Sera's POV

Monday went by faster than I thought it would be. Life constantly felt like going on fast-forward, not being able to stop for a moment. I guess I always found it easy to go on like that… I wasn't getting much sleep at the Flynn's. I didn't want any nightmare to resurface and wake them up. They were already being too nice… too understandable… almost unbelievable. However, it all took its toll on me. I fell into a dreamless sleep at around 4am on the desk.

Flynn's POV

The night was easy… too easy… Ana and Christian told me about Sera's nightmares… and till now… none of them occurred… and this was her second night already…

Walter and Derek woke us up as usual, by coming to our room. It was our first family's interaction in the morning. All of us in bed, cuddling for some minutes before I helped Rhian in preparing the kids for school. Walter was the hardest in the mornings. He woke up with so much energy, and wouldn't stop talking for a minute. He talked about his dreams, about what he wanted to do during the day. His philosophy reminded me back of when I was a kid, and used to do the same to my mother.

'… and then daddy, Willy Wonka was there, and he gave me anything I asked for…' He continued.

'Really?' I asked intrigued as I fixed his uniform tie. '…and what did you do then?'

'I woke up daddy… but I think I would have asked for his secret recipe, and then I would have brought it to you and then you could have done the most amazing cookies or chocolate… or anything…'

I laughed at his reasoning. One of my hobbies was cookery… He knew me so well. 'Walter stop moving for a second so you'll wear your cardigan…. There you go…' I continued while he jumped on me.

'Walter, where is your shoes?' Rhian asked as she took him from my arms. 'Let your father get ready for work… You little guy!' She cuddled.

'Daddy wanted to hear my dream!' He excitedly replied.

'You and your dreams!' She tickled. 'You need anything honey before I prepare breakfast?'

'Walter's button is a bit loose… Can you sow it fast? I'll do it later if the need be…' I replied as I got my suit out.

'I'll do it…' She replied as she put Walter down. 'Don't take long honey… you have to drive three kids to school… and one is eager to go to school.' She smiled.

Rhian had already prepared breakfast when I joined the family. Walter and Derek were already digging in their toasts. I moved forward to help Rhian with the lunches… while I sipped my coffee, but soon realized that one person was missing.

'Where's Sera?'

'Hasn't she woken up?'

'I didn't check… I heard the alarm go off…' I replied growing concerned.

'I'll go check on her… Will you continue here?' She asked.

'Sure…'

Rhian's POV

I made my way to her room, and knocked gently, but still didn't get a response. I opened the door gently, and saw her sleeping on her desk. I smiled at the scene… for once I saw her peaceful… I didn't want to wake her up, but she wouldn't miss school for no reason. I shook her gently from her shoulder. She woke up almost scared.

'Hey… good morning sunshine.' I smiled while I removed a lock of her hair from her face. 'It's morning Sera…'

'Damn… I slept in…'

'I don't think you slept at all Sera! The bed is still perfectly untouched, and you're on the desk.'

'What time is it?' She avoided the question as she closed her books.

'7am…'

'What?' She asked panicking.

'Calm down Sera… You'll manage to make it to school in plenty time.'

'I still have to shower, get dressed, do my hair…'

'Sera…' I moved forward and stopped her from her panic attack. 'Calm down… there's nothing to panic about. Take a deep breath… Good… Now… You go take a shower, and I'll lay down your clothes for you… Then come downstairs and join us for breakfast… Ok?' I told her gently. She nodded in agreement, and made her way to the bathroom. I opened her closet and realized that they were more organized that I did ours. I was almost afraid of moving anything. The hangers were equally aligned, and nothing stuck out of order. The order brought shivers down my spine.

I knew how anorexia consumed teens. As a child psychologist, I could sense a deeper connection to all of this. My husband knew it as much as I did. My decision on giving up my career for my family gave me a better life to be there for my children. I knew what bothered them and what made them sad… I knew what they loved, and I knew what ticked them off. It wasn't an easy decision to make. Especially for John. He was worried that I wouldn't be able to cope with the constant presence to my family…but family was always a priority for me… and seeing Sera like that made me realize the good decision I've taken.

Her wardrobe only consisted of grey, baby pink, black and blue. Nothing else was different… no colour… nothing different… I took out a black pair of leggings, leg warmers, and a grey cashmere sweater. Cashmere was her favourite… most of her wardrobe was like that. I laid them down for her, and took her laptop bag and school bag downstairs.

'Is she ok?' John asked me as he saw me placing her school bag besides Walter and Derek's.

'She slept in John.'

'Slept in?' He asked confused.

'She fell asleep while she was studying John…' I replied while I joined them. 'She'll soon be down...' I saw John lost in thought. He knew what that meant. She'll be skipping breakfast… this time not picking up at food… but because she's 'late'… We both knew the tendencies… we both knew how this went by… He sipped at his coffee and aided to Walter in getting his blazer on, while I helped Derek. Soon she was down. She looked paler than before. I looked at her fingers, and they were absolutely purple. There was no circulation at all. Her black coat on top of her was quite fitting, and it scared me looking at her tiny frame. It was a small size but it still hanged off her shoulders.

'I'm sorry I'm late.' She started while she remained at the door.

'Don't worry Sera.' John smiled. 'You have your school lunch on the counter.'

'I eat at the canteen…' She quickly replied.

'You can add that one to your lunch…' John insisted as he handed her the lunch himself. We both knew she wasn't going to eat it… but we wanted to make her feel in a family. She took it from his hands hesitantly, and stared at it. I saw her face filled with worry, but we didn't make a huge fuss on it.

'Let's get going.' John said again as he took the kids bags and his case. He moved forward to me, and kissed me as usual before leaving for work.

'Love you honey…'

'Love you too… see you at 5pm.' I replied again, while my two sons came running towards me.

'We'll miss you mummy…'

'I will too little men…' I replied as I hugged them and fixed their shawls. 'Now remember… I'll be picking you up at 2pm. Don't move from the gates. Ok?'

'Yes mummy.' They replied as they both kissed me. I moved towards Sera. She was still holding back. I went forward and fixed her shawl as well. 'I'll be picking you up at 3pm sweet heart.'

'I have swimming practice… would you be able to wait for 5 minutes please till I walk it out please?'

'No problem…' I replied as I hugged her and kissed her on her forehead. 'Take care… and have fun at school.'

Flynn's POV

She may have skipped breakfast, and there was no way she was going to eat her lunch, but tonight there were going to be no games. I knew how it worked… She may think she got her way… but not tonight. She remained quiet in the back seat, while Derek and Walter kept talking and discussing anything that little kids worried them.

She remained staring at the window, while she chewed the inside of her mouth. She kept playing with her fingers.

'Sera, what do you have today?' I asked her maybe she'll talk a bit.

'Um… this morning I have physics, politics, double chemistry, and double biology… then I have swimming…'

'Sounds quite hectic… make sure you take your break… you need to relax for all those lessons.'

'I'll do…'

'That's…6 hours lessons and an hour and a half swimming?'

'Mhmm…' She replied as I stopped the car.

'Remember, Rhian will pick you up at 3pm… and don't forget to rest. If you need anything call me or Rhian… ok?'

'Mhmm.' She replied as she took her things. 'Bye Walter… bye Derek…'

'See you later Sera!'

I watched her going in the building. However Natalie caught up to her. As I made sure that she was safe inside the building, I could leave. I grew more concerned at her distance… she was way too closed in her confines.

Sera's POV

Finally… school! I could take my mind of all the things… I could finally rest! I placed my lunch in the locker while I saw that Natalie was lost searching for something. She kept talking about Mark and her… I was happy for her for her relationship… but I think she was moving a bit too fast… but I didn't want to put her down.

'It was the best weekend ever… he was romantic… romantic movies… wine… lots and lots of…'

'Ok Natalie… TMI! Please spare my ears!' I laughed while I closed my locker.

'Ha ha… Very funny Sera…. You know… when you'll find your Mr. you'll know what it means… It's not just sex… your first time would be amazing…' she continued…

I stopped to think… I didn't reply to her… my first time… yeah… it's not amazing at all… If… if sex was like that I never wanted to have it… I never wanted to have someone… nobody would want me… I'm used… worthless. All of a sudden she seemed to realize something.

'Oh my… I'm so sorry Sera…' She stopped to a halt. 'I didn't mean to…'

'Don't worry Natalie…' I smiled. 'Um…. I… I have to go for now… I need to talk to Mr Monroe… I have to take some extra lessons.'

'Sera… don't you think you're taking too many lessons too much?'

'I have to catch up on everything Natalie.' I replied again.

'I'm sorry… It slipped my mind for a second…'

'Don't worry Natalie… you were happy about your weekend… it's understandable…' I smiled. 'I'll see you later?'

'I'll keep you a seat in physics…' She smiled.

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