Authors Note: Hey everyone! I've tried to upload as soon as possible so as not to leave you hanging! I was really happy with the reviews from last chapter so thank you to ObviouslyADreamer, stagediva23, arubagirl0926 & haleydavisbaker. Your reviews mean the world! This chapter is unfortunately only short so I'm uploading another chapter tonight too but it could be a while before the next update as deadlines are coming close for university and I was involved in a car accident Wednesday night, luckily I'm okay though!

This chapter is dedicated to my 100th reviewer, stagediva23!

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN OTH!

P.S. If I created a live journal account and uploaded some of my work onto their (not FF) how many of you would be willing to read and give me feedback? Thanks

April 2025-

Alex ran through the white corridors of Tree Hill Memorial Hospital, dread and fear pumping through her veins. The moment she received the call from Chase, she felt sick. He didn't explain much, just that Avery had collapsed in school and had been rushed to hospital.

At the sight of Chase sat on one of the blue plastic chairs with his head in his hands, Avery's heart plummeted into her stomach; she thought the worst.

"Chase, what's going on? Where's Avery?" Her voice was frantic and scratchy from the crying she had done in the car.

"The Doctor's in there with her now," he pointed to the door opposite them. "They haven't told me anything yet."

His eyes were bloodshot and blotchy and seeing Chase in such a mess only worried Alex more. Stepping forward, she wrapped her arms around his neck and they stood embracing; an attempt to comfort each other.

"Mr and Mrs Adams?" the Doctor interrupted and they immediately jumped apart but held hands. Alex didn't even care that the Doctor assumed that they were married because to the outside world, that's what they probably looked like.

"Avery is in a stable condition. We've got her on a drip and are monitoring her closely."

"I don't understand," Alex mumbled. "Why did she collapse?"

"I'm afraid that Avery has symptoms of Anorexia and the lack of nutrients and food in her body, caused it to shut down. We need to run a few more tests but it doesn't look like any of her major organs are damaged greatly. We are feeding her through a tube which is hooked up to her veins. It's the easiest way to get food into her system."

"Oh my God," Alex began to cry so Chase wrapped his arm around her waist.

"Once she's feeling a bit more up to it, we'll set up a meeting with our psychiatrist and nutritionist. Right now, all she needs is rest. You can go in and see her. I'll be back in a little while."

"Thanks Doctor," Chase politely said and let the Doctor leave before they entered Avery's private room to find her asleep. Alex took a seat on Avery's left whilst Chase took the right.

"She looks so ill Chase."

"She's gonna be okay Lexi. We're gonna help her through this," Chase reassured her then stroked his daughter's head. "As a family."

Jamie knocked on the door of his family's house, bags in hand and girlfriend by his side. He was nervous to say the least. He knows that his family would adore Megan and she them, but he had never been so serious about a person before. He was sure that she was the one.

Soon enough his sister answered the door. When he had shown Megan pictures of his family, she had pointed out that he didn't really look like either his sister or his brother. And it's true. The twins had acquired their father's black hair and face shape but Jamie definitely shared his mom's nose with his sister.

"Lyds!" He exclaimed, pulling her into a hug and making his way further into the house. Megan followed closely behind and they both dropped their bags by the shoe rack. Jamie reached for Megan's hand and walked into the kitchen with her to see his family waiting, including Lydia.

"Megan, this is my mom Haley, my dad Nathan and the twins Lydia and Quinley. Everyone, this is my girlfriend Megan.

"Alex!" Julian called out as he and Brooke ran down the hospital corridor. Alex had asked Chase to call them, knowing that they'd want to know but she didn't expect them to come. They had come straight to the hospital after leaving Freddie with Lucas and Peyton.

"You guys didn't have to come. You've got Freddie," Alex said into Julian's tee shirt as he gave her the best friend hug that she needed.

"Freddie will be okay for a little while with Luke and Peyton," Brooke explained. "We wanted to see Avery. What's going on?"

All three of them had taken a seat on the blue chairs outside Avery's room.

"The Doctor says that she is anorexic. She's getting some tests done now."

"Where's Chase?"

"He's gone to get us a drink."

"I'll go see if he needs any help," Brooke suggested, squeezed Julian's leg and then left the two friends to talk.

"How did this happen Julian?" Alex turned to him. "How could I not know that my daughter was starving herself to death?"

"Sometimes it's hard to see the symptoms of Anorexia," he tried. "She was eating, you weren't to know that she was also making herself sick."

"I should have known. I'm her mom. I couldn't even see how upset she was. I'm a terrible mother," Alex wept.

"Don't say that Alex. You're a great mom. Avery and Caleb adore you."

"Then how come I couldn't save her from this?"

"Because you're not superwoman, you can only do so much. Look at me," he turned her face to look at him. "You have grown as a person more than anyone else I know. I remember when I first met you, you were selfish and immature. But not anymore. And you know why? Because Avery and Chase saved you. When you got pregnant with her, you chose to get your life back on track and they both helped you. So please Alex, don't ever think that you are incapable of being a good mom because you're not and never will be. You and Chase will save Avery like she saved the both of you."

Alex knew he was right. She fell into his embrace and cried on his shoulder for what seemed like forever.

"Thanks for keeping us updated Brooke. Send our love to Chase and Alex. Okay, bye."

Haley placed the phone on the kitchen counter and looked up at her family who were all waiting to find out what had happened.

"Mom, what's going on?" Jamie enquired.

"Is she okay?" Quinley asked knowing exactly what had happened today. Practically everyone in the school knew as Avery was taken out of school on a stretcher.

"Jamie, Avery collapsed at school today. The doctor's have declared her anorexic. Brooke said that she's in a stable condition, just sleeping a lot. They're sure she's gonna be okay though Quinley," Haley explained the situation. She thought Avery had gotten over the whole dieting thing.

Quinley couldn't help but think it was his fault. He knew that she had lost a lot of weight but hadn't tried to speak to her about it or told anyone. What sort of friend was he? He left the kitchen and ran to his room. He couldn't bare knowing that he had been such a bad friend.

Lydia attempted to follow her brother but Haley stopped her.

"He'll be okay Lyds, just give him some time alone."

Lydia nodded and took a seat.

"Sorry about all of this Megan," Haley apologized. "I bet this isn't what you expected?"

"It's fine, I just hope that she'll be okay."

Haley liked Megan. Sure, she had only known the girl for over an hour but she was polite, kind and from the way she looked at Jamie, Haley could tell that she loved him. And that was good enough for her.

After staying with them an hour, Brooke and Julian had gone home, ensuring Chase and Alex that they'd be back tomorrow to check on Avery. That left Chase and Alex alone in Avery's room. They were only allowed to stay for another hour and then they had to go home. Luckily, Brooke and Julian had picked up Caleb for them and offered to look after him until they were ready.

"So much for our movie date huh?" Chase joked.

"Another time maybe?"

"Definitely. I meant what I said though Alex. I want to live at home and be with you again. I think that's what our family needs at the minute."

Alex nodded. "I think you're right. I thought that us being apart is what me and the kids needed but all we need is you. I need you!"

He had waited months for her to say those words and despite their situation, it gave him hope. He wrapped his hand around hers and kissed the side of her head.

"I'm not going anywhere," he confirmed.

Little did they know that, Avery had heard the whole thing after stirring slightly from her sleep. She too was given hope.

Authors Note: Hope you enjoyed, next chapter will see more of Avery's illness. And over the next few chapters will be other character's talking to Avery about it e.g Chalex, Quinley, Brooke, Annie etc... Reviews are love!