Alchemy •Dan Smith•

twenty one

I woke up to silence, a silence that I wasn't expecting. Dan was asleep practically below me and the TV was turned off. I don't remember turning it off.

I checked the clock on the wall to see it was about 2:45 in the morning. Oh.

Trying to settle into another sleep, I lay back to my position on Dan's shoulder, to lazy to worry about it. He didn't stir, unlike me who couldn't find comfort.

I sat there for about twenty minutes, contemplating how important sleep actually was. I already slept for a few hours, but that won't be enough to get me through the next day.

Deciding that pills might help lull me to sleep, I carefully pulled myself up and off the couch. The last the I wanted to do was wake Dan, like last time.

I quietly poured a glass of water and opened the cupboard. Unlike last time, the pills were on the bottom shelf, do all I had to do was reach a little to grab them.

I gulped down two of them, put them back and leaned against the counter. I faced the living room which Dan slept, and heard a slight thump. Did he fall off the couch?

As if to prove me right, a groan of pain left his mouth. I walked towards the couch to find him face down between the couch and coffee table.

"Are you alright?" I asked, making my presence known.

"'M' alright." He mumbled slowly pulling himself onto the couch.

I sat myself next to him, keeping a bit of distance.

"Um do you want to go sleep in my bed? I mean, you not, ya know, going to fall off it or anything. It's pretty comf-"

"Yes that would be lovely" he chuckled sleepily, grabbing my hand and waved out the other as if saying 'lead the way'.

My room was a mess, just like my mind, but I was to tired to be embarrassed. He pulled off his jeans, causing me to blush, and pulled back the blankets on my bed.

I started to do the same when he stopped me, "Aren't you going to change?"

I looked down to see I still had on my skinny jeans and nervously laughed.

"I um, yeah, it's just i only wear tshirts to bed and that's a little awkward I don't know.."

He blushed when I said that, probably at the thought of being stuck with a fat girl in underwear and a tshirt.

"N-no, there's no problem with that, I mean it's your place."

He looked around flustered, and I blushed and stared at the ground. Wow this is awkward.

"I'm going to change I guess, I'll be right back.." I muttered as I walked into the on suite bathroom. On the floor was a large shirt with Dale Cooper written on the back along with the number 1. A Twin Peaks gift my mother made a while ago.

I quickly pulled off my jeans and other shirt, before pulling the larger one over my head.

I looked into the mirror and was disgusted with the image. I didn't dwell on it too long before washing my face of the streamed mascara. I gave myself one last look over, somewhat scared of Dan seeing me so exposed. What is he going to think of my thunder thighs or faded tan lines? I know I would be grossed out by them.

I stared a bit longer before I heard Dan call, "You almost done love?"

I replied with a yes before slowly opening the door, shining light into my dim bedroom. He didn't say anything as I waddled to the bed and hopped in, and I was sort of glad but frightened. What if he was thinking about how ugly I looked?

"Dale Cooper?"his voice asked.

"Yeah he's um this dete-"

"Yeah I know, I just didn't peg you for a Twin Peaks girl." He chuckled, before tracing the lettering, causing shivers to go up my spine.

"Yeah he's my only true love."

"I'm pretty smitten by Audrey to be honest." He responded, still tracing the words on my back. We began speaking fondly of our beloved show, until my eyes began to drop with the patterns being drawn on my back and the influence of the pills.

"Go to sleep, Jade. I'll be here when you wake up." He whispered softly.
I nodded and turned over so I was facing him. His arm made its way over my shoulder, running along my side as he stared at me in the dim light.

"Good night Daniel." I whispered before putting my hand on his tummy and tracing the scarred skin it held.

"Good night, love"