adventures of Jackson

Stressed Out

Jackson's point of view
I was woken up by a beam of light peaking through the curtains. My eyes adjusted to the dust particles scattering in the light in a rhythmically pleasing manor. I looked over to my left for the time on the alarm clock stacked on top of a pile of slightly torn books. It was only 7 am. My legs were stiff when I made an attempt to drag myself out of bed. I swung my arms around until I caught reach of the box on the floor containing all of my clothes. I should probably inform sam and jenna that I'm going to be crashing at Emily's from now on. I needed a boost of energy, I couldn't get ready like this. I swept the curtains wide open displaying all corners of the large window. I saw someone in the yard delicately tending the rock garden. Sure enough there was Emily hunched over the pool of graduated pebbles. I never have expected to see her in the sun, her pale skin made me think that she never went in the outdoors, but she obviously spends a majority of her time gardening to have made that scenery. Enough with the stalking, I have to get over to Sam's.
As I passed Emily on the way out, she lent me her bike which made these blocks easier to pass. I was there in half the time taken when I left. I reached for the spare key tucked behind one of the cracked bricks on the bottom. When I opened the door, there was an overpowering gas smell spreading throughout the house. It
seemed like it was coming from the kitchen since it was the closest room to the entrance. The house was vacant and the stove was turned on high with a pot tilted sideways on the floor. I could hear I creak in the ceiling above me. It sounded like urgent footsteps, did someone break in? I admit, I was scared at this point, but I should see if they're alright after all they've done for me. My adrenaline bulged my veins out and all senses became numb. I cautioned myself to stay light on my feet; careful not to make the floor boards creek. I followed the narrow hallway until I saw a shadow out of the corner of my eye. I backed up a couple of paces until I saw a distressed figure slouching on the corner of my old bed. As her sobs began to deepen I could recognize those deep breaths interrupted by the occasional hiccups.
"Jenna-" I whispered, but she didn't notice. I inched to the bed and sat next to her without saying another word. Once I made contact with the sheets, the bed made a high pitched squeak. Jenna took a sudden breath in and by what I could see, her eyes widened. I was drawn back by her arms tightening around my rib cage and her forehead tilting on my shoulder.
"Thank god you're alright." she struggled to say over her overwhelming tears. I hugged her back, but I didn't know how to comfort her.
"I saw the window open and nobody could get contact of you, I-I thought someone hurt you, I thought someone took you away from us again. I couldn't live with myself if they did." Worried about me?
"Jenna, you don't have to answer this, but if you're up to it, mind telling me why you came rushing to my hospital room when I woke up?" Her head lifted until our eyes met.
"Well why wouldn't I?" How did she not know?
"You well... remember Jenna?"
"Remember? Remember what?"
"We never actually talked to each other until I moved in with you guys."
She pushed away frantically and brought her knees to her chest. She looked awful, like she's been up here for hours. Her hair was falling out of a twisted bun and her face was pale with circles drooping to her nose. What scared me the most is that she's been sitting in here alone crying in the dark. Where's Sam anyways, letting her cry like this!? Ugh that doesn't matter right now. I held both of her shoulder firmly and turned her to face me.
"You were there too, weren't you."
She looked down and let herself fall apart again.
"Where is there?" She asked, wiping heavy tears away.
I pulled her back into a hug.
"You know where."
To be continued next chapter.