A/N: For those not in Australia, (not sure how it works overseas) but annual leave is when you accumulate paid days off work, which you can then use them as you see fit. Hope that makes sense ☺️

Oh and 515 Restaurant is pronounced as Five One Five, not five hundred and fifteen or five fifteen 😊

* * *

"So he just acted like nothing happened?" Nikki asked, confusion evident in her tone.

I let out a sigh before laying down on the grass, in a starfish position, "He wanted to talk about what happened at the burger joint, completely dismissed me about what happened at the hospital."

"Are you shitting me woman!?" Nikki's aggressive tone made me chuckle slightly.

Lately Nikki and I had grown much more closer, it almost scared me because in such a short amount of time; almost three months, we hit it off instantly and now it's like we were sisters. The best thing that happened was me being honest about my racing and living situation. I remember when Nikki was upset with me, not because of these situations but because I had worried about how she wouldn't support and love me still. Nikki admitted that she couldn't blame me though because had the roles been reversed, she would have probably been just as nervous. She understood why I was reserved.

There was still a lot I was learning about Nikki, what made her happy, content, angry, sad etcetera. It was unfortunate to learn that her dad, health wise wasn't doing too well. Nikki went on to tell me about how he was battling cancer and he was just about to start chemo. It only reminded me that there were people around me who had their own issues to deal with and that the world didn't revolve around me and my issues with Noah and Jaxon.

After spending my Friday afternoon with Nikki, I drove back home in complete silence. The silence had me thinking about all this free time I had and no income coming in. It's been a few weeks since my last shift at 515 and I was ready to return. All cuts and bruises; except one, had all healed and there was little to almost no evidence...

All except one.

Besides catching a glimpse of it when changing the dressing, I always refused to look at my arm. I could see that it was slowly healing, into a scar. A scar that would not go away, a scar that was permanently attached to my arm. I let out a shaky sigh as I pulled up into the driveway, I could feel my panic attack surfacing. It always started with my breathing escalating before the sweat beads would appear on my forehead. This happened to me every time my thoughts went to my scars, because thoughts about the scars always led to thoughts about Noah and that dreadful night.

I couldn't hold it in anymore as I let out a whimpered cry, immediately covering my face with both hands, I began to cry uncontrollably because there was no getting away from Noah's name on my forearm. This was a scar that would be a constant reminder to me and I wasn't prepared, emotionally or mentally for this challenge.

After a good ten minutes, I began to recollect myself and my thoughts. Surprised by how quick my thoughts and emotions went from one extreme to another. Surprised at how quick my emotions had betrayed me. Letting out a loud sigh, I gathered my belongings before walking into the house. All my pain completely forgotten when I drank in the sight of Alena and Isaac eating, well it was more Alena than Isaac because while she was covered in pasta, slurping back the spaghetti, Isaac was frantic.

"Alena, baby girl. I need you to stop doing that otherwise your sister is going to kill us" He begged as he gave her a napkin to wipe her mouth.

"Not us. Just you." She responded innocently before inhaling another spoonful of spaghetti, much to Isaac's dismay as he groaned, causing me to chuckle.

"Abry!" Alena attempted to voice out with a mouth full of pasta.

"Are you being good to Isaac, Aly-Cat?" I tried to ask in a serious tone but let out a laugh when Alena started to bobble her head up and down.

"Yeah, right." Isaac mumbled miserably as I patted him playfully on his back.

"Alena, wash up when you're finished. You'll be coming with me." I confirmed before walking into the kitchen to fix myself a glass of water.

"Where you going?" Isaac asked, curiosity evident in his voice.

"I'm going to see Bianca, she's at the restaurant."

Isaac pursed his lips in concern, his eyes followed Alena's movement as she placed her plate into the sink before going upstairs. I let out an internal sigh as I watched his actions. I knew what was coming.

"What?" I asked

"Nothing. Just, are you sure you're ready?"

I nodded my head, "I'm going crazy Zac. I need to start working again."

"Well, at least you'll save on a baby sitter, cause I'll be here."

I immediately shook my head in rejection, "No, you will not be responsible for that. I will not allow that to happen."

"Relax. On the days I'm home like today, you won't need Lisa. By all means, when I'm not here, get Lisa to sit Alena. Deal?"

I shook my head lightly, refusing to accept his offer. Isaac sensing my hesitation repeated "Deal?" again, his tone more assertive than the first time.

I let out a sigh of defeat before nodding, "Deal."

Isaac gave me his best smile before getting off his seat to go sit in the lounge room, not before kissing me on my forehead.

"Thank-you Zac"

"My pleasure BooBear."

My eyes stayed on Isaac as he walked over to the lounge room, sat down, turned the TV on before pulling his phone out, no doubt messaging Nikki. It was little reminders like these that made me realise just how lucky I was to have Isaac in my life, and how lucky I was that he and I got through all that drama last year. Normal friendships wouldn't have lasted but somehow he and I managed and succeeded.

"I'm REEEEEADYYYY!!!" Alena screamed from the top of the stairs before running down in excitement, snapping me out from my thoughts.

"Where we going?" Alena asked before grabbing onto my hand.

"We are going to get my job back."

"Yes! Let's go see Claude!"

* * *

"What is this?" I creased my eyebrows in confusion as I lifted the envelope for Bianca to see.

When we had arrived at 515, it was like I never left. Everyone was so happy to see me and they were so welcoming, they were even more excited to see Alena, so excited that they made her hot chips to eat while I went to talk to Bianca. That girl just doesn't stop eating but she's so small and petite, no one would guess how much she truly eats.

Even though Bianca did promise me the job was still there, it was still nerve wrecking because of everything that has happened over the past couple of weeks. Luckily, we managed to discuss the elephant in the room; Jaxon. Bianca had been the first to address it by stating she wasn't going to comment about the situation and that Jaxon and I were old enough to sort through whatever drama we had. I appreciated her bringing the topic up because it helped to know she wasn't getting involved. Not many mothers had that mentality.

What I was not expecting though was for Bianca to give me an envelope. Unsure of what to expect, a million things were going through my mind but the last thing I expected to see was a cheque. What confused me the most was why I was holding a cheque for $1500, I wasn't working so why was Bianca giving me this money? I certainly didn't earn enough annual leave for this money, so I was extremely confused.

It's as if Bianca could read my mind because she started to answer all the questions that were going through my mind.

"It's just something to help you get by. I know with all the medical expenses between you and Alena can't be easy so as your friend, I just wanted to help."

I was already shaking my head in rejection before she finished her sentence. Bianca raised her hands up in a plea for me to hear her out, so I sat back down, across from her and waited.

"I knew if I transferred it into your bank account you would come marching down here when you needed to rest, which is why I am giving it to you as a cheque."

"Bianca, I- I can't accept this. You have no need to give me this." I whispered back, trying to control my emotions.

"Yes I didn't need to because I wanted to. It's really not that much money honey. Do us both a favour and just thank me." she responded as she smiled at me.

I sniffed back my tears as I nodded and got up to walk around the desk, "Thank you" I whispered as I hugged her.

"You're welcome, beautiful" she whispered back as she rubbed my back in comfort.

As we broke away she reached over to grab a tissue and passed it to me, before I could wipe my tears away there was a soft knock before the door opened immediately.

"Mum, I'm off to pick up Johnny. I'll-"

Jaxon's voice stopped midway as he took in the sight of Bianca and I, recognition covered his face as he realised that he had interrupted our meeting. At this point, I knew it was time for me to go.

"I uh- gotta go. Thanks again Bianca, I'll see you Tuesday next week." I smiled at Bianca as I gathered my things, quickly wiping my tears away.

"Anytime honey, I'll see you Tuesday."

"Ma, I'm off." Jaxon said as he opened the door wider for me. I didn't miss the way his eyes followed my movement.

"Come back here mister. You and I have a little meeting." I had to smile at the motherly tone she used.

Just as I was about to leave, Jaxon and I locked eyes for a millisecond just as he rolled his eyes at his mum's comment which caused me to giggle. At this point he must have realised that I caught on to his actions, because he just smiled at me before opening the door for me. His smile disappeared just as quick and was replaced with him biting on his bottom lip nervously as I walked out.

The door behind me quickly closed but not quick enough for me to miss out on what Bianca said,

"You're silly for letting that one go."

I mentally smiled as I heard those words come from Bianca. It felt good to have someone on my side. With that in mind I went to collect Alena from the kitchen staff but as we made our way to our car my phone rang, almost frightening me. When I looked at the number it wasn't a number registered to my phone so it worried me, a lot. I almost rejected the call but the curiosity was getting the better of me because why would this landline be calling me on a Saturday afternoon?

"Hello?"

"Do you accept this call from Refocusing Health and Life Rehab Clinic?"

"Yes"

I opened the car door for Alena so that she could sit and continue to eat her chips, while I sat on the bonnet of the car and waited for the call to be transferred through.

"Avery?"

"Hi mum"

"Hi baby! How are you?"

I was almost shocked at the greeting from my mum, never in a million years did I ever expect I would have a civilised conversation with her. The last time I spoke to my mum, she talked about getting help. I'll be honest, I didn't believe it. All drug addicts talk about getting help but rarely follow through on their promise, so you can imagine my shock a few days ago when I asked her how she was going, she had told me about all about this clinic and how good the program was.

It gave me faith that maybe my mum meant it when she said she wanted to get better for Alena and I, she wanted to be a family again. As great as that sounded on paper, she still had a lot to prove in my eyes. She had a lot of trust to rebuild because of past experiences. She made her bed and it was time for her to lay in it.

"We are good. How's the program?" I genuinely asked. I wanted to be the better the person in this situation and show support. Especially during this time, it was the most important time to support a drug addict.

"Good honey. I need to ask you something"

"What's wrong?" I asked nervously. I got off the bonnet of the car and turned around to look at Alena who had a mouth full of fries, sticking out while she chewed on them with her eyes closed. The sight caused me to smile at her and how carefree she was.

"I was hoping you and Alena could come down for a weekend? I would love to see you girls."

The smile disappeared and just like that, the life was sucked out of me. It was easy to support her over the phone but were we ready to see her face to face?

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A/N: What do we think? Any theories? Don't forget to leave a vote xx

Next Chapter: Is Avery starting to lose her mind?