A/N: Well, I'm back! The Biology exam didn't go great, but I had a Physics exam a few weeks ago, and, surprisingly, that didn't go too badly. What was annoying though is that I spent weeks learning all the equations, and then they worded questions by GIVNG us the equations!!! Can you believe that?!?!

This chapter may contain issues that some of you find disturbing, but I will try to be as sensitive as I can. I apologise if I write anything that causes anyone to become upset.


Danny stared at her, and Lindsay couldn't quite stop the corners of her mouth from curving up into a nervous grin as Danny's mouth dropped open a couple of centimetres.

"Are you sure Montana?" asked Danny, and both of them blinked a couple of times in quiet surprise as they heard that affectionate nickname leave Danny's lips for the first time in quite a while.

Lindsay nodded, and they both settled down on the sofa before Lindsay began to tell her story.

"Well, I suppose I was always careful about my weight, especially since my mom had practically told me and Milli that she would disown us if we got obese. So we always ate healthily, avoided chocolate, exercised every day, but I was always a healthy weight. But it all started getting out of control when I was about 13."

Lindsay took a deep breath, as her mind flashed back to the darker times in her childhood.


Flashback:

It was Valentine's Day, 8pm, and a 13-year-old Lindsay was sitting at the window, talking excitedly to Milli. She was wearing a knee length jade green dress, with a white sash. With white ballet pumps, and white pearl accessories, Lindsay really did look perfect. And, according to Milli, she mustn't look anything less. Why? Because, tonight, Lindsay had her first ever date with her first ever boyfriend, Jimmy Daniels, a 14-year-old baseball player, who went to Lindsay and Milli's high school.

Jimmy was the most popular guy in school, and he and Lindsay had been dating for a while, so it was to be expected that they would go together. They really went well together. They were both clever, and both helped each other out with homework assignments, and were there when either of them needed to talk. They would e-mail late into the night, just talking about nothing in particular, and they always ended messages with, "Stay safe, I couldn't bear to lose you". Milli constantly teased them; singing Puppy Love whenever she could, but Lindsay and Jimmy didn't care. They were made for each other.

Well, that's what Lindsay thought.

Until that night.

Lindsay sat at the window, talking to Milli, gradually getting more and more nervous. At 10pm, Lindsay was worried. Why wasn't he there? Was he injured?

Lindsay started texting him, and texting him, and texting him, until, finally, at 11:30, she got a reply.

LINDSAY,

STOP TEXTING ME. I HAVE A NEW GIRLFRIEND. AT LEAST SHE IS WILLING TO LET ME TOUCH HER WHENEVER AND WHEREVER I WANT. BESIDES, WHY WOULD I WANT TO DATE A FAT COW LIKE YOU? BECAUSE YOU HELPED ME KEEP MY GRADES UP, HELPED ME STAY ON THE BASEBALL TEAM. THANK YOU.

FROM JIMMY AND JANIE.

XXX

Lindsay then did something that she had never done before. She took a large tub of cookie dough ice cream from the freezer, a spoon, and sat down on the sofa, tears cascading freely down her rosy cheeks, mascara running. Milli sat beside her comforting her as well as she could.

End Flashback.


Lindsay's breathing was starting to become slightly shallow and uneven. Danny pulled her close and rubbed her back, attempting to sooth her.

"We can stop if you want," he offered, but Lindsay shook her head.

"I need to do this," she replied. "Anyway…"


Flashback:

The next day, Lindsay's mother came down to see Lindsay's sleeping form lying on the sofa, clutching an empty tub of ice cream. She walked over, and clapped her hands in front of Lindsay's face.

"What do you think you're doing?" she asked angrily, gesturing wildly to the tub the Lindsay had just dropped.

Lindsay told her mom about the text she had received, but her mom wasn't sympathetic at all.

"Well, if you're going to scoff that much ice cream, maybe what he said had a bit of truth to it."

End Flashback.


Danny was shocked. He couldn't believe that Lindsay's mom could say that to her. He wanted to say something, but could sense that there was a lot more to this story, so he stayed quiet, his fingers rubbing slow circles on Lindsay's back, soothing her, and making sure she knew that he was still there for her.

Lindsay sniffed, and continued.


Flashback:

For the next few months, Lindsay gradually decreased the amount she ate, and, as a result, her weight dropped significantly. However, every time she saw Jimmy around school, and his latest 'conquest', she got even more depressed, until eventually her meals consisted of a small glass of water, and five tic tac mints every meal. She 'ate out' a lot more, leaving early for school for extra 'studying' so that she could avoid eating. Milli and Max eventually confronted her, but that just meant that Lindsay had to be much more careful.

That was when she became bulimic, and that led to self-harm.

The worst incident was in October, when she was alone, ill, in the house, and she decided that her life wasn't worth living. So she wrote a note, and left it on the kitchen table, then, sobbing hysterically, she grabbed a knife and plunged it into her stomach without hesitating. She screamed as she felt the blood leave her body, and eventually drifted into unconsciousness.

Eventually, the rest of the family came home. They had all met at McDonalds to pick up a burger for Lindsay. They opened the door, and Max rushed ahead. Then, he let out a blood-curdling scream.

They all rushed into the kitchen, and when they saw Lindsay, they all started sobbing. Luckily, Max could feel a pulse, so he hurriedly phoned for an ambulance. Meanwhile, Milli read out the note on the kitchen table:

Mom, Dad, Max and Milli,

I am so sorry to do this to you. I never wanted to cause you pain, but I can't stand my life anymore. To be perfectly honest, I've been contemplating doing this for a while now, but I've never had the courage to.

Max and Milli noticed a while ago that I wasn't eating well, but Mom, Dad, you never noticed.

Here's the truth: I'm anorexic, bulimic, and a couple of months ago I started self-harming. I couldn't talk to any of you. I couldn't talk to Max and Milli, because I didn't want to worry you guys, and I'm sorry, but Mom and Dad, you were different.

I was so scared that you would disown me, as you said you would if I became fat. I don't understand how my own parents didn't realise that I wasn't eating, but there you go.

Mom: Thanks for being a great mom. Look out for Max and Milli and make sure they don't go down the same road as I did.

Dad: You're brilliant. Keep up with the sports, work hard, and look after everyone for me.

Max: You're the best brother a girl could wish for, and I love you so much. Stay safe and look after yourself.

Milli: Well, what can I say? I'll always be in your heart, and never forget that. Hakuna Matata. I love you.

I'm sorry to do this, but I can't cope anymore.

I love you all so much, and please, don't ever forget that.

Lindsay.

XXX

Lindsay was in hospital for a while, due to the considerable amount of damage she had done, and unfortunately, the tip of the knife broke off and in surgery they weren't able to find it.

End Flashback.


"Anyway, the tip of the knife is still inside me somewhere, and every so often it shifts, causing me a great deal of pain, which is what I mean by 'my injuries'."

Lindsay glanced up at Danny, and was devastated when he wouldn't look her in the eye.

"I'm sorry Danny," she whispered, and this got Danny's attention.

"What are you sorry for? I'm a little shocked, but I'm still here for you, no matter what, okay? Come here."

He beckoned her and Lindsay, who had moved away from him towards the end of what she was telling him, shuffled closer and gladly fell into his embrace, and Danny placed gentle kisses into her hair.

She was going to be okay.

For now.


A/N: There you go! If some of it seemed a bit far-fetched, it's because I needed it that way to fit in with my fic. I think this is my longest chapter so far!! Please review! By the way, if anybody doesn't know what Hakuna Matata means, "It means no worries, for the rest of your days". (A direct quote!!)