Alchemy •Dan Smith•

thirty

Dan's POV

"So you met her parents?" Ralph questioned, bringing a beer bottle to his lips.

I nodded, and took a drink of my own. "Yeah, along with her dickhead of a brother."

I had told him most of what had happened while I tagged along with Jade to her parents house. One of the details I decided to abandon was that of the deep conversation with her father.

"Have you seen her since the trip?"

"Not much, I see her leave for runs in the morning or smoking. Exams are coming up so she is probably stressed."

Honestly I didn't give two shits about exams, I just wanted to sit down with her and chat. It was more than a week since the trip, and we had hardly spoken a word to eachother.

"Well she is right next door, invite her over mate!" Ralph suggested, smiling at his 'oh so brilliant idea'.

"What if she is studying? Or sleeping?"

"Who the fuck cares? Go get her."

I sighed before pushing myself up from the sofa. It only took a few moments for me to reach the door next to mine, but it took me forever to rummage up the courage to knock on it. I ran my fingers through my scruffy hair, finally ready to rap on the door.

Just as my knuckles tapped the wood, a small 'clunk' was heard from inside her apartment. I laughed, thinking she probably slipped off the couch and made that cute little face of hers.

I knocked again, expecting her to open up any second. I waited another minute of two and the door still was closed.

Was she alright? Did she not want to see me?

I knocked once more, only to be greeted with a still shut door. At least to tried.

When I went to turn around, small bangs started to emerge from Jade's apartment. Then a scream, or more of a shriek, before another onset of silence.

With all thoughts muffled and worries consuming me, I quickly opened the door, towards the sound. I didn't mind if it was considered trespassing. What if she was being attacked? Kidnapped?

It didn't take long for me to find the blonde woman, she lay sprawled down ward on the floor, body racking in what I could only assume were sobs.

Around her were books and pencils, some open and even some of the supplies snapped.

I took in her weak form, and my heart began to ache for the one I have grown so close to. As I drew closer to her, I could see earbuds resting in her ears, giving me an idea as to why she couldn't hear me.

I knelt down, and slowly pressed my hand on her hip. She flinched,and rolled over so her wide, tear filled, blue eyes could see me. Once she took in my figure she wasn't as tense, but she still kept her guard.

"Get out Dan, please." She spoke quietly, removing the earbuds. She then pulled her knees into her chest as she sat there.

I didn't respond, only inched towards her as if I was going to scare her away. Her cheeks streamed with tears and her hair was a mess, yet all I could do was think of how insanely beautiful she looked. She looked so vulnerable, so fragile.

I sat on the sofa she was leaning against, close enough that my calf was resting against her shoulder. I then took a bold move, leaning down and placing my hands under her armpits, which caused her to squirm. I pulled upwards, causing her to try and wiggle free which worked to no avail. She was light, light enough to cause concern.

I then managed to place her on my lap, my hands finding their way to her waist. She stopped her flailing, but her body was shaking as I continued to adjust her. It ended up with her almost being cradled, with one of my arms around her back and my opposite hand squeezing her prominent hip bone.

"Love, what's wrong?"

She didn't say anything, and kept her eyes locked on her lap. She didn't make a sound, other than the slight sniffle as the tears continued to fall. If it weren't for the situation I would be rather happy with our position, my face so close to hers. Only if her face wasn't littered with tears.

"Jade, baby, you need to tell me what's wrong so I can help you. All I want to do it help."

My words seemed to cause her to snap, as she began to be overcome with emotion. Her tears ran faster down her red face and she began to cling to me.

Her forehead and nose found their way into my neck and her hands crumpled up my stripped shirt, which also grew damp in the process.

I didn't say anything, only held her tighter in a sense of reassurance.

As our embrace continued I thought I could hear her whisper, "you don't care, nobody cares," repeatedly, causing my heart to crack at the broken girl I held.

I care, more than you could ever imagine.