Fading

~T h i r t y~

Guys chapter 30!!!! Thank you for all of the support and love on this book, I never thought it would happen!!

Hayden POV
"Ready for some amazing pancakes?" Hudson asked, holding up a plate of his famous breakfast.

Her smile dropped and she appeared nervous, like we were going to do something to her if she said yes.

"Angel there is nothing wrong with being hungry, it's okay to say yes" I reassured, attempting to calm her.

Nodding, she padded over to the table, where Hudson was putting pancakes on plates.

"Can..can I just t-try one?" She mumbled, keeping her gaze on her feet.

"Of course sweetheart, I'd be honored if you would try one of my pancakes" he replied, bowing to her like a butler.

A small giggle escaped her lips and we all smiled like weirdos. This girl was going to be the death of us I swear. But I was okay with that.

A nudge in the ribs brought me out of my thoughts. Looking to it's source, Hudson gestured to Amara, reminding me of what we had talked about last night.

After I had put Amara in her bed, the three of us had stayed up talking. We talked about how we loved having her home with us, but most importantly, we discussed her health. Mental and physical. We wouldn't be doctors if we completely dismissed her health.

We could tell she was constantly struggling with her ribs even if she didn't say anything, and how she was still very nervous around us. Her ribs would heal, it was more of us wanting her to ask us for mediation when they were hurting.

We wanted to get her health under control but we didn't want to overwhelm her when she was trying so hard to get comfortable with us. Sometimes it didn't seem like it but we knew it was a scary situation for her and we were complete strangers to her.

I watched as she meticulously picked through her pancakes, examining every bite as if it would poison her.

One of the best pieces of advice I have used over the past few years is to use distraction whenever you can. Nothing ever seems so scary if its not what you are thinking about. "Is there anything you would like to do today? As your first official day home with us?" I asked, drawing her attention away from her food.

Her eyes widened as she realized I was talking to her. Her eyes flitted around, desperate to find something to say.

"Um...you guys don't have to work?" She asked, a blush rising to her cheeks.

See what I mean? Nervous. Which I guess was understandable, we were still strangers to her.

"No sweetheart, we don't have to work. We took the day off to spend with you" Hudson told her, all of us watching as she fiddled with her fingers.

"You..you didn't have t-to do that" she stammered.

I smiled fondly at her.

"We wanted to Mara, this is your first day with us and we wanted to make it special, something to remember" Greyson piped in. I could see her trying to hide her grin.

Her gaze found the table as silence settled among us.

"How about the park?" I suggested, disrupting the silence.

Her eyes seemed to light up.

"Can we?" She asked, bouncing in her seat, almost all nervousness gone. Hudson and I made eye contact, grins on both of our faces.

"If you finish your pancake we can" Hudson answered, watching as she picked up her pace, clearly excited.

Amara POV
I haven't been able to go to the park for fun in years. I mean, no one in my family took me as a kid, if anything, they went without me and left me home alone. I was seven years old when I first stayed home alone. I went hungry that night because I didn't know how to prepare my own food, as no seven year old would.

The last time I was there was when I sat on the bench when I met that guy who turned out to be Doctor Hudson. How ironic?

I was so excited to go on the swings, no matter how childish it was.

My stomach ached as I shoved the last bite of the pancake in my mouth. I wasn't used to eating so much at one time. I mean sure over the whole day, but not at one time.

"Done!" I shouted, making me regret it as they all slightly flinched in surprise.

"S-sorry" I mumbled, bringing my eyes back to my now empty plate. Stupid. No one cares that you're done.

"It's okay sweetheart, you didn't mean to startle us, if anything, we are so very proud of you for finishing your pancake. Would you like another?" Hayden asked calmly.

"I'm full" I mumbled as I made eye contact with him, feeling disappointed in myself. I can never do anything right, and they knew it.

"That's okay, we know your stomach is still adjusting, we just want to open you up to some choices of your own. We can go at your pace as long as some progress is being made. If not, we might have to have a little chat, but so far you are doing amazing" Hudson said, making my eyes widen. What does he mean by 'a little chat'? Would I get punished for not eating?

I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. But eating was going to make you fat. They just want to make you fat.

"Umm can I-I be excused?" I was feeling suffocated and needed to get out of there soon.

"Are you feeling okay?" Hudson asked, looking at me with concern. I hated that they were doctors for a lot of reasons but what kills me is that I feel like they could look right through me with a single glance.

For once in my life, I felt like saying no and asking for help, but that thought immediately got shoved down as I realized how stupid that would sound. I was fine, I always am.

"I-I'm fine" I stuttered, pushing my chair back and racing to my new room.

I was definitely not fine.

Uh oh. More drama. Sorry not sorry.
Love all around❤️❤️