Rooftop Sanctuary (major editing)

[1]

Daisy;

Armed with two cans of beer, a navy blue comforter that sported a small hole or two, and a carton of cigarettes, Daisy and Zack cautiously climbed their way onto the roof of Zack's new two story apartment through the window. The sun was beginning to set beautifully, possibly making this a romantic moment for the two, but neither of them mentioned it in the slightest. Nor have they ever, actually.

The pair sat down quietly, not bothering with any words as they each took a cigarette and gladly helped themselves to their beer. The wind picked up slightly and brought in the smell of wet leaves, much to the dismay of an already cold Daisy.

Zack leaned over and unceremoniously pulled the comforter over Daisy, his cigarette hanging between his lips. He let his hand hover over her's lightly, close enough that Daisy could feel the warmth it radiated, before he pulled back and turned away from her completely. Neither of them mentioned the little tingles on their skin or the flush of color over their cheeks. Nor would they ever.

Well not to each other, at least.

Trying to settle her thumping heart, Daisy stared straight ahead and began to notice at all the ways Autumn was beginning to show signs of life. From the way the leaves turned into beautiful warm colors and the way the air seemed heavy with rain but still held a little warmth to it that Daisy craved the most about the Autumn season.

Though somewhere in the back of her mind, Daisy thought of how Zack's hair seemed to grow darker in the Fall, and the way he seemed even warmer even though the days were growing colder, and the way he'll make sure Daisy doesn't get sick from the weather change before he'll even think about himself.

Before she knew it, Daisy's mind was on a constant loop of Zack, Zack, Zack. But it had been for so long now that her instant surprise was very short lived.

Zack suddenly pivoted to face Daisy but still without directly looking at her. Daisy's heart clenched painfully and she squinted her eyes to keep the tears at bay. Zack grunted in frustration.

"I'm sorry."

Daisy shrugged. 'It's okay."

"But we're not."

"Yeah," Daisy paused to jam her cigarette against the tiles, "I know."

✖ ✖ ✖

Daisy had never considered Zack and her's friendship (relationship?) as toxic as her Mother and Father thought it was. In a sense, Zack needed Daisy as much as Daisy needed Zack. Even though he'll never admit it to anyone.

Zack had been diagnosed with depression the summer before their sophmore year and like clockwork, Daisy was diagnosed with depression in the beginning of their senior year.

(Zack's depression was quite justified considering he had hoarded all his feelings inside after his car accident. Though since he was unable to keep his right leg, Zack couldn't help become bitter about life now. And to be honest, nobody had the place to tell him not to.)

Though Daisy's parents blamed it on the fact that Daisy was so close to Zack and that it was his fault entirely that she was depressed. As if it's proven possible to actually catch depression from someone. And although Daisy always thought of it, she could never find the courage to tell her parents that it was partially their fault.

I mean, when you basically only see your parents twice a month due to the fact that they are never around, I don't think that qualifies as a great childhood, Daisy had thought.

But even through her haze of mild hatred and annoyance for her parents, Daisy always came to the conclusion that she kind of understood why they were so distant. Because long story short, Daisy was nothing but a replacement child.

Daisy had been bitter about it at first (as she is with most things) but sometime along the way, she just stopped caring. And boy did she feel so great afterwards. It was like a burden had been lifted off her shoulders once she let go of her grudge and soon after, Daisy vowed to never let things get the best of her.

So when Daisy was diagnosed with depression, her first thought the following day was to get up and go out, be active. It took an hour or two of prompting and bribing, but Daisy managed to get Zack out of bed too and convinced him to go walking in Central Park with her.

The thing with Zack's depression is that sometimes he'll act a certain way or say things he doesn't mean because of a mood he's in; which depends on whether his leg is feeling okay in his Prosthetic or not.

So half the time, it's only Daisy talking and Zack just moodily trudging beside her, nodding and grunting in all the right places. Or sometimes he'll say or do something that will get Daisy upset and he'll huff in frustration because he didn't actually mean it, it just came out. He'll apologize profusely and usually won't talk for a little while afterwards.

(Daisy has a sneaky suspicion that Zack may actually just have Asperger Syndrome.)

And maybe it wasn't the ideal friendship to most people, but to Daisy it was the greatest thing she could ever receive. Because no matter what, Zack always listened to what she had to say. Whether he was in a good mood that day or not and that's all Daisy has ever wanted.

Well more specifically, Zack is all Daisy has ever wanted.

✖ ✖ ✖

"Do you think this can last forever? I mean, this thing we have going on between us; whatever it is." Daisy finally questions Zack that day they're on the roof.

The question has been ringing in her mind for so long now that it's all she thinks about when she's with him. (Which is all time since she continuously feels the need to check up on him and his leg. Not that he ever complains about it.)

At first Daisy worries he didn't hear her but a minute later Zack turns to look at her with a small smile gracing his lips and a warmth dancing in his eyes. Daisy tries to treasure this moment before it's gone. She suddenly wishes she had the ability to just pause time right now and never go anywhere else.

Because the way Zack is looking at her now is all she'll ever need.

"Of course, Dais. Just you and me, alright?"

Daisy's cheeks flushed and she grinned sheepishly. Zack smiled lightly before he grabbed Daisy's hand, gave it a squeeze, then looked out across towards the sunset. She watches in barely surpressed infactuation as Zack smiles at whatever he's thinking about and takes a drag from his cigarette. (Daisy swore she saw his eye twinkle but maybe she's just staring too hard.)

Daisy quickly slides over and lays her head on his shoulder, slyly taking in his warmth.

"Yeah," she finally responds, "alright."

( sorry, I know there isn't much dialogue but I kind of just wanted to introduce their backstory first. the next chapter will definitely have more. )

tell me what you think :)