You drew stars around my scars

Root canal

Since the accident where Jessica got in the face at school, the teen had been having some pain.

Although the cuts on her lips had healed, she was constantly feeling pain when chewing on her right side.

One day, during dinner, she winced visibly again. Taylor paused "what's wrong?"

Jessica froze, not wanting to admit what was happening "nothing"

Taylor narrowed her eyes at her "you're in pain..."

Jessica sighed for a second "I've been having a bit of pain in my tooth since the accident"

Taylor frowned "why didn't you tell me?!"

Jessica shrugged "I figured it would go away..."

Taylor sighed "you can't ignore things like this – open up and let me see"

The teen opened her mouth and Taylor looked inside "I can't see anything – maybe the teeth did shift, I'll book you an orthodontist appointment in the morning"

Jessica nodded "ok thanks"

Taylor knew she must have been in pain because she didn't even argue.

A couple of days later, they pulled up to the orthodontist. Jessica looked at Taylor "what if something is wrong?!"

Taylor smiled kindly at the teen "then they will fix it. We just want you pain free"

Jessica nodded and they headed inside.

Her leg was jiggling nervously as they waited to be called back, Taylor placed her hand on her knee "you're ok..."

Jessica glared at her, "I hate anything medical!"

Taylor giggled "I know! But we have to do it..."

A few seconds later, they called her back. The orthodontist poked around before sitting back up "from our perspective, there is nothing out of sorts – the tooth is not loose. The brackets are in place, the wire hasn't moved...There is no explanation from an orthodontic point of view so it would be worthwhile heading to the dentist – see if there is something going on with the tooth"

Taylor thanked him and they walked out quickly, when back in the car Jessica sighed "so – that was a waste of time!"

Taylor rolled her eyes "not a waste of time – we know the braces are fine. I will ring the dentist now!"

As they drove home, Taylor rung them on speaker.

They offered a cancellation appointment in 1 hour which Taylor gratefully took. Jessica sulked slightly but deep down she was glad to be a step closer to being pain free.

As they pulled up outside, Jessica began to chew her lip nervously. Taylor rubbed her hand "hey, the orthodontist was fine. This will be fine. They might say it's just healing..."

Jessica grumbled "or they might say something really bad!"

Taylor rolled her eyes "well, one way to find out! Let's see!"

They walked inside, Jessica's anxiety ramping up with each step. Usually when she had come and been told she needed anything doing she wasn't in pain. But this time, it hurt even when anything touched the area so she was scared it was going to be really bad.

She had visions of losing all her teeth.

As she sat in the chair, she looked at Taylor "come and hold my hand?!"

Taylor grimaced "I can't baby – I'd be in the way. I will keep my hand on your ankle the whole time though – ok?"

Jessica nodded, sitting back.