Thank you so much for all of the reviews! Also really sorry for taking so long to getting round to updating again. Hope you enjoy the next chapter!
6 weeks later
It was the first day back at school for the pupils of Waterloo Road after the summer holidays.
A lot of changes were ahead for the school because Waterloo Road was merging with John Foster's. Rachel was really hoping that the changes would have a positive outcome for the pupils, the ones that mattered most.
The summer had been a tough one and Rachel was looking forward to getting back into a routine.
Rachel had showered, dressed and was about to go and wake Olivia up.
Despite the unimaginable circumstances that Olivia had found herself in 6 weeks ago it seemed as though she was fairly happy again. She was currently having counselling which seemed to be helping a lot.
At the end of the summer holidays Angela and Rachel had taken Mia, Olivia and Daisy away for a week to Majorca. The time away had really helped both Olivia and Daisy.
When Rachel opened the door to Olivia's bedroom she was surprised to find her already awake.
"I wasn't expecting you to be awake yet"
"I set an alarm" Olivia lied
The truth was she'd had a terrible nights sleep because she was so worried about starting school today. It had taken Olivia ages to get to sleep and even when she had she kept waking up through the night. She hadn't been asleep now since about 6.
"Well done love, ten minutes and you need to get up"
"Okay"
"Mia's going to come over at about 8 so make sure you're ready by then" Rachel said
Rachel had asked Mia if she would walk with Olivia to school on the first day as she was hoping it might calm Olivia's nerves.
"Rachel I don't feel that well"
Rachel knew that Olivia was a bit nervous about starting at Waterloo Road as a year 7 but didn't realise quite how nervous she actually was.
"What's up?"
"I have a headache and I feel sick"
"It's probably because you're a bit nervous, don't worry though once you get to school and you're with your friends you'll realise there's nothing to worry about"
"I feel sick though, what if I'm sick at school?"
"I'm sure you won't be, I'm sure it's just nerves"
"It might not be, maybe I shouldn't go to school"
Rachel went and sat by Olivia on her bed.
"I tell you what then, how about you give school a go and I'll write a note that you can give to your teacher if you start to feel really unwell giving you permission to come and see me and then I'll take you home. Okay?"
"Okay" Olivia replied sounding a bit tearful
"It's going to be okay, I promise you" Rachel said before gently touching Olivia's cheek and getting up again
As soon as Rachel left Olivia burst into tears. The thought of going to school was panicking her so much and she was dreading going in.
Rachel wasn't giving her much choice though so she got out of bed and went into the bathroom.
Olivia hadn't seen any of her friends since her Mum had died so she was also nervous about seeing them all again. She hadn't even seen her best friend Molly. Molly had text her loads over the summer asking to meet up but Olivia had said no every time. Now Olivia was worried that Molly wouldn't want to be friends anymore and she'd end up with no friends at all.
After leaving Olivia's bedroom Rachel went back to her bedroom and did her hair and makeup before going to wake Daisy up.
She felt bad waking her when she looked so peaceful. Although Daisy was a lot happier in herself Rachel was still having quite a lot of problems with her at night. She was having nightmares nearly every night and wetting the bed quite a lot too.
Rachel had been up with her a few times in the night so she knew that Daisy was going to be tired at school today. Through the holidays Rachel had been letting her have an afternoon nap because she'd been so tired from not sleeping through the night but now she was realising that probably wasn't the best idea because she wouldn't be able to have a nap when she was at school.
Rachel crouched down beside Daisy's bed and gently shook her awake. Daisy opened her eyes and slowly sat up in bed before having a big stretch.
"I'm sorry to wake you when you looked so comfortable but you need to get up and get ready for school"
Daisy leant against Rachel sleepily and didn't say anything.
Unlike Olivia, Daisy was looking forward to going to school today. She was going into year 1 and had loved her first year of school when she was in reception.
After a couple of minutes Daisy was much more awake.
"Right go to the bathroom and clean your teeth and wash your face and then we'll get you dressed"
Once Daisy was sorted Rachel went to pack her bag. She realised she hadn't even had a coffee this morning and was absolutely gasping for one but she didn't have time now.
Rachel checked her phone and couldn't believe it when she saw she had another text from Eddie wishing her good luck on the first day back to school.
Eddie and Rachel were texting a lot at the beginning of the holidays but Rachel told him he had to stop because she was finding it really hard to move on. Eddie still kept sending the occasional text though and Rachel had decided to ignore them.
After packing her bag Rachel shouted Olivia down for breakfast.
"Let's take some back to school photos quickly"
This was something Vicky did every year and Rachel wanted to keep the tradition.
After taking some photos of the girls Rachel got some breakfast for Olivia.
"Right, I'm going to go now and drop Daisy at breakfast club and then go to school" Rachel said once she'd got a bagel for Olivia
"Okay"
"I showed you where my office is yesterday so just come up there at the end of the day"
"I still feel sick Rachel" Olivia said desperately trying to get out of going to school
"I've written you a note" Rachel said before passing it to Olivia
"Thank you"
Rachel wrapped her arms around Olivia to give her a quick hug before leaving.
"You're going to have a great day, I'm sure of it"
Rachel went to pull away but Olivia still had her arms wrapped tightly around her so she stayed cuddling her for a few moments longer.
About ten minutes after Rachel and Daisy had left Mia turned up.
"Are you excited to start at Waterloo Road?" Mia asked
"Not really"
"You'll love it once you get there"
"I wish I was still at primary school"
"I was a bit nervous before I started too but then I realised that being at Waterloo Road was so much better than being at Primary school. You get loads more freedom and you can buy pizza in the canteen. Who's your form tutor?"
"Miss Haydock"
"She's lovely and a right laugh, you'll get away with loads with her"
"She seemed strict on induction day"
"She was only pretending, trust me she's not one bit strict. Right, shall we get going then?"
"Okay" Olivia said but the closer it was to being at school the more panicky Olivia was getting
Olivia put her plate in the dishwasher before picking up her bag.
As they walked to the front door Olivia could feel her heartbeat getting faster and faster and she was feeling really hot and dizzy.
"I don't want to go Mia, I feel sick" Olivia said suddenly as they were about to go out of the front door
"You'll be okay, it's probably just nerves" Mia replied as she turned around
"No I really don't feel very well" Olivia said as she was starting to struggle to breathe
Mia noticed how pale she'd gone so lead her back inside and sat her down on the stairs
"How are you feeling now?"
"I can't breathe" Olivia said panicking
"Try and take some deep breaths" Mia said before grabbing her phone and ringing Rachel
Mia thought that Olivia was having another panic attack as she'd seen her have one before over the summer.
Mia was so relieved when Rachel answered the phone.
"Rachel, I think Olivia's having another panic attack. I don't know what to do"
"Pass the phone to her and I'll speak to her"
Mia passed the phone to Olivia who was now starting to hyperventilate.
Rachel talked to her through the phone and told her to take deep breaths.
"Remember your breathing techniques Liv, breathe in for 7 and out to 11"
Olivia wasn't listening properly to her and was still hyperventilating.
Mia took the phone back off of Olivia.
"Right I'm coming home now Mia. Don't panic just try and get Olivia to do her 7-11 breathing. I'll be as quick as I can" Rachel said as she sat in the car at Daisy's primary school
Mia crouched down in front of Olivia.
"Breathe with me Liv, it's going to make you feel better. Come on in 1-2-3-4-5-6-7 and out 8-9-10-11"
Mia did this a few times and Olivia started to do it too.
After a few minutes of 7-11 breathing Olivia calmed down and her breathing returned to normal. Olivia burst into tears so Mia sat down next to her and pulled her in for a side hug.
"I'm sorry"
"Hey you don't need to be sorry, it isn't your fault"
"Do you want me to get you some water?"
"Yes please"
Mia went and got Olivia a glass of water. Olivia was sipping it slowly when Rachel turned up.
Rachel rushed straight over to Olivia and pulled her in for a hug.
"How are you feeling now Liv?" Rachel asked
"Better now but I felt awful before. It was worse than the others, I thought I was going to faint"
Olivia had had a few panic attacks over the summer but this was the first time Rachel hadn't been there to calm her down.
"I'm so sorry I wasn't here sweetheart. If I'd realised you were this nervous about going to school I never would have left you"
"I don't know why I'm so nervous but I really don't want to go to school"
"It's okay love. I'm sure everyone starting today is nervous too. You've been through so much this summer though so I think it's making it that bit harder for you"
"I used to enjoy primary school"
"I know you did and you're going to enjoy Waterloo Road too. If you're really nervous though I'm not going to force you to go to your lessons today if it's going to make you ill"
"Really?"
"Really. But I still want you to come to school, but you can spend the day in my office if you need to. Just see how you feel when we get there, okay?"
"Okay" Olivia said feeling a lot better
"Come on, I really need to get to school now so in the car girls"
"Sorry for making you late" Olivia said starting to feel bad
"You don't need to say sorry"
Olivia still had butterflies about going but she didn't feel anywhere near as nervous as she had before knowing that she could just stay in Rachel's office for the day if she wanted to.
When they got to school Rachel went up to her office with Mia and Olivia.
Rachel did a couple of things that she needed to but knew that the pupils would be arriving soon so she wanted to go outside to greet them.
"I'm going to go and meet my friends now Rachel" Mia said
"Okay, thank you so much for this morning" Rachel replied
"I didn't really do anything"
"You were great with Liv, you really were"
"Hope you have a good day Liv, you can come and see me at break or lunch if you fancy it"
"Thank you"
"Right, what are you going to do now? Go and see your friends or stay up here?" Rachel asked
"If I don't go to school today it will just make things worse won't it" Olivia said
"I'm afraid so. School is something you have no choice about and I think if you go to your lessons today you'll realise you have nothing to worry about. But equally if you don't want to go today, we can set you up with some help to ease you into lessons"
"I think I'll go today because otherwise I'll just be worrying about when I do have to go to lessons"
"That's very grown up of you to say. Well done love"
Rachel went out to the playground with Olivia where she spotted Molly and a few of her other friends from her primary school.
"Molly's over there"
"Okay, do you want to go over?"
"Okay"
"Well, you know where I am if you want me and you have your note"
"Bye Rachel"
"Bye Liv"
Rachel was relieved that Olivia had gone over to her friends and really hoped that her day at school would be okay.
Rachel started welcoming pupils as they arrived. She recognised a lot of the faces but due to the merger there were a lot more pupils to get to know than just the new year sevens.
It was a fresh start and Rachel was ready to get stuck in and making the merger work.
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