The afternoon sun streamed through the windows of the Winx's house as the girls were gathered in the living room, talking about the upcoming mission. The gentle rustling of the leaves outside and the soft hum of magic in the air created a calming atmosphere, but Flora still felt a lingering sense of anxiety.It had been a difficult few days. Her body, her mind—everything felt out of sync. The more she tried to regain control, the more her reliance on her friends grew. They had been patient, kind, and understanding, but Flora knew it wasn't easy for them, either. She didn't want to burden them more than she already had. But there was nothing she could do. She was struggling, and for once, it felt okay to admit it.She sat by the window, watching the clouds drift lazily across the sky. The sound of the door opening broke her thoughts, followed by the familiar, comforting voices of the specialists."Hey, Flora!" Bloom called from the door as the group entered, the specialists in tow. "We've got company! Sky and the others are here."Flora turned to face them, a mixture of excitement and anxiety coursing through her. The specialists had been gone for a few days on a mission, and she had missed them, but the thought of seeing them while feeling so vulnerable made her stomach twist.Sky was the first to notice Flora's expression. He gave her a warm, reassuring smile. "Hey, Flora. How are you doing?"Flora hesitated, feeling an overwhelming wave of shyness wash over her. She was still adjusting to her new reality—her body's reactions, her emotional needs, and now, seeing her friends—especially the specialists—while she was feeling so fragile."I'm... okay, Sky," Flora said softly, not quite meeting his eyes. "Just a little tired.""Flora's been having a rough time," Layla explained, glancing over at the others. "She's been feeling out of sorts lately."Nabu nodded, his expression sympathetic. "We understand, Flora. You know you can talk to us, right?"Flora smiled weakly, but her heart thudded in her chest. She didn't want to be the focus of attention, especially not in front of the specialists. It was one thing to have her friends like Bloom, Layla, and Stella supporting her—she felt safe with them—but the specialists? They had always seen her as strong, dependable Flora, the one who cared for everyone else. The thought of letting them see her so vulnerable was overwhelming.As if sensing her discomfort, Bloom stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on Flora's shoulder. "Don't worry, Flora. You don't have to talk if you don't want to. Just know that we're all here for you."Flora nodded, grateful for Bloom's understanding. She felt like she wanted to shrink into herself, to hide, but she forced herself to sit up straighter. She had to face this, no matter how uncomfortable it felt.The specialists moved further into the room, settling down around the couches. Sky and Bloom sat together, while Riven and Musa found their usual spots near the window. Timmy and Tecna, as always, started talking about the tech side of their next mission. But Flora couldn't help but feel the weight of their eyes on her, particularly from Sky and Helia. Both of them had always been so protective of her, but now, Flora felt vulnerable in a way she had never experienced before. Would they still see her as strong? Or would they see her as the fragile version of herself that she had become?As the specialists chatted among themselves, Flora kept her eyes lowered, trying to focus on anything other than the rising discomfort in her chest. But then, she felt a light tap on her arm. She looked up to see Helia standing next to her, his eyes soft with concern."You know you don't have to put on a brave face for us, right?" he said gently, his voice low. "We're all friends here."Flora's heart melted at the sincerity in Helia's eyes. He had always been someone who understood her—who could read her emotions even when she couldn't express them. She opened her mouth to speak, but the words caught in her throat. She was too tired, too overwhelmed.Helia smiled reassuringly and sat beside her, resting a hand on her shoulder. "It's okay to let your guard down, Flora. We've all been through a lot, and we're here for each other."For the first time in days, Flora allowed herself to lean into the comfort of her friends. She let out a soft sigh, her shoulders relaxing as Helia's presence soothed her.As the evening went on, Flora found herself slowly coming out of her shell. Her friends were being careful around her, but not in a way that made her feel like she was fragile or incapable. They were treating her with kindness and understanding, but also with the respect she needed. It was like they had made a quiet agreement not to overwhelm her, but to help her in whatever way she needed.Still, Flora couldn't shake the feelings of vulnerability that had settled over her. The simplest tasks were becoming harder to manage, and as much as she tried to maintain her usual poise, she felt like she was losing control.Later that evening, after a quiet dinner, the group gathered in the living room to wind down. The specialists and the Winx girls were chatting about their mission, but Flora's mind was elsewhere. She kept fiddling with the hem of her sweater, trying to distract herself from the gnawing anxiety she was feeling. It was as if the smallest things—like having a drink or brushing her hair—had become overwhelming tasks she couldn't handle on her own.She was grateful for the support from her friends, but there was a part of her that felt embarrassed. She had always been the one who cared for everyone else, and now she was the one who needed care. It felt like a shift she wasn't sure she was ready to accept.At that moment, Sky stood up and approached Flora. He could see that she was struggling with something—an emotional weight that she was trying to hide. He knelt beside her, his gaze soft and understanding."Flora," he said quietly, "we know you're going through a lot right now. And if you need help with anything—no matter how small—you just have to ask."Flora blinked up at him, a rush of emotion flooding her chest. "I... I don't want to keep asking for help. I don't want to be a burden to anyone."Sky shook his head, his smile gentle. "You're never a burden to us, Flora. You're part of this family. We take care of each other, and that's what we're here for."Flora felt the weight of his words sink deep into her heart. It was a comfort, but it was also an uncomfortable truth—she had always taken care of everyone else, and now, she had to learn how to let others take care of her. It was a lesson in vulnerability, in trust, and in letting go.As Flora sat there, listening to her friends talk and laugh around her, she realized that she didn't have to carry the weight of the world on her shoulders alone. Her friends—her family—were here for her, just as she had always been there for them. The specialists, with all their strength and courage, were not just heroes—they were her support system.---
