Warning - sensitive topics are discussed in this chapter.
The Alchemist was a small bar located in the middle of Chester. I got out of the taxi after handing over a few notes and shivered when the cold air hit me. In my haste I had forgotten to grab a coat so I was only in my thin hoodie and a pair of grey tracksuit bottoms. I looked down at my phone and quickly texted Jared.
I'm here.
I walked towards the bar and looked through the windows. I couldn't make out much, just a few people sitting near the bar. It looked a lot warmer in there than it was out here with the soft golden lights.
"Can I help you Miss?"
I jumped and turned to see a bouncer eyeing me suspiciously. I could imagine how dodgy I was coming across with my dishevelled appearance and baby face.
"I'll need to see some ID if you want to come in."
The woman held her hand out expectantly.
"No, I don't want to come in," I shook my head quickly, "I'm here to meet a friend, he's actually inside and he told me to meet him here." I faltered slightly as I considered the fact that perhaps Jared had already left.
"No ID, no entry." She said, her voice strong with finality.
"I know, I know. I just said I don't want to come in." I attempted to reassure her. I wondered how Jared had gotten past this woman without an ID. I remembered how easily he had gotten served when we went for a meal with his parents and how he often got mistaken for looking older than he actually was. Must be something to do with his stupid sharp jawline.
I backed away from the bar and looked down at my phone once again. Jared still hadn't text me back. I huffed angrily, if I had come all this way for nothing I would feel like such an idiot.
The door of The Alchemist banged open and the bouncers attention was quickly diverted from me to the source of the noise.
Jared was stumbling out of the bar with a bouncer following closely behind him. He looked smart in a black shirt and blazer, however his hair was dishevelled and his face looked pale. He faltered slightly against the wall, his eyes pinching shut as it looked like he was trying not to throw up.
"Oh fuck me." I cursed under my breath.
I already knew it was a mistake to come here.
"I think you've had a bit too much mate." the male bouncer said solemnly. He was standing in front of the door anxiously, as if he expected Jared to dart back in when he wasn't looking.
"I told you, I'm already going, I was just waiting for someone." Jared replied defiantly.
"You're with this girl?" The female bouncer frowned, her finger pointing in my direction.
I froze as they all turned to look at me. I slipped my phone back in my pocket and awkwardly waved.
"Jade, you came." Jared said dumbly.
"Well...yeah," I shrugged, "I'm starting to regret my decision though." I mumbled under my breath.
Jared stepped away from the wall and walked over to me. He stared at me anxiously, his fingers fumbling with the golden chain he always wore.
I swallowed hard and tried to ignore how nervous I was feeling. I didn't have a clue what I was doing here, especially after how he had treated me earlier today.
His green eyes continued to search my own, his vision glazed over slightly due to his intoxication. His expression dropped suddenly, his lips pouting in sadness. He jolted forward so suddenly that I jumped before his arms wrapped around me. He pulled me towards him in a messy embrace. My face was squashed against his chest as he pulled me impossibly close, his face buried in my hair. He smelled like cigarettes and whiskey, however a hint of his sharp aftershave remained.
"I can't believe you came for me." he said hoarsely.
"I..." I huffed against his warm chest as I tried to understand my own actions, "I couldn't just leave you."
"You're shivering." Jared noticed, his hands running up my arms. "Come on, my parents are staying in a hotel down the road, I've got my own room." I started to shake my head and he rushed to add, "We can just sit outside, I don't expect you to come in don't worry."
I nodded, "Could you not have called your parents to come and get you?"
Jared rubbed his eyes and shook his head, "It's complicated."
"I'm starting to think everything is complicated with you." I mumbled under my breath.
Jared wordlessly took off his blazer and wrapped it around my shoulders before he grabbed my hand and led me down the road. I stared down at our entwined hands and he seemed to notice.
"Is this ok?" He questioned hesitantly, his thumb brushing along the back of my hand.
"I don't know." I answered honestly, "This is all a bit confusing."
Jared nodded and reluctantly let go of my hand. I crossed my arms and tried to ignore the pit in my stomach. I had so many questions and I didn't know which one to ask first, I didn't even know if I wanted to ask Jared anything.
We walked down the road for another ten minutes, Jared sneaking glances at me whenever he could. We made it to a hotel, a large and looming building with a large sign that read 'The Grosvenor'. The doorman eyed us suspiciously as Jared pulled me to sit on a bench opposite the hotel.
"Looks fancy." I said, motioning to the hotel.
"Only the best for the Feltons." Jared responded bitterly.
I rubbed my eyes and tried not to think about how tired I would be the next day, I had maths first lesson too which only made it worse. I tried not to think about what would happen if my parents were to wake up and realise I wasn't in bed, my life wouldn't be worth living.
The bench was cold against the thin fabric of joggers and I shivered into Jared's blazer. I pulled it tighter against my body and tried to ignore how good it smelt.
We sat in silence but the air was thick with tension. It seemed neither of us knew what to say.
"Why am I here Jared?" I finally asked.
Jared sighed and rested his head in his hands.
"This is so fucked up," he hissed against his hands, "I'm so sorry Jade."
"What the hells going on Jared?" I snapped tiredly, "I really hope you didn't drag me here in the middle of the night just to freeze my arse off on a bench with you."
"I just feel..." Jared trailed off as he looked up at the dark sky, "I don't even know." his voice broke slightly.
"Is this because of that woman? Nicole?" I guessed.
Jared pursed his lips before he nodded.
"Do you love her? Is that what this is?" I questioned desperately. I swallowed hard at the thought of Jared being in love with that beautiful woman.
"No," he denied venomously, "She ruined our lives."
"What do you mean?" I pressed, "Can you please stop speaking in riddles and just tell me what's going on? I'm tired, I'm cold and I'm beyond confused." I ran my hand over my eyes.
This boy exhausted me.
Jared ran his hands through his hair before he fumbled in his pockets. He lit a cigarette with shaking hands. I watched as he exhaled the smoke, his eyes fluttering closed as he enjoyed the poison.
