Author's Note: Weren't expecting a new chapter so quickly, were you? Uhh Didn't really proof-read so all mistakes are my own. I will be switching back and forth between Jane's POV and Maura's. Your feedback is loved and appreciated. I hope you enjoy~
Disclaimer: I own nothing but Domi.
Chapter Three
At lunch, Jane had sat at the end of one of the tables and so you followed her, sitting beside her. She kept her hood up and avoided everyone. Except you. She asked you simple questions, nothing about why you were here and for that you were grateful. You showed her the same courtesy. You did your best to ignore the other kids who did the same to you and Jane. She talked about her favorite sports and what she liked to do in her free time and you… you talked about your science and Bass. It had felt a little like a small weight had been lifted off of your chest because as you talked, you had watched her face for any sign that she wasn't really interested.
But Jane only nodded and smiled and when it came to Bass she downright laughed. "You have a turtle? I bet he's real interactive…" She'd said and this time you caught the sarcasm and the fact that she was teasing you—but not in the way you were used to; in a way that…friends tease each other.
You'd smiled and narrowed your eyes and corrected her and she'd waved you off, taking a small bite of her food. You never knew what it was like to have a real friend. Sure there were your parent's friends' kids. But they definitely were not your friends. You had tried to be their friends but they did nothing but tease and taunt so whenever they came over, you would retreat to your family's library.
Soon lunch ended and you noted that Jane had barely touched any of her food but you didn't say anything. It wasn't your business. The next period was art, which was where you were at now.
You feel like you're at school the way everything is in periods. Art is held in the rec room. Kids of all ages have filled the chairs and there is low chatter as everyone waits for someone to come and supervise and give direction. You and Jane sit at one of the tables near the back, Jane still keeping her hood on and paying no attention to anyone but you.
A few moments later you smile as you notice Nurse Kennedy enter. She claps her hands to get everyone's attention then smiles when she has it. "Okay, guys. I'm giving you free reign today. Do what you want, so long as it is ART." She emphasizes the last word and narrows her eyes at a few of the kids. There are only 10 of you.
Her eyes move about the room as kids scramble to get supplies until she meets your gaze. She almost looks surprised as she looks from you to Jane but then she grins like she knows something you don't. She starts toward the two of you, still smiling. "Jane Rizzoli, how many times have I told you about that hood?" She asks playfully.
Jane snaps her head up to meet Dominique's gaze and she smiles a little and sighs. "Fine…" She grumbles as she slowly lowers the hood, revealing her mass of curls and dark eyes.
Dominique smiles at her kindly. "I like to see the faces of my young'ns." She says before she looks down at you. "Look at you, little Bambi, making friends with the wolf." She smirks and raises her brows.
Jane tries to scowl but she smirks instead at Domi. "Don't you have Nurse things to do?" She quips, blushing lightly.
You glance between them, thinking Domi must get all the patients to like her because so far Jane has only paid any attention to you and now Dominique.
"I'm doing them," She says as she gives a Cheshire like grin. "Get to watch you lot."
Jane raises a brow and then glances around her. "Well you don't seem to be doing a good job, because I'm pretty sure little Jake is eating glue…"
Like a rocket, Dominique is up and scrambling to the front where a 7 year old looks down at the Elmer's Glue stuck on his little fingers. "No, Jake! Glue is not for eating." She says, taking his hands before shooting Jane a glare.
Jane just grins at her before she looks back at you with the same smile. "So uh… Wanna do some art crap now?" You just smile and nod as you both get up and move to get supplies.
You've picked out some watercolor paints and a paintbrush but you can't seem to reach the paper you want. Jane comes up behind you and reaches up, her sweatshirt sleeve slipping down her arm as she grabs the sheet of paper you were reaching for. You're startled at first but then your eyes go to the fresh scars on her arm. They're an angry red, a pale comparison to her olive toned skin.
Most of the skin there is puckered and raw like the cuts were close together, perhaps some in the same place. One large one is so deep it has stitches that have yet to be removed. Your heart feels like ice in your chest, numbing you to the bone and you want to reach out and run your fingers over the old scars and the new ones, but you refrain and act as if you hadn't seen a thing. You now understand a little why Jane hides in her sweatshirt.
As Jane's arm lowers, you turn to see her smiling at you. "Here ya go, shorty." She says, backing slightly and handing you the paper. It takes her a moment to realize her sleeve is still slightly raised and as you take the paper from her hand, she quickly pulls her sleeve down, her face contorting into panic as she glances up at you.
You smile lightly and take a breath. "Thank you, Jane. Should we head to the table?" You ask quietly, completely ignoring her moment of panic and the fact that you've seen something that Jane probably wasn't ready to show you.
She seems to breathe a sigh of relief and nods dumbly.
You both sit quietly, you painting and her coloring…something. She hasn't said anything to you and you're a little worried, but you just tell yourself that she's concentrating. You glance over at her, watching curiously as she bites her lip and turns her sheet around and around, switching out colored pencils. You can't really tell what it is she's making by the way she's hunched over it, so you go back to painting.
You've never really been good at art but you do find this cathartic in a way. You're not really painting anything particular, just letting your hand flourish over the paper, watching the paint as it transfers from brush to paper. It soothes you somehow and you get lost in it. You get so caught up in it that it takes you a moment to realize that Jane is gently touching your shoulder, a smile on her face.
"Hey, you okay?" She asks gently as you look at her.
You blush lightly and smile. "Oh, yes. I'm fine. I was just—concentrating." You say as you glance back at the painting. It's a mixture of different colors, blues, reds, purples and oranges. Bright and lovely like the setting sun. It actually turned out nice, you think.
"That's real pretty." Jane says, bringing your attention back to her.
A grin spreads across your face because you know she's being genuine. "Th-thank you." You say brightly.
Jane nods and pulls out her own picture from behind her back and holds it out to you. "Here—I uh…I made you this." You can see now that she's blushing and you look down at the picture and gasp. The entire paper is covered. It's like swirly tie-dye with your name popping out bright white in the middle.
"It's—It's," You search your brain for something adequate before you come up with one. "cool." You finish.
She looks at you and bursts out laughing. "You've never said that word in your life, have you?" She asks as you take the picture from her hands.
You narrow your eyes at her, but smile. "Yes…no…yes." You're not sure, really.
Jane raises a brow. "Yes or no. Simple question. Say it with me, Yes. No." She teases.
"Yes… but maybe not in the context I just used it." You reply with a chuckle.
Later on when it's curfew, Jane walks you to your room and says goodbye. You watch her walk down the hall, pulling up her hood.
You sigh and go into your room, shutting the door behind you and hanging up Jane's picture she made you, above your twin size bed. You put on your pajamas and pull out your book on Human Anatomy before you settle in bed and open to where you left off.
Of course after five minutes you realize you're not going to focus on your book, not with Jane running around through your head. You wonder what the story is behind her scars, what her story is.
You sigh, knowing you won't be getting much sleep tonight.