Chapter 10
It was really late on a Thursday night when Rosie woke up. She hadn't had a very good sleep anyway as her and Rachel had a bit of a falling out earlier as Rosie had ended up staying out much later than she was meant to so obviously Rachel wasn't very happy. However now she had a really bad stomach ache.
When she staggered out of bed she realised there was blood all over her sheets so she must have come on her period over night and leaked everywhere, which she felt really embarrassed about as it had never happened before.
She had to get up quickly and went straight to the bathroom and got herself some fresh pyjamas so she could get herself sorted.
Once she was fine she dragged her sheet off the bed and started to go downstairs with it, however Rachel had got up to go to the loo but had heard Rosie get out of bed to check, she knew half the time when they got out they'd probably just be going to the loo or getting a drink but she did like to check to make sure they were okay.
She followed Rosie down the stairs and saw her go into the kitchen.
"Rosie are you okay?" She asked sounding a bit worried
"Erm I ...I..." She stammered but she did still always feel embarrassed talking about this sort of thing "I need to change my bed sheet"
"Why sweetheart" Rachel asked
When Rosie didn't respond she flicked the light on
"Oh I see" Rachel said "pass it here, I'll chuck it in the wash"
Rosie quickly part it to Rachel before going into the back room and bursting into tears as she felt really upset and embarrassed
When Rachel had out it in the wash she went over and sat by her
"Hey don't be upset it's okay" she said
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to get it dirty" she said
"Of course you didn't love, it's alright it'll wash" Rachel soothed even if she was a bit angry with Rosie about what had happened earlier she was still quite worried about her now and hated seeing her so upset
"It's so embarrassing" Rosie sighed "why do I have to be a bloody girl"
"I know it's a nightmare but there's no need to get embarrassed there's only me that knows anything about it darling and I don't make you feel embarrassed do I love?"
Rosie shrugged but then shook her head
"no I guess not" she sighed
"So don't you be worrying about it then my love, just forget it ever happened" she said before kissing her on the cheek
Rosie relaxed before snuggling into Rachel properly, she always liked to do this whenever she was feeling a bit upset as it made her feel all relaxed and comforted.
"Rach are you still mad with me about earlier?" Rosie asked
Rachel hadn't meant to get as angry as she did with Rosie, but to was more the fact she kept answering back to her that made her feel annoyed as she hated it when she felt like anyone wasn't showing her any respect
"Not mad, I am disappointed though"
"Which basically means your mad" rosie said "surely I'm not the first person to stay out a bit late" she sighed, she couldn't help but feel sometimes Rachel was a bit too harsh about these things
"I dare say you're not, but you need to know when you've overstepped the line, and the way you were talking to me earlier was totally unacceptable you just realise that Rosie, and I won't have it not in my house"
"ok I know it was wrong but I was just annoyed"
"Well we'll talk about it some more tomorrow"
Rachel didn't really want to be talking about this now as both her and Rosie were quite tired so she didn't want to finish up in another argument
"Am I grounded?"
"Yep" Rachel replied simply
"Even though it's Josie's sleepover tomorrow"
Rachel rolled her eyes she knew how much Rosie had been looking forward to it so did feel really mean stopping her from going but she also didn't want to relent straight away
"Well we'll need to see about that won't we"
"So that means I can go"
"I said we'll see" Rachel said
She then thought for a moment before saying "you know what I really would like to know Rosie?"
"What" Rosie asked sounding a little suspicious
"Why you were actually so late"
"I've already told you Rach" Rosie said
"Yeah you lost track of time, I want the real reason though because I don't buy all that and you know I can tell when you're lying"
Rosie sighed she really didn't want to have to explain but by the looks of it she didn't have much choice as it was true, Rachel could always tell when she was lying.
"Ok I'll tell you, but not if it's going to make you go off on one again"
"Well if it's that bad I cent promise I won't be a bit angry but I'll try my best not to go "off on one", well providing you're not about to tell me you and your little friends attempted to rob a bank or something"
Rosie laughed at this before saying "no not quite"
"Well that's a relief, go on then tell me why you were so late"
"We met up with some boys and we were just hanging round with them for ages"
"Rosie you're 12 years old" Rachel exclaimed
"And that doesn't stop me having boys as friends does it?"
"Well no providing that's all they are young lady"
"I won't tell you if you're going to be like that"
"I'm sorry go on love, I'll try my best not to say anything else"
"Well anyway we ended up going back to one of their houses and it seemed rude to say I wanted to go back home, and if suppose I didn't want to seem like a little kid"
Rachel could understand what Rosie meant and she knew at her age it was so important to try and fit in
"But the thing is Rosie you still are a kid really, and that means you need someone looking out for you, I do know and I do understand exactly how you felt but I wouldn't be doing a very good job of looking after you would I if I just let you stay out till whenever you felt like there does need to be some boundaries my love"
"I know and I really am sorry, I'll try not to let it happen again"
"Okay, well considering it's extremely late and we've both got to be up early tomorrow I think it'd be a very good idea if we say no more about it for now and head back up to bed okay"
"Okay" Rosie mumbled giving Rachel a big cuddle
They stayed cuddled up for a moment or so but then they got up, but just as they did the living room door flung open
Rachel turned round and saw lily stood there in floods of tears
She immediately rushed over to her and picked her up
"Lily what's up love"
"I couldn't find you anywhere" lily sobbed
"Oh darling I'm sorry, I haven't been in my bedroom me and Rosie have been having a little chat down here"
Lily didn't say anything just wrapped her arms tightly around her
Rachel was a bit worried as lily seemed to be crying quite a bit so was obviously quite upset
"Rosie go up to bed, I'll be up soon to check your asleep"
"But what about lily"
"Don't worry about your sister love, me and her are going to have a nice cuddle and a chat aren't we lily"
Lily didn't say anything just continued to cling to Rachel.
Rachel gestured to Rosie for her to go upstairs so she did.
Rachel sighed as she got lily sat down on her knee, she was feeling really tired now and wanted her bed but obviously she wouldn't dream of sending lily back to bed when she was this upset before she had a chance to find out what was going on, she just hoped it wasn't too serious
"Now what's happened darling"
"I had a bad dream, and I feel really poorly"
"What happened on your dream"
"I ...I can't remember" lily stammered
"Okay, but there's nothing to be frightened of now is there love, look you're at home nice and safe, and my rooms right next door to yours so no one would even hurt you"
"Okay" lily said through tears
"So how do you feel poorly then?"
"I ...um... I've got a tummy ache and a head ache" lily said
"Have you love, that's come on suddenly you were fine earlier, do you feel like you're going to be sick"
"No" lily said
"Where does your tummy hurt?" Rachel asked
Lily pointed to all round her tummy
"Do you need some medicine" Rachel asked sounding a little doubtful as this did all seem to have come on very suddenly and she didn't really want to give her medicine if she didn't need it
Lily shook her head
"Okay well maybe just try sleeping on your tummy that might help a bit"
"Okay" lily said
"Do you think you can try going back to sleep for me then?"
Lily knew she wouldn't be able to go to sleep if she tried now and hated lying in bed alone when she was worried and frightened
"I don't want to go back to my own room" lily cried "please let me sleep in your bed with you"
Rachel sighed but didn't want to send her back to bed if she was still upset
"Right okay, just this once since joes away with work so there's plenty of room"
"Thank you Rachel" lily said before giving a big cuddle
Rachel carried her back upstairs and into her room
They were about to get into bed when lily said "Rachel I know it's really late but please can I go to your toilet before I go to sleep"
"Yes of course you can" she said
Lily went into Rachel's ensuite as soon as she sat down on the toilet more tears started falling down her face and she couldn't seem to make them stop, but didn't really want Rachel to see as she knew she'd ask loads of questions, so she just stayed sitting on the toilet crying for a while.
Rachel was almost asleep when she suddenly realised lily still hadn't come back from the toilet so quickly got out of bed and went across to it
"Lily are you okay in there sweetheart?" She asked
"Yes" lily replied
"Are you feeling a bit poorly?"
"Yes" lily said again
"Can I come in love?" She asked gently
"No I won't be long" limy said hastily trying to mop up her tears
"Right just come to bed when you're done then"
A couple of minutes later lily came out and got in beside Rachel so Rachel snuggled up close to her
It didn't take them long to both fall fast asleep
Lily woke early the next morning, she immediately started to feel sick when she realised it was school today and knew she needed a way to get out of it
She'd been awake about 15 minutes when Rachel's alarm went off
As soon as she heard it Rachel quickly went to turn it off not wanting it to wake lily up, but then she realised lily was already awake
"Lily what are you doing awake at this time sweetie"
"I feel sick again"
Rachel sighed, if lily kept this up she knew she'd have to keep her off today but she just didn't seem that Ill to her
"Again? you told me you didn't feel sick when I asked last night"
"I ...I feel really sick now though and I'm all hot"
Rachel put her hand to Lily's forehead but she didn't feel that hot
"Hmm you don't feel hot" she said
Lily didn't know what to do, she couldn't go in today but she could tell Rachel didn't really believe her
"Lily look at me" Rachel said "now I want you to promise you're telling me the truth about feeling poorly"
"I promise" lily said but then she immediately began to panic about lying to Rachel and was scared about what she'd do if she found out the truth as she hated lying to her and it made her feel even more upset inside
Rachel didn't know what to do, she knew regardless of whether she was telling the Truth or not lily would keep this up at school and would end up getting sent home, so it would be less trouble just to keep her off and make arrangements now
"Right well if you stay off, you're not to play any games or get any toys out all day, you'll be in bed okay"
Rachel then had to ring around a bit to try and find someone to look after her but it seemed no one could so she'd just have to take her in with her
"Are you sure you're not well enough to give it a try, you'll just be stuck in my office all day and you'll be very bored"
"I do feel really poorly"
"Okay my office it is then" Rachel sighed
Once she'd had a shower and got dressed she went into Rosie's room to wake her up, she didn't bother knocking and just walked straight in but to her surprise she was already up but she just had her underwear on
"Rachel!" Rosie screamed before practically pushing her out the room
"I'm sorry I didn't realise you weber getting changed"
"Well can you at least knock on the bloody door in future"
Rachel rolled her eyes but didn't say anything, she knew how self conscious Rosie was at the moment even in front of Rachel so could understand why she wouldn't want people walking in on her.
After a while they all got in the car and they went to drop Rosie off
"Bye love have a nice day" Rachel called but like always first thing on a morning Rosie wasn't in a very nice mood so just slammed the car door shut and scowled
"Well wasn't that a lovely goodbye"
She then drove to school and carried lily in with her as she felt a bit shy with all the other kids
Lily seemed to cause quite a bit of disruption though as lots of them wanted to know who she was and everyone said how cute she was.
Eventually though they managed to make it to Rachel's office
"Right I've got lots of work to do so you just have a lie down on that sofa over there and let me get on please"
Lily was so glad not to be at her own school she went straight over and did exactly as Rachel told her.
She was as good as gold all morning and stayed really quiet but just after break time, she suddenly felt really tearful and upset.
She started to cry but tried to brush her tears away, however when Rachel glanced across from her paperwork she saw her doing this so put it down and crouched beside her
"Lily are you okay"
Lily nodded
"Why are you crying then love?"
"I feel poorly again"
"Worse than before"
Lily nodded her head
"Maybe I should see about getting you checked out at a doctors then but in the mean time should I get you a drink of water"
"Yes please"
Rachel went across to her little machine and got her a cup of ice cold water
"Thankyou"
Rachel then went back to her desk and got on with some more work
She ended up having quite a busy morning, as on top of all the paperwork she had to do, like always on a Friday quite a few students finished up getting sent to her so she had to deal with them too.
She ended up having to keep one girl in her office though as she'd refused to go back to her class and had been cheeky to Rachel when she'd spoken to her about it.
Rachel sat her down on the desk near lily and got her to do some work.
As soon as Rachel's back was turned she rolled her eyes and pulled a face at Rachel.
Despite how she was feeling lily couldn't help but burst out laughing at this
The girl then turned to lily and gave a her a warm smile
"Lily I'm going for a walk around to check everything's okay, are you coming with me"
"No I'll stay here"
"Are you sure" Rachel asked as normally lily would feel extremely scared about being with strangers and felt a bit uneasy leaving her with jasmine who had a bit of a bad reputation
Lily nodded so Rachel decided to just leave her
"What are you doing here, you look a bit young to have been sent here too" jasmine joked causing lily to giggle
"No I'm here because I'm poorly"
"Ah are you miss masons daughter then, I never knew she had kids"
"Is miss mason Rachel?" She asked doubtfully as she'd never heard her being called this before
"Yep"
"no she's not my mum but I live with her"
"How come? Why don't you live with you're own mum" she asked nosily
"She's dead and I can't live with dad so I live with Rachel"
"Oh sorry I didn't realise" jasmine said "is she nice to you?"
Lily nodded but then tears started forming in her eyes
"I didn't mean to upset you" jasmine said going and sitting next to lily
"It's okay
"She's alright I suppose, for a teacher I mean"
"She's always nice to me, she's never shouted at me but sometimes she gets a bit cross if I'm really naughty"
"You don't look like you have it in you to be naughty, not like me eh?"
Lily smiled but then she started crying properly so jasmine put an arm round her and much to her surprise lily started crying into her
"What's upset you now, can't be something I've said again"
"No it's just ...I have been really naughty and I don't know what to do"
"What is it you've done?"
"I can't say"
"Sure you can, it can't be that bad and anyway it's not like I'm going to tell is it"
Lily was sort of tempted to say but then suddenly Rachel walked in and was shocked to see lily cuddled I'll to jasmine
"This doesn't look much like work to me jasmine" she said though she wasn't really one bit cross and it was nice to see really
"Sorry miss"
"That's alright" she said "are you feeling poorly again?" She said to lily
"No she's just been telling me all about you miss" jasmine said
"yeah, yeah get on with some work now and I'll do the same"
"Spot anything Interesting on your tour round?"
"Not particularly why"
"Just wondering, you do it everyday like you're expecting to see a mad axe murderer running loose or something when actually you just see a load of boring old classrooms full of kids"
"Work jasmine"
Rachel had to try hard to stop laughing though as jasmine had always been quite funny
About half an hour later Rachel got a call and saw it was from Lily's school so took her phone outside
She seemed to be outside for ages and when she came back in she had quite a serious expression on her face
"Jasmine back to class"
"But I thought you said I had to stay till the end of school"
"I changed my mind"
"Alright see ya miss"
"Well hopefully you won't because you're going to keep you're head down aren't you"
"Yep I'm a good girl me"
"Course you are, and try and stay out of trouble at least till the end of the day"
"Bye lily, hope you feel better soon"
"Jasmine leaving my office doesn't need to turn into a grand farewell you know just grab your stuff"
Jasmine smiled and went out
"Lily me and you are going for a walk outside grab your coat"
Lily noticed Rachel sounded a bit stern so began to feel scared
Once they were outside Rachel said "now I'm going to give you another chance to tell me the truth are you really feeling that poorly"
Lily nodded but then burst into tears
"So is that a no" she asked
"Yes" lily mumbled sounding small
"Why did you lie to me"Rachel asked "pretending to be poorly to get out of school just isn't on lily it really isn't"
Lily was crying quite a bit and couldn't seem to get any words out and she really did feel sick now
"Come and sit down on this bench with me" Rachel said her voice a little gentler now
Lily went and sat down, she was feeling really dizzy now
"You see I was just speaking to your teacher and she tells me she got a feeling you might not be poorly and this mystery illness might have something to do with the fact she wanted a chat with me at the end of the day, so is there any truth in that?"
Lily nodded her head as she bit her nails, something she always did when she was anxious
"Right, so you've been pretending to be poorly so your teacher wouldn't get a chance to talk to me" Rachel asked, she couldn't help but feel sorry for lily especially since she looked so scared so she didn't want to be too harsh on her as she knew this would only do a lot more harm than good and might end up really upsetting lily
"Yes"
"But why darling, surely I'm not that frightening to you"
"I thought you might be angry and I didn't want to get into trouble with you or joe" lily admitted before collapsing into Rachel's chest and having a proper cry into her
"There, it's not that bad, you're alright love no ones angry with you not properly"
"Not even you" lily sobbed
Rachel smiled slightly before whispering "not even me"
"I am sorry"
"I know you are and I also know you wouldn't have pretended if you didn't think you had good reason" Rachel said "now I'm not going to shout or get mad okay, so just you calm yourself down my love" she said stroking her hair gently to relax her
Eventually she stopped crying so sat up and looked at Rachel
"Do you know why she wanted a word hmm?"
Lily shook her head
"I know I must have done something bad because she always tells people's mums if they've been naughty but I can't think what"
"Actually love it wasn't because you've been naughty" Rachel said "and it was certainly nothing to get you worked up about"
"What was it then"
"Well she tells me that you're struggling quite a bit with spellings and some of the number work you've been doing at the moment"
"And you're not angry about that"
"No it's not something you can help, so why would I be angry?"
Lily shrugged her shoulders
"She was just telling me a bit about how you're getting on that's all, and she thinks it might be an idea for me and you to do a bit of extra work at home together just to see if that helps a bit" she said
Lily's teacher had mentioned quite a bit about dyslexia and getting Lily screened for it but she didn't want to upset lily by mentioning this now
"Okay"
"And darling in future please just come to me if you're feeling upset even if you think it might get you in a bit of trouble it's not worth all this promise "
"Okay" lily mumbled
The two of them sat outside for a bit and then went back in, lily now feeling like a huge weight had been lifted off her
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