It was Farah's first time staying over at May-Li and Alice's. Farah was stilling calling it May-Li's house but they were gently reminding her that it was her house too now.
It had been almost 3 months since Farah had started spending time with May-Li with the view of her being her foster carer. It hadn't been easy but they were now at a point when they were ready to spend the night. They had spoken about it a lot and Farah had met up with the boys multiple times. They had worked hard and now they were ready.
Children at the home were slightly jealous of Farah but at the same time they understood that this was Farah's only shot. They knew it was going to be a long journey and it wasn't to say the journey was ever going to end. They knew it was going to take a long time before Farah moved in permanently with May-Li and Alice.
May-Li had just finished her shift, she threw her bag over her shoulder and shouted up to Farah. She hoped that the girl would leave without an issue. It was getting late and May-Li just wanted to get home. She doubted that dinner would be made when she arrived home so she guessed that was another thing she would need to do.
Farah stood at the top of the stairs looking down on her carer.
"Come on, missy" May-Li encouraged noticing the hesitance on the girl's face. She knew that any new experience was nerve-wracking for Farah but this was something else. Farah was a nervous sleeper so sleeping somewhere else was a massive thing for her.
"I'm not sure" Farah mumbled, uncoherent to most people but May-Li had grown accustomed to the girl's voice and accent.
"You can do this sweetie, I'm here for you" May-li said and Farah nodded as she took a shaky step down the stairs. She stumbled the rest of the steps before falling into the outheld stretch arms of her carer.
"Let's get you home" May-Li said kissing the girl on the top of her head and rubbing her arms supportively. They stood there for a few minutes before heading to the car.
They entered the car and May-Li instantly put the music on. It was a technique that worked really well with Farah. She was unsure why but if the music was on Farah relaxed and didn't worry. If the music was off, May-Li could see the train tracks in Farah's head go and soon they would be out of control.
It was only a short drive to May-Li's house. Farah had been multiple times now and had previously been shown her new bedroom. Now that she was here, she was looking forward to the night.
"Go and put your bag in your room" May-Li encouraged as they took their shoes off as they entered the house. Farah nodded and did as she was asked. Farah ran up the stairs two steps at a time. She threw her door open and chucked her bag on the bed. She stepped over to the bed and fell backwards. She loved her bed, it was higher than the one at the care home. It was so much more comfortable as well. She loved it and the duvet was super fluffy. She had multiple blankets and throws on the bed as well. She grabbed a pillow and held it tightly.
She paced herself before walking down the stairs, she was slightly unsure what to do. She was unsure where the boys were.
"I'm just about to start making dinner" May-Li said as she walked into the kitchen.
"Don't worry about that, I got pizza dough. I thought we could all make our own pizzas" Alice said and Farah's eyes opened. She loved the sound of that. She looked at May-Li with begging eyes.
"Okay, but we need to make a salad as well" May-Li said not impressed with the unhealthy choice of food. They all nodded, not really listening to the second part of the sentence. All they cared about was the pizza.
It didn't take them long to make the pizzas and they were allowed to put any topping they wanted on it. Farah was so excited, she wasn't sure if she had ever made pizza before. She knew that with May-Li she would get to experience many more experiences than she had previously been allowed too.
After eating, they returned to the living room and played boardgames until it was almost bedtime.
"Right Simon, it is time for bed now" Alice said "Farah, do you want to go and have a shower?"
Farah nodded but she was nervous. May-Li noticed that instantly. She saw the nerves in the girl's face.
"I'll show you want to do" May-Li said. She needed to get the girl moving before she had time to let the nerves get to her. May-Li guided the girl up the stairs and showed her into the main bathroom. May-Li made work getting the girl a towel and showing her where the toiletries were before leaving her in peace.
Farah quickly showered before heading to her room. She changed into her pyjamas and towel dried her hair. She watched herself in the mirror and thought, would she be recognised as May-Li's daughter? She knew that it was a blended family – Jake and Simon looked nothing like May-Li but she did. Would people assume that she was May-Li's daughter? She would like that.
May-Li knocked on the door as it was slightly opened. She popped her head in.
"Do you need anything else before bed?" May-Li asked supportively and Farah shook her head. It was the truth. She didn't need anything.
"Well you know where Alice and I's bedroom is so if you need anything in the night just knock on the door and come in" May-Li explained and Farah nodded. She was tired, today had worn her out. She knew that was May-Li's goal, to make her so tired that she slept without an issue. She was grateful the woman knew her so well.
Farah slept without an issue. She didn't even no what the time was when she woke up. She felt like she had been sleeping forever, she glanced at her phone and noticed it was only 6:30. She was surprised. Recently, she had been sleeping a lot later especially as it was the Easter Holidays.
Suddenly she realised that she needed the toilet. Perhaps that was what had woken her. She got out of bed and padded through to the bathroom. When there she noticed what the issue was. She burst into tears and quickly stuffed her pants. She didn't know what to do.
Returning to her room, she grabbed her bag and walked to the bathroom to see what she could do. She changed pants and was relieved that she had brought black leggings with her. She searched her bag but didn't have any sanitary products. She cursed to herself. What was she going to do?
Returning to her bedroom, she realised that she needed to check her head. Her worse fear was confirmed. She had leaked onto the bed. It was now after 7 o'clock and she could hear moving around down the stairs. Maybe she could go down the stairs and see what was going on.
Farah crept down the stairs and was noticed by Alice and May-Li almost instantly.
"Come and get breakfast" May-Li encouraged " I wasn't expecting you so early"
Simon was already sitting at the table in his pyjamas eating the cereal.
"You can stay in your pyjamas to eat breakfast" May-Li reassured her. It was then that May-Li noticed Farah's face.
"What's the matter?" May-Li asked and Alice frowned. She didn't know anything was up with Farah. How did May-Li know?
"Nothing" Farah said too quickly.
"I know you better than you think. I can see something is troubling you" May-Li said and that was enough for Farah to burst into tears. Simon was surprised and May-Li quickly gushed Farah out of the room knowing that the girl would be embarrassed.
"What's wrong?" May-Li asked as she wrapped her arms around the young girl. Farah was so upset she was struggling to catch her breath.
"Hey calm down" May-Li said as she encouraged them over to the sofa.
"What's the matter?" May-Li tried around.
"My period came on" Farah cried.
"It's annoying when that happens, isn't it? But I thought you were getting used to them now" May-Li said supportively.
"But I leaked on my new bed" Farah sobbed and May-Li nodded.
"That's okay, it happens. I'll go and strip the bed now" May-Li said showing the girl that it wasn't a big deal.
"Do you want to come and help me?" She asked and Farah nodded. They wondered up the stairs and Farah helped her carer to strip the bed.
"May-Li, I don't have anything" Farah admitted nervously.
"Oh sweetie, you should have said earlier. I didn't think to ask. Come to my room" May-Li said as she guided the girl into the ensuite. She quickly handed the girl some pads.
"It's not like Ashdene Ridge here, but I'll try to remember to always make sure you have pads. If I forget just let me know. I always have some in my bedroom" May-Li explained and Farah nodded. She felt better now.
The rest of the morning went quite quickly and soon it was time for Farah to return. She was buzzing after her sleepover and couldn't wait to tell the others. However, when she returned no one was interested. They were all busy. She knew it was hard for them but she wished she had someone to share her good news with.
Sorry it's been so long. Hope this is okay :)