Fragile Little Things ✓

26 fix

Indie

I’M STUCK IN THE SAME SPOT for a while. Frozen. Like it’s all just a movie and the viewer on the other side of the screen pressed pause. It’s quiet. So quiet you can hear the splat of the blood as it drips from Kade’s nose to the wooden floors. 

Scarlett’s scoff brings me back. Reminds me that it’s real. That this is all real. When I turn to glance at her, she’s leaning against the wall behind me as she watches the scene play out in front of her with her arms folded across her chest. There’s vague annoyance in her features, like this is all just a big inconvenience for her when she just wanted to drink her coffee. 

Jem’s jaw is tight as he steps forward with his back still to me as he faces Kade. He doesn’t turn to give me a second glance. And from his stance alone, it’s obvious that he’s angry. Very angry. He flexes the inked fingers on his right hand, like he hasn’t punched someone in a while. A thin coat of blood covers the tattoos on his knuckles. Finally, he speaks. 

“How many times did she ask you to let go?” 

Panic lights up Kade’s eyes as they meet mine. He doesn’t say anything, just clutches his nose, blood drips down his hand, staining his white collared shirt.

Jem’s jaw tightens, hid voice deadly, “How many fucking times?”

“Jem,” I say, tugging on the back of his arm. “I’m fine.”

The last thing I wanted was for Kade to receive another blow from Jem and end up in hospital. Or Kade to press charges. 

Jem turns, still not meeting my gaze. His eyes zone in on the darkening bruise on my wrist, and I instinctually pull down the sleeve of my shirt.

Anger flares briefly in Jem’s storm-grey eyes as he faces Kade again. “Touch her again,” Jem says, “I fucking dare you.”

Slowly, Kade straightens. His hand holds his bloody nose. I’m about to get him a tissue or something, but when I turn, Scarlett pins me with a glare that says don’t you fucking dare. Then she sizes up at Kade from across the room.

“You’re messing up our floor,” Scarlett mutters. “And you need to leave. Like I said about a hundred times already.”

Kade meets my gaze again, but I don’t say anything, ultimately agreeing with Scarlett. There’s a flicker of betrayal in his gaze, but it shouldn’t even exist. He’s not the victim in this situation. Not by far. I don’t feel anything for him other than pity. He swallows, then glances between Jem and I again. 

He looks like he’s about to say something to me. His mouth is slightly ajar and I know that whatever’s going to come from it can’t be anything good, but before he can, Jem steps in the way, completely shielding me from Kade’s line of sight. 

A few seconds pass by, and Kade walks out. 

I don’t see it, but I hear his heavy footsteps and the door shut. I genuinely hope it’s the last time I see him. And just like that, the tension dissipates from Jem’s shoulders. It’s a while before he finally turns. When he does, there’s an unrecognisable emotion amidst the grey in his eyes. 

Scarlett pushes off the wall, then grabs her coffee mug from the kitchen counter and walks to her room, mumbling something about cold coffee on the way. She shuts the door behind her casually, like nothing happened. Jem’s gaze burns my face, but he doesn’t say anything. I’m still in shock, and my throat is dry. I can’t find any words.

Wordlessly, Jem reaches for my hand. I ignore the sparks fluttering up my spine. The simple action sends adrenaline rushing through my bloodstream. He pushes up the sleeve of my shirt, revealing the bruise that’s getting darker by the second. You can see the imprint that Kade’s fingers left on my skin. His jaw clenches.