You drew stars around my scars

Chapter 38

The next 3 weeks Jessica settled in well at home – Taylor drove her back to the clinic twice a week for therapy and weigh ins. Jessica was gaining consistently 1-2lbs a week. The teen continued to eat all her meals without need any supplements and Taylor was supervising some gentle exercise every day for 20 minutes. Once a week they took a longer walk.

Taylor really felt like they had fallen into a good routine, she wasn't having to battle everyday – she was getting glimpses into the 'normal' Jessica more frequently, they were doing well. There were still occasionally mild hiccups with food and Jessica trying to control what they were eating but generally the teen did as she was told.

Andrea's sister had a nasty fall and needed surgery on her foot, since Taylor and Jessica were doing so well Andrea planned to fly out there for a week to help her. She was leaving on the Saturday morning and flying back home the following Friday.

The night before Andrea left Taylor and Jessica went to visit her at home, Jessica was very quiet throughout but denied anything being wrong.

Taylor kept a close eye on her, the girl was engaged and talking but more withdrawn than normal. They left Andrea and went home.

Taylor messaged her Mum "Sorry about Jessica, I don't know what's wrong with her" Andrea responded quickly "You have nothing to apologise for, she was just being a teenager – she did look tired though. Both of you have an early night and I bet tomorrow she'll be fine. I'll text you when I land."

Taylor took her advice and settled Jessica into bed, Jessica began to play on her iPad but Taylor quickly took it off her "not at bedtime, I'll charge it and you can have it tomorrow". Jessica huffed but quickly laid down and fell asleep. Taylor decided to try and get some extra rest herself, she laid on her phone for a while before logging off and drifting into a deep sleep.

At 4am Taylor was woken up by Jessica tiptoeing into her room, "Tay, can I have some medicine? My stomach hurts". Taylor sat up in bed, groggy as she tried to understand what the girl was saying, finally she sat the girl next to her and looked at her, "hmm you're a bit warm. Let me go and get you something – you lay down here and I'll be back in a minute." As instructed Jessica climbed into her bed and wrapped herself up in the duvet. Taylor padded downstairs and grabbed the medicine, making her way back upstairs, she put the tablets and the glass of water on her table and climbed back into bed next to Jessica. She pulled the covers off the teen and helped her to sit up "Here take these Buddy" Jessica did as she was told and tried to lay back down again but Taylor stopped her "hold on, just let me take your temperature." The girl sat while Taylor checked, the machine beeped and Taylor looked at the orange glow on the digital screen. "it's high but it's ok. You've had the tablets, try and sleep some more and we'll see how you are in the morning"

Jessica nodded, feeling sorry for herself, she tried to bundle herself up in the duvet again but Taylor stopped her, not wanting her temperature to get worse. Within seconds Jessica was back asleep, a frown still etched on her face. Taylor watched for a few minutes then drifted back off herself. Less than an hour later she was jolted awake by Jessica jumping out of bed running to the bathroom where she quickly vomited into the toilet, Taylor ran close behind and rubbed her back as she heaved. The blonde fetched her some cold water again and waited while she rinsed her mouth out "Let's try and get you back into bed, you'll be comfier". Jessica obliged but groaned as she stood up. She laid down in bed, Taylor laying next to her. The teen reached out and grabbed the end of Taylor's hair, playing with it until she fell back asleep. Taylor tried not to move so she didn't disturb her and found herself falling asleep again. 45 minutes later Jessica bolted to the toilet to vomit again, she whined "I hate being sick. My stomach hurts". Taylor played with her hair "I know buddy, it sucks but hopefully that's it now. Do you feel like you've finished?" Jessica nodded and Taylor tried to help her stand to get back into bed "but what if I'm sick again?". The blonde grabbed a bucket "we'll take this incase".