You drew stars around my scars

Jessica's sick

Thursday morning, Jessica woke up feeling unwell. She couldn't quite tell what was wrong except feeling gross. She went downstairs "Tayyyy – can I stay home today? I don't feel good"

Taylor looked up at her, gaze wandering over the girl's body "what's wrong buddy?"

Jessica sighed "I don't really know –I feel sick and just ergh"

Taylor smiled kindly "well – you only go to the centre for group therapy and lunchnow. I literally drop you off at 11.30 and pick you up at 2"

Jessica thought she was going to say 'so you may as well stay at home' so she relaxed slightly but Taylor cupped her face "So I think you can manage a couple of hours – we will snuggle up when you get home. You're not hot but maybe a bit warm?"

Jessica rolled her eyes, frustration building but Taylor smiled softly "you can't stay off every time you don't feel well. We will do the same as always – we will give you some medicine and I will talk to them when I drop you off, if you feel really bad they will ring me and I can pick you up BUT I am sure you'll manage..."

Jessica nodded sadly, before sitting down in front of her breakfast. She forced herself to eat it all before heading upstairs and getting changed for the day. She came back downstairs in a hoodie and joggers, much more casual than normal. Taylor was tempted to give in but she didn't want to let the teen think she could get out of going if she didn't feel 100% "OK come on baby – let's get you there and I will speak to them"

Jessica nodded, a sad expression on her face.

Taylor dropped her off and spoke to the team – letting them know Jessica didn't feel well but there was nothing specific – she asked them to try and keep Jessica there if the teen asked to come home unless they were truly concerned which they agreed to do.

During group therapy, Jessica was very quiet and reserved and she approached the before lunch to ask them to ring Taylor. They gently reminded her she was no worse than when Taylor dropped her off and they said since she only had an hour left, there was really no point in calling Taylor. Jessica begrudgingly agreed and ate her lunch in silence, feeling more and more miserable.

Soon enough Taylor was picking her up, as Jessica climbed back in the car Taylor studied her face, noticing she did seem more pale than earlier – she reached out, touching her forehead gently "hmm you are a bit hot now, do you feel worse?"

Jessica shrugged slightly "I don't feel well – I don't know if it's worse but I am more tired..."

Taylor nodded "OK well, I need to pop to the office for a quick meeting – 30 minutes max. You can sleep in my office while I do it"

Jessica groaned, throwing her head back slightly "ergh Tay I just want to go home, I feel gross. Can you just drop me off quickly"

Taylor shook her head "Buddy – last time I left you home alone to sleep because you didn't feel well it ended with us scooping tablets out your mouth and calling an ambulance. I am sorry but I just don't trust you enough for that yet"

Jessica's body slumped, shame burning through her but she understood "fine..."

They pulled up outside Taylor's office and headed upstairs quickly, greeting the team briefly before Taylor led the pair of them to her office. She laid the teen down on the soda in the corner of the room "rest up here – do you want my iPad to watch some Netflix?" Jessica nodded sheepishly, pulling the blanket closer around her. Just as Taylor handed it over, there was a gentle knock on the door and the familiar redhead reappeared "hey guys!"

Taylor smiled widely "Hey Tree. How are you?"

Tree nodded "fine thanks – how are you both?"

Taylor smiled "I'm ok – madam here isn't feeling well"