The next morning Taylor woke up from a restless sleep. Tree had left after lunch and Andrea had spent most of the afternoon and evening weeping. Taylor had forced down half her dinner to appease the woman before going up and collapsing in bed.
In 24 hours the whole façade had fallen apart and she was right back to where she started 10 years ago – torn between the eating disorder thoughts and the pain of hurting everyone.
Andrea had treatment this morning – Austin was going with her and although Taylor wanted to go too, Andrea had made her promise to stay at home and rest. Deep down Taylor took it as an insult – she thought her Mum was tired of her already and wanted a break from her. She was picking herself apart when she got a text message 'on my way to pick you up and drop you home x'
Taylor stared at the message – convinced that it was a sign her mum had messaged Tree telling her that she was sick of Taylor. She hauled herself out of bed, throwing on comfy clothes, brushing her teeth and hair. She had swollen eyes from the tears and bags under her eyes from the exhaustion. Just as she was finishing packing her bag there was a knock at the door and the familiar red hair poked round the door "Good Morning!"
Taylor put on a weak smile "morning"
Tree looked over the girl intently, aware she actually looked worse today "ready to get home? I have stocked your fridge ready for us to have breakfast"
Taylor smiled "thanks Tree but I already ate – me and mum were up early"
Tree nodded "Ok, well let's get going then!"
They headed downstairs, Taylor hugging Andrea tightly- thanking her for the support and asking for an update on her treatment today. Andrea promised to ring her later to tell her how it went and to check in on her.
Tree put her hand on Taylor's back, facing Andrea "good luck today. Just checking – Taylor hasn't eaten yet, right?"
Andrea shook her head, smiling sadly "No, she hasn't"
Tree turned back towards Taylor, a fake smile on her face "Great"
Taylor groaned as she walked out, slumping into the car – she turned towards Tree "sorry, I don't know why I lied..."
Tree shrugged "because it's a defence mechanism – you're scared. I get it Tay. I'm not here to punish you or be mean. I just want to keep you safe"
Soon they pulled up at Taylor's house and she climbed out, feeling her legs wobble as she walked inside. She headed straight to the kitchen to check what food Tree had stocked her up with – realising that it would basically be telling her what she was expected to eat. She looked in the fridge first – finding all the usual things then checked the cupboards, rage bubbling up inside her again as she realised all her favourite snacks had been removed and they'd been replaced with fatty, high carbohydrate snacks that she wouldn't be touching. She couldn't even tell exactly what brands had been used because everything had been moved out of the original packaging into glass jars – Tree's idea to withhold the nutritional values of all the food.
She spun around, glaring at the redhead who was watching her carefully, her voice was shrill as she spat out "you have taken away everything that I will actually eat!"
Tree nodded "I can understand why you're frustrated but Taylor – they were diet foods. They weren't suitable for you. They needed to go"
Taylor began crying again which annoyed her more, she felt like all she had done the last 2 days was cry "But I don't like any of these things and you're going to make me eat them!"
Tree took a step forward, her voice gentle and calm "There isn't a single thing you don't like – you just don't like the calorie contents of the food. They're all going to be part of a healthy, balanced diet. I know you're panicking right now but I need you to just take a few deep breaths with me"
