A few weeks had passed. Things had not been going easy for Rosie or Dave. There had been a lot of fighting about food. Rosie had been going to treatment therapy a few times a week. Between therapy and everything else she had going on she didn't have much time to hang out with friends. And a few of them were started to notice.

Rosie sat down at the lunch table. Nathan and Taylor were the only ones there so far.

"Hey." Rosie said

"Hey." They both said back

"How are things going?" Rosie asked

Taylor and Nathan looked at each other and smiled.

"Well. Something to tell you." Nathan said

"And something to ask you." Taylor said smiling fading a bit

Rosie tilted her head. "Everything okay?"

"Well. Yes. For us they are great. My brother has finally gotten over himself and Nathan and I are dating." Taylor said

Rosie's eyes lit up. "That's amazing! Yay! I am so freaking happy for you two!"

Nathan and Taylor smiled. "You are a big part of what helped us get together. So, thank you." Taylor said

"Glad to help two of my best friends." Rosie said with a smile.

"Now the question." Nathan said tone changing to concern.

"What?" Rosie asked

"We have all noticed. You have seemingly been distracted lately. Almost falling asleep in class multiple times." Taylor said

"You and Nolan seemingly tense with each other." Nathan said

"You have been almost avoiding us. A few of us have asked you to hang out multiple times and you always seem busy." Taylor said

"And you have not been yourself when we are together at lunch…." Nathan said.

Rosie took a breath. "So, you have all been talking behind my back?"

"We are concerned. We have all had one conversation. And Nathan and I were asked if we could ask you about it. We don't want to talk behind your back. We want to be upfront about our concerns." Taylor said

"Nolan and I are okay." Rosie said "We just. I'm going through something. And he is helping, and I have been hard on him…" Rosie said

"You know you can talk to all of us right?" Taylor asked

"Talk about what?" Matthew asked sitting down

"Nothing." Rosie said quickly

Nathan and Taylor looked at each other.

Slowly the rest of the group sat down, and they all ate. Rosie was barley eating. Nolan put a hand on her knee and squeezed gently. She looked at him.

"You okay?" He asked softly

Rosie put on a fake smile and nodded.

"Please." He said softly.

Rosie knew he meant to please eat. Rosie took a breath and finished her lunch.

"Okay. Cut the crap. We all know something is going on." Cass said

"Cass!" Taylor said

"We tried to have the two of you talk to her and I can tell you didn't get an answer." Cass said

"Guys. Stop." Nolan said

"What. So, because you two fuck you are the only one who gets to know what's going on?" Matthew asked.

Rosie took a deep breath and looked at Nolan. "You've told them we've had sex?"

"No!" Nolan said. "Even if we had I wouldn't tell anyone."

Rosie got up from the table and left it.

"Really Matt?" Nolan asked getting up to go after her.

"What the hell did you do?" Taylor asked Matt

"Oh. Come on. We all thought they were." Matt said

"Well. No, I didn't." Taylor said. "But that's not what I mean. Nathan and I were about to get through to her to have her tell us and you sat down, and she shut down. YOU did something."

"I agree." Nathan said

"I don't know. I didn't do anything." Matt said

"You fucking better not have." Cass said getting up and going to see if she could find Rosie and Nolan.

Nolan had caught up with Rosie and pulled her into an empty classroom and wrapped her in a hug. Rosie sobbed into him.

"I would never share about the private parts of our relationship." He assured her.

"I know. I'm sorry." She said between sobs.

"Its okay." He said just holding her. "Its going to be okay."

Rosie calmed down after a few minutes and pulled apart from Nolan. Nolan helped her to be sitting on a desk and rubbed her arms. "Hey. I need you to look at me."

Rosie looked up.

"Matt. He is who made the comments about your weight right?" Nolan asked

Rosie looked down.

"What the hell did he say?" Cass asked

Rosie and Nolan looked up at the door.

"Sorry… I wasn't trying to eavesdrop I swear. I just wanted to help. Rosie. You're my best friend. I just wanted to help." Cass said

Rosie sighed.

Nolan looked at Rosie. "I can make her go."

Rosie chuckled. "You would need an army."

Nolan chuckled.

"I want to help." Cass reiterated.

"Come on in." Rosie said.

Cass went over and gave her a tight hug. "Now I need to know what that ass hat said so I can know exactly why I am ripping his head off his neck."

"That's excessive." Rosie said "Just his balls will do." She looked up with a smirk.

"Okay. Man in the room." Nolan said cringing at that thought.

Rosie and Cass chuckled.

Rosie took a breath and Nolan rubbed her back.

"He said I was getting fat." Rosie said "And that soon Nolan wouldn't be able to put his arms around me and than he would leave me."

Cass nodded. "Kay. He's done."

"Cass. Please don't do anything stupid." Rosie said

"I'm not. I'm letting the principal know. Because I'm piecing things together and I'm guessing that what he said, and maybe other things have triggered a relapse…" Cass said

Rosie sighed and nodded.

"And Nolan why didn't you make her tell us? We are her friends too." Cass asked

"He tried." Rosie said. "But I told him I would not be happy if he told any of you and that I wasn't going to. I didn't want Matt to know that his words had affected me as much as they have."

Cass nodded. "I get that. But you know why he said it right?"

Rosie shook her head.

"Because he is jealous of the relationship you two have. You two are fucking soul mates. We all see it. Matt's girlfriend broke up with him a couple months ago for someone who is more physically fit and well he decided to target you two and your relationship." Cass told them

"Actually, she dumped him when he cheated on her." Nolan said

Cass and Rosie looked at him.

"Yeah. She caught him with someone else." Nolan said

"Who." Rosie asked

Nolan looked at Cass.

Cass looked confused. "Not me."

"No! Not you." Nolan said.

"Sierra." Cass said without second guessing it.

Rosie let out a huffed laugh

"What do you want to do?" Cass asked Rosie.

"I don't know." Rosie said

"You are not the one who did anything wrong." Nolan said.

"And your friends will not think less of you." Cass said

"Last time things went down with Sierra. I just want to forget about it…" Rosie said

"I'll make Matt choose to make new friends. Without a fuss." Cass said

Rosie tilted her head.

"Remember. I know the secrets of everyone in the group. And Matt has a new one to add to the list." Cass said

"How? Do you know these things?" Rosie asked

"I have always been easy to talk to. People share things with me. You are the one that has been the hardest to get to know." Cass said

Rosie chuckled.

"Give me ten minutes than you two can come back to the table." Cass said before she left and went back to the group.

She went over to Matt leaned down and whispered. "I know your secrets. I know what you said to Rosie about her weight. Simply because you are a jealous asshole. So, you can go be friends with Sierra again since you two like to make out anyways. And if you or Sierra complicate anyone of my friends lives. I will tell the police your two's involvement in you know what." Cass said. "So. Pack up your shit and leave this table."

Matt went to say something.

"One word. Just one and I do what I said." Cass said louder for the whole table to hear

Matt narrowed his eyes and packed up his shit.

Everyone else at the table had gone silent when Cass had come back and whispered to Matt.

Matt got up.

"Tell Sierra that we don't miss her." Cass said

Everyone looked at Cass. "He was still hanging out with Sierra?" Pierce asked

"Yes." Cass said

"That's not the only reason he's leaving is he?" Tara asked

"No." Cass said. "There is far more. I just cant say."

Rosie came back to the table with Nolan and they both sat down.

"What happened?" Taylor asked

Rosie looked down.

"We are going to drop it till she is ready to talk." Cass said sitting back down as well.

"Well, we need a reason why Matt just up and left." Tara said

"If you have an issue you can join him." Cass said

"Stop." Rosie said

Cass and Tara started to argue. "Stop!" Rosie said louder.

Cass and Tara both stopped.

"Two people have left the group both of them having something to do with me. I'm clearly the problem." Rosie said

"No." Cass said.

"Rosie. You have don't nothing wrong." Nolan added.

Rosie got up. "I brought the two groups together. And clearly that was a mistake." Rosie said.

"Stop it! No, it wasn't." Taylor said almost in tears. "You are the reason my brother and I are friends again. The reason Nathan and I are together. You are the glue of this group."

"Rosie. We all love you." Tyson said

"Speak for yourself." Tara said

Rosie took a breath. "I'm done. If you truly are my friend come to my place tonight. Otherwise, I don't want to see you again."

She left and left the cafeteria and went to the nurse's office. "I'm not feeling well. I'd like to call my dad and go home."

"Okay." The nurse said. "Why don't you lay down."

Rosie did so.

Nolan packed up all of Rosie's stuff into her lunch box. "I ditto that statement. I know that Rosie brought us all together. And yes. Some great thing have come from it. But lately a lot of you have been changing and I think Sierra has a role in it. So, if you'd rather be friends with her than go for it no one will stop you. I will not let anyone else tear Rosie down. Everyone in this group knows the hell she has been through, and I will not let her go through anymore." He picked up his own stuff and left the cafeteria as well and went to try and find her but soon the bell rang. He was frustrated. He went and put the stuff in his locker and texted Rosie.

'I love you. I think it goes without saying but in case you need to be reminded. I am going no where. You have me.' He sent before grabbing his math stuff and goes to class. Rosie was supposed to be in that class, but he had a gut feeling she wasn't going to be there today.

Attendance was taken and Mr. Bass looked at Nolan when Rosie wasn't in her class. "Saw her this morning. Know where she is?"

"Not sure exactly. Guessing going home." Nolan said

"Yeah because drama is an excuse to skip class." Whitney said

"Okay. Enough." Mr. Bass said before he started class. He didn't know what had happened, but he knew it wasn't what he wanted the focus of this class to be.

Dave got the call and was at the school quickly to pick Rosie up. He went to the nurses office.

"Hey. What's wrong?" Dave asked

"Just nauseous." Rosie said

"I think emotional health might be playing a role in this." The nurse said

Dave looked at the nurse.

Rosie looked at her as well.

"Sorry sweetie. Its all over the school." The nurse said

Rosie groaned.

"What is?" Dave asked

"There was a fight." Rosie said

"Physical?" Dave asked

"No." Rosie said

"Verbal altercation within her friend group at lunch." Nurse said

Dave nodded. "What about?" he looked at Rosie.

"Cass knows what is going on… Nolan figured out who made those comments and Cass was there and well Cass was Cass. Defended me. And he left the table. He is friends with Sierra. So, it all comes back to that. And a few other I think are about to go back to being friends with Sierra." Rosie said

Dave took a breath. "Well, I need a name now. Who is this boy?" Dave asked

"Matthew Black." Rosie said

"Okay. Thank you. Come on. I'm taking you home." Dave said

Rosie got up and the two of them went.

When they were in the car Rosie looked at her dad. "During the argument I made it perfectly clear. Whomever if my true friend I want to be friends with them still. I have invited those to come to our place tonight. I hope that's okay." Rosie said

"Of course." Dave said

"I will tell them everything." Rosie said

Dave nodded. "Coming for dinner? I can make something. Or we can order pizza."

"They love your cooking." She said with a smile

"Okay, I will make something." Dave said with a smile.

She sent a text to Nolan 'It does go without saying. I know you have my back.' And sent that before sending a mass text.

'To those who are coming. Come for six. My dad is making dinner.' She sent

When they got to the house Dave looked at his daughter. "I'm calling the school and telling them what is going on."

Rosie nodded. "I figured. Again, me and the drama."

"Rosie. Its not your fault if Sierra and others are trying to get people against you." Dave said

Rosie sighed. She got out of the car and went inside the house. Sascha was waiting at the door jumping excitedly. She pet Sascha. "Hey boy. Come on. Lets go take a nap." She said to him.

She went up to her room and curled on her bed. Sascha jumped up on the bed with her and cuddled.

Dave went to the fridge and started to figure out what he could cook for a large group. He decided lasagna. He pulled out everything he would need and got to work.

Rosie sobbed herself to sleep with Sascha laying by her and trying to comfort her.

When the lasagna was in the oven he called the school and informed them of what was going on. The school already knew there had been a verbal altercation but not what had been the true cause, so they were happy to have some answers. They weren't planning on interfering as they knew that friends argued at times and had always encouraged their students to try and work though problems and find resolutions on their own but when they found out bullying had been involved they knew they needed to intervene.

After Dave got off the phone with the school he went and checked on his daughter. She was on her phone.

"Hey." He said

Rosie looked up. "Hi."

"How was your nap?" He asked

"Alright I guess." She said

"What you doing?" He asked

'Scrolling Pinterest." She said showing him pictures of pink and red outfits

"For valentine's day?" He asked her

Rosie nodded. "I'm trying to get inspo before I got shopping this weekend with Taylor and Cass. Nolan has already been planning something, so I need a dress or something."

Dave nodded. He knew about her plans for the weekend to go shopping. "Know what Nolan is planning?"

"Dinner somewhere that's about all I know." Rosie said

Dave nodded "He likes to surprise you doesn't he?"

"He thinks its more romantic. I don't have an issue with it." Rosie said

Dave smiles. "I think that boy likes you."

Rosie smiled. "Loves me. We have both said it."

Dave took a breath and nodded.

"Scares you doesn't it?" Rosie asked

"Just don't want you to end up hurt." Dave said

"I don't think Nolan has any plans to hurt me." Rosie said

"I don't think so either. But you are young." Dave said

"Well. Don't worry about it. Right now. I am so happy with him. He takes care of me and makes me feel safe when I am with him. I'm not worried about the future." Rosie said

Dave nodded. "Okay. Well, I called the school. Lasagna is in the oven." He said

Rosie smiled. "Thank you for making dinner for my friends."

"I like cooking. Not a problem." Dave said with a smile.

"What did the school say?" She asked

"That they knew about the argument and was going to stay out of it because friends argue but when I told them about the bullying. They need to intervene." He said

Rosie sighed and nodded. "Okay."

"So. I have to ask. Where is your lunch box?" Dave asked

"Um. I think I left it at school. In the cafeteria. I'm guessing one of my friends picked it up maybe they will bring it tonight." Rosie said. "But I ate everything. You can ask Nolan." She said

Dave nodded and kissed her head. "Proud of you."

Rosie smiled abit.

"You okay?" Dave asked

"Yeah. Just stressed about everything going on." Rosie answered

Dave nodded "That's understandable."

Rosie's phone went off with a text and she looked at it. "Huh." She said

"Who is it?" Dave asked

"Its an automated message from my behavioural therapist saying my appointment has been canceled." Rosie said

"Probably had some sort of emergency to deal with just book another." He said

"The appointment was over a week away…" Rosie said

"Oh. Well maybe he knows that he will not be able to take it for some reason. Just book another." He said

"Yeah. I don't know." Rosie said

"What?" Dave asked

"Well. The last time I was in behavioural therapy. I mentioned that I was getting eating disorder treatment. And he asked if I was seeing a different therapist for that. I said yes and he seemed to be a little annoyed about it." Rosie said

Dave nodded. "Okay. Let me call. I'll figure out what's going on."

Rosie nodded.

"You are allowed to get the help you need for everything that you have going on. Behavioral therapy is for your ADHD. Eating disorder treatment if for that." Dave said

"Well. I guess there can be a connection between ADHD and disordered eating I think maybe he thinks that he should be the one I do therapy with for both…" Rosie said

"Even if there is a connection. You are in treatment through the hospital. Its not solely therapy for your eating disorder treatment so you do not need to feel guilty. I will handle it." Dave assured her.

Rosie nodded

"Thank you for telling me." He said

"Like you wouldn't have found out even if I hadn't," she said with a smile

Dave smiled at her. "Maybe. But still appreciate it coming from you."

They talked abit longer before they both went downstairs to pick up the main floor abit.

/\/\/\/\

At 5:30 there was the first knock on the door.

Rosie went and opened it.

"Hi!" She said to Nolan

Nolan smiled. "Hey." He said coming into the house and giving her a kiss.

Rosie kissed him back.

He held up her lunch box. "You left it at the table at lunch."

She took it. "Thanks. Yeah. I was not thinking about it when I walked away."

Sascha was jumping around at Nolan's feet.

"Sascha. Calm down." Rosie said before she took her lunch bag into the kitchen and emptied out the containers showing her dad to appease his worry. Before going with Nolan up to her room.

Nolan had pet Sascha all over while Rosie was in the kitchen and than went with her to her room. Sascha following.

Nolan sat on her window seat and Rosie sat in front of him leaning against him. Nolan put his arms around her.

"How are you feeling?" Nolan asked

"Terrified that no one is going to show up. Or worse the people I don't want to show up, showing up." Rosie said

"People are going to show up. And they will be your true friends. Letting you know. I saw a group with Sierra at the end of the day." Nolan said

"Who?" Rosie asked

"Matt" Nolan said

"Okay. You can go name by name but I'm going to keep asking so just say them all." Rosie said

Nolan nodded. "Tara, Alison, Leah & Bailee."

Rosie let out a sigh. "So. Two of them who were my friends first…"

"If they want to take Sierra's side than you don't want them as your friends." Nolan pointed out

"You're right. But doesn't hurt less." Rosie said

"I get that." Nolan said

"Letting you know I'm telling those who show up what's been going on." Rosie said

Nolan nodded. "I'm glad."

"You're glad huh?" She asked

"Yes. Because I think our friends will be there for you the way you would be if it was one of them." Nolan said

Rosie nodded. "I just don't need them all being all over me… It's one thing when its my dad or you. But everyone else…"

"Than you tell them the truth. Tell them what's going on but tell them you don't need them to be all over you about it." Nolan said

Rosie nodded.

There was a knock on the door.

Rosie took a breath and got up. Nolan got up as well and the two of them went downstairs and Dave was opening the door. It was Pierce, Taylor, and Nathan.

"Hi." Rosie said

They all said hello. Taylor gave Rosie a tight hug.

Rosie gave her a hug.

Soon Cass, Tyson, Eric, Abby, Ian showed up.

That was the group that Nolan was expecting. They all went into the living room and sat down. They all looked at Rosie expectantly. Nolan put an arm around her. "I think they will all be staring till they get an explanation." Nolan told her

Rosie chuckled abit. "Well than I guess I should start talking." She said before taking a breath

"You all know I have struggled with anorexia in the past. Well. It got triggered and I am once again struggling with it." Rosie said

Everyone seemed surprised by that.

"Since when?" Abby asked

"A few months. Um. Three weeks since I got caught. When I sprained my ankle, they ran blood tests and its showed up. I was backed into a corner, so I admitted it." Rosie said

"Something particular trigger it?" Nathan asked

Rosie nodded. "Comments that were made to me. Saying I was getting fat made me start questioning and it led to me believing it and well that triggered it."

"By whom?" Taylor asked

Rosie sighed. "Matt."

"That explains that…" Pierce said

"I'm sorry. I know you have been friends with him for years…" Rosie said

"None of us want to be friends with people who treat people the way he treated you." Cass said

Rosie nodded

"She's right." Pierce said

"We've got your back." Tyson said

"So. I have told you all this because I would want to know if it was any of you. But I need this not to change how you look or treat me… Meaning don't be on my ass about the eating disorder thing. It will just make it worse if you all are doing it." Rosie said

"I'm guessing Nolan has it covered. None of it will say anything." Cass said

"At school. I have it covered yes." Nolan said

"And else where my father is." Rosie said "But reason I've been unable to hang out is because I go to therapy a few times a week and with everything else I have going on I've just been busy. I haven't been purposely avoiding any of you." Rosie said

They all nodded.

Dave peaked his head into the room. "When you are all hungry. Dinner is ready."

They all got up and went to the dining room where dinner was served.

They all ate and talked and laughed. The conversation having been changed. Dave was letting them eat keeping an eye on Rosie, but she was eating and seemed to be happier than she had been in awhile.

When they were done eating they all helped clear the table and Rosie loaded the dish washer before they went back to the living room to watch a movie. After the movie everyone headed out. Nolan was the last one out. He looked at Rosie.

"How are you feeling?" He asked

"Glad its out and glad that I still have friends." Rosie said

"Because you have good friends who will always have your back." Nolan said

Rosie smiled.

"I'll pick you up tomorrow morning." Nolan said

"Okay."

Nolan kissed her cheek and left.

Rosie closed the door and went to her dad's office where he was.

"Seems like it went well." Dave said

"It did." Rosie said

"Anyone who wanted to be here but couldn't for some reason?" Dave asked

"No. Everyone who wanted to was here. Everyone else was seen with Sierra after school today." Rosie said

Dave nodded.

"I'm not looking forward to school tomorrow." Rosie said

"You will get through it." Dave said

Rosie nodded. "Its late. I'm going to head to bed. Night." She said

"Good Night. Sleep well." Dave said

Rosie went up to bed. Sascha was already on his bed waiting.