The First Time

Unwell Again

In the following days, Rob and his parents, Judith and Geoff, along with the entire friendship group, dedicated themselves to caring for Alessia. It was a difficult time—she wasn’t just struggling with her physical injury but with a deep, lingering emotional exhaustion from everything she’d endured. They all saw it, and together, they decided they would do everything they could to help her recover.

Judith and Geoff treated Alessia as if she were their own daughter, making sure she had warm meals, helping her with tasks around the house, and offering comforting words whenever she seemed overwhelmed. Judith would often sit beside her on the couch, a reassuring hand on her shoulder, while Geoff would share lighthearted stories to make her smile. They gave her a space where she felt safe, reminding her that she had a family in them, no matter what.

Rob barely left Alessia’s side. He supported her through her schoolwork, writing things down for her and helping her with assignments. He knew how frustrated she was about her cast, especially since it was on her dominant hand, so he’d sit with her patiently, jotting down notes as she spoke, making sure she felt heard and capable. When she was too tired to talk, he’d just sit with her quietly, his presence a constant source of comfort.

Lotte and Leah were her rocks, offering both practical and emotional support. Leah made sure to check in on her regularly, sitting with her in comfortable silence or sharing stories from their Arsenal days, a gentle reminder of all the incredible things Alessia had accomplished and could still accomplish. She encouraged Alessia to set small goals each day, helping her regain a sense of confidence.

Lotte, meanwhile, was always looking for ways to keep Alessia’s spirits up. She’d plan movie marathons, bring Alessia small treats, or just sit beside her, listening to whatever Alessia wanted to share. Lotte’s upbeat nature and unwavering loyalty helped Alessia feel a bit more like herself, even on the toughest days.

The rest of the group—Katie, Caitlin, Beth, and even Alessia’s sister Olivia—frequently stopped by, doing whatever they could to make Alessia feel supported. Katie and Caitlin, in particular, would rally everyone together for group activities, even if it was just watching a game or playing cards, so Alessia would never feel alone.

Through everyone’s efforts, Alessia began to feel a little better each day. Her broken wrist and the emotional toll of everything she’d been through weren’t quick to heal, but knowing she had such a strong, caring group around her helped her keep going. With each act of kindness, Alessia felt her strength returning bit by bit, and she knew she could face whatever came next with them by her side.

Alessia felt a mix of relief and dread as she stepped back onto the college campus. She was greeted warmly by Rob and her friends, who enveloped her in a gentle hug, careful not to jostle her broken wrist. Their support gave her a much-needed boost of confidence, though she still couldn’t shake the nerves gnawing at her. She knew all too well how her classmates might react.

True to her fears, whispers started as she walked past her classmates. She caught snippets of them questioning her injury, speculating that she was faking it for attention. Others muttered that she was using it as an excuse to avoid work. Alessia tried to block out the noise and focus on Rob and the others, who stayed close by, offering their quiet encouragement.

Once her Digital and IT Skills lesson started, things went downhill. Her tutor, clearly unimpressed by her time away, started nitpicking her every move. Alessia tried her best to focus, but her tutor’s sharp comments and disapproving looks made it difficult to concentrate. She was accused of “disrupting” the lesson for glancing at her phone, even though she’d only looked at a text from Rob, who was just checking in on her. Every time she whispered to her friends for clarification on the task, she was reprimanded for “distracting others” and “not taking things seriously.”

Her head began to throb, and a familiar dull ache started pulsing behind her eyes. The stress, combined with the tension and relentless berating, soon escalated into a migraine. Alessia winced, pressing her fingers to her temples, hoping it might ease the pain. She felt her focus slipping, her vision blurring slightly.

Seeing her discomfort, Rob exchanged a worried glance with Lotte, who immediately raised her hand. “Excuse me,” Lotte said firmly. “Alessia’s unwell—she needs to see the nurse.”

But the tutor rolled his eyes. “Ms. Russo is perfectly capable of staying in class, and I’d appreciate it if her friends stopped causing unnecessary interruptions.”

Rob clenched his fists, feeling the rising frustration. Ignoring the tutor’s disapproval, he reached over, gently taking Alessia’s hand. “Come on, Alessia,” he whispered. “We’re going to get you some fresh air.”

Lotte, Leah, and Caitlin followed suit, walking out with her as Beth and Katie gathered her things. As they left the classroom, Alessia took a shaky breath, relief washing over her as she escaped the toxic environment.

Once outside, Leah rubbed her back soothingly, while Rob kept hold of her uninjured hand. “You’re doing amazing, Alessia,” he said softly. “Let’s go get you some air, and we’ll stay by your side as long as you need.”

Alessia managed a small smile through the pain, feeling grateful beyond words. In that moment, she knew that no matter what college threw at her, she had a group of people who would always stand by her side.