Stitch These Wounds With Me Tonight

[Jake’s POV]

“No one is going to make you do anything you don’t want to do Jess. I just want you to have enough energy for you to finish your exams, and walk across the stage and graduate.”
“Just let me be, let me stay right here and die peacefully.”

I hate seeing her upset, but this is killing me.

Jinxx grabbed her hand, rubbing circles on the back of it with his thumb, she looked to him.

“Jessa, you know we can’t let you do that. We all love you so much. I know you’re beyond hurt right now, but please, you need to at least eat and finish school. You’ve come so far, and done so much. Don’t let it all be ruined by that fuckwad. He wrecked your past, not your future.”

“Sissy, think of how much better your future will be, you living with Riley and all of us out in LA. You can come with us to the studio, we’ll make trips to the beach. Whatever you want, I
will do my best to make it happen.”

I set her on the bed between Jinxx and myself, then grabbed the food from the hall.

“I made you’re your favorite. Grilled citrus chicken with asparagus. CC made you some salad, and Andy brought home chocolate cake from that hole in the wall diner you love. If you won’t come down there, will you at least eat up here with Jinxx and me? I pinky swear that I’ll leave you alone after.”

[Riley’s POV]

“You two are right. I won’t let him ruin my future, but I need to mourn what was, at least for tonight.”

They mushed me between them so tight. “Guys… I need air…. Can’t breathe!” I fake gasped.

Jake laughed, “There’s my sissy. Now let’s eat!”

I shared a plate with Jinxx, managing to push my food around, only eating something every now and then. I thought I was getting away with it until Jinxx busted me.

“I know you’ve not got much of an appetite, but please eat Jess. I don’t want anything else to happen to you.”

I stabbed an asparagus a little too hard, staring him down I took a huge bite. It tasted amazing. My stomach rumbling gave me away.

I sighed, “I’ve been betrayed!”

I took a few more bites and the boys smiled. “Bubby, this is really good.”

When my half of the plate was gone too, Jake looked to me.

“There’s plenty more downstairs, do you want me to go get more?” Jake asked

“Not unless it’s half a chocolate cake.” I smirked.

“I’ll be right back.” He left the room.

[Jinxx’s POV]

“I’m glad you decided to eat. Do you need me to do anything for you? Get you anything?”

“Nope” she said popping the p.

“Want me to grab my laptop so you can watch a movie?”

“Only if you’ll stay with me and watch it.”

“I already told you Jessa, I’m right here, I won’t leave you until you ask me to. Even then, I won’t be far from you.”

She wrapped her small arms around my waist, as I wrapped my arms around her shoulders, and hugged me as hard as she could.

“Thank you Jeremy. It means so much to me that you’re here for me like this. I know it’s not easy to talk about your past.”

“Pain reminds us that we are all human and fragile. If my hurting with you helps you in the long run, it was worth it. I don’t want you to go down that dark path I was on.”

I kissed the top of her head, still holding her tight.

“Alright, let me get my laptop out. You start thinking of movies.”

“The Notebook! The DVD is somewhere in one of my boxes though. So how about-”

I cut her off, “Don’t worry about where it is. I’ll download it if you want to watch it.”

About that time, Jake came back in with a glass of milk, an entire chocolate cake, and one fork.

[Jessa’s POV]

“Andy got this for you, I told him it was your favorite.” Jake said as he handed me the entire thing.

I knew my smile was a mile wide. “Jakers, you remembered!”

“Well, yeah! I’m going to get in the pool. Let Jinxx or one of us know if you need anything.”

He kissed my cheek and left.

“I’ll be right back.”

[Jinxx’s POV]

Jess disappeared only to return with wine and tissues and looked at me still smiling, “Ok, now for movie time.”

She turned off the light and I let out a laugh as she took a flying leap into the bed.

“I’m glad I put your cake and milk on the side table, or that would have been messy. Get settled in and I’ll hand them to you.”

She nestled into my side and I passed her the cake. I hit play on our movie and put it at our feet. As I put my arm around her shoulders, she snuggled in tighter taking a big bite of her cake.

We sat in silence curled up together watching our movie, Jessa still enjoying her dessert. Out of nowhere a fork full of cake was at my lips.

“I know you want some of this…”

I let out a small laugh at her joke and ended up with a mouthful of delicious chocolate.

“Mmmmph… that’s good.” I mumbled.

“Feel special Jeremy, I don’t share this stuff with anyone. Not even Riley.”

I leaned my head against hers. “I like when you call me that.”

I lied, I love when Jessa uses my real name. The sound of it on her lips is like gentle and loving caress. We continue watching the movie as she randomly shares bite of cake. As the movie ends she passes me the cake.

“Would you mind taking that down to the kitchen while I get a shower?”

“Sure thing.”

I make my way down and notice how late it actually is. The house is dead quiet and no one is around. I put the cake in the fridge and grab a couple of waters to take back up with me. When I walk through the living room to go back up, I hear Riley’s faint giggles coming from her room. Looks like sleeping arrangements have shifted.

“Looks like Riles has company in her room. I don’t think you’ll want to go down there.”

“Oh God! I forgot, she is a severe Purdy Girl. I don’t want to know what that kinky bitch is up to!” Jess laughed.

“I’ll get you one of my shirts and some spare shorts to sleep in if you want. They’ll be big, but should do the job.”

“Thanks, I appreciate it.”

“You’re welcome Jess. I’ll take the office where Ash was going to be, you take this room. Come get me if you need me.”

I turned to head out of the bedroom.

“Jeremy, wait! Would you mind staying here with me? I don’t want to be alone.”

Poor thing looks scared out of her wits. I wonder what’s going on in her head that could shake her up like this.

“Sure thing. I’ll go get cleaned up in the other shower and be back.”

I went into the room I was originally going to be staying in and got some clothes for me and put them in the bathroom and took Jess a shirt and some shorts. As I laid them on the bed I could hear her singing in the shower.

[Jessa’s POV]

Jinxx left the room to go get me some clothes and cleaned up as I got in the shower. Instead of crying like I had been almost all day I started singing the first song that came into my head.

“I'm holding on your rope, got me ten feet off the ground
And I'm hearing what you say, but I just can't make a sound
You tell me that you need me then you go and cut me down, but wait
You tell me that you're sorry, didn't think I'd turn around, and say that
It's too late to apologize, it's too late
I said, It's too late to apologize, it's too late"

[Jinxx’s POV]

I felt so much better after getting a shower, it’d been a long day for all of us. I decided to go over to Jake’s room to let him know what was going on. To my surprise, he was still up on his computer.

“Hey Jake, what are you still doing up?” I sat down on the loveseat across from the bed.

“Just editing another guitar tutorial for my YouTube channel. Everything okay with Jessa?”

“Yeah. She’s crashing up here with me. Riley’s got some company in her room, and Jess doesn’t want to be alone. She sounded a little scared when she asked me to stay with her instead of the office.”

Jake ran a hand through his hair, “I’m so pissed and upset that she’s going through this. He really messed her up.”

“At least we were able to help her end things and get her out of there. I just have a feeling the worst hasn’t happened yet. I’m glad Matt will be with her during classes, but I think we all need to be on our toes for a bit. Jess, and Riley for that matter, will be better off if we do.”

Jake nodded in agreement. I stood up to take my leave.

“Thanks for your help Jinxx. It means a lot to me.”

I smiled and returned to Jess.

[Jessa’s POV]

I found the shirt and shorts on the bed after my shower and quickly put them on, not knowing when Jeremy would be back in the room. The shirt hung to my knees and the shorts fell right off me. I threw on a pair of socks and I tied my hair up in a messy bun then put on a face mask. I laughed when I saw myself in the mirror while I brushed my teeth. Apparently I wasn’t the only one that found the sight of me hysterical. I heard Jeremy’s muffled laugh and turned to face him, only to see his phone’s camera flash.

“You’re just jealous you don’t look this sexy.” I said as I waived my toothbrush towards him.

“I’m just trying to figure out what attacked your face.”

“It’s a purifying mask to deep clean my pores. I wear a lot of makeup and don’t want to break out. Actually, the five of you could probably use one too.”

“You are not putting that on my face.” The face he made was pretty funny, now I have to do it.

I flashed him my sad puppy dog eyes and he caved immediately.

“Okay fine. Let me pull my hair up.” He sat on the bed.

“Yay! Now close your eyes and sit still. Once it’s on we have to wait for it to dry.”

When I finished, I got comfortable as he hooked his laptop to the tv for us to watch another movie while we waited.

[Jinxx’s POV]

God, Jess looks hot like that! I settled onto the bed next to Jess while this gunk dries.

“I can’t believe you talked me into doing this.”

She giggled. I grabbed my phone and pretended to play on it for a minute, when she wasn’t paying attention I leaned closer to her and snapped a selfie of us. I was about to post it to my Instagram when she snagged my phone.

“Seriously Jinxx?! If you’re going to do that, we at least have to be making faces.”

She leaned into me more and we took a couple ridiculous looking pictures. She picked one, tagged herself, and posted it with the caption Movie and Facials Night with my favorite to cheer her up!

“Alright, now pick a movie while I was my mask off.” She said as she hopped off the bed.

“Snow White okay?” I called

“Works for me, I don’t have to be at class until 9:30 tomorrow.” She answered.

I pulled the movie up on Netflix and hit play as she came back in the room. I walked into the bathroom and washed the mask off. As I dried my face, I did notice how much better my skin felt. Although I will never own up to it. I went back to the bed and settled in on top the covers.

“You can get under here too, ya know? You can’t be comfortable sleeping on top the blankets.”

“No funny business missy!” I laughed turning off the light and getting in the bed with her.

“Mind if I cuddle up to you? I’m freezing.”

“Of course not. Come on over.”

I lifted my arm and she scooted over. Dang, she was cold! I ran my hand up and down her arm to try and warm her up a little. Not even a third of the way into the movie she was out, her delicate hand on my chest. I turned off the television and tried not to move her as I got situated. She stirred a little, mumbling something about someone’s banana and laughing. I chuckled to myself and enjoyed having her like this with me. Even if it’s only temporary, and only hurts me later. I’ll do whatever I need to, to ensure her safety and happiness.

[Jessa’s POV]

I was back at the apartment again, it was trashed. Dylan was throwing things all around in a drunken, blind, fury. I don’t know what I did wrong. I dodged out of the way when a small potted plant was launched my way. I tried to run up to the bedroom, but Dylan caught me by my wrist.

He threw me down the few steps I had made it up. I landed on something hard and felt my ribs crack. A horrible pain spread quickly. Dylan was standing over me, a shadow looming in the darkness. He yanked me up by the same wrist he grabbed seconds ago. God that hurts! I can’t scream, if I do, it’ll be worse. He pulls me into the kitchen and slams me into the fridge.

[Jinxx’s POV]

I’m woken up by Jessa moving around a lot, murmuring incoherently. I looked at the clock, only seven am. I laid back down, thinking it was nothing. A minute later Jess is screaming bloody murder! I flip the light on.

“Jessa, sweetie, I need you to wake up. It’s a bad dream!” I shake her gently.

No response, just another scream. “JAKE! I NEED YOU!” I yelled.

“What’s going on?” Jake asked as he came sliding in the door.

Andy made his way in behind Jake, his short hair looking like it exploded. A frantic and worried look crossed CC and Matt’s faces.

“Jess started tossing and turning, then screaming. I can’t get her to respond to me.” All of us are freaking out.

“Jess, Sissy, wake up! You’re scaring us!” Jake shook her.

“Have you tried something other than shaking her?” Andy asked, we shook our heads no.

Andy kneeled down next to Jessa, pushing her hair back from her face, and began to softly sing to her.

“Don’t fade Jessa, come back to us.” CC said starting to tear up.

I took her hand and Jake brushed her cheek with his hands. She had begun to cry and shake a little in her sleep.

Matt spoke up, “I think she’s either having a night terror or flash back to what fuckface did to her.”

I squeezed her hand and spoke to her, “Jessa, it’s a bad dream. You’re safe with Jake and the rest of us. We won’t let him hurt you anymore. Please wake up for us.”

I was near tears. Andy kept singing, I kept rubbing circles on the back of her hand.

“Sissy, wake up. We all need you.” Jake pleaded.

[Jessa’s POV]

I was being held against the fridge still when I heard the guys calling for me. I couldn’t call out to them though. Dylan’s hand was over my mouth.
I heard Andy singing something I couldn’t make out, then I heard Jeremy’s voice the loudest.

“Jessa, it’s a bad dream. You’re safe with Jake and the rest of us. We won’t let him hurt you anymore. Please wake up for us.”

I kicked Dylan hard enough for him to drop his hand. I tried to scream. “Jeremy, Bubby! Help me, please!”

[Jake’s POV]

She stirred a bit trying to wake up. “Jeremy, Bubby! Help me, please!” She cried.

I tried once more to wake her.

“Sissy, follow my voice. You’re safe at Riley’s house, the guys and I are all here. You’re having a bad dream, please Sissy. I love you, please wake up.”

I kissed her forehead and saw her eyelashes begin to flutter.

“Sissy, wake up.” I whispered.

[Jessa’s POV]

“Sissy, follow my voice. You’re safe at Riley’s house, the guys and I are all here. You’re having a bad dream, please Sissy. I love you, please wake up.”

I tried my hardest to open my eyes, but my eyelids felt like they were glued shut. “Sissy, wake up.” Jake whispered.

I tried again, only this time it worked. Jake snatched me up in a huge hug and wouldn’t let go.

“Oh my God! I’m so glad I was just dreaming!” My tears started to silently pour down my face as I explained what happened.

Notes

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