Jay x Daniel - You Came With the Spring

Chapter 11: trail of light (Daniel)

It was lightning. A flash, a fire - blinding.

Then it was gone. Leaving a shadow of trailing light in its wake.

The night sky was empty, the stars faded and washed out. And all Daniel wanted was to see, to feel.

He looked out the window as he leaned against the counter. He was dizzy, dazed. And Jay was on his mind - Jay was always on his mind. His lips, his smile, his hands.

. . .and his back, as he turned away.

It's been a week since he left for America. And every day with Zoe's weak smiles and hooded gaze hurt. It felt cold, lonely. And he remembered again what it was like before he got his second body. He felt trapped.

"Hey you."

The boy pauses and turns to see Zoe. Standing with a large sweater swathed around her shoulders and a cup of coffee in one hand.

Daniel forgot where he was. Which body he was in. His face reddens in shame as he looks down and nods, typing in the price. "Two dollars, please."

Zoe pulls out two crumpled bills. The air is cold, the chill of the night sneaking in beneath the warmth. Maybe it was the stillness of the 2 am hour, or the unsettling hum of the freezers but suddenly Zoe hung her head low - smile dissipating. "You're Daniel's roommate, right?"

"Y- yes."

"Did you know. . . Daniel was - is - gay?"

Daniel looked down, letting his fringe hide his eyes as they widened. "I. . ."

"No, you're right," she gives a soft laugh as she sighs. "What a stupid question. I don't think we've officially met. I'm Zoe, Daniel's classmate." She extends her hand. "Nice to meet you."

Daniel takes the hand. "I- I'm Daniel."

The conversation was frail at first - awkward and full of long pauses. But after about an hour Zoe's tense shoulders relaxed and she began to smile for the first time in what seemed like years.

"Yeah, Yeah! No, I get it. . ." She smiles, rocking her feet back and forth as she sits perched on top of the counter, coffee already gone. "You know. . .you're actually a pretty great guy. I'm sorry for not talking to you sooner."

The boy smiles gently. "No, it's fine."

The silence grows but this time it's comfortable.

"You know. . ." Zoe starts. "I don't understand it sometimes. . ."

The boy adjusts his glasses. "Understand what?"

"Why it hurts. It's not supposed to be this way. I'm supposed to be the one who doesn't get hurt, who never gets hurt. But Daniel - the other Daniel - before I knew it I actually. . ." She drifts off.

The boy shifts, shoulders tight. "Actually what?"

"Actually fell in love with him."

And there it is. That same, sad tilt of her mouth. But not those hooded eyes. No, these eyes are fragile. Glassy surfaces reflecting a wavering distance. . .lost.

"You fell in love with him?" Daniel asks, throat dry.

"Yeah. . .I know it wasn't long. You know. I saw him and Jay making out. Daniel's eyes, it was painful to see him want someone so bad. He looked at Jay the way I wanted to be looked at. And no matter how many boyfriends I've had, I was never able to find that."

Daniel gulps, staying silent as heat rushes to his face.

". . .I'm sorry. It's probably weird for you to listen to me talk about how I'm head over heels in love with you roommate. And you guys have the same name! I should probably be leaving, it's late. And hey, thanks for listening to me. Is it okay if I. . .call you my friend now? I know this sounds weird but I feel like I've known you for a long time."

Daniel smiles. "Yeah, that's fine."

As Zoe leaves he can't help but feel the pain in his chest. It hurt. A lot. What Zoe said was so raw that he couldn't help but feel a little of her pain. He knew he should be thinking about what his friends said, think of a way to help her.

But instead he burried his face in his hands, pursing his lips. Everything always came down to Jay.

He closed his eyes, that trial of light behind his eyes still simmering beyond his thoughts. Yeah, always Jay. And how he turned away.

Author's Note:

Hey-o peeps. Been a while (:
It would be awesome if you voted! That is- if you actually like the chapter. Helps cleanse my dirty soul a lil. ♡♡♡
- and no. I didn't rhyme it on purpose. Left it that way for the hell of it. Just wanted to see how much of ya noticed (;