please select ‘Don’t play this quest.’ Then allow this quest to expire. Otherwise, thanks for playing Mia’s story!
You, Autumn, and Julian are sitting in the waiting room of the local hospital when Payton walks up.
Danny: So... did you get anything out of the doctor?
Julian: Yeah, we’ve been here for HOURS. Is Mia okay?
Payton: The doctor didn’t tell me much. Only that Mia fainted, and they’re doing everything they can.
Autumn: I wonder what’s going on...
Danny: Nothing to do but wait...
Payton: I hope they let us in to see her soon...
Danny: We’ll wait here for as long as it takes, until we can see Mia.
You and your friends prepare yourselves for the long night ahead.
Requirements
Payton returns from the hallway outside of Mia’s room, where she has kept vigil for the past few hours.
Danny: So... were you able to find out what happened to Mia?
Payton: Yeah... I overheard the doctor saying that Mia was dehydrated and overexerted... like she hasn’t been eating enough for the amount of exercise she’s been doing...
Danny: Oh no...
Payton: But she’s awake. We can see her now!
You walk into Mia’s room to find her lying down in a hospital bed.
Danny: Mia! It’s so good to see you! We were really worried!
Mia: It’s not a big deal. I just got a little dizzy. Honestly... you should all go home.
A nurse comes in with a tray of food and leaves it at Mia’s beside.
Payton: Hey! That ham sandwich looks pretty good!
Mia: I... I’m not hungry, okay? Now would you just leave me alone?!
Julian: But Mia...
Mia: I said leave me alone!
You step out into the hall...
Payton: This isn’t good... Mia HAS to eat something.
Danny: She seemed really on edge... I doubt pressing the issue will help too much.
As you’re talking, Max appears at the end of the hall.
Max: Hey! What were you guys doing in my sister’s room? What did you say to her?
Julian: Oh, great... you. Just what we needed. Stay out of this, okay, Max?
Max: Maybe YOU’RE the ones who should stay out of this! This is my family’s business! You stay away from my sister... you’re just going to mess things up! If we’re not careful, she might end up like she did last time...
Julian: Last time?
Max: Forget it, okay?! I’m done talking to you.
Max turns and walks toward a window at the end of the hall. He looks out with a cold gaze.
Danny: It sounds like there’s more to this story...
Julian: Danny, let’s go try to talk to him. Maybe we can find out what happened to Mia in the past.
Requirements
You and Julian approach Max, who’s staring out a window near the end of the hall.
Max: Leave me alone. I told you this is none of your business.
Julian: Hey, man... I know you and I haven’t always gotten along... but I really want to help your sister.
Danny: Maybe if you can let us know what happened before, it’ll help us figure out what to do now.
Max: Me help you? What a joke... I mean... I mean...
Julian: Come on. Just this once. Help us out.
Danny: For Mia.
Max: Yeah. Okay. Fine. For Mia... I’ll tell you what happened.
Time - 5 hours
Max: You want to know what happened? Fine. I’ll tell you. Mia’s always been a little sensitive about how she looks... she got teased in middle school when she gained a few pounds... But freshman year is when it got really bad... after she joined the Hearst cheerleading team, she started losing a lot of weight. She started skipping meals... and exercising all the time. My parents tried to talk to her about it, but she wouldn’t listen.
Danny: Wow... I had no idea.
Max: It eventually got to a point where she ended up just like this... in the hospital. The doctors talked to her then, and something must have worked because she at least started eating... But I guess it didn’t work all the way... because here we are again.
Julian: But Mia always seems so... confident.
Max: I guess sometimes looks can be deceiving.
You and Julian return to your group and tell everyone what you heard from Max.
Payton: I can’t believe it... how could someone as pretty as Mia be worried about the way she looks?
Julian: What are we supposed to say to her now?
Danny: I don’t know... but now that we know what’s going on, we’ve got to talk to Mia.
Requirements
You, Julian, Payton, and Autumn head into Mia’s hospital room.
Mia: I thought I told you to leave me alone.
Autumn: Mia...
Danny: We talked to Max. We heard about what happened before...
Payton: Everyone’s a little unhappy with the way they look sometimes!
Mia: Just forget it. You wouldn’t understand.
Payton: Wait... I DO understand, okay? Hear me out... I just need you to listen...
Time - 7 hours
For a moment, everyone looks at Payton.
Payton: Mia, I just... I want you to know that I haven’t always felt pretty. When I was in middle school, I used to see my older sister get asked out all the time... We shared a room, and she was ALWAYS on the phone with all of these guys that wanted to date her... And in the meantime, I was super awkward and gangly, and I had these horrible braces... and zero boys interested in even talking to me. And I used to just look in the mirror... wondering if anyone could ever love me.
Mia: Payton...
A silence fills the room. Then Julian clears his throat.
Julian: I... I guess my problems don’t quite stack up to that... but I mean... Back at Hearst, I definitely went through a couple of summers of doing a lot of lifting and drinking protein shakes... And when I wasn’t bulking up fast enough, I got so frustrated. A couple of the other guys I lifted with were taking a few... shortcuts. I never did it, but I’d be lying if I said I never thought about it.
Mia: Guys, I... I don’t know what to say... I never would have guessed... I mean... I mean... thanks so much for opening up to me...
Mia: I... I had no idea about any of that stuff. Payton... you’re so beautiful. I hope you know that now, even if you didn’t when you were younger.
Payton: Thanks, Mia...
Mia: ...and Julian. You’ve already got muscles on your muscles. You don’t need more!
Julian: Heh. If you say so.
Mia: And Danny and Autumn... you’re the best friends anyone could ever have. Thanks for being here.
Danny: Anytime, Mia...
Mia: I’m sorry I pushed you away... I... okay... I think I’m ready to talk about what’s going on with me.
Requirements
Mia: Okay... I’ll tell you what’s going on... I... ugh... this is really hard to do...
Danny: It’s okay, Mia... we’re all here for you...
Mia: Okay... here it goes.
Time - 8 hours
Mia: I want you to understand... I really appreciate you sharing your insecurities with me... But the way I feel about myself... it’s not just insecurity. It goes way, way deeper. I... I have an eating disorder. I mean... I used to see a therapist, and she sort of helped me understand what was going on... When everything else in my life seemed impossible... my weight was the one thing I could control. Lately, things have been better. Ever since I came to Danny’s school, I’ve actually been... happy. But when I saw those yearbook photos, all of my old fears came flooding back. I want to be okay... but maybe I’m not.
Danny: Mia... you will be okay. We’re all here for you. And if that’s not enough... I mean, you mentioned a therapist... are you still seeing her?
Mia: I haven’t in a while... but I think maybe it’s time I started going again.
Danny: It sounds like it might help. We’re here to support you for whatever you need... but we’re not experts in this stuff.
Mia: Thanks, Danny. Thanks to all of you.
A while later... outside of the hospital...
Payton: It sounds like Mia is going to get the help she needs!
Autumn: Yeah... but this is an ongoing struggle. We’ve got to be there for her if she needs us.
Payton: And we will be... starting today! Mia will be getting out of the hospital soon... and I want to give her the best ‘welcome home’ ever!
Danny: Sounds good. What exactly do you have in mind?
Payton: Oh... you’ll see. It’s time to buy some decorations... at the office supply store!
Requirements
At Mia’s house, in her room...
Danny: This was a great idea, Payton!
Julian: Yeah. I hope Mia likes this little surprise!
You hear footsteps coming down the hall.
Autumn: Mia’s coming!
Mia opens the door.
Danny: Surprise!
Mia: You guys! It’s so good to see you. I...
Mia looks around her room... and notices that every surface, every wall, is covered in sticky notes.
Mia: ...
Mia picks on of the sticky notes off the wall and reads it.
Mia: ‘You are beautiful.’
She picks up two more.
Mia: ‘You are strong.’ ‘You are smart.’
Julian: Your brother even put a few up!
Mia picks one off her mirror and examines her reflection.
Mia: ‘You are beautiful...’
Danny: You really are, Mia... and not just on the outside.
Autumn: You’re one of the most beautiful people I know... inside and out!
Julian: We just wrote the notes because sometimes we all need a little reminder.
Mia: I... I don’t know what to say.
She reaches out and gives you a hug.
Mia: Danny... I wish everyone could have a friend like you.
Later, back at school, you, Payton, and Mia head toward the cafeteria...
Payton: Lunchtime! Finally! I’m sooo hungry!
Mia: ...
Danny: You okay, Mia?
Mia: I... I will be. I’m getting better... but I might still get stressed out about food sometimes. I’m not going to be ‘fixed’ overnight... But, hey... I’m trying, right?
Danny: Yes... yes you are. It’s great to have you back, Mia.
Mia: It’s good to be back.
Thanks so much for sharing in Mia’s journey so far and learning more about her past! Over the course of their lives, twenty million women and ten million men in the U.S. alone will struggle with eating disorders. If you or someone you know is dealing with an eating disorder, please reach out! We’ve posted FAQs about body image in the help section of the game, as well as at www.highschoolstory.com! Advice and information are also available through Proud2BMe!
You, Autumn, and Julian are sitting in the waiting room of the local hospital when Payton walks up.
Danny: So... did you get anything out of the doctor?
Julian: Yeah, we’ve been here for HOURS. Is Mia okay?
Payton: The doctor didn’t tell me much. Only that Mia fainted, and they’re doing everything they can.
Autumn: I wonder what’s going on...
Danny: Nothing to do but wait...
Payton: I hope they let us in to see her soon...
Danny: We’ll wait here for as long as it takes, until we can see Mia.
You and your friends prepare yourselves for the long night ahead.
Requirements
- Spend 250 coins
Payton returns from the hallway outside of Mia’s room, where she has kept vigil for the past few hours.
Danny: So... were you able to find out what happened to Mia?
Payton: Yeah... I overheard the doctor saying that Mia was dehydrated and overexerted... like she hasn’t been eating enough for the amount of exercise she’s been doing...
Danny: Oh no...
Payton: But she’s awake. We can see her now!
You walk into Mia’s room to find her lying down in a hospital bed.
Danny: Mia! It’s so good to see you! We were really worried!
Mia: It’s not a big deal. I just got a little dizzy. Honestly... you should all go home.
A nurse comes in with a tray of food and leaves it at Mia’s beside.
Payton: Hey! That ham sandwich looks pretty good!
Mia: I... I’m not hungry, okay? Now would you just leave me alone?!
Julian: But Mia...
Mia: I said leave me alone!
You step out into the hall...
Payton: This isn’t good... Mia HAS to eat something.
Danny: She seemed really on edge... I doubt pressing the issue will help too much.
As you’re talking, Max appears at the end of the hall.
Max: Hey! What were you guys doing in my sister’s room? What did you say to her?
Julian: Oh, great... you. Just what we needed. Stay out of this, okay, Max?
Max: Maybe YOU’RE the ones who should stay out of this! This is my family’s business! You stay away from my sister... you’re just going to mess things up! If we’re not careful, she might end up like she did last time...
Julian: Last time?
Max: Forget it, okay?! I’m done talking to you.
Max turns and walks toward a window at the end of the hall. He looks out with a cold gaze.
Danny: It sounds like there’s more to this story...
Julian: Danny, let’s go try to talk to him. Maybe we can find out what happened to Mia in the past.
Requirements
- Julian
You and Julian approach Max, who’s staring out a window near the end of the hall.
Max: Leave me alone. I told you this is none of your business.
Julian: Hey, man... I know you and I haven’t always gotten along... but I really want to help your sister.
Danny: Maybe if you can let us know what happened before, it’ll help us figure out what to do now.
Max: Me help you? What a joke... I mean... I mean...
Julian: Come on. Just this once. Help us out.
Danny: For Mia.
Max: Yeah. Okay. Fine. For Mia... I’ll tell you what happened.
Time - 5 hours
Max: You want to know what happened? Fine. I’ll tell you. Mia’s always been a little sensitive about how she looks... she got teased in middle school when she gained a few pounds... But freshman year is when it got really bad... after she joined the Hearst cheerleading team, she started losing a lot of weight. She started skipping meals... and exercising all the time. My parents tried to talk to her about it, but she wouldn’t listen.
Danny: Wow... I had no idea.
Max: It eventually got to a point where she ended up just like this... in the hospital. The doctors talked to her then, and something must have worked because she at least started eating... But I guess it didn’t work all the way... because here we are again.
Julian: But Mia always seems so... confident.
Max: I guess sometimes looks can be deceiving.
You and Julian return to your group and tell everyone what you heard from Max.
Payton: I can’t believe it... how could someone as pretty as Mia be worried about the way she looks?
Julian: What are we supposed to say to her now?
Danny: I don’t know... but now that we know what’s going on, we’ve got to talk to Mia.
Requirements
- Julian
- Payton
- Autumn
You, Julian, Payton, and Autumn head into Mia’s hospital room.
Mia: I thought I told you to leave me alone.
Autumn: Mia...
Danny: We talked to Max. We heard about what happened before...
Payton: Everyone’s a little unhappy with the way they look sometimes!
Mia: Just forget it. You wouldn’t understand.
Payton: Wait... I DO understand, okay? Hear me out... I just need you to listen...
Time - 7 hours
For a moment, everyone looks at Payton.
Payton: Mia, I just... I want you to know that I haven’t always felt pretty. When I was in middle school, I used to see my older sister get asked out all the time... We shared a room, and she was ALWAYS on the phone with all of these guys that wanted to date her... And in the meantime, I was super awkward and gangly, and I had these horrible braces... and zero boys interested in even talking to me. And I used to just look in the mirror... wondering if anyone could ever love me.
Mia: Payton...
A silence fills the room. Then Julian clears his throat.
Julian: I... I guess my problems don’t quite stack up to that... but I mean... Back at Hearst, I definitely went through a couple of summers of doing a lot of lifting and drinking protein shakes... And when I wasn’t bulking up fast enough, I got so frustrated. A couple of the other guys I lifted with were taking a few... shortcuts. I never did it, but I’d be lying if I said I never thought about it.
Mia: Guys, I... I don’t know what to say... I never would have guessed... I mean... I mean... thanks so much for opening up to me...
Mia: I... I had no idea about any of that stuff. Payton... you’re so beautiful. I hope you know that now, even if you didn’t when you were younger.
Payton: Thanks, Mia...
Mia: ...and Julian. You’ve already got muscles on your muscles. You don’t need more!
Julian: Heh. If you say so.
Mia: And Danny and Autumn... you’re the best friends anyone could ever have. Thanks for being here.
Danny: Anytime, Mia...
Mia: I’m sorry I pushed you away... I... okay... I think I’m ready to talk about what’s going on with me.
Requirements
- Mia
Mia: Okay... I’ll tell you what’s going on... I... ugh... this is really hard to do...
Danny: It’s okay, Mia... we’re all here for you...
Mia: Okay... here it goes.
Time - 8 hours
Mia: I want you to understand... I really appreciate you sharing your insecurities with me... But the way I feel about myself... it’s not just insecurity. It goes way, way deeper. I... I have an eating disorder. I mean... I used to see a therapist, and she sort of helped me understand what was going on... When everything else in my life seemed impossible... my weight was the one thing I could control. Lately, things have been better. Ever since I came to Danny’s school, I’ve actually been... happy. But when I saw those yearbook photos, all of my old fears came flooding back. I want to be okay... but maybe I’m not.
Danny: Mia... you will be okay. We’re all here for you. And if that’s not enough... I mean, you mentioned a therapist... are you still seeing her?
Mia: I haven’t in a while... but I think maybe it’s time I started going again.
Danny: It sounds like it might help. We’re here to support you for whatever you need... but we’re not experts in this stuff.
Mia: Thanks, Danny. Thanks to all of you.
A while later... outside of the hospital...
Payton: It sounds like Mia is going to get the help she needs!
Autumn: Yeah... but this is an ongoing struggle. We’ve got to be there for her if she needs us.
Payton: And we will be... starting today! Mia will be getting out of the hospital soon... and I want to give her the best ‘welcome home’ ever!
Danny: Sounds good. What exactly do you have in mind?
Payton: Oh... you’ll see. It’s time to buy some decorations... at the office supply store!
Requirements
- Spend 8000 coins
At Mia’s house, in her room...
Danny: This was a great idea, Payton!
Julian: Yeah. I hope Mia likes this little surprise!
You hear footsteps coming down the hall.
Autumn: Mia’s coming!
Mia opens the door.
Danny: Surprise!
Mia: You guys! It’s so good to see you. I...
Mia looks around her room... and notices that every surface, every wall, is covered in sticky notes.
Mia: ...
Mia picks on of the sticky notes off the wall and reads it.
Mia: ‘You are beautiful.’
She picks up two more.
Mia: ‘You are strong.’ ‘You are smart.’
Julian: Your brother even put a few up!
Mia picks one off her mirror and examines her reflection.
Mia: ‘You are beautiful...’
Danny: You really are, Mia... and not just on the outside.
Autumn: You’re one of the most beautiful people I know... inside and out!
Julian: We just wrote the notes because sometimes we all need a little reminder.
Mia: I... I don’t know what to say.
She reaches out and gives you a hug.
Mia: Danny... I wish everyone could have a friend like you.
Later, back at school, you, Payton, and Mia head toward the cafeteria...
Payton: Lunchtime! Finally! I’m sooo hungry!
Mia: ...
Danny: You okay, Mia?
Mia: I... I will be. I’m getting better... but I might still get stressed out about food sometimes. I’m not going to be ‘fixed’ overnight... But, hey... I’m trying, right?
Danny: Yes... yes you are. It’s great to have you back, Mia.
Mia: It’s good to be back.
Thanks so much for sharing in Mia’s journey so far and learning more about her past! Over the course of their lives, twenty million women and ten million men in the U.S. alone will struggle with eating disorders. If you or someone you know is dealing with an eating disorder, please reach out! We’ve posted FAQs about body image in the help section of the game, as well as at www.highschoolstory.com! Advice and information are also available through Proud2BMe!
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