The Devil You Know

Chapter 30: Appreciated

Joel was scrambling eggs I've the stove for us, Jade went to shower, I guess she needed to calm down. I wondered when her and Joe got together... I didn't even know she liked him.

I sighed to myself, taking out a cigarette and siting at the table, lighting it up and leaning back into the chair. Grandma was out doing whatever grandma does. I passed it to Tonmy who took it from me, looking into my eyes and giving me a soft smile, he was talking to me more now.

Joel place the eggs in front of me and Tommy, grabbing his plate and sitting with us.

"Where did she even get acid from...?" I breathed, keeping my voice low.

"Probably one of those crackheads at the party" Joel said digging into his eggs.

"If I find out who he's dead" Tommy grumbled, putting some hot sauce in his eggs. I stood up and made some coffee, giving some to tommy and dishing out Jades food. She wandered into he kitchen, her wet hair slicked back a little as she sat on the side of the table in front of me and Tommy and slowly ate her food. We all kinda looked at her, not knowing what to say.

"So who gave it to you?" Tommy asked menacingly, he folded his arms across his chest, the muscles in his arms defined as he looked intimidating.

"Don't worry" Jade mumbled not lookin up from her food "I'm never doing that shit again, I swear I was smelling colours" Joel chuckled a little and put his plate in the sink.

"You're okay now though?" I asked, looking at her with sympathetic eyes. She nodded,  drinking some of the orange juice I took out for her. When she finished I took their plate and mine and put them in the sink. Tommy's eyes watched me everywhere I went and my stomach was screaming when he looked at me.

Jade stood up, walking over to me and giving me a hug out of nowhere, I held her close, she was like the sister I never had. "I'm so sorry Naomi" she sniffled and I just held her close to me.

"Don't be darling" i mumbled only to her "I love you; you know that" she pulled away and smiled at me, I smiled back and she walked back upstairs to change out of her pyjamas. Tommy stood up and walked towards me, we looked at each other for a moment.

"Uh..." He started but shifted his feet awkwardly, he looked away from me and scratched his head "nevermind" he mumbled, showing his hands in his pockets and walking towards the living room.

"Tommy?" I called him back, he turned around and his eyes met mine. "You.... You alright?"

"Yeah, uh..." He looked at his feet. "Thanks for being there for Jade, it's good for her.. To uh, have a girl around" he looked up at me again "it's.. Good to have you around..." He mumbled before turning on his heel and walked to Joel in the living room. I stood there, probably blushing, I knew that was Tommy's way of saying he appreciated me.