Sanctuary (A Dan Smith/ Bastille fanfic)

12. Chloe

My eyes meet Dan’s and the hint of a smile spreads across his face momentarily. It almost looks strange on him; I’ve barely seen him show his smile since we’ve met. Our relationship so far has mainly been filled with unpleasantness. Maybe we could have a turn around?

He makes no attempt to talk to me; instead his eyes stay staring at me. It’s actually quite creepy really. I keep turning back to him and his eyes are still glaring my way. His smile has disappeared now but he doesn’t look angry or anything, more just like he’s contemplating his next move.

“Chloe!” My mum says with a slight slur in her voice. Clearly the pimms is having an effect on her. “Darling you look beautiful!”

“Thanks.” I respond with a small smile. I'm glad that she’s just said that, it’s given me an extra confidence boost. When I first put this dress on I thought it may be too much. It’s quite tight, showing off my slightly boyish frame. It’s also extremely girly, a pastel pink colour with a black floral print on it. In the few minutes that I had to get ready I managed to put a quick line of eyeliner on my eyelid and coated my lashes in thick black mascara. Before I left my room I looked in the mirror and I was even happy with the results. I thought I looked good. My mother’s compliment and the small nod that Dan is giving me is making me think I was right.

We all spend a long time in the kitchen and I mainly stand there in silence, only really speaking when spoken to. Dan’s dad, whose name I don’t even remember, begins to ask me about my career prospects, but I don’t want to admit to him that I have none. No real dreams or aspirations. I’m not a very interesting person.

When dinner is ready we all go into the dining room to eat our meals. Conversation is flowing more now, along with the wine, and the two women in the room’s voices are getting higher and higher with excitement. I’m actually weirdly glad that my mum has found a friend, it means she might be around here a bit less.

I’ve never met any people like Dan’s family. They go to Paris for the weekend, they work as doctors and lawyers, they own houses in LA, and they are so different. They are like the family that my mum would love us to be. Although I can imagine her disliking the misfit Dan as much as she dislikes me.

As soon as dinner’s done I offer to clear the table, not wanting to sit around in the atmosphere which I am finding awkward. To my surprise, when I’m in the kitchen loading the dishwasher with the first load of plates, I hear another person enter the room.

“I thought I would help you with the plates.” I recognise Dan’s voice immediately, even though I can’t see him. It’s only then that I realise that my arse is in the air and my head is in the dishwasher. My skirt is fairly short too, so I’m pretty positive that he can see my underwear. I quickly stand up, smashing my head against the counter and falling on the floor as a result. “Shit.” I hear Dan mumble as he crouches down to help me. “Are you okay?”

I hold my head in pain and try to keep in tears although I really, really want to cry. “Yep.” I mutter, biting my lip to stop my tears from escaping.

“No you aren’t, let me help you.” Dan stands up and walks away. I close my eyes in pain, well aware that they have started to water now. Seconds later, he’s holding a tea towel with ice inside close to my forehead. When I open my eyes, his blue ones are staring at mine. “Is that okay? Does it feel better?”

“Mmhmm yeah.” I nod, wincing in pain at the movement. “I’m such an idiot.”

“No you’re not, it was me that came in and scared you. Sorry.” He mumbles more. I don’t understand him, he’s so awkward in his tone, but yet he’s still looking straight into my eyes. I shut them again, trying to keep my head straight even though it’s pounding. “You’ll try anything to get out of a family dinner, even knocking yourself out.” He chuckles softly.

“Yeah, it was that painful that I thought I would put myself in physical pain too.” I laugh back. I reopen my eyes and he’s still staring at me and smiling, the dimples on his cheeks making an appearance. “How come you ditched me last night?” I ask, feeling dizzy from the fall.

“What?” His look turns to one of confusion. “I didn’t leave you at all.” He speaks slowly. “All of a sudden you had disappeared.”

“No, you ditched me.” I said, totally sure of myself. I can feel my head spinning further and my voice getting more and more sloppy.

“Chloe?” I hear Dan call and feel his hands shake my upper body. “Keep your eyes open.” I feel his warm hands against my cheek as he forces me to open my eyes.

“Hmmm?” I mumble again, trying my hardest to do as he is telling me. But it hurts so much that all I want to do is keep them closed.