Happiness in the Bleak

[Jade Waylin]

Yesterday was a long day. Today was different of course. Jared was feeling better, which was good, but Jade couldn’t shake her feelings of despair. The skiing escapade went well, distracting them both for the time being. But now it was over, and the whole night she’d been up thinking about what had happened. Jared didn’t seem to be too bothered by yesterday’s events, but then again, it never really came up in conversation.

At the moment, she was alone in the resort’s lounge, lying on a couch and staring at the wall. Jade had been there for a while now, debating whether or not to just return to her room for the rest of the day. Her misery was really getting the best of her.

Just when she least wanted company, someone came into the lounge. “Jade? What are you doing here?” She recognized Jared’s voice. Jade didn’t answer him, so he walked over. Bending down to look her in the eye, he whispered, “Hey. You feeling all right? You don’t look too good.”

Jade groaned in response. He smiled gently, and she turned herself face down on the couch. She peeked at him through her hair. Jared had an arched eyebrow. “What, you don’t what to see me now? Fine; I guess I’ll go hang out with Damien or something.” He smiled at her and started to walk away exaggeratingly slow.

He probably expected her to react. And she did. Jade sat up on the couch just as he was reaching for the door. “Jared, wait. I’m sorry.” He turned around and grinned.

“It’s totally fine if you want to be left alone, Jade. I’m okay with it.” She shook her head.

“I have no excuse to be rude. You’re never rude to me when you’re feeling bad. You’re still the same.” Jared rolled his eyes.

“Don’t follow in my footsteps. They get you nowhere. So what’s got you down?” He came over and sat beside her. Jade sighed.

“Same as usual.” He took her hand. “I’ve just been worrying about everything going on. You especially.”

“That’s no way to spend a vacation.”

“I guess not, but I just can’t help it.”

[Jared Lusner]

Jared didn’t want Jade to feel bad. Sometimes his Swaying was good, and it would enhance his happiness, making him feel much better rather than depressed. Now was one of those times, and he didn’t want Jade to suffer while he was feeling so great.

“Well, I think we should go do something else instead of sit here and just worry about stuff.”

“I don’t know, Jared. Maybe I should just go back to my room.”

“Nonsense, Jade. Come on.” He pulled her off the couch. “There are a million other things to do instead of being sad.” Jared took her hand and spun her in circles. “You could dance.” She laughed and smiled at him in a way that made the butterflies in his stomach restless. “We could go skiing, or walking in the snow, or I could take you to lunch if you’d like.”

Jade moved closer to him, resting her head on his chest. “You always know how to cheer me up.”

“I’m glad I do. I wouldn’t want to drag around a mopey Jade.” She grinned again.

“You’re right. We should do something.” Jade paused a moment. “How about that lunch?”

“Sure. Grab a coat, and I’ll take you.” Jared smiled, feeling that maybe life wasn’t as bad as everyone made it out to be. Then again, some other day he’ll probably have a different opinion.


The day consisted of as many things he could do to keep Jade busy. This way, she’d always be distracted from her sadness. She didn’t seem to mind spending the whole day with him, but of course Jared didn’t either. Things were looking okay for now.

“Don’t you ever dress for the winter?” Jared asked her. They were heading back to the resort’s lobby in the icy air. Jade, naturally, hadn’t worn any gloves this time and had been rubbing her hands together the whole way.

“You should talk,” she murmured as he clasped his hands over hers, making them walk even closer together. He noticed a hint of flush in her cheeks, probably from the frozen breeze.

“I don’t get as cold as you do,” countered Jared. She smirked.

“You’re unnaturally warm. That’s not fair.” His grin broadened.

“It’s plenty fair, Jade.” They both laughed. Yeah, things were definitely better.

[Jade Waylin]

It was a wonder that Jared didn't already know how she felt about him. Whenever he touched her in a certain way, she felt her cheeks flush in a way that would be noticeable to anyone. Jared kept his hands around hers until they were inside.

"Jade?" His voice took her out her thoughts. He had stopped walking. Jade smiled up at him, and he smiled gently back. "I never got a chance to thank you. About yesterday?"

"It was the least I could do."

"It means a lot to me." His eyes were that pretty sky blue color that he looked at her with so often. Jade still hadn't the slightest idea what mood that color went with. Even so, her heart fluttered at the look on his face. "Not many would put up with me like that." He took both of her hands again.

"I was worried about you."

"You had reason to be, I suppose." Jared sighed. "I owe you a lot, Jade. Thanks so much." Jade blushed once more, but masked it by pulling him into a hug.

"You're very welcome," she murmured in response. Jade was still worried about him of course, but seeing him so happy today lifted her spirits. Maybe it was nice to be happy.

No, it definitely was nice to be happy. While Jade was thinking to herself, she hadn't noticed that Jared started humming something. It sounded familiar. Like something recent.

"Is that the song we were listening to on the plane?" Jared looked confused.

"Huh? Oh... Yeah, it is, I think. I didn't realize I was humming." He gave her a goofy grin that made her heart race like crazy. Jade felt like she was going to faint. "I should probably take you back to your room. You look exhausted."

Jade felt a little weak, honestly. It had been a pretty long day. "Yeah, I guess I'm pretty tired." She smiled gently. Jade thought it funny how much taller Jared was than she was. She always had to look up at him.

Jared put an arm around her shoulders as he walked her to her room. Her deep breaths kept her sane. How long could she go on like this? Every time he merely touched her, she felt like her heart would explode.

Jade decided that she would just wait this out. Who knows? Maybe it might just... go away. Not likely, she thought grudgingly toward herself. There wasn't anything that she or Jared could do to make her stop loving him.

"I'll see you later, Jade." She hadn't even noticed that they were in front of her door now. "You'll be okay on your own?" He smiled gently, but she knew that he was genuinely concerned.

"Yeah. Totally." She probably sounded flustered, because he eyed her funnily. "Really, I'll be fine." Jade grinned at him, and then there was this moment where their eyes locked. Neither said anything, and Jade didn't even think that she could.

Jared dropped his gaze, and he rubbed his hand at the back of his neck. "Um, yeah, okay. I'll see you later." His smile at her showed a little chagrin. Her's probably did too.

"Thanks, Jared," she murmured before he left. He turned away, and she closed the door behind her when she went into her room. Jade slid slowly down the door and sighed, wrapping her arms around her once she was on the ground.

Her heart was still pounding in her chest, but it was lessening slowly. Jade was definitely not going to stop loving him any time soon. She was too far in already.