You drew stars around my scars

Travis

Taylor and Travis had been dating for about 6 months. Taylor felt like it was time to take it to the next level and she wanted to introduce Travis to the girls but she was worried she was rushing it. She finally felt like she had found somebody who could be with her forever and although she wanted to have them included, she didn't want to push the girls too far, too fast.
Taylor rung up Andrea to ask what she thought of it. Andrea listened to all of Taylor's pros and cons of the situation. She let the younger girl get all of her anxieties out of her system before asking her "would it change your opinion of him if they didn't get on?"
Taylor thought about it for a few seconds "I don't think that would happen..."
Andrea sighed "no, but imagine it did. If he didn't respect them or if they didn't like him – would it change how you felt about him?"
Taylor bit her lip as she thought about it "it would be a challenge, yes"
Andrea hummed softly "well then – maybe it's time. If you are thinking above moving it onto the next level, you need to know he will fit into the life you've fought to build"
Taylor agreed, thanking her Mum for the advice before hanging up.

Taylor headed over to Jessica, sitting down on the sofa next to her. Jessica looked up, smiling softly but then her face fell "what's wrong?!"
Taylor shook her head "nothing. I just want to speak to you..."
Jessica nodded, sitting up straighter "ok...what have I done?!"
Taylor laughed "you haven't done anything wrong. At least nothing that I know yet! I wanted to speak to you about me..."
Jessica's eyes widened "ok. What's going on?"
Taylor fiddled with her rings nervously "so, you know travis and I have been seeing each other for a while now?"
Jessica nodded, unsure of where this was going. Taylor smiled softly "well, it's been going really well....and I just wondered...I wanted to see how you'd feel about meeting him?"
Taylor expected a bigger reaction but Jessica nodded "yeah, that would be good"
Taylor's jaw dropped in surprise "you'd want to?"
Jessica shrugged "Yeah – it seems like you really love him. He seems to make you happy, so why not?"
Taylor narrowed her eyes, unsure if the girl was playing it cool for her benefit "well, it's a pretty big step..."
Jessica began to tease Taylor "Oh god – do you think we won't like him? Is he secretly a big loser?!"
Taylor laughed loudly, throwing her head back lightly "No I think you'll love him..."
Jessica nodded "so what's the problem?"
Taylor hesitated "I want to make sure you're ready"
Jessica smirked "Tay...I didn't think you'd be single forever"
Taylor playfully poked her "well, I did!"
Jessica smiled widely "honestly – I have no problem with it...as long as I don't have to play football with him"
Taylor grinned "deal!"

A few days later, Travis was coming over to meet the girls – they had finished lunch and Taylor had cleaned everything up. She was now pacing anxiously – awaiting his arrival.
She turned to Jessica "you feeling ok?"
Jessica smirked "I'm fine. How are you?"
Taylor rolled her eyes playfully "I'm ok -nervous, excited"
A few seconds later, Travis had arrived. Taylor stood up to go and greet him.
He came in, looking around slowly "you have a beautiful home Tay"
Taylor smiled, thanking him softly. She led him through to the living room "Travis, this is Jessica and Emmeline..."
The teen waved awkwardly at him and he smiled back "nice to meet you Jessica...thank you for having me here today!"
Jessica smiled and nodded. Travis turned his attention to Emmeline "oh hey girlie! You are so cute!"
Emmeline just stared at him, not breaking a smile. He looked at Taylor, his voice playful "she's a tough cookie to crack"
Taylor giggled lightly, reaching out to pick up Emmeline "she can be a bit serious – she's usually OK when she warms up to people though!"
Travis smiled "Well, I'll just have to prove myself to her!"
They all sat down, chatting easily – Jessica was telling him about school while he told her about his family. Taylor listened, chiming in when she felt the conversation needed it – she was surprised how easily it was all going.
Emmeline was still fussy though – she was trying to get away from Travis – flitting between Taylor and Jessica.

The next hour or so passed quickly, Jessica really liked travis and it wasn't anywhere near as awkward as she thought it would be. Taylor was smiley and giggly throughout and Jessica liked seeing this new side to her.
Jessica glanced at the time, and she suddenly became nervous – knowing her snack time was coming up. They continued to chat and her anxiety began to ramp up, she knew her snack time was only about 10 minutes away and she wasn't sure how it was going to be handled.
Just as she began to jiggle her leg, Travis looked between her and Taylor "well, this has been really great, but I need to go...I'd love to have stayed longer but I have to film the podcast...."
Taylor smiled "no – it's fine. Thank you for coming"
Jessica stood up slowly "it was really nice to meet you..."
He smiled "yeah, you too!"
Taylor went to see him out and when she came back, she led Jessica to the kitchen to get her snack. She looked up at the teen "sooo.....what did you think?"
Jessica smiled, nodding softly "he seemed nice Tay – and you look happy!"
Taylor nodded "I think it went well"
Jessica nodded but she looked down slightly. Taylor reached over "are you ok?"
Jessica smiled "yeah...just thinking"
Taylor rubbed her hand gently "about what?"
Jessica bit her lip "does he know...about my eating disorder?"
Taylor shook her head "no – that is your story to tell if and when you are ready"
Jessica looked down, fiddling with her fingers anxiously "well...if this is serious – if you think you're going to involve him out in lives, then I think you need to tell him about it"
Taylor's face showed the shock she felt "why?"
Jessica shrugged "because he will be here, with us – when we eat. I was stressing about my snack because he was here. If he is going to be here – which is fine, by the way – I think he needs to know"
Taylor thought about it for a few seconds "OK. Do you want me to tell him or do you want to?"
Jessica shook her head quickly "oh no – you do it. I don't want to be there"
Taylor nodded "OK....you really did like him?"
Jessica nodded, a small smile on her face "yeah, I did"

Later that evening, Travis FaceTime'd Taylor. Immediately she asked him "so – how did you find them?"
Travis smiled "they're great Tay – you're doing a great job with them"
Taylor smiled but then took a deep breath "Look Trav, I need to talk to you about Jessica..."
He nodded, encouraging Taylor to continue
"she has had a really hard time – she's been through a lot"
Travis nodded "yeah, her mum..."
Taylor nodded but then spoke up again "yes, but it's more than that. Listen – how much do you know about eating disorders?"
Travis cleared his throat "erm, not a lot to be honest"
Taylor nodded "Ok. Well...Jessica has been struggling – since before her Mum, but obviously that made it much worse." She swallowed thickly, taking another deep breath "She has had a really rough ride. She has been an inpatient twice – she struggles every day but she is fighting to do better"
Travis nodded, smiling softly "she seems strong..."
Taylor smiled "she is...but we have strict rules and schedules with her. For an outsider it can seem mean or overwhelming but it's to keep her safe"
Travis nodded, his voice showing he was taking it seriously "OK."
Taylor smiled softly at him "I am telling you this because when you're with her while she eats – it can get heated. She can get upset or angry but I have to stay calm. Something that might seem insignificant to you is a huge deal to her. I'm not doing it do be mean...it's a whole thing"
Travis nodded "Tay...I would never undermine you!"
Taylor smiled, shaking her head "Oh no, I know. But you might think you're helping"
Travis shrugged "so, what do I do?"
Taylor smiled "essentially, nothing. Act like nothing is different – act like her food is no big deal – no comments on her body or what she is or isn't eating"
Travis nodded "I can do that"
There was silence for a few seconds before he spoke up again "sooo, you want me around them more?"
Taylor smiled at him widely "I do, if you want to be"
Travis nodded "I'd love to. I've got to win them over"
Taylor giggled "oh I'm sure you will!"

Over the next few weeks, they met multiple times – they went out and did activities as well as just chilling at home together. They had begun to get on well. Jessica had managed snacks in front of him but hadn't deal with a whole meal yet.
Tree was over for her weekly dinner on Wednesday night. She looked between Jessica and Taylor "so, how's it going with Travis?"
Taylor nodded "it's going well!"
Jessica nodded "yeah, he seems nice..."
Taylor looked at Tree, a small smile on her face "he is coming over for dinner Friday..."
Tree's face registered her shock but she smiled "well that will be nice!"
Jessica nodded, biting her lip "I'm a bit nervous"
Tree nodded "that's normal – but it will be easier once this first time is done..."
Jessica smirked slightly "it would be easier if you came... be on my team"
Tree shook her head "no – this is a time for you guys..."
Jessica sulked down so Taylor spoke up "you can, if you're free..."
Tree shook her head "no – both of you will be fine. I'll come another time..."
Jessica nodded but was sulky for the rest of the meal.

On Friday, Jessica's nerves were growing rapidly. She had confirmed the food plans already multiple times with Taylor.
Taylor had agreed to cook a safe food for her to try and keep it as easy as it could be so they had settled on a teriyaki chicken stir fry.
When Jessica had spoken about it, over and over – Taylor smiled at her "buddy – if this is too much, I can put it off..."
Jessica shook her head "no...I need to do it. I'm just nervous. I don't want him judging me or how much I eat"
Taylor pulled her into a hug "he wouldn't buddy – I promise"

Taylor was just cooking dinner when Travis arrived. He had been working hard to win over Emmeline and she was finally warming up to him so she let him hold her for a few minutes.
As they settled into the kitchen, Taylor smiled at Jessica "hey buddy – can you run and get me a bib for her?"
Jessica nodded, jogging from the room quickly. As soon as she was out of earshot, Taylor turned around, looking straight at Travis "This sounds crazy – but please, I need you to eat everything I put on your plate" He laughed at her "that will not be a problem!"
A few minutes later, Taylor dished up and they all settled up the table. Taylor was opposite Jessica with Travis next to her. Emmeline was between Taylor and Jessica at the end of the table.
Jessica looked at the plates, grinning slightly when she saw Travis had a lot more food than her. She began to relax and started eating.
Travis took a bite of his, he immediately smiled "Tay – this is delicious!"
Jessica nodded "she's a great cook!"
Travis nodded "I can see that! I've been missing out..."
Taylor blushed, pushing her own food around "I enjoy doing it...Jessica loves helping me – we like to bake together..."
Jessica nodded "yeah – maybe we could make some cinnamon buns for you – they're Tay's best thing"
Travis nodded, smiling widely "Yeah – I would love that!"
Easy chatter filled the rest of the time, Jessica was eating slowly and around halfway through she began to push it around. Taylor gave her a smile – trying to encourage her without bringing too much attention to it.
Jessica kept flicking her eyes to Travis – seeing if he was paying any attention. He was pretending not to notice and Taylor was so grateful for that.
A few seconds later, Jessica spoke up "can I get some more water?"
Taylor grabbed her glass "yeah, I'll grab it – this is it though, ok?"
Jessica nodded and picked up another bite of food. As Taylor returned, she looked at the teen then her plate "you need to eat the noodles, not just the chicken and vegetables..."
Jessica's cheeks burned but she picked up another bite with the noodles on – forcing it down.
A couple of minutes later, Jessica looked up at Travis, her voice small "sorry I'm slow..."
Travis shook his head "oh no – do not even worry – it's nice to sit here and talk. Plus I get to admire Tay..."
Immediately the blonde blushed and Jessica smirked slightly.

Travis decided to try and distract her "so do you like school?"
Jessica shrugged "it's ok..."
Taylor spoke up, pride in her voice "she's very clever!"
Travis nodded "yeah, I can tell! I was a little shit at school – until I got into football then it gave me something to aim for..."
Jessica nodded "I've been thinking I'd like to study psychology maybe...having a goal has definitely made it easier to focus"
Taylor was surprised but Travis nodded "that sounds great!"
Taylor handed Travis the rest of her food, she was full up and was grateful he was enjoying it so much.
Jessica smirked "do you want mine too?"
Travis laughed "nice try!"
Finally, Jessica finished "that was delicious, thanks Tay"
Travis nodded "it really was delicious – now let me clean this all away!'
Taylor tried to protest but he quickly grabbed the dirty plates. As he walked past her, he looked at Emmeline, giggling slightly "Judging by the floor, I'm not sure how much of that you ate girlie but it looks like you enjoyed it!"

A few minutes later, they were all settled in the living room and were preparing to watch a film. Taylor and Travis were cuddled up on one sofa while Jessica was snuggled in a chair nearby. Taylor finally began to relax, feeling like it had all been a great success.
Travis looked over at Jessica "Maybe you could come with Tay to watch a football game sometime?"
Taylor laughed "oh – she's not really a fan"
Immediately, Jessica shrugged "I just need to learn! Yeah – I'd like to come!"
Taylor was shocked but smiled as Travis spoke up again "ok – we can arrange that"
Taylor looked between them and in that moment, she knew it was all going to be OK. Life was going to work out...