Alchemy •Dan Smith•

seven

Currently procrastinating on Romeo and Juliet homework.. Hope you enjoy ✌️

-Jade POV-
Last night was a complete wreck. After fighting with my manager for more hours to pay bills and getting a crappy test score, the last thing I wanted to come to terms with was my inevitable short coming. The existential feelings seeped into my bones along with the cold wind that blew against my fear streamed face on the walk home. The only thing that could make it worse was someone seeing me.

Dan, the person I least wanted to see me in this state, saw me. The only thing that made it less embarrassing was he didn't make a deal about it and he understood. He seemed distraught as well, causing a ting of sadness inside me. After that run in though, I was assured he was the only decent human and I was drawn to him.

He had an uncomfortable satire around him, which I'm sure we shared. But it only made him seem more relatable and in a sense cuter (if that were possible). His deep blue eyes seemed to break through every single one of my barriers yet still made me keep their gaze. So endearing. Not to mention that seeming Afro atop his head, that shook a little when he laughed or talked to fast.

I shouldn't be thinking about him so much, yet here I sit, enveloping my brain around the idea of this man.

Deciding enough was enough, I picked myself out of bed and headed towards the bathroom. Once inside, I began pulling off my oversized t-shirt and shorts from my skin.

Regretfully, I caught a glance of myself in the mirror, and much to my horror saw nothing but fat. Gasping audibly, I took some skin and lard from my side in between my fingers. This couldn't be happening. I'm not being the big girl again. I turned to step on the scale and the number 147 came up in digitalised characters. Frustrated, I stormed into the shower, not noticing the scolding burns it was putting to my flesh.

.•*.•*.•*.•**•.*•.*•.*•.

As the day commenced, I did nothing but lounge around like the lazy person I am. Until an idea struck me to have somewhat of a life and try and reach out to my neighbour. Concerned of my appearance, I quickly changed into black skinnies and a band t-shirt that would hopefully hide and rolls or lumps in my torso. Pulling my blonde hair over my shoulder, I deemed myself somewhat suitable before pulling on my converse and heading to his door.

After standing there for a minute or two, and reconsidering my stupid plan, I shyly knocked on it three times.

After a moment, he opened up along with another boy a bit shorter than himself.

"Jade! Hello, you look gr- I mean, what's up? Are you needing something" he stammered. Was he going to call me gross? Figures, I would too.

"I, um, was wondering if you wanted to hang out but I see you have company and it's probably a bad time." I shyly spoke, making I contact with him before staring at the floor.

"It's no bad time at all, this is Ralph by the way, good mate of mine. Come on in, we aren't doing much anyways.. Unless you don't want to- I understand," he said, motioning to his friend who I waved to and received a wave in return. I shook my head and smiled before motioning for him to open the door a bit more.

I shyly sat down along with them, waiting for someone to spark up a conversation.

"You must be the girl Dan has been blushing about all the time," Ralph joked, causing me to look at him confused, "We keep asking if he has anyone he is interested and he keeps blushing like a little girl and won't stop stuttering. It's bloody hilarious, but I see why he is smitten"

"I'm not smitten, shu'up." Dan interrupted, cheeks tinted. I chuckled a little, and the conversation continued with Ralph teasing poor Daniel causing him to turn crimson with everything told and deny it all.

It wasn't long before we were sharing embarrassing stories and I grew comfortable with them, easing all tension I thought this would bring. They were the funniest and most sarcastic boys I had ever met and they had me laughing to the point of stitches in my side. What a turn of events for this day.

.•*.•*.•**•.*•.*•.
After a game of twenty questions and a small dance party of three, we calmed down.

"Care for a movie anyone?" Dan asked us, walking over to his small collection. We said our 'sures' and he quickly grabbed a disc and put it into the player, prepared for the impromptu movie night.

After a few moments of getting situated, we all sat on the floor with our backs against the furniture, legs sprawled out. Dan to my left and Ralph to my right. Across the screen words said 'The Evil Dead' (AN: I saw the newer one and literally the most gory film I have seen and scared the hell out of me). I sighed, sure I didn't get frightened at most scary films, but they still caused my stomach to turn.

Through out the scenes, I tried my best not to jump or make noises. This was wasted once something popped out of the darkness, causing my to squeal and leap sideways, bumping into Dan.

"I am so so sorry," I whispered to him, only to have him look at me with an amused expression before replying.

"No need to be sorry, now eyes on the screen, darling"

Listening to him, I turned towards the screen. Out of the corner of my eye I saw him taking a glance at me, causing me to grow self continuos. I continued watching though, and my hand were pressed on the inside of my thighs, and body stiff. I tried doing my best to look as thin as possible, even though he probably wasn't even looking.

More played before he popped in 'Evil Dead 2' and got comfortable again. As the opening credits started, I felt a weight in my shoulders and a breath close to my ear, causing my to stiffen.

"Are you alright? You seem really uptight, we don't have to watch this if your not up for it." Dan's voice whispered in my ear.

"I'm fine, now watch the movie mister." I replied, looking up at him. My body was still rigid, and he gave me a look that said 'Something is up' but I just smiled at him before turning to the Telly.

He kept his arm around me, and I involuntarily settled into his side, slowly relaxing my muscles. Feeling safer than moments ago, yet shy because I wasn't usually this close to someone so quickly. But he was different. So so different.