The days had been long for Flora, each one blending into the next as she continued to navigate the emotional turmoil she had been feeling. The nightmares, the feelings of fear, and the overwhelming need for comfort had been wearing on her. As Flora tried to hold herself together, the pressure of being "strong" felt heavier and heavier. She had been managing well with her friends' help, but she could no longer ignore how much more support she needed.Flora felt an increasing sense of dependency on her friends, especially Musa, who had been there for her during the darkest moments. But it wasn't just Musa—Stella, Bloom, Tecna, Layla, and the others had all been caring for her, offering a shoulder to lean on, providing comfort when she needed it most. Still, Flora found herself struggling with the daily tasks she once managed easily. She had to admit that she needed help more than ever before.---It was early one afternoon when Flora found herself sitting with the girls in the common room. She had just finished a light lunch, but the idea of eating felt like a monumental task. Every time she picked up a spoon, it felt like too much. The physical act of feeding herself had become increasingly difficult, and Flora couldn't bring herself to continue. Instead, she sat quietly, her hands resting on her lap, unsure how to explain the growing sense of helplessness that had been plaguing her.Musa, sitting nearby, noticed Flora's hesitation. She had been observing her friend closely over the past few days and had a growing concern. It wasn't just that Flora seemed exhausted—it was more than that. There was an air of fragility around her, and Musa could see that something wasn't quite right."Flora," Musa said softly, her voice gentle. "Are you feeling okay?"Flora blinked up at her, not expecting the question. She swallowed and tried to muster a smile, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "I'm... I'm okay," she said quietly, but the words felt hollow. She wasn't okay. Not really.Musa saw through it instantly. She stood up and moved closer to Flora, sitting beside her. "You know you don't have to hide it from me, right?" Musa said gently. "You've been acting a little different lately. If something's wrong, you can talk to me."Flora looked down at her hands, her fingers fidgeting nervously. She wanted to confide in Musa, wanted to say everything that had been weighing on her heart, but the words wouldn't come. Instead, she simply nodded.Musa watched her carefully for a few moments, then leaned in a little closer. "Do you want me to help you with lunch? It seems like you're having a hard time today," she said with a softness that spoke volumes about her care for Flora.Flora felt a rush of gratitude and embarrassment at the same time. She had never been one to ask for help, always the one offering comfort and strength to others. But now, she found herself too exhausted to pretend anymore. The truth was, she felt drained, and small, and like she couldn't do the simplest things anymore."Could you...?" Flora's voice trembled as she spoke, her eyes searching Musa's face for understanding. "Could you feed me? I'm... I'm too tired to do it myself."Musa's heart clenched, but she smiled warmly. "Of course, Flora. I'm happy to help. You don't have to do anything you don't want to do right now."Flora felt tears welling up in her eyes, not from sadness but from relief. She wasn't alone in this. Musa was there for her, and for the first time in days, Flora allowed herself to rest in that safety.Musa gently spooned the food into Flora's mouth, feeding her slowly, and Flora closed her eyes, savoring the comfort of the moment. It was more than just the food—it was the kindness in Musa's actions, the tenderness of her touch, and the understanding in her eyes. Flora felt cared for, and for once, it was okay to let go of the burden of being the one who always cared for others.---As the day went on, Flora found herself sinking deeper into a space where she could let go of her need to be "strong." She wasn't weak—she was simply human, and sometimes even the strongest people needed help. And her friends were more than willing to offer that help, without hesitation or judgment.By the time the evening came, Flora had become even more emotionally fragile. There were moments when she felt disconnected from the world around her, as if she were floating in a bubble of softness, needing her friends to ground her. The emotional exhaustion had left her drained, and though she was physically fine, she felt mentally and emotionally overwhelmed.Stella, who had noticed Flora's quiet demeanor throughout the day, was the next to offer her support. She approached Flora, who was curled up on the couch with a book, though she hadn't been reading it."Hey, Flora," Stella said gently, sitting beside her. "You've been really quiet today. Are you sure you're okay?"Flora nodded, but her body language spoke volumes. She wasn't sure she could keep up the facade anymore. "I'm just... tired," Flora admitted quietly. "I feel like I can't do anything on my own anymore. Even the little things feel like too much."Stella's expression softened, and she placed a hand on Flora's shoulder. "You don't have to do anything alone, Flora," she said with a calm certainty. "We're all here for you. You don't have to carry the weight of everything on your shoulders."Flora looked up at Stella, and for the first time in a long while, she felt the walls she had built start to crumble. She nodded slowly, her heart aching with gratitude.Later that evening, as Flora was preparing to go to bed, she found herself overwhelmed with the thought of getting ready for sleep. The idea of brushing her teeth, changing into pajamas, and even crawling into bed felt like too much. She could feel her body giving way to the emotional exhaustion that had been building for so long."Flora, do you want help with your bedtime routine?" Layla asked, sensing her friend's distress. "You don't have to do it alone."Flora hesitated, but then her need for care outweighed her usual sense of independence. "Yes, please," she whispered, her voice soft and tired. "I don't want to be alone tonight."Layla smiled kindly, offering a gentle hand. "Don't worry, I've got you."With Layla's help, Flora went through her bedtime routine. She was gently guided into her pajamas, tucked into bed, and reassured that everything would be okay. She felt comforted, surrounded by her friends' love and care.That night, Flora finally allowed herself to sleep peacefully, knowing she wasn't alone and that it was okay to lean on her friends. The storm inside her began to calm, and the comfort of being cared for was exactly what she needed to begin healing.---
