You drew stars around my scars

Blackmail

Jessica had been in the treatment centre for a month now and she had made no progress. She was refusing ALL meals. Her oral intake now consisted of only sips of water throughout the day. The team were relying on her NG tube to get any nutrients into her at all. Although she was offered food at every meal, she refused until they put the equivalent calories in supplement down the tube. They were also continuing with the nocturnal feed – meaning the teen was getting a solid 2400 calories a day. This meant her weight had maintained due to the calorie intake however she was so withdrawn.

The teen was hating every second of being there – she was refusing to engage in any therapy whether it was individual or groups, she refused to join in on any activities and when they were sat to be monitored after meals – the teen did not speak to any other patients, sitting quietly or reading until she was allowed to return to her room. The teen was just counting down the days until she was allowed to leave and go back home or until Taylor broke and took her home early.

When Taylor visited, the first thing she noticed was that there was no life behind the girl's eyes now – she looked like a ghost. Her hair was thinning, her voice was monotone, there were bags under her eyes – she looked absolutely awful and Taylor's heart broke.

She hugged the teen gently, scared she was going to break her. As she pulled back, the blonde plastered a wide smile on her face "Hey baby! What's going on?"

Jessica didn't hesitate "I hate it here"

Taylor nodded, sighing "I know you do – but it's for your own good, we have talked about this..."

The teen didn't give up though, she grabbed Taylor's hand "Tay, I hate it, REALLY hate it. I want to come home – I am so uncomfortable here!"

Taylor sighed, not wanting to go round in circles again "But your answer to being uncomfortable is to starve yourself which is just proving to me why you need to be here"

Hearing those words, Jessica began to cry immediately "I just want to come home!"

Taylor wiped the teen's tears gently, a kind smile "then you need to start trying."

Jessica groaned "I am going to be here forever!"

Taylor was sympathetic but firm "not forever – just until you're well."

Jessica pouted "I'll be stuck here for 6 months, I still have 5 months left until I can come home!"

Taylor frowned, preparing for the backlash "Baby – you aren't going anywhere until you're better – you don't get to wait it out and just come home at 6 months – that was just an estimate. If it takes longer then it takes longer – you'll be here as long as you need"

Jessica cried loudly again "I'M NEVER GOING TO GET HOME"

Taylor had to fight the urge to roll her eyes "you will if you start trying – you have all the help in here you need"

Anger burned through Jessica and she glared at the blonde "Well – if you don't let me come home, I'm just going to keep on starving myself!"

Taylor narrowed her eyes "Jessica-"

The teen interrupted quickly, her voice frantic "NO, I mean it – I will not eat anything until you let me come home!"

Taylor smiled sadly, shrugging "that's exactly why I can't let you come home"

Jessica stomped her foot "I HATE YOU"

Taylor nodded "I know"

There was silence for a few moments before Taylor spoke up again, her voice quiet and defeated "Baby, you need to try"