The Only Exception (Jasya)

6

Jasmine stayed with Daya until her shakiness had subsided and her words didn't slur. It wouldn't have felt right to leave her in that state. The taller girl still laid limply on the couch, eyes half shut as if she was refusing to let them close. But she didn't look as lifeless as she had.

Jasmine felt uneasy about leaving her, but she already felt awkward about being there in the first place. She stood up from where she had settled onto the floor next to the couch, giving Daya yet another lookover. "Will...Will you be okay when I leave? Like you aren't gonna...uh..."

"I'll be fine." Daya whispered, sitting up a little and looking as if she was in a daze. "I promise..."

Jasmine wasn't too sure. "Will you text me if you need me?" She asked quietly. "I-I know you don't really know me that well but-"

"I will." Daya looked up at her. "Don't worry..."

Jasmine was still worried, but she didn't want to push her any further. She had to keep reminding herself that Daya didn't know her like that yet, even though she so badly wanted to do more for her.

She left her with two more of the insulin shots and some snacks out where the girl could see them just in case, but nothing stopped her worrying. Daya was all she could think about that night.

The state her house was in and just the look of her without the beanie and jacket layers told her a lot. Daya wasn't doing well. And her being alone just didn't sit well with Jasmine. She had no idea what had happened that led to her getting this way, but she did know that she needed help.

And Jasmine desperately wanted to give that to her.

----

"Are you okay?" Jorgeous asked Jasmine at the diner the next day, leaning over the front counter. "You seem really off. And that isn't like you."

Jasmine snapped out of her daze. It was another gloomy day which made business slow, and she had found herself sitting on a stool at the counter and letting her mind wander to the day before. She was hoping Daya would come in. Just so she could see her and know that she was okay.

"I'm alright. I'm just thinking." Jasmine sat up straight, running a hand through her hair. She glanced towards the door.

Jorgeous tilted her head. "What happened when you left yesterday? Was everything alright?"

Jasmine shifted a bit. She didn't like lying, but she also didn't want to tell anyone about how she had found Daya. She was sure it was embarrassing enough for the girl when she had seen her. She didn't need to tell other people about it.

"Everything turned out fine." She finally answered, leaving it at that. She tapped her nails against the counter a little anxiously, trying to think of something she could do for Daya that day when the door opened and the bell above it let out a gentle ring.

She turned around quickly. Daya was back, her hair tucked back into a beanie and her baggy jacket covering her frame. She looked up from the floor, her exhausted eyes immediately landing on Jasmine.

A huge weight was lifted off of the smaller girl's shoulders when she saw her. She had been scared of a potential repeat of yesterday. She lowered herself off of the stool and skated over, looking up at her with a small smile. "Hey..."

Daya sniffled, rubbing her eyes. "I wanna talk to you..." She said just above a whisper. "If that's alright..."

Jasmine got nervous, feeling like she might possibly be mad about yesterday. "Y-Yeah, of course." She stuttered out, leading her to the usual table she sat her at. "I'll go get your-"

"I've got it." Jorgeous said, already knowing Daya's usual order. She left to the back to let her friend take a seat with her.

Jasmine watched her go, taking a deep breath before she sat across from Daya. She didn't know what to say, tapping her fingers together as they sat in silence. Daya looked like she was thinking, her glossy eyes focused on the table.