AN: Hi there. Right down to business then. Have you ever written a fic and you're on fire for two or three chapters and all of sudden someone dumps a bucket of ice cold water and that fire dwindles down to a wisp of smoke? Well that's been me for the last year. Yup. A whole year. I blame the illusion of happiness that was an eight or so month relationship. The muse doesn't work when it thinks it's happy. But the muse is back. And as far as relationships go, in the words of the great Faith Lehane, "Get Some Get Gone."

I also want to add here- FYL is already being edited so expect that some time this week. I want to say Thanks to a certain little mermaid for getting me off my ass where that fic is concerned. THANKS KIKOUMA.

A quick note concerning this fic: The first "letter" at the beginning of the chapters will be entries in Jade's journal. Enjoy. R&R, yea?

Sometimes I feel like I'm alone in the world. No one understands me and no one is trying to understand me. I'm not crying about it. I simply want you to know what I feel. I'm surrounded but I'm lonely. My screams fall on death ears. Hearing and listening are two different things all together and I'm not so sure most of us know the difference. I don't think I even know the difference.

Jade felt the stress of the day in her shoulders, in the small of her back, and the base of her neck. The telltale signs of a headache throbbed behind her eyes as she found herself walking down a familiar path. After such a stressful day of interning at the hospital she was lucky to have escaped with her sanity, limbs, and internship intact. She blew out an exasperated breath and side stepped a fellow commuter. The guy was a typical zombie- tie, suit, briefcase, and a cellphone permanently attached to his ear. It was this exactly what she wanted to get away from. So she found herself walking the two miles from home to her preferred coffee shop.

The Wood was far from five star fine dining. It was a little coffee shop off to the side that hardly anyone noticed, not if they hadn't been there before. The coffee was strong, there wasn't a lot of people most days, and it was place where she could go to unwind which made it a winner in her book.

"Hello Jade." The elderly Asian woman greeted with a warm smile as she stepped inside.

Jade waved at the small woman. "Hey Mei Ling."

"I knew you be here. Six o clock on the dot." She said, proud she figured out the young girl's schedule. "I make coffee just how you like it."

The corner of her lips tilted slightly as she spotted the cup of steaming coffee already situated at her favorite booth at the far back of the shop. With a nod she weaved her way around the empty tables. With a sigh she fell into the familiar plush-y-ness of the red vinyl booth seat.

It was a warm day outside, pleasantly so. But the second her hands wrapped around the mug she felt a cold numbness in her body give way to its heat. The contrasting sensations sent a pleasant tingle down her spine.

She was 22 years old, fresh out of college and three months into her internship at Children's Rehabilitation Los Angeles. She worked at a small bookstore just off of Clayton Ave and even though it didn't bring in a whole lot of cash it was enough to supplement the bimonthly checks her parents insisted on sending her. Her love life was currently non existent but unlike so many young women her age it didn't bother her one tenths as much as it should. All in all she had a pretty good life. It was a tradition of hers to come by The Wood to take the time to count her blessings over a cup of steaming hot coffee.

Jade took a careful sip of the hot beverage so as to not burn herself and let her eyes roam the coffee shop...

"Can I get a cup of coffee? Black. Two sugars. Thanks."

Jade watched, her attention momentarily won over by a handsome young man at the register. Not a lot of people came by so close to closing time.

Tall, dark brown hair, and stylish. He work a pair of fitting denim jeans, a coat with a pressed baby blue dress shirt and a navy tie. He pushed back his square framed glasses on his nose using his shoulder. In the other hand he balanced four thick tomes.

She cocked a brow at him as he turned to look at her. He flashed a boyish grin her way and offered a little wave before taking his coffee and heading towards her.

'Great.' Thought Jade bitterly. All she did was raise a brow at the guy and he took it as an invitation to come sit at her booth. She rolled her eyes. Typical guy. She hoped he wasn't the annoying type.

EVERY ONE is the annoying type.

"Is this seat taken?" He asked, that same silly grin in place.

Jade eyed the books in his arms. They looked heavy. But why in the world did he have to come sit at her booth when there were nine booths, fifteen tables, and eight open stools at the counter? "If I say yes will you go away?"

The guy barked a laugh and set his books down on the table. He scooted into the seat and began rummaging through his bag. Minutes later he gave up with a groan. "Have you ever had one of those days when nothing seems to be going right? It's like the universe conspires against you."

"Just had one of those days myself. So if you'll excuse me, I'd like to be alone." Jade said as politely as she could muster.

He paused, shocked by her blunt manner no doubt. But it only seemed to faze him for a second before that annoying grin was back. He stuck out his hand in greeting. "Dustin Brooks."

Jade eyed his hand. "Jade." She mumbled crossing her arms on the table.

Dustin chuckled sheepishly at her. He knew without a doubt this girl didn't want him at her table but something compelled him to stay. She was very pretty but also gave the appearance of being untouchable. It just caught his attention.

"So this is a nice little coffee shop."

"Look, Dustin, I'm sure you're a really nice guy and everything but I'm not in the mood to talk. You can sit here if you can do so quietly."

That wiped the smile off his face. "Yeah. My bad." He stammered.

Jade bit her lip. It's not like she told the guy to come over and start a conversation with her. Still felt like a bitch though. "No. My bad. Sorry about that. Long day is all."

Once upon a time she wouldn't have given a rat's ass if she hurt this dude's feelings or not. She used to be mean, selfish, a total gank. Then her boyfriend broke up with her. She and Beck had been together for almost three years. She'd never been happier (even though it was unusual for her to show it) than she was in that time. But apparently Beck wasn't happy. He said she was self centered, hateful, and an overall bitch. That had really hurt her despite her firm denials. Slowly but surely she had made a change not because of Beck but because of herself. If someone that sweet, caring, selfless, and forgiving couldn't stand her then no one else would.

Dustin nodded, a small smirk coming back. He really was handsome with light green eyes, sparkling white teeth, and golden tan skin. Bred, born, and raised in California no doubt.

"It's fine. So, if you don't mind me asking, what's a pretty girl like you doing here by herself? Did the boyfriend ditch?"

Jade fought back the urge to roll her eyes. And here it was, the reason she hated any interaction with the male species. She wasn't exactly a man hater, but sometimes it was hard to see the silver lining on a black cloud storming on her parade.

"I just met you, now you're hitting on me?"

Dustin chuckled. He seemed fond of chuckling and grinning she noted. "No. Sorry I was just making an observation. I have a girlfriend."

"Shouldn't you be bothering her?" She asked with a smirk. She was TRYING to become a nicer person. Rome wasn't built in a day. Or five years for that matter...

"I would but we got into an argument. Apparently I don't get her. She broke up with me and kicked me out of her apartment. I'm sure we'll be made up by the end of the week. She just can't hold a grudge."

Jade finished off the last of her coffee and motioned for a refill. "Sounds like a decent girl."

"Oh she's the best!" He said sarcastically.

Before Jade could make a comment, a pretty blonde woman came charging to their table. At first she thought it might be his girlfriend, what with the withering glare sent her way, but the closer she came the more she realized they might be related. They certainly shared a lot of characteristics.

"I need to talk to you." She said. Straight to business then.

Dustin climbed to his feet wrapping his arm around the blonde's shoulders. "Jade, this is my lovely older sister Zoey. Zoey, this is Jade."

"Hey." Jade greeted.

"Nice to meet you, Jade." Zoey said distractedly. "Dustin can you tell me why you're here instead of fixing things with your girlfriend?"

Jade didn't miss the way Zoey's eyes darted to her. She raised her hands. "Hey I just met the dude."

"It's not what you think." Dustin sighed combing his fingers through his hair. "I needed a place to grade papers so I came here. But as it turns out I don't even have the papers. I left them in my classroom. Why don't you sit down to some coffee sis? My treat."

Jade bit back a smirk. She appreciated a good dose of drama as much as the next person. As long as it didn't involve her.

"Your treat? You have to go talk to her. She's really upset."

Dustin rolled his eyes. "She's always upset, Zo. Why do you always take her side?"

"Because she's my friend and you've done her wrong."

"And I'm your brother." He practically growled, all traces of the nice, chipper Dustin were gone. A dark shadow crossed his face.

Zoey shook her head. She reached into her purse and pulled out an envelope. "You screwed up." She said in disgust, tossing the envelope on the table. She stormed out of the coffee shop.

"Shit." Dustin groaned running after her.

Jade chuckled under her breath. She almost felt bad for Dustin but he was a guy. Chances where he probably did something to deserve both his girlfriend and his sister bitching him out. She had to admit however her interest was piqued. Who ever this girlfriend was she sounded interesting.

A few minutes later a fuming Zoey marched into the cafe. "Listen, I don't know who you are and frankly I don't want to know. What ever it is you and my brother were doing it stops now. I don't know what he told you but you're not the first girl he's cheated on her with. Just know in the end he always goes running back to her. Get out while you're ahead." She grabbed the books and his bag and left without another word.

Talk about shock factor! She was pretty sure her mouth was hanging open. Looking out the window she saw Dustin and Zoey climb into a sky blue Challenger and peel out. What the hell just happened?

"Crazy girl make Jade mad." Mei Ling said sympathetically, refilling her coffee.

Jade continued to stare out the window, as if the answers to her questions might be written there. "No, it's fine Mei Ling. Can I get the check?"

"Jade leaving?" She asked, a hint of disappointment in her voice. It was customary for them to engage in a game of chess after coffee and cake.

Jade offered a half assed apology. Not that she didn't enjoy the Asian woman's company but after that little scandal her energy drained right out of her. "I need to do some paperwork for the clinic. But I'll come back tomorrow."

"Okay. No check. Mei Ling give to you."

For the first time that day a genuine smile set itself on her face. It wasn't much but it was the generosity that warmed her. "Thank you."

Every bone in her body cracked as she stood reminding her that she was in dire need of some self loving. She was half way to the door when Mei Ling called her.

"This belong to Jade?"

Jade squinted at the object. It was the envelope Dustin's bat shit crazy sister had tossed. She had half a mind to tell Mei Ling to can it. Maybe it was important to Dustin. It would be payback for cheating on his girl.

She shook her head. What business was it of hers if Dustin liked to dip into the pond?... "Yeah. Thanks. I almost forgot it."

"Jade have good night."

"You too." She said taking the envelope and tucking it into her back pocket.

~~C.O.A~~

By the time Jade got to her apartment she was ten seconds away from collapsing. When Professor Matthews said an internship and a job would break her if she wasn't careful she thought he was being dramatic as usual. The last three months had been exhausting but today it all just seemed to catch up with her. Maybe it was the very painful fact that she enjoyed Dustin's company even if she hated admitting to herself. Maybe it was seeing his life, screwed up as it maybe, playing out like a soap opera. Exciting.

The most excitement she'd had was the one time she managed to beat Mei Ling at chess. And she kicked her ass six times in a row after she got cocky.

She glanced longingly at the kitchen. She was hungry but too damn tired to bother digging up anything. She forwent dinner, heading straight to the bathroom and dropping clothes as she went. All she wanted now (besides a meal she wouldn't get) was a nice hot shower and her big, comfortable bed.

But even that was denied her.

Remembering the envelope in her back pocket she snatched it out and tossed herself into bed. Any idiot with half an ounce of situational awareness knew opening a letter addressed to someone else was a class c misdemeanor. It's not like she got off reading mail that didn't belong to her but for some unmentionable reason her curiosity was getting the best of her tonight.

'Because of that idiot and his bitchy sister.' Jade mentally argued. She was just curious. It made sense. More sense than her index finger slipping under the seal and tearing it open, more sense than taking that letter out and unfolding it. More sense than that first wiff of perfume that made her mouth water and her chest tighten without reason. More sense than the very feminine handwriting on that letter that compelled her to read that first sentence...

Do you know how much I love you? I loved you the moment I saw you. It's not stupid is it? I hate to think it's stupid but maybe it was. Maybe I was. I'm talking to you right now but I know you don't hear me. You can't. You never have. Not that you haven't tried. I just speak a different language than you do, one you don't understand. Have you ever stood inside a crowded room and screamed at the top of your lungs? Screamed until your throat gets raw, your chest burns, and your voice cracks? But no one notices you. No one hears you... Your love is a crowded room. My heart is screaming.

TBC?