𝐄𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞|𝐉𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐨𝐰.

-𝟡-

𝙀𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 | 𝙅𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙃𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙤𝙬

-2 𝙈𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙝𝙨 𝙇𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙧-

After being shot, Sativa had eventually been placed in physical therapy. She didn't like the idea of being stuck in a hospital seven days a week so instead, she opted to do it at home. Jack and her mother had gone out to do god knows what while she tried her best to do the stretches presented to her.

She groaned at the pain in her stomach. "Alright, we should take a break, Sativa," Her nurse smiled. "Thank god, one more of those stretches and I might die."

The nurse helped her up from the mat, "We should change those dressings too. How've you been? We haven't seen you back at the hospital since you were discharged," She pointed out. Sativa shrugged, "I just didn't wanna go back there. But don't worry, I've been seeing my doctor every other week, say's I should be good in another month or two."

"That's great! You'll finally be able to get back to your regular life." Sativa shook her head, "I'm not sure about that. I still have court and one of our tour cities is NYC. I don't wanna go back there," She explained. "Well, wouldn't you be able to drop it from the tour? I've heard of celebrities doing that."

"If I drop NYC I'll never hear the end of it from everyone. Plus, I owe it to my fans. I grew up there for half of my life, and its where a good chunk of my demographics is. If don't keep it in the tour, ticket sales are gonna drop," Sativa sighed in relief as her nurse help her sit down on the couch. She took a seat next to the young artist, "If your fans are as supportive as you say they are, I'm sure they wont mind you putting your all around health before a tour."

At the end of the day, Sativa knew the woman was right. She offered her a small smile, "Thanks. Honestly... I haven't really talked to anyone about what's been going on," Her voce grew quieter as the memories of her NYC trip began to flood her mind. "I talk a big game for someone who now has PTSD. I grew up in that environment, I don't know why it's effecting me so much."

The nurse placed a hand on hers, "Just because you grew up around it doesn't mean you became desensitized. It's pretty common to have trauma after these sorts of things, even for someone like you. So what you're feeling is completely valid."

She gave her hand a pat before standing up, "Now, how about some lunch?"

Sativa waved her hand dismissively, "No, it's fine. Jack and my mom should be back soon anyways. And I'll make sure to pay you double for all the overtime."

"Nonsense. You're currently my favorite patient, no need to pay me extra." She waved the girl off before grabbing her things and leaving.

And in that moment of silence, finally being by herself, no sounds, Sativa felt completely alone. She had felt that way throughout her entire recovery. Jack barely spoke about what happened anymore, and while she appreciated it at first, she was beginning to think he didn't care.

It wasn't that she wanted to feel that way, but the way he was acting had made her.

Within the hour, she heard the door open along with light laughs. She smiled to herself. Soon, Jack and her mother had peered into the living room. Her mothers brows had furrowed, "¿No tienes terapia física hoy, mi amor?" She asked. "Yeah, but it hurt too much today so I sent her out early."

Her mother shook her head in disapproval. Sativa sighed, "Mommy, please, not today."

Her mother had taken the bags from Jacks hand and wondered further into the house. Jack stood there, seemingly thinking about his next actions. "Are you gonna stand there or are you gonna greet me?" She questioned, cocking an eyebrow at him.

He hesitantly made his way over to her, sitting down next to her. "You feeling okay today, ma?" He asked. She shrugged, "Could be worse. They're slowly lowering my med dosage so the pain just keeps getting worse. I just wanna be normal again..."

Jacks face had softened in that moment, "Hey, you're completely normal, Sativa. Shit happens, but you always get through it. Always. And I'm always gonna be here to help you get through it." She couldn't help but scoff, causing him to give her a questioning look, "What?" He asked.

"It's funny you said that because you've barely been here for me through this whole thing."

"What are you talking about?" He sat up just a little straighter. "You stay out late all the time and when you are home, you're only here for an hour at most. You respond to questions about me, you don't ask me how my day was or tell me all the things you used to."

Jack couldn't help but feel guilty because Sativa was right. He had distance himself from her, but it wasn't for the reasons she thought it was. He scooted closer to her, gently bringing her into his arms, "Do you know how bad it hurt me to see you lying on that ground that night? 'Thought I might lose you if I'm bein' honest..."

He paused for a moment, "I really can't imagine my life without you, Tiva. Together or not. You've been here for me since day one, even through all the bullshit. And just the thought of you no longer being here makes my chest tighten. I can't lose you, ma. Ever. The day that happens, I'll lose of piece of myself."

And now it was Sativa's turn to feel guilty. She had assumed the worst of him for the last two months, when in reality, Jack was also struggling. She had only been thinking about herself instead of considering what her other half was going through.

"I'm sorry..." Those were the only words she could mutter as a large lump began to form in her throat. It burned hotter than ever as she tried to choke back her tears. Jack gave her a little squeeze, trying his hardest not to hurt her, "It's alright. My main focus is always gonna be you."

He wiped the tears from her face, helping her stand up from the couch, "You got some new clothes to try on so lets yo fine ass up them stairs."

"We should really get an elevator," She suggested. "Now you just bein' lazy."

*********

𝙀𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 | 𝙅𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙃𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙤𝙬

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Hey Baes<33.

So I know there's a ton of misspells and stuff throughout the chapters and I'll get to them eventually so don't worry. Also, I'm gonna be time skipping a lot but it'll make sense for the plot and everything else. I know it's moving pretty fast for only being nine chapters in but just remember this has all happened over a period of five months.

Anyways, how's my guys, gals, and nonbinary pals doing? I hope you guys are enjoying the story so farrrrr. I'm so excited to interact with everyone the more this gets read and the more comments are posted. It's nice to keep up with all of you.