Hey Everyone, sorry about missing a week, I've been working like crazy and haven't had time to do any writing :/ But now I'm back to normal hours, and back to spending days in bed writing :p

Thank you for your patience, and thank you for gypsy rosalie, Lovehorse101, and SuperWhoMiz for their reviews, thank you for your kind words, they mean a lot :)

Chapter 11

'Ummm, hey everyone,' Alex said nervously, smoothing down the front of her shirt. Her mum, dad, Haylee and Luke sat on the couch, watching her expectantly.

'What's going on, Alex? I've got a lot to do today,' Claire said after Alex took her third sip of water, and rearranged her glasses.

'I just...I just want to talk to you about some stuff,' Alex muttered, wondering if she should go on, or if she should leave her parents to get on with their work. No, it's now or never, just ignore their snide comments and get on with it. She took a deep, bracing breath and cleared her throat. 'Lately, I've been struggling, I've been having a hard time with just about everything and to help with that I've started seeing a counsellor.' She held her breath as she waited for her family to answer, but they were just sitting in stunned silence, staring at her. Her mum was opening and closing her mouth soundlessly, struggling to put words to her surprise.

Finally it was her dad who darted forward, enveloping her in a hug.

'What's going on?' His brow was creased as he looked at her, hoping to see a physical ailment he could help with. Luke had gotten to his feet too, but he was hovering awkwardly by the couch, while Haylee's phone lay on the ground where she had dropped it in shock.

'Well I have depression,' Alex said, slightly embarrassed.

'No, we'll make you better!' Her dad insisted, pulling her into another hug.

'Depression? Why didn't you talk to us?' Her mum sounded a little angry, and Alex looked up in shock. Like I could talk to you, you're always too busy; you were too busy for this conversation!

'I talked to Uncle Mitchell, he's been a great help,' Alex replied coldly.

'I can't...' Claire threw her hands up, a strange look on her face and left the room. Alex sighed as she heard the front door open and close and then shortly after a car engine start.

'You're not cutting yourself or anything are you?' Haylee tugged at her sister's jumper sleeves. Alex smiled sadly, able to see that this was her sister's way of showing concern.

'No, I'm not.'

'Good,' Haylee's bottom lip trembled.

'Don't you cry, because I'll cry,' tears welled up in her dad's eyes. 'You're all too young, no one should have to feel this way ever, let alone before they're old enough to vote.' Luke came over to join the teary group hug that was going on. For once he was speechless, but even Alex was unsure how to handle the fact that she had depression, so she could imagine it was difficult for her thirteen year old brother to wrap his head around.

'Thank you guys,' Alex whispered as her family held her tightly.

'We're your family, we'll always be here for you,' her dad sniffled. 'You just need to let us in and let us know what's going on.'

'I know,' Alex nodded furiously, trying to hold back the tears.

'So what can we do?' Phil said once he pulled out of the hug.

'My counsellor offered to do a family session just so we can all talk about it and see what we should do to make this easier for everyone,' Alex shrugged.

'Okay, we will book that in,' Phil nodded.

'That's if mum...' Alex grimaced.

'I will speak to her,'

So what do you think of Alex opening up to her family? Will things get easier? What is with Claire's reaction? What do you think is going to happen next? Review and let me know what you think :)

I look forward to your reviews, and I'll see you next Friday :)