the girl who lost things

part thirty-four

day 8
— jessie's pov
they've kept me here for eight days, monitoring my eating, bed rest and giving me therapy, and I've been recovering; that's the only thing I can do. The more I'm in here, the more Willams probably raping Clara or worse.

I had two more days here; then I would be discharged, then life will hopefully go back to normal. I finally earned visitation rights; today was the first day I saw my mom and everybody for the first time in a week.

My breakfast was laid on the desk, two orange juices, three pancakes and eggs. Why? is it always eggs. But I eat them. I take time, but I finish them.

I have to act happy, act healthy so I can't get out of here. The nurse applauds me.

" you've earned activity rights." yay, I was finally able to get out of bed—the best thing in my life. My stomach was bloated, but I just decided not to look at it.

I did some schoolwork; no one knew about my past failures and mishaps. I was just "sick" a lot.
I decided to walk out into the social room; a lot of anorexics and bulimics were socialising. I was the loner, but I had to make a friend.

Extra recovery points. I walk around; who's the most vulnerable? I tell myself. There was a blonde-headed girl watching tv; she wasn't thin, average but not anorexic thin. Not lighter than me. She was laughing. Too bubbly.

There was another girl; she looked like me. We made eye contact, but she quickly broke it. Her. that's the one. She was sitting at the game table, just messing around with cards.

I come and sit across from her, " wanna play poker?" I ask her picking a few cards and shuffling her. she nods her head and smiles. She was thin; I would say me and her we're the same weight.

I put some almond joy in the middle of the table, three on each side. I give her the cards.

— emily's pov
I put on my jacket, and Derek and I get ready to head out. Then my phone dings it was from Penelope.

we have a case

we both look at each other; it was the first day I've seen Emily in a week. " go, it's ok. She'll understand." he closes the door behind me, and I walk to the car.

I bought her a little tote bag and some poetry books.

I make my drive there.
— jessie's pov
we laugh after she accidentally choked on an almond. She's choosing recovery.

" I never got your name," she says. Her voice was thick. Like it was British.

I try to mimic her, " my name is Jessie." I say, smiling.

" I'm Aurora." she puts out her hand, and I shake it.
She was so pretty, definitely prettier than me.

" what brings you to America?"

" I came to live with my mum, then, she found out and dropped me right in the ward." she laughs.

" mommy issues and daddy issues, I like you." I hear my name being called. We both turn around. I could see Emily waving, calling me over.

" that's your mother?!" she sounded surprised. I nod and make my way towards her. I wave goodbye and hug Emily. Good one. A sentimental one. I need her comfort.

She kisses me on the head, and we make our way back to my hospital room.

we all sit down in a circular form, and my shrink takes the lead. " Jessie's been seriously improving! her stats are off the record." I smile; she's saying exactly what I want her to.

Emily gives me a little good job, nudge.

" I think, with a few more labs and evaluations, she can go home today!" we both looked surprised. That's great!  I let out a huge smile. I have to say everything they want, and I'll get to go back home.

We finish talking and start to pack up everything. The shrink brings Emily outside and starts talking to her.

I can't have them having second thoughts. I need to seal the deal. I can't handle two more days in this prison.

I walk up to the shrink, " can I say goodbye to Aurora?" She nods, and I make my way into the room. She still there, but no, she's watching tv. I call her over.

"I might be leaving today!" I tell her. " but I need your help."  she brings me over to the couch and lowers her voice.

" with what?"

" I need you to do something crazy, but I'm going to be there to stop you." she looks at me, confused.

" crazy? like what suicide?" I nod.

" fake suicide, make a scene, babble and talk. Then, I'll stop you." she takes a moment to think about it.

" fine, my room is #247. Be there in an hour." I nod and make my way back to my room, where it was just my shrink.

" where's my mom?"

" She's just exploring while we talk." I nod and sit down.

" what's your plan after getting out of here." she jumps straight to the question. I take no time to answer; with the profiling skills and years of lying, I know how to make it believable.

" I want to fully get myself straightened out, probably, just focus and meeting my full happiness radar." she rights it down in her notebook.

" what's gonna be your meal plan?"

" I'm going to try to stay on ensure for a little longer but, it's gotten awful." I force I fake laugh. keep taking Jessie. " I've always loved avocado and toast, so I'm definitely going to feel better eating that now and pasta!" I sounded a little too happy; I need to dial it down.

" what if you relapse?" I take a moment to pause, let her know that I'm actually thinking about it. Then, I lift my head.

" I'll let my mom know, or at least try but I also have to remind myself relapsing is apart of recovery." she rights the last tidbit in her journal and closes it.

" I'm so happy for you." she gives me a hug and a little certificate. It says: I'm choosing recovery

it was so ugly, but I take it. It was around the time I should be heading up to auroras room,

" can I give this to Aurora?" she nods, and we walk to her room.

there she was about to hang herself, time for the acting. " STOP!" I yell, and I push her down, the chair and hold her on the floor. She pretends to cry into my arms.

" Listen, we're gonna get through this together." two security officials take her.

the shrink looks at me with a smile, " thanks so much! you saved her." I smile, just as planned.