Summary Extended: It's been a month since Lara left for Boston and though she won't admit it, Poppy misses her like crazy. After coming to rely on Lara, Poppy can't cope without her and her behaviour deteriorates in school and at home. Struggling for ideas on how to get her fun Auntie back, Poppy makes a decision that endangers her health in a last attempt to get Lara to return to the country.

Chapter 1 - I can't live without you

(Rachel's POV)

Ever since Lara had left for her new job in Boston, Poppy had been a completely different child. She'd been a complete tearaway both in school and at home and I was running out of punishments because whatever I did, she just didn't care. Her grades were at their lowest, her punctuality and attendance were shocking and her behaviour was even worse and the concept of homework was non-existent in her eyes.

Lara hadn't called Poppy since she got there and although she'd never admit it I knew Poppy was missing her... Things with Adam and I were really good and we were trying to present a united front against her but all our attempts had failed. I'd tried getting her to talk to Kim now that the pair were on better terms but Poppy dug up the hatchet they had buried and used the past to turn against Kim. She was out of control and I was at the end of my tether.

My thoughts were interrupted by a loud knock on the door, I headed to the front door and opened it before standing to the side. I'd known who it was before I'd even opened the door. Poppy hurried past me and straight upstairs to her room.

"What's she done this time?" I asked, the exhaustion clear in my voice

"About to vandalise public property" One of the policemen answered holding up an evidence bag with a can of red spray paint inside

"Thanks for bringing her home, I'll make sure it doesn't happen again" I told them

"Yeah, that's what you said last time" His voice sounded annoyed

His partner nudged him gently and he tipped his hat gently before bidding me a goodnight and returning to his car.

I closed the front door and climbed the stairs to the attic room which as always was locked. Loud music blared through the wood, which was covered in spray paint. I banged on the door loudly.

"Poppy! Open this door right now!" I shouted

She opened the door a little and looked at me.

"What do you want?" She asked the attitude clear in her voice

I walked inside not waiting for an invite and unplugged her docking station.

"Tell me what I can do to make you happy?" I asked exasperated

She rolled her eyes, it wasn't the first time we'd had a conversation about her behaviour and each time I got the same reaction.

"All I have done is love you, care for you and try to protect you but I don't know what else to do with you! You don't listen to me, your dad, your teachers, the police! So what do you want me to do Poppy?"

She didn't answer me.

"This is all because of Lara isn't it?" I asked

"No!" She snapped "I don't care that she's gone"

(Poppy's POV)

The truth couldn't be further from what I'd said, of course I cared! I wanted her back more than anything, I was sick of losing people and Lara had always been there even when I tried to get rid of her and now she was just gone. It was like she didn't even care anymore.

Rachel sighed deeply and shook her head gently before going back downstairs.

I just wished there was something I could do to get her to come back, I sunk down on my bed staring at my wallpaper on my phone. It was a picture of me smiling and Lara with her arms wrapped around me from behind. A tear rolled down my face as I remembered the day we spent at the beach all together.

I woke up the next morning with my phone still in my hand, fully dressed. I must have fallen asleep. I'd been dreaming about the first time I'd met Lara, she was a psychiatrist and I hadn't been able to get rid of her because I needed her help and she'd left when I didn't need her anymore because I was taking the medication. So if I stopped taking my tablets then I'd need her again and she'd be forced to come home... To sort me out.

A smile spread across my face, I could make her come home.