Surprise! We're kinda sorta ahead of the game again?! Don't expect it to last lol. T/w: mentions of eating disorders

Chapter Ten

I'll Be There For You

The two scrawny teen girls had finally fallen asleep, curled up together in a pile of blankets and pillows on the living room floor. They had entered dreamland somewhere in the middle of watching the movie 'Clueless' for seemingly the 10th time in the last week.

It had been a huge win for all of the adults in Amelia's corner to see her make a new friend so quickly upon starting her group therapy.

Jo Wilson was a young girl in foster care who was in Amelia's group, and she was just about the same age at thirteen. For her part, Amelia was considered quite small for being just barely fifteen; she was also a grade behind in school due to her circumstances over the past year. She had felt an immediate connection with the other girl and they had become fast friends.

Jo's foster parents were always happy to let the thirteen year old spend the night with her new friend in the care of two 'budding doctors' as they put it. Arguably too happy sometimes, but not so much that it was a concern. In fact, Amelia's new friend and her guardians had attended Amelia's recent birthday dinner.

Addison and Derek never minded having the girl over, especially since she seemed to have visibly raised Amelia's spirits and helped to coax her back out of her shell.

The two girls were practically attached at the hip, which slightly worried them when they considered the fact that Jo would start back up at public school in a week. They worried Amelia was becoming dependent on her friend and that she would backslide emotionally without her support.

Late January-Early February 1996

New Years came and went, and everyone hoped that a New Year meant new changes for the better. The two teen girls settled into their routines fairly well.

Jo started her freshman year at the local high school, and Amelia settled into being homeschooled with her new tutor. She was on an accelerated program that would allow her to catch up on what she had missed in her freshman year, while still finishing her sophomore curriculum on time with her former peers.

Everything seemed to be going well, both girls were following rules and meeting all of their school and therapy requirements. Additionally, Amelia was impressing both her tutor and her family with her above average academic prowess.

But of course, as with most young teenagers, curiosity and the need to push boundaries was always buzzing beneath the surface ready to explode. So it was no surprise that after yet another movie night, Jo declared to Amelia that they needed to do something fun the next day when they would be left alone for the first time in months.

"Ames, guess what?" Jo said, plopping down next to Amelia on her bed, causing the other girl to bounce a bit in response to the impact. Amelia looked up curiously, diverting her attention from the science textbook that was resting on her pretzel-crossed legs.

"There is a really cool new senior girl at my school named Megan, and she just joined the yearbook club I'm in. She said she is having a birthday / housewarming party today at her house, and she said I could come and bring anyone I want! Isn't that cool?! Do you wanna go with me?" Jo bubbled with excitement, clasping her hands together and smiling hopefully at her best friend.

"It starts soon, and she lives just three blocks from here; totally walking distance." She explained.

Amelia chewed her lip and wrung her hands together nervously.

"Um, I don't know... I can't really call anyone to ask, and I'm not supposed to go anywhere without supervision. I'm just getting some freedom back, and Derek did not want to leave me alone, or even let you over today. He almost called my tutor to babysit." She rambled, feeling uncomfortable with having to either break a rule, or risk disappointing and maybe losing her only friend.

Jo rolled her eyes playfully. "Oh, come on Amy! Please come with me? We have the entire day to ourselves, and we will leave a note just in case so no one freaks out if they come home early." Jo reasoned, quickly continuing as she saw Amelia's eyes widen anxiously. "But they won't! We will be back in a few hours before anyone gets home. No one will ever know."

Amelia sighed, gnawing at her cheek as she considered her options. She really didn't feel like being all by herself today if Jo left, and a party did sound kind of fun.

"Okay." She nodded, giving in.

"Megan!" Jo exclaimed, happily dragging Amelia behind her as she made a beeline to greet the girl when they arrived.

"I hope you don't mind, I brought my best friend, Amy." Jo said with a grin, proudly introducing the darker haired brunette at her side.

"Little Jo, hey! You made it." The beautiful redhead said, giving her younger classmate a brief side-armed hug, before turning to greet Amelia with a kind smile.

Megan could tell that Jo's friend was nervous and maybe a bit shy. She herself had been that way once upon a time around her older brother's friends.

"Nice to meet you Little Amy." Megan said goodnaturedly, bestowing the same endearing title on Amelia that she had given Jo. "I haven't seen you around school otherwise I would have invited you with Jo."

Amelia blushed, feeling self conscious around the older girl.

"Oh, um, I don't go to your school. I'm homeschooled. It's just easier with my family's schedule." Amelia explained, shrugging it off.

She let her gaze wander around the room full of older teenagers, and paused when her eyes landed on one boy in particular standing across the room. He was leaning casually, resting his elbows against the countertop behind him as he seemed to observe the action in front of him with reserved amusement. He was tall and good looking, he had light strawberry blond curls and a short beard, and he wore torn jeans and a Harvard crew neck sweatshirt with the sleeves pushed up to his elbows.

He was the most beautiful boy Amelia had ever seen, stealing that honor from her childish crush on Mark. She immediately felt butterflies spring to life in her belly, and a renewed blush rose to her cheeks.

"Who is that?" Jo asked, her eyes also landing on the handsome older boy across the room. It wasn't everyday that the two young teenage girls saw a college boy up close like this, unless it was a family member of course.

Megan looked over her shoulder to follow their line of sight and chuckled knowingly.

"Oh, that is just my brother, Owen. Ignore him. He's just 'babysitting' since mom went back to our old place for the weekend to finalize selling the house and get the rest of our stuff out of storage." She explained. "Think of him as wallpaper, that's what I do." She said with a chuckle, rolling her eyes at his overbearing presence.

'Owen.' Amelia thought, unconsciously smiling at the name. She chanced one more look towards him as she started to slowly follow Jo towards another group of people the girl knew from school.

She committed his features to memory, and was about to look away when suddenly he looked up and locked eyes with her. She felt a jolt of electricity crackle through her as dark blue met baby blue for an intense few seconds.

Just before Jo tugged her deeper into the crowd where she lost sight of him, she was certain she saw his lips curl into a sweet smile, his head tilting to the side inquisitively, almost as if to ask, 'Now where did you come from?'

"Where the hell have you two been?" Addison demanded, interrogating the two girls the second they stepped foot through the door.

Amelia's eyes instantly filled with tears, knowing they were in trouble. She couldn't control her emotions, which also frustrated and embarrassed her. She hadn't wanted to go to that stupid party anyways. Sure, she'd had fun in the moment, but she had broken the rules and she was terrified of the consequences.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" She gasped, struggling to take in air as she sobbed.

"It was Jo's friend's party, and I didn't want to go, but Jo really wanted to, and we thought we'd be back before anyone got home, and I didn't want Jo to miss it or go alone, and I'm so sorry!" She rambled, barely breathing between words. "Please don't call CPS, Addie! I don't wanna leave." Amy sobbed uncontrollably, covering her face with her hands. She knew she was having a meltdown for possibly no reason, but she couldn't help it.

Addison stared at the two girls for a moment before sighing. She was disappointed in them both, but she was equally if not more concerned with how easily Amelia had assumed the worst and fallen apart before her eyes.

"Jo, I think it's best if you called Eileen and Thomas to let them know Derek is bringing you home. Right now I need to have a conversation with Amy. Tell them to expect a call from me tomorrow." Addison directed sternly.

The girl nodded, running quickly to the house phone to do as she was told. She didn't want to risk getting in any more trouble than she was already in, and she felt guilty for convincing Amelia to come out with her even though she knew her friend hadn't wanted to.

"Amelia, go to your room. I'll deal with you when Derek comes back." Addison demanded, watching her whimpering form disappear down the hall just as Jo reappeared in front of her.

"Um Addison? I know this is bad timing, but can I talk to you for a minute? I know I'm in trouble, and I'm definitely not asking you to let me off the hook. This was all my idea and I deserve it. But, I just need to... Nevermind, you know what, it's stupid. Forget it." She shook her head, losing her nerve and turning to walk over to stand by the door and wait for Derek.

"Jo, what is it? You know you can always talk to me. Even when I'm extremely disappointed in you, I still care about you." Addison says gently, rubbing the girl's shoulder and meeting her eyes.

"I don't really know how to say this, but I'm concerned because I've seen stuff like this before at previous foster homes with other girls, and um… Addison, I think Amy has an eating disorder. I just - the dress she's wearing? That fit her a whole lot better last week when we bought it at the mall. I could be wrong and I hope I am, but I want her to be okay and I thought you should know." She said, tears coming to her eyes.

Addison nodded, thanking Jo sincerely for her honesty. She was taking the girl's words to heart and she was determined to look into the matter.

The following two weeks were quiet. Amelia was still scared of major punishment so she had kept to herself, trying not to make any fuss and do as she was told.

It was a rare occasion on a Sunday evening; just the three of them home for dinner. Normally someone was always over but the couple had put a stop to that for the moment as part of the girl's punishment, which meant even Mark hadn't been over.

Addison over the last two weeks had paid close attention to the teen's eating habits. Much to her dismay, she had noticed Amelia barely ate and most days picked at her food or ate just enough to please everyone. It was definitely getting to a concerning point.

She frowned watching the girl once again carefully distribute food from one side of her plate to the other, never actually eating anything much at all.

She hadn't wanted to believe Jo, but deep down she had known the girl truly cared about Amelia and that she wouldn't have made something like this up. She hadn't known the girl long, but knew that much.

That night was the final straw, she couldn't take it anymore and decided to confront the girl during dinner, where once again she was picking at her food.

"Amelia, look at me. You are not okay. You've been throwing up every day for the last week, and then some. How long has this been going on? Why are you making yourself sick?" Addison demanded, dropping her silverware to the table and confronting the teen.

"What the hell Addie?! What are you accusing me of? I don't have a problem." Amelia replied defensively, wondering where the hell her sister in law was getting this from.

"Amelia language." Derek reprimanded his little sister, equally as shocked as her.

"You don't eat, you are rapidly losing weight, and you are throwing up consistently, particularly after meals. That's three good indicators right there, and I don't want to believe it, but as someone months away from getting a medical degree I can't ignore the signs, Amelia." She stated firmly.

"What do you need to hear to be convinced I don't have an eating disorder? Who the hell even put that in your head anyways?" She cried, feeling attacked and betrayed. She pushed her plate away, unable to stomach anymore anyways and ran upstairs to her room. She felt sick and hoped she wouldn't throw up, especially now.

She didn't want them to see how much the accusation affected her, or the tears that once again had taken over against her will. She wasn't doing this on purpose, but what was wrong with her?

Throwing herself down on her bed she broke down in sobs, burying her face in her pillow to muffle the sounds. She couldn't understand how Addison could accuse her of something like that, why hadn't Derek said anything? He just sat there and let Addison say those things.

She thought out of everyone they knew her best, but now she felt like maybe no one understood her at all.

Addison felt horribly guilty.

She had handled a delicate and serious topic in a careless and clumsy manner, and she had made accusations instead of providing a safe space.

Derek had looked at her in confusion, his brows furrowed and face pained. "Addie why would you - is she - what is going on?"

"I- I didn't handle that right, Der. I'm sorry, I'll go up and talk to her." She nodded, planning her napkin on the table as she stood to make her way upstairs.

"Amy?" She knocked on the door, hoping the girl would let her in. She wouldn't blame her if she didn't but she had to try.

Hearing no response she pushed open the door, her heart breaking at the sight. Her young sister in law was curled up in a ball on top of her bed covers, shaking with presumed silent tears.

"Oh Amelia, I'm sorry. Please forgive me for talking to you like that and making assumptions. I'm just so worried about you sweetie." She said honestly, sitting down on the bed beside her and rubbing the girl's back. She hoped to get her to calm down and open up a bit about the topic.

The unexpected touch surprised Amelia, and she shot up, violently throwing up what little she had in her system. She moaned in between sobs, clutching her stomach with both hands.

"Addie, I'm not making myself throw up, I can't help it, I swear. I don't have a problem, food just makes me sick." She cried, turning to her curled form to lay her head in Addison's lap.

"I think I'm allergic to something, I must be. Nothing I eat stays down and my belly hurts so bad when I eat, so it's just easier not to. Addie, please tell me you believe me. Please, I'm not lying to you." She begged, she really needed someone to believe her.

When Addison didn't respond right away Amelia whimpered, feeling her stomach cramp painfully again.

"Addie, I thought you were on my side?" She sobbed, moaning in pain again as her stomach twisted and churned. "I didn't want to tell you. I didn't want you to know I'm too damaged beyond repair and worse than you signed up for. I don't want you to send me away…"

"Amelia, I would never ever do that. The only way you're leaving this house is when you go back to your mom's. That's if you want to go back when you can." Addison reassured her, stroking her hair and placing her other hand on Amelia's stomach, trying to soothe her.

"Amy, how long has this been going on? I need to know. I believe everything you are saying to me, but that does not make me any less concerned. You are not well, honey. You should not be feeling like this." Addison prompted, her voice gentle but leaving no room for argument.

Amelia shivered, the sweaty hot flash that came with nausea always turning into chills.

"I don't know, I remember noticing in January, I think? But I-I was feeling bad right after Christmas, so it could've started sooner. All I know is that nothing wants to stay down." She groaned again, curling her knees up to her chest and trying to breathe through a particularly violent twisting cramp. Her stomach hurt terribly and there was nothing left to toss out to make her feel better.

"Amy, you need to see a doctor, this is serious. We would've gotten you in sooner for your routine checkup and caught this, but with the holidays and getting you settled we let it slip. This is far from routine however, and we can't afford to wait. Come on, I'm taking you to the emergency room." The young adult stated, grabbing the fleece blanket at the end of the bed, grateful it had somehow avoided Amelia's projectile performance minutes earlier.

The redhead carefully bundled Amelia in the blanket and helped her to stand, frowning when she realized Amelia's legs were like jello and she could barely hold herself up.

Moments later Derek had been summoned and he was carefully lifting his sister, tucking the blanket securely around her as he followed Addison to the car.

End Chapter

Song Title: I'll Be There For You-The Rembrandts or the Friends theme song if you wish to associate the song with that.