Always and Forever (Part 4)

Chapter 13

Chloe sat in the psychiatrist's office. She couldn't believe what the woman was saying. Chloe wouldn't be able to bear it. Going to a school for dumb kids just because she was in a coma for five years. She told the woman how she felt.

"Chloe, the children who go there are not dumb. They are children like you who have missed out on valuable schooling years, and need to catch up."

Chloe nodded grumpily. She was tired, and wanted to give up. Life was too hard for her as it stood, yet she longed for the freedom, and longed to be like everyone else her age. She would soon be fifteen, and she knew her family was preparing a massive celebration, as her first birthday out of hospital for six years. She didn't feel like fifteen. She felt as though she were ten. She wanted to be a kid, and not have to worry about 'catching up'.

"I understand that your parents have enroled you at the school I have recommended, so you will be attending as soon as your parents would like you to."

The woman stood up, indicating that Chloe should do the same. She held out her hand to Chloe, who took it reluctantly, and dropped it immediately, and made her way to the door.

"Chloe?"

Chloe swung round.

"Good luck."

Chloe managed a small, sad smile, and went out of the room as silent as the calm wind on a summer's day.

Chapter 14

Chloe bounded home from school full of joy. She had been attending the school for over two years, and was now seventeen.

Almost falling through the door, Chloe rushed into the living room, where Linda and Tony were sitting drinking cups of coffee on the soft velvet sofa.

"Mum, Dad, I had the best day today. I got level 8 on my science test!"

Linda leapt up and hugged her daughter. She was amazed at the progress her daughter was making. Chloe was more or less GCSE level, whereas her old school friends had only completed theirs about two years ago. She felt like squeezing her daughter to bits, she was so happy for her.

Chloe opened her mouth to speak, and Linda sat back down, but pulled Chloe down gently as well.

"I met this really nice guy at school today. His name's Alex, and he's only a few months older than me!" she said, speaking quickly and excitedly.

Linda smiled at her daughter's enthusiasm. Although she was seventeen, she sometimes acted as excitable as a twelve year old. She leaned in close to her daughter, and whispered in her ear.

"Go for it, Chloe."

Chloe turned to face her mother and gave her a massive grin, and kissed her on the cheek. "I love you, Mum. Always and forever."

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