Fallen

Chapter Fifty Two

Anna

I sat at the table of the coffee shop with my knee bouncing nervously. A baseball cap and hood partially hid my face from the people around me. I glanced at Blaine sat in his car parked outside, pointedly watching each person coming near the coffee shop in case it was Jackson. The fear I felt just from being out in an open space ran deep. Anyone I saw or who walked past me could be Jackson and it made me fear for my life each time, but I knew I had to be here.

The door opened and Danielle was stood there, her eyes scanning the room until she saw me. Her face was unreadable as she weaved between the tables towards me. I swallowed hard and tried to put on a false smile. She sat down opposite me.

"Hi. Thanks for coming."

She put her bag on the table. "I haven't got a lot of time. Mark's picking me up soon after he finishes work."

I nodded. "Do you want a drink?"

She agreed to drinks. I ordered at the counter and glanced back at Danielle sat at our table. Her head was bowed and her arms crossed. I wasn't quite sure how years of friendship fell apart so quickly, but I knew that I missed her like crazy.

Once I'd ordered, I sat back down with her. There was a thick silence hanging in the air between us. Neither of us knew how to start this. It had been so long since we saw each other.

"How have you been?" I asked.

"Fine."

"How's the café doing?"

She seemed to relax a little. "Well since you left, Benny took on this new guy, but he's just as bad as Carly."

"Really?"

"Yeah, he's just lazy. At least Carly tries. Leon just doesn't even bother. I can't believe I'm going to say this, but I'm glad I have more shifts with Carly."

I laughed. "Wow, that's quite a statement."

"I know right? I never thought I'd say that." Danielle smiled and I couldn't help but smile back.

"I miss the café."

"Why did you even leave?"

I sighed. "There were lots of reasons. I hated not talking to you. The fire meant I moved in with Jackson so normal life was...impossible."

Danielle's face hardened at Jackson's name. "I'm surprised he's not with you right now. He never seems to leave your side."

"I'm not with him anymore."

Danielle looked taken aback. "Oh. I-I didn't know."

Two mugs were suddenly placed down in front of us. I took my cup of tea, watching the steam rise from the hot liquid.

"What happened?" she asked.

That question always seemed to stump me. I cleared my throat. "I managed to get away...with Blaine's help."

"Blaine?"

I nodded. "I've been living with him ever since."

It was a lot for her to take in. She brought her cup of strong coffee to her lips. I could always smell her coffee as she liked it terribly strong. I noticed she went to say something, but stopped herself. A long sigh fell from her mouth.

"Are you alright?"

"I...I just don't get it," she started. "First you're with Blaine, then Jackson and then back to Blaine."