(Chapter Name Undecided)

Jordan talks with Danielle.

The cab pulled slowly into the empty parking lot. There were literally about two cars and one motorcycle. Squinting my eyes I noticed someone getting out of one of the cars, a shiny new black car, that looked familiar. I basically pressed my face to the window to see who it was. He slammed the door, and as soon as he turned around...

I quickly ducked out of his eye sight and slammed my head on the dashboard. “S**t.” I rubbed my forehead as I stood bent down. Looking over at the cab driver I noticed him giving me a look as if I had three heads. “Drive to the back.” I said quietly. I know Jake couldn't hear me, but I had to be safe.

The cab driver stiffened as he nodded. “Yes Ma'am.” He rubbed his beard with one hand as he turned the wheel with the other. I dared a look in the review mirror and saw Jake searching through his trunk for something. If I just made it up stairs on time...

The cab driver pulled up to the back door and I threw money on him before the car stopped. “Thanks so much!” I opened the door, nearly tripped getting out, and stumbled to the door. My heart beat was picking up speed as I gabbed the door and pulled it open.

Only to see another door with a lock.

“S**t!” I'd forgotten I had to have a key to get in. I searched through my bag for my keys. “Come on...” I looked behind me every few seconds to make sure he wasn't coming in this door. Finally my fingers settled around something cold and I pulled it out. “Thank god.” I mumbled as I shoved the key in the door and turned it.

It creaked as I opened it.

The race was on.

I forced my legs to move as fast as they could down the long narrow hall way. I could see the elevators right ahead of me and I had a feeling of relief as I neared them.

Just as I was coming around the corner I saw Jake with his head bent checking the mail slowly.

I stopped suddenly almost falling on the floor, my arms flailing behind be. I grabbed the wall then spun myself around, heading back down the hall way towards the stairs. I forced my legs faster, I wasn't going to get caught. I couldn't.

I basically ran into the door, then groped the handle in a frantic motion. I pulled the heavy metal door open then darted up the stairs.

I jumped each step two by twos, forcing my lungs to function properly as I made it to the second floor...then third. I leaped for the next step as my foot got caught and I stumbled over. Throwing my arms out I landed on my stomach and not my face, pain sliced through my body as I dragged my body up and to the next steps.

My body throbbed as I made it up the last steps and to the sixth floor. My heart was pounding at all the energy I used and the fact I might be caught. Opening the door slowly I peaked out and made sure he wasn't there. My apartment was only three doors down on the right.

I charged down the hall way, and as I made it to the door I heard the elevator swish open. Panicking, I unlocked the door with shaky hands and pushed it open. Kicking my shoes off I ran inside, ignoring Danielle's shocked look, and darted into the kitchen.

I heard the door open as I gulped down a glass of water. I took a few seconds to regain my balance and breath as I listen to him take his shoes off.

Getting myself together I straightened my shoulders and threw a smile on my face. Walking out confidently I open my arms, “welcome home baby.”

I faintly hear the sound of a vacuum somewhere in the house, making a loud raring sound as it sucks up the dirt.

And pieces of me that were falling apart.

My brain told me to open my eyes and get up, however my body told me otherwise. After an interesting debate my eyes finally opened only to be hit with bright sun rays. “God D****t,” I mumbled as I pulled my blankets over my head. That's the worse, I thought, when you wake up and BAM light blinds you.

The blanket felt like it was trying to smuggle me, as if it was saying get up or I'll kill you. I grunted as I threw them off and tossed my legs over the side of the bed. I kept my head down, away from the sun, as I got up to walked to my dresser. Looking up, the sun hit me again and I tried to shield my eyes. But just as I managed to see, I tripped over something on the floor and went face first. I landed with a thump, my arms sprawled out around me. I vaguely heard the vacuum stop and Danielle’s footsteps running to the room. My mind was to tired to even process anything. The only thing I noticed was pains shooting over my body, like I was being pricked everywhere.

“Oh my, Jordan! Are you okay?” I felt Danielle's small, fragile fingers helping me up onto my bed.

I rubbed my forehead as I squinted my eyes, looking at her. Her dark hair was in a tight little bun resting atop her head, she wore a little maid suit that showed off her tiny figure. No wonder Jake wanted her.

I rubbed my forehead as I stared at her, realizing I should answer. “Yeah,” I shook my head, as if it was nothing, “I just fell, it's okay.”

She cocked her head to the right. “Do you have a bruise?” she was looking at the place where my hand stroked; the middle of my forehead.

I slowly placed my hand on my lap. “No, it's fine.” Truth was, I now had a throbbing headache in the middle of my forehead and several body parts that hurt. As I sat beside Danielle, I could feel the pain moving through my head and body. In the middle of my forehead it felt like I was being punched, but everywhere else it felt like I was being stabbed with needles...over and over.

I slapped my hands on my knees as I stood up, feeling a new rush of pain run through my head. Now that my eyes were adjusted, I walked, without falling, to my dresser. “So, Danielle, what are you doing later on today?” I asked as I rummaged through my drawers. I felt like I was about to collapse at any moment.

I heard Danielle shift on the bed. “Nothing, really. Just going to go home and do some laundry,” she paused for a moment, then asked, “what about you?”

I had no idea what I was doing. “No idea.” I threw a pair of underwear and a bra on my bed, then went to my T-s**t drawer. “Haven't thought about it yet.”

Danielle sat gingerly on the bed, as if she was scared something would pop out of my closet. I stared at her for a moment, then turned back to my drawer. I tossed a blue V-neck top beside Danielle. I closed that drawer then went to my shorts drawer. I fingered through all the different fabrics before I turned around. “Okay, Danielle, spit it out, what's on your mind?”

She had been looking at her fingers, then her head snapped up as her eyes went wide. “Nothing, why?”

I rolled my eyes then settled on my heels, resting my arms on my knees. “You seem on edge.”

She shook her head, closing her eyes. “No, I'm not.”

I squinted my eyes. “Where's Jake, by the way?”

She looked behind her at the door, like she thought he would walk through. “He had to run to the store quickly.”

I nodded my head, “right.” Danielle gave me a look of confusion then I shrugged. “He problem went somewhere else.”

Danielle cocked her head. “You shouldn't think so low of him.”

I clenched my hands into fists almost drawing blood from my skin, suddenly feeling anger surge through my body. I stood up as my eyes shot out daggers. “If you knew what he's done, you wouldn't be saying that.”

“What exactly has he done?” Danielle asked, almost accusingly.

I grabbed a pair of jean shorts and slammed my drawer. “That's on a need to know basics,” stripping my bottoms and putting on my shorts I added, “and you don't need to know.”

Her and I stared at each other for a few moments too long. It's almost like I could see her brain thinking. I saw the kindness in her eyes fade to a cold, dark shade. “He's a good man.” She said through clenched teeth.

I continued to stair at her, as her eyes came darker and her hands clutched her clothing. If looks could kill, I'd be dead right now. “You okay?” I asked carefully, afraid she'd snap.

She shook her head, and as fast as it had come, it was gone. Her smile was back and her eyes were caring. “Yes, I'm fine. I just don't like when people say bad things about him, because he's really a great guy.”

I hold back the urge to roll my eyes and turn away. Clearly she needs to meet the real Jake. The cheating, lying abusive Jake.

Before I could say anything else, my cell phone vibrated on my night stand. “Hello?” I said as I placed the phone between my cheek and my shoulder as I adjusted my top I put on.

“Hey, it's Zack.” As soon as he said his name, I froze, my back turned to Danielle and my heart beating widely. I have no idea why I feel this way, but it's really starting to scare me. “Hello?”

I clear my throat and maintain my cool. “Hey, how are you?” holding up a finger to Danielle, I walk out to the living room and onto the balcony for some privacy.

“Good,” I heard talking in the background, then he said, “can I come pick you up? We can go for lunch or something.”

I grabbed the bar on the balcony, debating my options. I could go for an hour and beat Jake home...maybe. Or I can say no and stay home...

I might get caught if I go out.

Suddenly reality hit me. I just met this man. I don't even know him..."Um," I chewed my lower lip for a few seconds, then backed up from the bar. "I can't, I'm sorry." 

There was no sound from the other line, and for a moment I thought he hung up. Then he said, "okay, another time then." 

"Sure thing." Then I hung up. 

Author's Note

New Chapter! Sorry it's been so long!
Keep it? Rr write a new one? What do you think? (:

Reviews

[diannesam]

-Literally about- cancels each other out, have one or the other.
- He slammed the door, and - no comma
-Drive to the back." I said - back," I said. Don't put a period in the dialog.

Keep in mind those things throughout the chapter, but I really liked it! I enjoyed reading it! Good job!

[Daydreamer54]

I say you should keep it. shoot, if i was her and jake was coming home, I probably would have gone miranda lambert's way and did the whole gunpowder and lead thing. Well i hope she doesn't get busted and can't wait to see what happens between her and zack. I wonder if danielle is having an affair with jake and what would happened if jake meets zack.
gabbed the door -grabbed
stair at her.stare.