Book Club

-FOURTEEN-

A/N: Not edited really at all! Trigger warning for this chapter! Ok byeeee!

CHLOE'S POV

There's nothing worse than having a panic attack as soon as you wake up.

Except for waking up with a panic attack and not being able to get out of bed because of your depression. And then acting on that depression by cutting yourself. And then bleeding and crying. Then cutting. Then bleeding. Then cutting and bleeding and so on.

There's nothing worse than that.

Except suicide.

FLORA'S POV

"Flo. Wake up Flo!" A soft voice whispers in my ear and I open my eyes.

"Penny!" I exclaim and wrap my arms around my sister's neck, engulfing her in a hug.

"Merry Christmas!" She smiles and hugs me tightly.

I follow her downstairs where my our parents are waiting by the Christmas tree. We gather around in our pajamas and hand each other presents like a normal family.

There are only a few presents this year. It seems every year there are less and less. Less money and less presents. I'm sure my sister's tuition isn't helping and my dad lost his job again this year.

I get lots of books, some clothes and a couple gift cards. We watch a couple Christmas movies together while my dad makes waffles for breakfast.

"We've missed you Penny." My mom says and hugs my sister.

"Yes we have." I say and she smiles at me.

"I've missed you guys too." Penny says. "University is hard."

"You're a smart girl. I'm sure you're doing fine." My mom says.

"I am but stress is really getting to me. Sometimes I just want to quit." Penny admits and my mom hugs her again.

I'm shocked. My sister has always been the strongest in our house. Nothing can stop her or slow her down. She's an optimist and tries so hard.

I don't want to hear her say she wants to quit. If Penny can't do something, no one can. What about me? I'll never survive university if Penny can't.

"Don't freak out Flora." She knows me well. "I'm fine and you'll be fine too." She smiles reassuringly.

"Good."

The phone rings and my mom goes to pick it up. My sister starts to tell me another story about her adventures away at school.

"Oh my god." We stop talking when we hear the concern in our mom's voice. "I'm so sorry. I'll tell her. We'll be there shortly." She hangs up the phone and sighs.

"What's wrong?" I ask and she frowns.

"I'm afraid something horrible has happened. I'm really sorry honey."

CELIA'S POV

"Celia! Wake up!" Alec yells in my ear and shakes me awake.

I grunt and turn in my bed to try to escape him and his loud voice.

"It's Christmas Celia. Get up." He pulls the blankets off of my bed and I wrap my arms around myself.