Miss Jackson {b.u.}

{50}

I stood in the hospital bathroom. Buttoning up my dark orange. fitted buttoned shirt. I rolled the sleeves and made sure they were even before buttoning them. Before I finished buttoning, I stared at myself in the mirror, staring at my raw face that had scars and bruises that still weren't healed. Make-up could fix it. I glanced to the door, Brendon leaned against it the door frame, glancing down, fixing his tie. He looked up at me, with his hands still on the tie, "why do you have your make-up out?"

I turned my head downward, my fingers fumbling with the buttons. "You want me to go out with scars and bruises?"

He pushed himself off of the door frame, stood behind me and set his hands on my arms. He leaned over, kissing my cheek. "Don't worry, darling."

I finished buttoning my shirt, pressing my collar down and running my fingers through my hair. "Everyone is going to be asking questions."

I turned around and he shook his head, raising an eyebrow, "as if people don't know what happened to you."

"What happened to me was very traumatic-"

"And nobody said it wasn't," he began and placed his hand on the back of my neck, "no one will ask. I already asked everyone to keep their mouths shut."

I could feel my breath heaving and I could feel my anxiety rushing through me. Brendon out his hands on my cheeks, calming me down, "I-I mean what if it happens...again?! I-I can't have it happen again."

I looked at him with tears and my eyes and he stared at me, "If anything happens to you again, this town and the whole state of California will bleed red. I will not leave your side."

And suddenly, the world fell quiet. I could only hear the beating of our hearts. A sense of calmness. I could only see Brendon, "you tell me when to light the match and I will burn all your troubles to the ground, Joanne. For you."

I nodded my head and he kissed me. He turned me back around to the mirror and I packed my things, walking out of the bathroom. Brendon was holding Clovers hand. I walked over to River's stroller, leaning down, but wincing in pain. Brendon rushed to my side, picking the bag up for me. I smiled lightly at him, but I didn't want to be a burden.

———————

Brendon held the door open for me as we walked into the studio. Taking a few deep breaths as the warm arm blew against me. My heart raced and I could already feel everyone's eyes on me. Brendon glided behind my, placing a hand on my lower back, but walking in front of me to the steps. He nodded his head for me to walk with him and I did.

We walked through the daycare's open doors. Greeted by Krystal. Brendon and I walked over to the storage area, setting the kids bags down. Krystal took River out of the stroller, I made sure to see if River was okay and then walked over to Brendon and Clover. He was squatting, playing with her. I stood beside him and and watched in adoration, "Urie."

Brendon got up slowly, turning around at the same time as me. Brendon stuffed his hands in his pockets, "Uh, Joanne, not you short-stack."

I furrowed my eyebrows at Mchale. Brendon and I shot a look at each other. He patted my back and I walked out of the daycare with Mchale. I followed him to my office. Taking a deep breath as he shut the door behind him. This was it. My career is over.

"So, do you know why I pulled you aside?"

I shook my head and crossed my arms, "no. I don't read minds."

"Well," Mchale began and cleared his throat, "it was a very difficult decision. And this conversation is very serious."

"You're not firing me, right?"