Alchemy •Dan Smith•

twenty four

Dan's POV

The taxi ride began alright, we made light chatter and the driver chipped in politely every once and a while. Jade didn't let go of the hold on my hand once.

After an hour or so, the hand wrapped with my own began to slowly constrict. I turned my head to Jade, her eye brows furrowed as she watched the scenery. I squeezed back, causing her to turn her head towards me.

"You alright?" I asked.

She nodded, a small smile on her lips, "Just a little nervous." Her voice was strained and airy, causing her to cough and turn away.

"Don't worry too much about seeing them,love, they are your own family and friends."

"Yeah you're right."

The conversation halted as we turned into a nice residential area. It wasn't long until we pulled into a long driveway and the grasp on my hand tightened.

.•*.•*.•**•.*•.*•.
Jade's POV

"Honey, look who's arrived!" My father yelled into the house as he greeted us. Dan followed behind me as we followed my dad into the living area that held both my mum and brother.

"Jade, darling, how are you doing? Who's your friend?" My mum asked, rushing over to us and pulling me into a stiff hug.

"I-um I'm alright. This is Daniel, Dan, and he's going to be here with me this weekend." I replied as I gave a wave towards the shy Dan, who waved politely.

"Hello ma'am." He said, scratching his neck.

"Hello Daniel, welcome to our home." My mum said, with the fake at smile on her face. Did she not like him? My eyes cast to the ground before she spoke up again, "Jade can I speak to you for a second?"

I nodded as she said an 'excuse us' and followed her into the kitchen.

"Is that a boyfriend you brought here?" She asked, eyebrows furrowed.

"N-no mum, he is a friend, nothing else. Just a g-good friend." I said, flustered at the idea of him being my boyfriend.

"I don't know how I feel about you two sharing a room. He can always stay in th-"

She stopped talking once she say my angered face. "Mother, do you not trust us? He is my closest friend and I'm not having him sleep in the stupid ass guest room that's full of boxes."

"Language Jade." She said, "As long as there is no funny business going on then it's okay if you and him share a room."

"Thanks mum."

"Might I add he is a very attractive young man?"

"Mum!"

.•*.•*.•**•.*•.*•.

We all sat in the living room,talking about all sorts of things, and it was honestly going better than expected. I sat in between my brother and Dan on the couch and my parents sat each in a cushioned chair.

"Jade was always the quiet child, never too hard to take care of. That was until she threw her tantrums, those were terrifying." My dad spoke, and Dan laughed along side me before my dad proceeded to tell a story of such a tantrum.

"She once smashed three of those little plastic chairs, I didn't know a six year old had that much strength. I think it was because Chris took her ice cream."

"But ice cream is important." I chimed in, making everyone laugh.

"I can tell you take that to heart," Chris said, poking my thigh. Everyone began laughing again, besides me who took his words as an insult. Was he saying my thighs were to big? God, was I really that fat?