Life Improvement in Very High Levels {Bastille} [ON HOLD]

10: Weird Kid

- Alice, oh my god... - Dan muttered, still caressing her head. He was shocked, still sad to know that. - You... you've been through that? 

Between sobs, sniffs and more cries, Alice nodded, which lead him to only hug her tighter and whisper soothing words into her hair until she calmed down. 

- How are you feeling? - Dan hesitantly asked once she lifted her head off his chest slightly.

She rested her elbows on her knees and rubbed her eyes, disappointed with herself that she'd broken the promise she had made of not crying in front of anyone, never again. She actually managed to keep it for nearly three years... until now.

Dan placed his hand on the small of her back, causing her to jump slightly, scared.

- Sorry. - He whispered. 

- It's fine. - She whispered back. 

- But how are you feeling? - He asked again, concern on his voice and expression.

- I'm okay. Don't worry. - She mumbled, sitting up straight. 

Dan was silent for a while, pondering whether he should or not ask her about it. Maybe she'd get mad, or she could cry again, and he didn't want that - seeing her crying was more painful than you imagine.

- Do you... do you want to talk about it? - He softly asked. 

- I-I... - She hesitated, then sighed deeply, keeping her eyes straight ahead. - I guess I just got a bit... carried away... with the feelings. I don't know.

- The feelings?

- I've- I mean, I... - She stammered, looking down at her hands that nervously gripped each other, her nails sinking into her skin while Dan soothingly rubbed circles on her back. - I've been through that. - She almost whispered. - I've been there. I was bullied. I know how it is, I know how it feels. And I hate thinking about it, thinking I've been through that, about how mean people can be. And I hate even more thinkng about you and Dave going through that, I really do.

And then she told him everything. 

How her classmates would mock her because she was adopted - kids are so fucking insensitive; isn't it bad enough that Alice had already lost both of her parents, they also had to make fun of her for that, like it was her fault? They would also mock her because she was the weird kid, the smart one, and because of her looks; besides the pale skin, ginger hair and abundant freckles, there was a time when she was really chubby, and a few years later she got really thin, leading everyone to take the piss out of it.

She told Dan that everything got better after Liv and Josh adopted her. She got out of the care home that to be honest wasn't bad, but it wasn't exaclty awesome; it just didn't feel like home. When she was adopted, she moved to another school, and then made friends because people there for some reason didn't see anything funny in her - and she was glad.

- But everything got just absolutely perfect when you moved here. - Alice said quietly, hoping Dan wouldn't hear it, but he did.

- I'm glad I did. - He pulled her into a tight hug and kissed her head many times, which made her blush and giggle. 

They both felt like they had now some sort of bond.

There was a long silence after Alice had calmed her sobs down, but she was still with her head in Dan's shoulder. 

- Thank you, Dan. - She muttered. 

- What for? - He asked, slightly louder.

- For being so nice. For being my friend. - She said, looking up at him. - I mean, are we friends? - She quickly removed her head of his shoulder and looked at him with an unsure expression. 

He laughed, before nodding.

- Yeah Alice, we are friends. 

- Oh thank god. It'd be awkward if I had just cried in Dan Smith's shoulder and he's not even my friend.

- You talk about me like I am a big deal. - He said looking down at his feet.

She looked at him with her eyes narrowed.

- But you are a big deal. 

- No I am not. - He waved his hand around, making her chuckle.

- Yeah you are a big deal Dannyboy. - Kyle said from behind them, making Alice and Dan both jump up, scared.

- MY GOD! Where did you come from?! - Alice asked, putting her hand to her chest. Kyle just laughed while he boiled the kettle in the kitchen.

- I was taking a nap, you sissies. - He chuckled.

- Not funny, Kyle! You nearly killed us both! - Dan said, panting lightly.

- Jeez guys, you talk like you were just caught doing something nasty. - He peered his head round the door. - You weren't doing anything nasty, were you?! - He wanted to wiggle his eyebrows, but then realized that'd be too creepy, and quite disgusting for the situation, so he just pulled a shocked face instead.

- NO, KYLE! - Dan nearly screamed. - We weren't doing anything nasty. - He mimicked nasty in the same way Kyle had said, and Alice laughed. - Hey, you help me here! - Dan said, looking at her. 

- I, uh? Yeah Kyle! It was nothing nasty, god! We were just talking! 

They all laughed as she waved her finger in the air, trying to act like she was mad, trying to talk in a serious tone and assuming a severe expression, but failing miserably.

- You're such a weird kid, Alice. - Kyle said, still chuckling.

- Yeah, maybe. - She shrugged, suppressing a smirk.

***

Dan, Kyle and Alice spent about an hour chatting, drinking tea and eating some crisps while watching a few TV shows, until someone knocked on the door. 

- Got it! - Kyle promptly stood up and trotted over to the door, swinging it open. - Oh, hey Liv!

- Hey. - She said softly, smiling sweetly.

- How are ya?

- I, uh, I'm okay, and you?

- Great! Alice, Dan and I are having some fun. I mean, not in a creepy way! We're watching tv. - He said hurriedly, trying not to sound creepy, and she laughed as she heard Dan sighing, frustrated. - Well anyway, wanna come in?

- Oh, thank you, but I'm just here to get Alice back home.

In that moment, the girl appeared next to Kyle after saying bye to Dan, and was ready to leave, but Kyle didn't want her to, so he pouted.

- Nooo, it's fun here. 

- It's nearly eight, and we still have to sort some stuff out... maybe tomorrow you guys can hang out together more. - Liv smiled and Kyle smiled widely back, nodding. 

- Sounds good to me. - He said, placing a hand in Alice's shoulder. - We'll see each other tomorrow, then?

- Yup! - She said, popping out the 'p', and hugged him quickly; he chuckled, patting her back.

- Alright. Goodbye, then. Take care. And tell the kitties I love them! - He said as the girls went to their flat laughing at his weirdness.

They got inside and Alice did as told to; she was immediately squealing around the apartment ''KITTIES! KYLE LOVES YOU!'', causing both Josh and Liv to laugh.

She really was a weird kid.

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a/n which story do you guys want me to update next?

and thanks for the votes and comments! you're all to sweet. :3

also, if you have a fanfic you'd like me to read [even though I probably already do], just tell me in the comments, I'll happily check it out. xx