PERRIE
The moment I heard that Jade did not come in to work, I quickly dialed her number. Having known her for some time now gave me a feeling that something was wrong. I knew she would not be missing a work day unless there was, or that she is very sick.
I have tried to contact her all morning but she has not answered her phone once. So, I decided it would be best if I go check on her myself.
Finding her home was not that difficult since she already gave her address, just has not let me in her home physically yet. And as I sat in my car right outside the home, I pondered whether this was a good idea to come here just because she did not show up at the school. What if I go knock on that door and find out she is alright and just decided that she could not go to work today due to some visitor or whatever else? But having heard from her co workers that she has not called in to let them know why she isn’t coming in made me think of things. First I knew she isn’t the kind of worker to ditch work for nothing and not call in to let them know. I just had that feeling in my gut that she isn’t that type.
Finally deciding what to do, I walked up her porch and started to knock.
“Jade.” I called. No answer. I tried the doorbell and heard it from inside, waited for a minute or two but no Jade came to the door.
Not knowing what else to do, I tried turning the knob and it gave way. The thumping of my heart went ever harder than I thought possible. Thoughts of a burglar getting in to her house and doing something to her, or kidnapping her ran in my head and I could not bear to think about it.
My heart went double the rate even so when I saw her at the foot of the stairs, lying unconscious. Her feet were up on the steps but her head was limp on the ground floor landing.
“Jade!” I rushed to her, cradling her but making sure that nothing is broken on her back or wherever else. No blood was on her head either, but this state isn’t a good sign at all. I carried her to the couch and laid her there.
As I let go of her, she started to turn and sleepily groan. I watched as her eyes slowly fluttered open.
“What…” she quickly sat up. “Perrie?”
“Sorry for breaking in. But I got worried you did not come in to work.” I told her.
She glanced at the clock hanging on the wall. It showed ten thirty.
“God! I overslept?” she moved to get up, but as she tried to, she fell back on her back on the couch, wincing in pain.
“I found you passed out at the foot of the stairs.. Are you alright?” I rushed to her side offering a hand for her to hold on to as she got back up.
She went silent for a few seconds, seemingly thinking of what happened.
“Jes…” I heard her mutter.
“Do you want me to check on your sister?” I offered.
She gripped my arm tight. “No. She’s…she’s alright.”
“Well, did a burglar come in last night?” I had to ask. But by the looks of the inside, everything looked intact.
Jade shook her head no.
“I think I fell down the stairs when I was coming down.”
I tried to picture it. I found it quite odd. She seemed to fall down the stairs facing up, not downward. If she was coming down, she would have fallen on her face.
"You were on your back." I stated, a little questioningly.
"I may have stepped back too much when she threw the saucer between us." She sighed, looking up the top of the stairs where I could see the remnants of a white kitchenware scattered on a few of the top steps.
The words that left Jade's lips surprised me. She had told me that she takes care of her sister and I assumed that her sister was disabled, not violent.
“What?”
She swung her legs down so there would be space for me beside her on the couch and tapped it for me to sit on.
“She is still mad about the accident.” She whispered.
“I’ll go talk to her.” Her hold on my wrist went a little tighter.
“Please no.” she pleaded. “Do understand her. And she would not talk to you, anyway. She always has her room locked. And she threw it on the floor, not on me."
It now becomes clear. So, the sister was badly injured in the accident and that she hates Jade for surviving with lesser injury and hates being pitied, which is how she interprets Jade’s care for her now.
“But thank you for coming to check on me. You did not have to, you know.” She slowly stood herself and limped to the kitchen.
“Coffee? You can have it while I prepare for work. Or you may go ahead to your work too. I think I have bothered your schedule today.” She called.
I shook my head, following her to the kitchen. I watched her turn the coffee machine on. And turn back to my direction.
I walked towards her, taking her chin on my forefinger and thumb.
“Hey, angel. You never are a bother to me.” I smiled at her. I needed her to know now how I felt about her. I can’t lose another day. Finding her that way this morning made me think I am losing time and no one knows what could happen next to either of us. So it was now or never. I leant in and lightly pecked her lip, which I think shocked her as she stepped back.
Realizing that I may have spooked her with what I did, I quickly took her hand.
“Shit! I’m sorry. I…” here I go again trying to come up with reasons. But I think I don’t have to run away from this.
She still stared at me wide eyed and did not say a word.
“Jade” I took her hand. “I’m sorry. I just…” I cleared my throat. “I have been falling for you since day one, I’ll admit. You are a beautiful girl, and anyone would fall for you, I swear. I did not mean to… do that though.” I truly didn't. Maybe I had that impulse while being so close to her.
She was still silent, I thought I had her so shocked to a point of numbness. Then she pressed her fingers on my hand holding hers.
She took in a big breath. “Please don’t say sorry. I understand you just care. I did not expect that you were feeling something though.” She offered me a small smile.
“You’re not mad?”
She shook her head. “I’ll tell you back what you told me, Perrie. You are a beautiful person, in and out, no doubt. And you are not unlovable with that quality.”
Well, does that mean I have a chance?
“But, you know my situation right now.” A pained expression shone in her brown eyes. “I can’t open my heart right now to anyone. I’m afraid I would just be hurting you. I have Jes who hates me and I don’t think I can love with a heart that still needs mending. I’m sorry.”
She finally let tears escape her eyes.
“I understand you.” I held her hand tighter, but not crushing it in my grip. “But know that I will wait until you’re ready.”
She squeezed my hand. “I hope you don’t have to bear this pain with me when the time comes.”
The coffee machine beeped this time, interrupting whatever drama we started.
“For the meantime,” I cleared my throat. “I can help you to the hospital to have your back checked. Don’t worry about school. We can call in and tell them that you had a minor accident.”
“But…”
I smiled at her again. “Get yourself prepared. It’s the least I can do, I think.”
She shrugged. “Okay. Thanks, again.”
I nodded both in acknowledgement and to say welcome.
