You drew stars around my scars

Award show battles part 3

As Jessica lifted the bite of food to her mouth, all her determination left her. She suddenly couldn't force herself to do it, she held the fork of food in front of her face, frozen.

Taylor caught her eye, nodding encouragingly. Jessica forced the food into her mouth, chewing slowly – trying not to gag.

After she made it halfway through the meal she put her fork down, patting her hand on her stomach "that was tasty Tay but I'm full, thank you".

Taylor looked between the teen and the plate, she smiled softly "you need to finish that buddy"

Jessica pouted "but I'm full. I can't eat anymore"

Taylor lifted the fork – handing it back to the teen "you're not full up – you're avoiding the food. Eat"

Jessica looked at Tree, embarrassed about having this argument in front of her. She stared back at her plate, slowly eating another two bites. This time she dropped the fork again, tucking her hands underneath her thighs "I really am done. I cannot eat anymore"

Taylor sighed loudly, rubbing her face "The doctor said you need to finish everything"

Jessica shook her head, pointing her chin up stubbornly "I am done"

Taylor's willpower was starting to fade, she decided that she couldn't fight about the food anymore – she was too tired. She was about to give in, to tell the teen that she could leave the rest if she promised to eat her snack later. Just as she opened her mouth to speak she felt Tree rub her hand under the table before speaking up "Jessica, I know it must be difficult. Taylor has told me a little bit about the appointment today and it doesn't sound like you have much of a choice. Now you can either eat the rest of that, or you can have a supplement but either way – you are going to be having the required calories"

Jessica was usually polite to Tree, too afraid to fight but back today she didn't care – she wasn't prepared to hand over this last bit of control, she glared at her "or what? You can't make me!"

Taylor's face flushed red at the girl's outburst, embarrassed by her tone – she reached over "JESSICA!"

Tree stopped her though, unphased "Or we will speak to the doctor – if it means going back into partial hospitalisation, then so be it. We will not sit back and watch you relapse. We are going to help you"

At the mention of hospital Jessica's eyes filled up with tears and she swiped them away furiously, unwilling to show her 'weakness'. She stared at Tree for a few more seconds before the redhead continued "I will make the call to your doctor yourself unless you start eating within the next 30 seconds"

Jessica felt frozen, she turned from Tree to Taylor – begging to be let off but Tree interrupted again "Honey, I know it's hard but you have no choice. Taylor isn't going to let you off. Come on, 15 seconds"

The threat was enough to make Jessica pick up the fork, tears running freely down her cheeks as she forced another few bites into her mouth.

Taylor turned to Tree, silently mouthing a 'thank you'. Tree squeezed Taylor's hand under the table – reassuring her that she was here to help.

Jessica paused again, showing Tree her plate – hoping it was enough but Tree shook her head "5 more bites"

Jessica managed another 3 before pausing, turning to Taylor and asking to be finished, Taylor reached out "just 2 more bites, you can do it"

Jessica sobbed louder – at this point it was less about the food and more about losing even more control. Finally she choked down the required food, Taylor swept the plate away – placing a soft kiss on the top of the teen's head.