Beyond Education [Jemily]

An Offer I Wish I Could Refuse

December 9, 2021
— Emily's POV
Unpopular opinion: Jennifer should change majors and become a nurse. Ever since I got hurt last night she's been catering to my every need at my bedside, and she even offered to go to Comp for me so I wouldn't have to walk across campus. I thought that was a little extreme, so I respectfully declined and went there myself. It wasn't easy, but I did it. Walking back was actually more painful, and that's what I found myself trying to persist through right now. I winced and groaned as I tried to limp back to my hall without looking too much like a wimp. I successfully made it back to John Ed without passing out, and unlocked the door to my dorm to get inside ASAP. My soul nearly left my body when I saw JJ sitting on my bed, "Ah! Jesus Christ, what are you doing here? How'd you even get in?!"

She skipped over to me and immediately started bombarding me with questions, "Never mind that. How's your ankle? Is it swollen? Does it feel sore? Did you keep it up during class like I told you to?"

"Shh shh! Just let me get situated first." I threw my bag down and hobbled over to my bed, sitting on the edge as JJ watched me like a hawk for any signs of weakness or discomfort. I sighed and responded, "I feel great, Nurse Jareau."

She raised a brow at me, "You're sure? You walked all the way there and then all the way back. That's taxing for someone with good ankles."

"I-I'm okay." Her judgmental gaze didn't falter. She was really set on trying to break me. The throbbing feeling in my ankle was too great and I couldn't keep up the act anymore. I sighed and admitted, "All right, I'm not okay. It fucking hurts. A lot."

She walked up in front of me, stood between my legs, and brushed my hair back as she said, "Aww, Em. Is it red at all? Can I see?" I nodded and scooted back, leaning against my wall and letting my legs sit in front of me. JJ carefully untied my shoe and gently removed it before doing the same with my sock. I groaned a little when she lifted up my foot to examine it. She concluded, "Well it's not red, so that's good. But it's a little swollen." I threw my head back in frustration. JJ talked me down and explained, "No, no that's good!"

"It is?"

"Inflammation is the first stage of recovery. You need to practice RICE, okay?"

"Long grain or jasmine?"

JJ playfully hit me in the stomach, "Very funny, Em. Not that kind of rice. Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation. R-I-C-E. Got it?"

"Yeah, that makes sense."

"Do you have any ibuprofen? That'll help with some of the pain and inflammation."

"Don't think so."

"Ugh, what about any wraps or bandages?"

"Nope."

"How about some kind of tub for an ice bath?"

"No dice."

"Do you two idiots have anything here that might help?"

"Um... Can you get me a beer out of the fridge?"

JJ rolled her eyes and stood up, "I'll get some stuff from my dorm but I'll probably have to go out anyway for more. I don't have enough for your whole recovery."

"How long do you think this will take?"

"4 weeks. But you could definitely lessen that if you stick to this regime and go to physical therapy."

"I can do that."

"Good." JJ helped me lay down properly in bed and then elevated my leg. She comfortably propped it up on some pillows and then put a fresh ice pack over it. She turned on the TV for me and then quickly pecked me on the lips, "I'll be right back." JJ was gone for a decent 20 minutes before I heard her very distinct-sounding feet walk down the hallway toward my dorm. Sure enough, her key started jingling my lock. She didn't bother when she realized it was open. JJ scrunched her brows when she stepped inside and asked, "Why is the door unlocked? I thought I locked it?"

"You did but Tara came back since then. She's in the lounge."

"Ah." JJ set a paper bag down on our desk and started taking out a whole doctor's office worth of medical supplies. She grabbed a roll of bandages first and came over to me. The ice pack that I had was now completely melted and saggy, so she put it back in the freezer for me. JJ carefully lifted up my foot and started wrapping my ankle up. Tara shuffled out of the lounge but stopped dead in the doorway when she saw JJ kneeling at the side of my bed, tending to my foot. JJ had her back to her, so she was unaware that we now had an audience, but I looked up at Tara and wiggled my brows up and down as if to say pretty good deal, huh?

Tara chuckled and said, "Jeez, Em, that must be the life."

Now aware of her presence, Jennifer said, "Hmm?" Her gaze stayed intently focused on my injury.

"I just mean that you're doing a really great job, Jay. If Emily had to recover by herself she'd probably make it worse."

JJ giggled, "I'm just doing the best I can, that's all." She finished bandaging up my ankle and then asked, "How's that feel?"

"Pretty good, actually. It's not throbbing anymore."

Tara walked over and crashed onto her bed, "Sounds like you'll be as good as new in no time, Em."

JJ perked her head up at me, "Oh before I forget, I want you to start using crutches."

I whined, "Noooo whyyyy?"

Tara winced and agreed, "It's probably for the best, Em. Do you wanna be healed by winter break or not?"

I mumbled, "Yeah, fine. Whatever."

JJ kissed my forehead and cheered, "Yay! Wise choice, my dear." She stood up and sighed before brushing my hair out of my face and questioning, "You want anything before I go get your meds?" I looked over at Tara, who was holding back a laugh at how I was being babied.

I butched up and cleared my throat, "Uh n-no, I'm good."

She pouted and adorably stroked the side of my face, "You're sure? You want something to eat? Want a snicky snack? You want me to go get Franko from my roo—" Tara was starting to snicker from across the room.

I interrupted her and nervously chuckled, "I'm good, JJ. Really."

"Hmm, okay. I'll be right back, Emmy." She turned around and set off for the bathroom to get me a glass of water and some ibuprofen.

Tara smiled at me and mocked, "Aww, Emmy."

I blushed red and scolded, "Shut up!" JJ bounced back into the main room and handed me a glass along with two little pills. She carefully climbed into bed next to me, against the wall on my right side, and rubbed over my chest as she peppered my face with kisses. The remote was on my nightstand so she reached over to grab it before turning on the TV for all three of us. Tara insisted we watch 30 Rock but JJ saw that Roseanne was on, which is my favorite show, so she rejected Tara's request and catered to my preference. I'd never let anyone know, but being pampered by her was something I could definitely get used to.