The Silent Girl

31.

'Ella' 

I got released from hospital two weeks ago. 

During these two weeks, I've been in a children's rehab centre. 

It was alright. But I did miss my dad and best friends. 

When I was released, I had my burnt arm all bandaged and it was still very very painful. I had suffered from major hypothermia and the doctors were very very concerned that I may go into shock so thought it was best that I had medical care for a few weeks before letting myself go home. 

It was also apparently the safest thing for me.  

The courts and police were involved in my life once again. Amber and Amber's mum had to go in, and justify what happened. I'm not sure what was said, but I'm guessing they lied because they still are walking free.  

The police and children's services were worried that my dad couldn't look after me, because I ran away. 

I tried to convince them that it wasn't him, it was me. But him being the legal adult in my care, it was blamed on him. Which I felt so bad about. 

However, the courts had some exceptions to get myself back into my dad's care. 

He had to leave his job so that he could be home all the time, however was allowed to get a school working hours job to keep the roof over our heads. We have to have monthly visits to ensure that I was safe. And my dad had to sit through a child and parent course, to ensure that he was prepared to take care of me. 

I felt so bad for dad, but we were getting back to ourselves. 

Meanwhile, I was living in the rehab centre for children. 

It was basically a home for children who had either just got out of hospital but still needed medical care or it was a home for unsafe children. 

I don't know which category I would go it. 

Probably a little bit of both. I wasn't "safe" because they thought I was going to run away. And because I was recovering from my arm and hypothermia. 

I had also been put on the safeguarding list. I had monthly visits from a team of safeguards. I have to have my body, as in arms, stomach, legs and such, every week. I have to have my room checked every month. 

It was going to be a pain but I knew that it was going to help me in the long run. I knew this was for the good. I just needed to learn to accept. 

It was know two since I had been put in the rehab centre and I was home. 

My dad was walking behind me, both of his hands were over my eyes as I giggled. 

"Ready?" He asks me a small whisper. 

I had no idea where I was, but sure. 

"Yep" I giggle. My dad takes his hands away from my eyes. We were in my bedroom, it had been decorated, new furniture, new bedding, new everything. Micky, Noah and Luke were sat on the bed smiling at me. Above the bed was a 'Welcome Home' banner. "Dad" I breath, turning to him. 

"Do you like it?" He asks, coming forward and taking my hands into both of his. 

"I love it!" I exclaim, before furrowing my eyebrows. "But why? Why did you do all this for me?" 

"I want you to have a fresh start, I want you to forget everything that has happened to you and start new memories" He tells me, tucking my hair behind my shoulders. 

"Thank you" I wrap my arms around him and hug him really tightly. "I'm going to really really try" 

"I know" He smiles, letting go of me and kissing my head. "And I'm going support you." 

"Thank you dad, I love you" I hug him again, tightly. 

"Love you too poppet. I'm going to start dinner" He turns around and leaves the four of us. I run over to my best friends and tackle them back onto the bed. We all hug on my bed. 

"I missed you guys" I mumble to them. For the last two weeks, the only thing I could do was facetime them, and even that was a painful thing to ask for. Only one person in the centre could do it at a time (because of the bad internet) and there were loads of people there. 

"We missed you too" They tell me, hugging me tightly. 

"Guys, I'm really sorry. You do know that I'm trying don't you?" I mumble, hoping to get the right answer back. 

"Of course, Ella" They all tell me. 

"Ella" I hear from behind me, I turn on the bed seeing my dad standing in the doorway with a...dog...

"Dad" I jump off the bed and bolt over to the doorframe. "Who's this?" I bend down and tickle the dog behind his ears. 

"This is Buddy" Dad tells me, crouching down with me as well. "Your support team told me that a support dog would be a really good idea. He can go with you everywhere and he is trained to help you" 

"Aww, hello buds" I tickle him and he licks my face. "Lovely" I mumble, hearing a fit of laughs from my best friends behind me. 

"Who's ready for dinner?" There is a lot of yeses from behind me and I watch as all of the boys disappear though the door. 

Buddy puts his head on my knee and I kiss the top gently. 

"You going to help me eh?" I mumble down to him. "I hope you know who Amber is" I laugh gently, feeling a tear trickle down my cheek. 

Buddy stands up and licks my face. Licking my tear away... 

"You are good eh?" He barks and I kiss his head again. "I think we are going to get on Bud." 

'end of 31.'  

double update, a few hours apart :) 

also, if you want secret information about this story, look at the first part of Boys Like You {HS}

Posted: 11.6.22