the girl who lost things

part twelve

-- emily's pov

I walk into Garcia's office; she wasn't there. I walk out " hey guys, have you seen Jessie and Penelope?" I look around the office. "I found them!" Derek says at the entering of his office. I see Jessie and Penelope passed out on the couch, with balloons all over his office.

Morgan starts cracking up and takes out his phone. "She's not going to like me for this one." he takes a picture with the flash, and it wakes her up. She looks confused at first. Her hair was in a messy bun and zit cream. I couldn't help but giggle. " I hate you,"  she says grumpily before exiting the room. Morgan follows right behind her.

" come on, baby girl, it was funny!" I scoff and sit next to Jessie. Who also begins to wake up.

" What time is it?" she asks in a soft voice." 2 am." she wakes up even quicker while hearing my voice. She returns that say with a hug, a tight one. A close one.

-- jessie's pov

she back finally, I continue to wrap my hands on her back, trying to hold in my tears. I missed this comfort." How was your birthday?" she says; I latch off of her.

" good." I avoid eye contact. She's gonna know. She's gonna know.  I pick up the 𝐮𝐧𝐨 board game. " do you want to play?" I say, quickly diverting the conversation. She yawns. " maybe next time, I'm tired. you ready to go?" I nod and pick up my bag, saying goodbye to everyone

-----

The car ride was silent; I think mom was half asleep already. the ride was gonna be a long one. So I decided to strike up a conversation. " how was the case?" she opens her eyes a little wider." We caught the lady." I look out the window, into the empty highway. " are you ok?"

"yes, why wouldn't I be?" I raise my voice in agitation; why is everybody asking me this. I'm fine. I'm fine. " I'm fine, I'm fine." I accidentally say that part out loud. I start to itch my thighs.

" Jessie, no, you not." she pulls the car on the side of the road.  Control, Jessie. Push it down, push the emotions down. " I'm sorry." She looks me in the eye, and tears begin to form. Control, control, con- I let out a sob, my eyes swell, I go into her arms. A safe zone. She embraces me. We stay here for about six minutes. During this time, I contemplate what to say. I wipe my tears.

" Now, tell me what's wrong." I take a deep breath and let my tongue take over.

" they put a burger in my locker." tears stream down my eyes. " cause I'm fat," I say. Great, go with the bullying story. At least, she doesn't know the full truth. But it was good to cry on her shoulder for once.

"you're beautiful; you're strong." I could tell she couldn't comprehend much because of her half-asleep state. she gives me another hug. " you don't have to take their bullying." 

I smile and sniff the snot from my nose. she puts the car back into drive, and we head back on the highway. "is that it?" I nod almost too quickly.