Castles crumbling (Taylor Swift's little sister)

There was a school trip happening in two weeks. You had been doing good in recovery and your friends asked if you were going, they were excited and said they hoped you were going because it would be the first time you'd go on a trip with them; last year -when they went on a trip- you were in hospital and missed it. Another time there was a trip, you said you didn't want to go because your mom said you'd have to be supervised during meals by a teacher and it was not only the embarrassment of having to be watched, but you were also planning on restricting, so you didn't go. And the last time there was a trip, the school took the students to a National Park, but you were unknowingly a week away from being admitted again to the clinic and your mom didn't let you go because it involved lots of walking and your body was too weak to handle it. This time the trip was meant to last 5 days: on the first day you were riding a bus for 6 hours to get to a lovely town and settling on an ecological hotel, on the second day you were canopying at a near river, on the third you were supposed to paint some houses of the town, the fourth was a relaxation day, hanging on the pool and a surprise dinner, then on the fifth you were riding the bus back home.

Everything sounded terrifying and full of challenges: wearing a swimming suit, eating in front of a bunch of people, not knowing what you were going to eat (different preparations, different foods), having to be in charge of your intake, a "surprise dinner" .... Yet it was so exciting too. You wanted to go on the trip and enjoy with your friends, do normal things that teenagers do, have fun. You told your friends that you were going to ask your mom, but that you did want to go. That night at dinner you took the chance to talk about it.

- "Mom, there's a trip with school"

- "Yes, I saw the email" your mom said and took a bite.

- "I was wondering if I could go" you said.

Andrea's and Taylor's eyes widened. - "You want to go?" Both asked in unison.

You bit your lip - "Yes. No. I don't know... Lou and Erin suggested it and I think it'd be cool, but it's also scary..."

Andrea smiled softly - "What's scary?"

- "Well, the swimming suit, eating with a bunch of strangers, the "surprise dinner", not being able to choose my food or being confident that the person choosing for me knows what I should have..." you said, and the panic started increasing.

- "But it sounds fun and exciting, doesn't?" Taylor smiled.

You nodded - "But maybe...no, forget what I said" you looked down and took another bite.

- "I actually think it is a great idea, darling!" Your mom said.

- "Really?" You asked looking up surprised and Taylor couldn't hide her surprise either.

- "Well...we need to think how it would work but I don't see why not. You've been doing good in recovery and you just recognized what might be challenging, we can plan and gather a few strategies for you to cope. But this is life, it will be challenging but you gotta do it" Andrea said smiling widely

- "Yes! Thank you thank you! I can't wait to tell my friends!" You said and finished your dinner to text your friends. When the observation period was over, you went to your room to FaceTime your friends because they wanted to know how the conversation happened, and how you got permission to go. You went upstairs jumping in excitement. When Taylor and Andrea were alone in the living room, Taylor turned worried to your mom:

- "Are you sure this is a good idea?"

- "Actually, I think it is. She's been trying really hard and she asked and wanted to go-not like that time I was the one who brought the trip up only for her to hesitate about going and then have a total breakdown when we told her she needed to be supervised at mealtimes, when she realized she could not restrict. This time feels different, I think this is just her wanting to be a teen" your mom explained.