You drew stars around my scars

Taylor's dental ordeal

Taylor had noticed the gum around her wisdom tooth was a bit tender. Her wisdom tooth pushed its way through bit by bit periodically then settled down for months before poking through again. It always settled within a couple of days so she swallowed some pain relief and cracked on.

When she was eating, it was very tender and she had to avoid eating on that side – she was opting for softer foods too but she knew it was just for a few days.

The pain got worse and worse, eventually it wasn't hurting just when she was eating but all the time. It started as a dull ache that she kept prodding with her tongue but it increased to an intense throbbing that radiated around her jaw and ear.

Taylor continued to take painkillers and tried to avoid anything too hot or too cold due to the sensitivity in the area.

On Tuesday night, Taylor didn't sleep – the pain had got even worse and her jaw was now slightly swollen, although you couldn't tell unless staring at her.

Taylor found on Wednesday morning it even hurt to open her jaw to brush her teeth and she hoped it went away soon, she was getting very frustrated with it.

Wednesday, Tree was round for her weekly meal. She noticed Taylor was off but decided to wait until after eating to speak to her. The blonde looked exhausted and unwell but Tree knew better than to push it in front of Jessica.

At lunchtime, Taylor handed Tree and Jessica their sandwiches then went to fetch her own lunch. Tree looked at her and frowned "soup?" she was concerned about it immediately – the blonde always ate the same as Jessica to help the teen's anxiety.

Before Taylor could defend herself, Jessica spoke up "her mouth is still sore...she's eating less and less though..."

Tree frowned "your mouth?"

Taylor shrugged slightly "my wisdom tooth is coming through and the gum is sore – it'll go away soon"

Tree sighed "how long has it been?"

Taylor shrugged, trying to keep it vague but Jessica smirked "nearly a week..."

Tree stopped eating, frowning at Taylor "you need to go to the dentist..."

Taylor shook her head, mumbling "it'll be fine – a couple more days and it'll sort itself out. It always does"

Tree cocked her eyebrow "you can't even eat. You can't put it off Tay..." she turned to the teen – a playful tone to her voice "she always tries to put it off"

Jessica's jaw dropped – indignation on her face "You bully me into it and you're a big scaredy cat too?!"

Taylor snorted "I don't bully you – it's my responsibility to make you go and I don't want you to be afraid of it. It doesn't scare me – I just don't like it, I feel uncomfortable"

Jessica was about to argue back but Tree spoke up again "you can barely open your mouth, you are grimacing as you eat – let me book you an appointment"

Taylor shook her head "I can't – I have the kids"

Tree fired back immediately though "Emmeline is with the nanny tomorrow..."

Jessica quickly jumped in "and you did say I could come to the dentist with you..."

Taylor narrowed her eyes "Jessica"

The teen spoke louder now "No, you did!"

Taylor sighed "for a check up, not for...this" she looked to Tree for support – to get her to tell the teen she couldn't come but Tree shrugged "either I can stay with her here or she comes with you"