You drew stars around my scars

Self harm

Taylor believed Jessica had stopped self harming, the teen had told her that she had and in reality the teen almost had.

She didn't do it often now, she had worked SO hard to overcome it but sometimes the voices just got so loud and she couldn't stop herself.

She had made a mistake though because she hadn't been careful this time – she was in a daze, panicked and she grabbed her razor blade – slicing her arm below her elbow before she could even process what she had done. It was only as she came out of the haze that she realised the marks she had left behind in the worst place. She would have to be careful now, making sure she had long sleeves on at all times until they healed. Luckily they were more superficial than her other ones so she should be able to get away with it.

Over the next couple of days, Jessica was very careful to keep the cuts hidden from Taylor. Luckily it wasn't hot so she got away with long sleeves and hoodies to hide it.

Tree was over for a video meeting with Taylor, the nanny had taken Emmeline out and Jessica had been begging Taylor to let her do some baking.

The blonde had initially been reluctant when she wasn't there to monitor it – concerned it was somehow eating disorder related but then she realised she had to let go at some time and she was literally going to be in the next room so she had relented and told the teen she could bake whatever she wanted as long as she cleared up her own mess afterwards.

Tree and Taylor were set up for the meeting so Jessica headed to the kitchen, getting to work on the cookies and brownies she wanted to bake.

The teen was working away and had lost track of time. The brownies were cooked and she was just working on getting the final batch of cookies onto the tray ready to cook as Taylor's meeting finished.

As soon as the meeting finished, Taylor leaned back on the sofa "OOH I am so glad that finished early, Emmeline isn't due back for another hour so I can actually get the housework done without her screaming for me the whole time!" Tree laughed gently "orrrr you could take a nap, get some rest?" Taylor rolled her eyes, her tone playful "rest is for the weak! Besides, god knows what type of mess Jessica is making in the kitchen, I can't rest and leave that alone..."

Tree sighed "she is going to clean it up..."

Taylor smirled "well her definition of clean is VERY different to mine, she will try her best I'm sure..."

Tree laughed gently "do you want me to grab you a drink? Go and survey the damage without making it obvious?"

Taylor nodded eagerly "that would be great! Just water please, trying to cut down on the caffeine intake..."

Tree nodded, standing up and heading to the kitchen.

Tree stood in the doorway of the kitchen, watching the teen for a few seconds. She smiled to herself as she realised how much progress Jessica really had made. A few months ago the teen never would have baked willingly – she would do anything to avoid being near food unless absolutely necessary.

She stepped forward, smiling at the teen but as Jessica turned around Tree's eyes were drawn to the teen's pushed up sleeves. She saw the new, angry cuts on the teen's arms.

As Jessica noticed Tree's eyes on her arm she quickly pulled her sleeves down, covering the evidence. The teen turned around, busying herself with tidying up but Tree moved on front of her, holding both her hands before looking at her sympathetically.

Jessica knew was what coming and her heart was pounding, she couldn't bare the sad look on Tree's face so before the older woman could say anything Jessica intercepted "it was the cats! I was playing with them and they scratched me..."