Protecting Her Lost Soul

Chapter 25

I'm busy packing our bags the next day. I'm sad to be leaving. This is my home, my childhood home. Flynn slays the demons that resides here. His presence here is soothing enough to live peacefully.
I still shy away from my room but it doesn't swallow me whole like it has before. Once I'm done packing Flynn carries the bags downstairs.
We sit down for our last meal together. Riccardo left first thing this morning. Although I normally skip breakfast, it's my favourite meal. So I scoff my food down and then go back for seconds.
Cars are loaded and ready to go within an hour. Mom starts tearing up and I guess I am too. I hug mom and I don't want to let her go. We hug in silence, saying everything we need to say in a hug.
I pull away and hug Dad. "Just say the word baby girl," he whispers into my ear. "I want to make all your dreams come true." I hug him tighter, I'm so lucky to have parents like mine.
I nod as I pull away and help Miley into the car. I climb over her seat and sag into the seat. When Tyler pulls away I look into the rearview mirror and tears roll down my face as I see them waving us off.
Why am I being so soppy today. I wipe my tears and sit back down. I feel Rex at my feet. Can't be comfortable for him but he seems happy enough.
We stop by a drive through and eat. We talk a load of shit but it's happy times. We're home within two and half hours of leaving.
I carry Miley and Flynn digs around in a bag and produces a car key. He presses the remote and a black Ford kuga unlocks. I roll my eyes at the brand new car.
Flynn mutters under his breath. Tyler drops his bags and rushes to the car. He literally rips open the drivers side door. "Man, this is cool. Not as good as my baby though."
He slides in and starts giving the interior a once over. Atleast it's not a hideous colour I guess. "Atleast you won't need to keep using mine now."
Flynn continues to grumble. He's as impressed as I am, not. He gathers up some bags. "Come on mate, I'll let you drive it later," Flynn says unenthusiastic. Tyler's eyes bulge with excitement.
He gets out the car and shuts the door and Flynn locks it with the remote. Tyler grabs the rest of the bags and we make our way upstairs. We split off though when we make it to our floor.
Ruby and Tyler go into his and us three into mine. Flynn carries the bags into the bedroom and then returns. I settle a still sleeping Miley in her bed.
I sag onto the couch happy to be home. This is normality. We watch a film and eat dinner until Tyler let's himself in. Miley is already in bed. Ruby and another girl walk in. Also with Riccardo.
I roll my eyes but take in the girl. Luscious blonde curls wrap around her face. Full lips, subtle makeup, slim curvy build. Chocolate eyes, man she's beautifully cute. "Hey guys, this is my friend, Scarlett," Ruby says.
"I've brought drinks and cards against humanity," Tyler announces. I would have just liked a quiet night in. I sign but wave my hand for people to sit on my very large couch.
I actually quite like this game. It's a pretty good laugh. Two hours through though us girls are dancing. I think they are all a bit tipsy but obviously I'm not. The music is quite low because of Miley.
I actually really like Scarlett. She's cool and she's a little like me in a way. She says it like it is. She's not rude like me but she's honest. Once we're danced out though we braid each other's hair.
It's almost as if we've spilt the gang up. Boys and girls. I get to know them both a bit more. Ruby's favourite animals are Dolphins, Scarlett's are elephants.
Ruby's favourite colour is turquoise, Scarlett's purple. It's gone midnight when everyone leaves and I'm exhausted. Flynn decides to stay with me, not that Tyler was too happy about it.
I'm so tired that when my head hits the pillow I'm out like a light.
I sit upright in bed struggling to breathe. Flynn groans and wraps around me. My heart fluttering in my chest. "Shh, you're okay," he says like a lullaby.
He pulls me down with him. Why do I keep waking up? I don't even feel like I've had a nightmare. I need a wee, I know that much. I climb out of bed and go for a wee. Once I'm done I check on Miley.
She seems a bit restless so I gather in my arms. "Mommy," she whimpers. I hum quietly to settle her. I carry her back to my bed and lay down. Flynn wraps around me and his arm settles around both me and Miley.
I wake and grumble when the alarm goes off. I don't want to get up but I have appointments today. I need to find a school for Miley. If she's to live with me I need her in school if I'm going to finish uni.
I've spoken to all of them in the area and I've narrowed them down to three. Whichever is the best fit when we're there then that's the one. I don't expect her to just adapt to school, I've already pre-warned them of her needs.
Miley will also have weekly video calls with her old therapist. I didn't see the point in finding her a new one when she's accepted Doctor Faye.
Flynn's already agreed to drive us to the first school and he will head off to uni. I shut the annoying alarm off. Flynn is wrapped around my stomach again and Miley in my neck.
I gently coax Miley awake and proceed to get her ready. I'm just brushing her hair on the couch when Flynn rises from the bedroom. He groans holding his head.
"I need coffee," he mutters. He walks to the kettle and clicks it on.
"I don't have any milk. I need to go shopping after." He grumbles but continues making a coffee.
"Why's Flynn grumpy this morning?" Miley asks crossing her arms.
"It was a late night for us baby," is all I say.
She turns to look at me and frowns, "But you're not grumpy," she observes.
"Flynn and Tyler were drinking alcohol last night. It makes you grouchy in the morning if you have lots."
"And you didn't have any?"
"I'm not allowed any. Just as kids aren't allowed any."
"Why?" I sigh. She's such an intuitive kid. She's eager to learn.
"Because, my body had too much of it and now. It's bad for me."
She nods, whether she understands or not I don't know. I don't want to worry her about my heart disease anyway. Flynn flops on the couch careful not to spill his coffee.
He sips on it like it's a lifeline. I finish brushing her hair and set the brush on the table.
I wait another half an hour for Flynn to finish his coffee and shower. He's looking more alive now and he kisses my lips before we leave.
Flynn gets Miley's car seat out of Tyler's car and puts it in his car. I wrinkle my nose when I get in. It still has that new car smell. My eyes widen at the gadgets on the dashboard.
Flynn clips in Miley and slides in the front. He adjusts the seat and familiarises himself with the car before pulling out of the parking space.
"Well? How does it drive?" I joke.
He shrugs, "It's a car," he says unenthused. I laugh quietly, I know how he feels about money. He was never brought up with money.
It's not long before he pulls up at the first school. He kisses my lips and I linger there. It's going to be a long ass day without him. I pull away and I unclip Miley. She scrambles forward and hugs Flynn.
We say goodbye and head into the school with Miley clinging to me. A teacher, not the headteacher might I add, shows us around.
A boy about ten years old walks by. "Nick, tuck your shirt in," she scolds. I notice he's in a shirt and tie. How uncomfortable that must be.
After half an hour, I've seen enough. I'm just not feeling this school. I politely leave and walk to the next school.
I'm greeted by the headmaster. "Miss Blake, nice to meet you. This must be Miley." Miley clings tighter to me. "Hi Miley."
No answers, "She's shy." I shrug. He nods and shows me around. It's a nice school but again. I'm just not feeling it.
It's the best one out of the two though. I'm sat in reception of the last school. Miley permanently clinging to me. A lady in her late thirties greets me.
"Hi, I'm Miss Parson. You must be Riley Blake." I nod shaking her hand briefly. "Hey Miley."
No answer, but then was I expecting to? "Why don't you follow me," she leads the way down a corridor. She knocks on a classroom door. "Mrs Beverly, this is Riley Blake and her daughter Miley. Do you mind if we observe at the back?"
Mrs Beverly nods with a bright smile. I sit down at the back on a kids chair. "We're just about to work in pairs for this exercise. Leo, do you want to work with Miley?"
He nods and walks to us at the back. "I'm going to give you a sheet and you'll work out the answers together." Leo drags over a table and is eager to get to work. Mrs Beverly passes us a sheet.
"Miley, do you want to do the first question?" Leo asks. Miley shakes her head but curiosity gets the best of her again and she looks at the sheet. "Question one. Round £4.70 to the nearest pound."
Miley turns around in my lap so she can get a better look. Miley whispers in my ear the answer. "Why don't you tell Leo the answer?"
Leo smiles at her waiting for the answer. She whispers it so quietly that no one can hear. I ask her to repeat it louder. "£5," she says only slightly louder.
"That's what I thought too Miley," he offers and writes it down. They manage to get through the exercise together.
By the end of it she's talking quite happily with Leo. Mrs Beverly walks over and kneels in front of the table. "Can I have a look Miley?" Miley nods but doesn't say anything.
"Wow, good team work guys. This is amazing." She looks at Miley again. "Do you like maths, Miley?"
"I prefer reading but maths is easy." Mrs Beverly asks her some multiple questions and she answers them quicker than I can work it out. If she doesn't know the answer than she takes her time to work it out.
"You're a bright young girl, Miley. We'd be lucky to have you." She addresses the class and tells them they can have a little break. Leo leads Miley to a colouring station and she's happy to do so.
A couple of others gather around and talk to Miley. Miss Parson and Mrs Beverly comes to sit with me as I watch. "We really would be pleased to have her, she a sweet young girl," Miss Parson says.
"As discussed she has complex needs. I'm not sure how this is going to work but if you're happy to try then I think this school is a good fit."
"Can you explain her needs a bit more?"
"Her parents died when she was four. As you can see, she looks like a five year old but she's eight. She was dumped in a childrens home after they couldn't handle her.
"They left her to her own devices. She virtually looked after herself. She used to hide her food. Refuse to talk to anyone. She can lash out.
"She's the sweetest kid I've ever met. She's fine as long as I'm around. Obviously that's not going to be the case, so I'm not sure how she will react when I'm not here.
"She likes to wall gaze a lot. Block others out around her. She's accepted her brother Flynn when I'm not around. She's only been with me a couple of weeks. She's still adjusting."
Miss Parson nods, "How about we introduce her slowly? You can sit in with her for a few days. Then stand outside for a couple of days. Half a day from then on? Until she's settled."
"Sure, I can see if I can get my uni work online," I nod.
"Can we just see how she will react with you outside? Just to see?" she asks.
I sigh, I hope she will be okay. I get up and walk to Miley. I stroke her hair, "I'm just pooping outside for a minute okay?"
She nods, and I head outside the classroom and watch out of sight. "Right class, back in your seats please."
I see Miley's eyes widen and she runs to the wall and wall gazes. "Miley, you want to have a seat?" Miss Parson asks.
She ignores her completely. I had an awful feeling this would happen. She's come out of her shell so much that I had hoped she'd be okay. I walk back into the classroom.
"Mommy!" she cries and runs to me. I pick her up and sit back down at a desk. We stay until lunch time. Miley happy doing the work and answering questions whilst I'm there.
We're now in reception. "I'll send you over everything you need to know. Don't worry, I'm sure she will be fine." I nod thanking her before we leave.
"Did you like that school?"
"Yeah! It was so much funny, Mommy." I smile at her and make my way down to the mall. I get her a uniform as Miss Parson said she needs one to start tomorrow.
We grab some lunch in a cafe and then I do some shopping as we haven't been home in two weeks. I groan when I get out of the taxi and start lugging them upstairs.
Rex starts jumping about and barking when we get in. I put the shopping away and we go for a nice little stroll in the area. It seems odd walking routes I'd normally run.
I'm shattered by the time we get home. I'm cooking dinner when Flynn comes through the door. I smile at him, it's so nice to see him come through my door as if he lives here.
He walks to me and kisses my cheek. He turns to Miley, "Did you have fun today Smiley?"
She starts jumping up and down, "Yeah! School was so fun. I answered all the maths questions. Made a friend called Leo. Mrs Beverly said I was very clever!"
He glances at me, "Which school did you decide on?"
"Westmoore Elementary, I didn't like the other two. The headteacher was so nice and when I explained her needs she didn't seemed fazed. We're going to ease her in slowly. Me being at the back for a while at then when she's comfortable outside and then leave."
He nods, seeming pleased we found a good school. He wraps his arms around me, "Smells good, what we having?"
"Spaghetti meatballs," I say as I stir the meatballs.
"A guy could get used to this," he says as he captures my ear with his teeth. I gasp and pull away.
I grab the tea towel and flick him with it, "Get out the kitchen," I say playfully. He holds his hands up and backs away grinning.
I get some plates out as he sits down. The door opens and I frown. "Fuck yeah, just in time," Tyler walks in. "I'm starving."
"You can walk straight back out that door if you don't watch your mouth," I growl. He laughs as he closes the door behind him. I grab another plate and start serving. Good job I preempted this.
I pass them their plates once it's served and we settle on the couch. Miley insists on watching Harry Potter much to Tyler's disgust.
Half an hour later all plates are scraped clean. I swear to god these boys could eat for England. They never leave anything on their plates. I start washing up. "Never bloody sits still," Flynn groans but I ignore him.
I like a tidy home, there's nothing wrong about that. They will literally let their washing up pile up for weeks without doing it.
Once it's clean we settle on the couch. Miley falls asleep on me and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't snoozing too.
I grumble when I'm lifted up. I clutch Miley to me in fear of her being dropped. Flynn undressed me and puts me in pjs. I'm vaguely aware of him doing the same with Miley. It's mere seconds before I'm out like a light.