Fighting Society

team holiday with kiddo- part 2

A myriad of stuff was plastered across several sunbeds, umbrellas raised above them. The hot Greek sun took centre in the sky, a clear blue depth surrounding it. Across one sun bed was books, magazines and sun creams, another with ear defenders, fidget toys, medications and chewelry, the final sun bed with a football, hats and towels across it.

Lia had already settled herself on another sun bed, soaking in both the burning rays of the sun to tan herself, but also the sense of peace offered by their private pool. Majority of the girls hadn't flown out yet, catching their flights today, and the ones that had, decided to settle for a lay in.

Having travelled with an excitable 12 year old, however, a lay in wasn't optional to Leah and Lia, the both of them woken up at 7am with a burst of excitement from Jess at the idea of going down to the pool, which had lead to them settling on the sunbeds, changed and ready by 8am on the first day of their holiday.

Whilst Lia had managed to find some form of comfort in the early morning waking call, Leah had found herself in a much more difficult position. Despite the excitement of holiday, it still proved it's challenges for the neurodivergent child.

"Please bug, you just have to let me apply this before you get in the pool."

"No."

"You need it on though, it protects you."

"I don't want it."

All Leah could do is sigh, attempting to keep her cool, the sunscreen bottle in one hand, and her other with some cream already in it. 

She had tried to apply some to Jess, her younger sister reacting to it almost immediately by shuffling herself as far away as she can from Leah. From then onwards, any time she made any form of movement towards the small girl, she found herself taking a further step backwards, causing an ever growing distance between the two of them.

It was what had lead them to the situation they were currently in. Leah's ever growing jealousy for her girlfriends relaxation was apparent, as she was involved in a stand off with her struggling sister. 

"Jessie, listen-"

"Please don't make me wear it Leah."

"I know it's not nice bug, but it's better than you getting burnt."

"I don't like the feeling. I don't want it on. It's sticky, and it's itchy and it makes my skin burn."

"I hear you, and I acknowledge that sweetheart, I really do, but it's temporary. It will feel so much worse if you get burnt, and that's exactly what will happen if you go in the pool without any on."

 It was growing more and more apparent to Leah by the second that it was going to be an issue applying the sunscreen, the sensory issues a barricade for both her health and safety. She didn't want to put her sister through the clear struggle of fighting against her sensory issues, but she also didn't want to put her at risk of sunburn, sun stroke, or worse. 

Taking a deep breath, she ran through her multiple options, staying as content as she can with her younger sister stood idly under the umbrellas, grateful to keep her out the sun without protection for as long as possible. She tapped her fingers on her thigh in an almost rhythmic fashion, looking across to everything they had brought on the sunbeds.

"Right, Jessie, I need you to put the rash vest on for me."

She watched as her sister raised her eyebrow, reaching for the rash vest, and placing it over her swimsuit, the pale yellow covering her shoulders.

"Come take a seat on the spare bed for me as well-"

Her shoulders raised hesitantly, Leah spotting it almost immediately,