Seventeen

Rick's POV

We were worried about Jessie. She hadn't left her room in a week and when she did it was only to go to the bathroom. We had all taken it in turns to take food up to her for breakfast, lunch and dinner but she hardly ever ate. She said she didn't have the appetite. She hardly spoke to anyone either. If you believe what everyone was saying she had only spoken to me, Tee and Elektra. Mike was thinking of getting her to see a psychiatrist.

So when she came downstairs, fully clothed and showered, got out a bowl and poured herself some cereal, we were all stunned. She sat down in her seat, opposite the empty seat of her brother. She didn't say anything about it. Everyone was silent. They didn't know what to say and didn't want to ruin it by saying something to upset her. "Jessie, are you going to watch the documentary on polar bears with Harry later?" I asked, hoping to distract her and get her talking. There was a small pause.

"Yes, of course I will. If you want me to watch it with you, I will," She said. Harry nodded enthusiastically. He had missed Jessie while she'd been in her room. Now Sapphire had left he was trying to find someone else who would play with him and Jessie had been great for that. After that everyone returned to their conversations, except Mike and me, who just watched Jessie. Jessie smiled at me when she saw me watching her. I smiled back and leaned in closer.

"Are you alright?" I asked. She took a deep breath in and twisted her head to the side slightly before she answered.

"I'm not alright but I'm better than I was," she stated. I had sort of expected that. It was going to take some time for Jessie to get over the fact her brother was staying in a young offender's institute. Mike had promised that when he was released he could come back here. Jessie finished her cereal. She stood up and went over to wash her bowl up. Mike took it out of her hands.

"Let me Jessie, I need a quick word with you anyway. Go and sit in the office," Mike told her. I watched her go and spun round to face Mike.

"You aren't still going to make her see a therapist are you?" I asked. Mike nodded.

"I have to. She's emotionally unstable and I have a duty of care to her. Maybe just telling her will knock some sense into her," he said wishfully. I sighed as Mike left the kitchen. I grabbed Carmen's empty plate and took it to the sink and washed it up. Jessie and I were both on washing up duty today but Jessie had got out of it, for the second time in a week. I didn't mind. To be fair she had a reason. I washed up the plates and bowls and dried them. As I was putting them away Jessie ran through the kitchen and out the back door, Mike calling after her. He looked at me. "Go after her Rick," he told me taking the plates out of my hand. "I'll do that."

I ran out the back door and towards the main garden. I didn't know where she would be. She could be anywhere in the garden and I might not be able to find her. I looked at the grass and saw the heel print of some hi-tops. I guessed they were Jessie's as they were the only shoes she wore. I followed the direction of the print towards the trees. I found her sat in the middle of a group of trees, leaning her back against a rowan tree. She had obviously heard me coming as she was looking in my direction. She wasn't crying this time. I walked over and sat with my back against the oak tree opposite her. She watched every move I made. She sat there for a bit just staring at me. I felt a bit awkward but thought if I moved it might alarm her. "He wants me to see a psychiatrist," she said suddenly. I jumped in surprise.

I nodded. "I know," I told her. "We were all really worried about you. You weren't eating, you weren't moving. You just weren't there. It's like you'd died. And all that was left was your body. You lost your spark. You weren't even sleeping well, we all saw that," I told her quietly. She bit her lip and screwed up her face.

"Was I really that bad?" she asked me. I shrugged.

"Pretty bad," I told her.

She looked at me sadly. "I'm sorry, I'm really sorry," she said. I stood up and walked over to her. I let her lean her head against my shoulder. "I didn't mean to be such a pain. Maybe Mike is right. Maybe I do need to see her," she stated. I shook my head.

"But you might not. At least go to the first one and see if it helps, that's all you can do," I added. She nodded and wrapped her arms around my waist. I was a little shocked but soon relaxed. She started breathing slower and I realised she'd fallen asleep curled up on me. I moved my neck and stretched it. Well if she was going to sleep on me, I might as well try and get a bit of sleep myself. I looked down at her. Her flame red was glowing in the sunlight streaming through the trees so it genuinely looked like it was on fire.

'She's very pretty,' I thought to myself.

'She's your best friend,' another part of me argued.

'oh shut up all of you,' I thought angrily. 'Let me just enjoy this moment.' The voices went silent and I rested my head on top of Jessie's and closed my eyes. Within seconds I was asleep.

A/N: I don't know whether to get Rick and Jessie together like some of you have suggested but I want your opinion. Let me know, Indigo :)