Chapter 49
Rachel and Eddie had just finished watching a film and decided to go up to bed, for an early night. Phoebe was staying at Chlo's house and Rachel was surprised at how early Chloe had gone to bed. As she walked past Chloe's bedroom she heard muffled sobs.
"I'm just going to check on Chloe a second Eddie" Rachel whispered to Eddie before he carried on into their bedroom.
Rachel knocked on Chloe's bedroom door but didn't get a reply, so she went in anyway. The sight before her eyes made her really worried. Chloe was laying on her bed on her stomach crying into a pillow. She knew Chloe hadn't been herself for a couple of weeks now; she just wished her daughter would talk to her rather than bottling it up.
Rachel went and perched on Chloe's bed and began to rub her back. Chloe still didn't bother to acknowledge her mothers' presence.
"Please tell me what's wrong Chlo. If you don't tell me then I can't help you"
Chloe still refused to say anything for a little while.
"I can't do it anymore Mum" Chloe said her head still in her pillow
"Do what?"
Slowly, Chloe turned around and sat up against her headboard.
"I can't take the things they say to me. It's constant, they never leave me alone"
"Who sweetheart?"
"Ella, Maddie and Nicole in the year above"
Rachel knew exactly who her daughter was talking about. Rachel had had to deal with those three girls on several occasions for bullying and they were now on their last chance.
"What are they doing?"
Chloe walked over to her desk and opened up her laptop, before showing Rachel all the emails they had been sending her over facebook.
"Do they just send you messages through facebook, or do they do anything else?" Rachel asked
"They text and tweet me horrible messages as well, and they're always really horrible at school. I just can't escape them. And they were at the park today"
"Oh sweetheart, why didn't you tell me before?"
"I was embarrassed to tell you. I don't know why but I just was"
"Well, you're not the only one they've bullied and as they were on their final chance I'll be suspending all three of them after half term"
"Really?" Chloe asked
"Oh yes, I made myself clear after the last girl they bullied" Rachel said pulling Chloe into her chest. Chloe began to cry again as Rachel rubbed her back. The three girls had made her feel so horrible about herself.
"Why did they do it Mum?" Chloe asked
"It's probably because they're jealous of you"
"Why would they be jealous of me?" Chloe asked, her self- esteem being very low at the moment
"Because you're pretty, clever, a lovely person. The list could go on and on. But the bottom line is you're a much better person than any of them are because I know you'd never do anything like that."
Sometimes Rachel found it really hard to understand how girls could be so mean; how they found pleasure in giving someone else so much pain.
"Thanks Mum" Chloe said giving her Mum a smile
"Are you ready to go to sleep?"
"Yes" Chloe replied getting into bed and pulling her quilt up to her chin.
"Night sweetheart, love you lots"
"Love you too Mum"
Rachel kissed Chloe on the forehead and then left her to go to sleep. Chloe felt so much happier now that she'd got it off her chest so she hoped she'd be able to get a good night sleep, something she hadn't had in a while.
Rachel went into her bedroom and got changed into her pyjamas.
"Everything alright with Chloe?" Eddie asked
"I found out what's been bothering her over the last few weeks" Rachel told him "Ella, Maddie and Nicole have been up to their old tricks"
Eddie sighed. After last time, Rachel and Eddie both thought that they'd finally for through to the three girls.
"I guess we'll be suspending them then"
"Yep, we did warn them, and they've had loads of chances"
The next morning soon came and Rachel was snuggled up in bed with Eddie when there was a knock on the door.
"Come in" Rachel said. Lily opened the door and walked in.
"Lil, are you wearing Michael's clothes?" Rachel asked laughing at Lily who was stood in front of her wearing a pair of Michael's jeans and one of his t-shirts.
"Yes, me and Michael thought it would be fun to be each other for the day" Lily replied. Rachel and Eddie laughed, some of the games kids play.
"Well I think you'll have to wear your own clothes before we go out" Rachel told her because they were going out to lunch with Eddie's sister and children.
"Why?"
"Because we're going out for lunch, and people might think you're a bit strange if you wear boys clothes"
"Oh, okay then" Lily sulked
Michael then appeared at the doorway wearing nothing but Lily's pants.
"Lily, have you got a bigger pair? These are a bit too tight" Michael asked
"I'll have to have a look"
"I didn't know you'd decided to swap underwear as well" Eddie laughed
"Will you go and get the camera for me please Eddie? I really think we should take a photo to show them when they're older"
"Okay then"
"Why are you laughing?" Michael asked "me and Lily are being each other for the day, so show are we supposed to do that if we don't swap clothes?"
"That's a very good point Michael" Rachel said smiling at the innocence of the two young children
Once they'd taken the photos Rachel walked into Chloe's bedroom to see how she was.
"Morning love, how you feeling today?" Chloe asked
"A lot better thank you. I've decided not to go on my laptop or phone though until after half term. That way I can just ignore them until you stop them."
"I think that's a very good idea. Don't forget we're going out for lunch today with Eddie's sister"
"Oh yeah, I forgot about that. Are Phoebe and Amelia coming?"
"Yes, we're going to pick them up from Chlo's on the way. Ronan's coming too"
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