5 CHAPTER IV: IT’S TRADITION, NEVER CHANGES.

Danielle's P.O.V.

Sigh!!

I flopped down on my bed once I got home and wondered how my senior year had gotten so complicated on just the first day.

After lunch, Daniel went off with Sam to their next classes, while Emily and I went in for Art. She demanded an explanation, which I gave her, that ended up with her in an outrageous fantasy about Daniel and I, then I got a text from Sam saying, "Sorry not sorry", which thereafter, I got a text from Daniel, apparently Sam gave him my number. Then, I went home, found out that he was my next-door-neighbour, (Yay! And totally explainable) and now here I am, having a nervous breakdown.

I heard a knock on my door, and a person walked in, "Hey Sis".

I groaned, "Kyle, it would be most appreciated if you'd let me permit you to enter my room for once".

"So much for being an understanding brother, You looked down and and I thought you would've like to talk about it, but I guess not, seeing as you're back to normal, so I'm gonna go now" He rolled his eyes and started to leave.

"Kyle wait, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have snapped at you while you're trying to be nice, come in"

I sat up on my bed and he sat next to me, "Wow, I never thought I'd see the day you'd apologize to me, I'm honoured".

I wacked him with a pillow and we shared a laugh. Once we stopped, he gave me the 'tell me everything look' and so I did.

When I was done narrating the story, the first thing he said was, "Damn, so Danny's really here".

"No, I bumped into an evil twin I never knew he had" I countered.

He sighed, "I was just stating the obvious, you know we never thought we'd see him again since you kind of disappeared, I was trying to wrap my head around it, that's all".

"Speaking of disappearing, has he asked why you left the way you did yet?" He asked.

I slumped, "Not yet, but it's only a matter of time, I do see him everyday at school, and considering he lives next door, I'm expecting him to burst through the door and ask".

He brightened, "Yeah, he does live next door, meaning that since you get to see him, I get to see my best friend again".

I rolled my eyes at him,"Glad to see that you're benefitted from all this, but this is not about you okay, I'm still suffering a nervous breakdown".

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry, It's not about me, no need to be dramatic" He admitted, "I'm not in the right position to give you advice, but I will say this, You liked him?"

"Like" I corrected.

"Right, like him" He continued, "Then tell him, not right now, but soon enough, before he slips through your hands. You can't keep your relationship awkward because he's gonna be around you for a year. It's not worth it, and with your hormones and shit, you're bound to get hurt. So till you tell him, be yourself around him, talk to him normally, don't be weird, just be you".

I thought about what he said for a while, then turned to him, "You know I hate that you're such a smartass right?" He smiled innocently at that, "But you're right though, thanks Kyle, you're the best".

"I know I am" He winked.

"You just ruined the moment you idiot, I will never compliment you again, get out" I started wacking him with pillows till he got off my bed.

He walked towards the door and I said, "I love you bro, for reals"

"Love you too sis, for reals" He replied then left the room.

I got off my bed and went over to my desk to start on my homework. I plug in my ear-phones and listen to music. That's the only way I get stuff done.

Ten minutes later, I'm rounding up my all my assignments, listening to 'THE WAY' by Ariana Grande, when I hear a sounding coming from out my window. I turn towards it, to be met by a grinning Daniel holding a rock in his hand.

"I see you still have a great aim and an obsession with me Turner, might wanna get it checked out" I yelled out, after opening the window.

He yelled back, his smile still wide, "You know I do, and I was diagnosed with a case of 'I really missed my best friend, but thank goodness you're here, at least I can die happy now.

"I see you haven't changed a bit over the years Danny, I really missed you" I remarked.

His eyebrows rose (from what I could see), "Oh did you now? I guess you regret running out on me, not answering my calls, and then disappearing on me".

I froze. I knew he would bring up the topic, but I had hoped that he wouldn't. I didn't know how to respond or if I should at all.

"Look, it's okay, I'll admit I was pissed when I found out you left, and that I found out through my brother, and I can't seem to wrap my head round why you wouldn't tell me, but I can't stay mad at you and you know that" He admitted.

I sighed in defeat, mind you we're still talking over the window, "I know and I'm sorry Danny, honestly. I was gonna tell you when we were moving, then the thing with the math test happened, then you hugged me and I started to feel awkward, I just couldn't face you anymore, I'm really really sorry Danny, seriously sorry".

He was silent for a while, then chuckled, "Okay, three things, first you're forgiven, I forgave you about three years ago, secondly, how exactly was it awkward when I hugged you, that wasn't the first time I hugged you, and thirdly, we're like a yard apart, I think a lot of people can hear our conversation.

I took a deep breath before answering, "Okay um, First, thanks for forgiving me even though I feel terrible and I am going to make it up to you, Secondly, you know you're gonna have to be the one to come over right? It's tradition, never changes." I added with a wink, "And about the hug thing, If you come over, maybe I'll tell you".

He thought about it for a while then said, "Hang on, I'm on my way" then he left the window.

I sat down on my bed wondering if I actually wanted him to come over, when I heard the bell ring, the door opening and my mom screaming in delight.

I took a deep breath and walked out of my room and down the stairs where I saw Daniel being squeezed tightly by my mom.

The look on Daniel's face face was so priceless that the moment I saw it, I burst out laughing.

My mom let him go as she heard me and then mock-yelled at me, "Danielle Paige Anderson, when were you going to tell me that Daniel was in town, huh?".

I stopped laughing abruptly and defend, "He showed up at your front door mom, what else did you want, a bouquet of roses and a card for him to spell it out, huh?".

She opened her mouth to say something but then stopped, and I smirked triumphantly, "Ahh, you see, nothing to say right?".

She narrowed her eyes at me and said, "Touché Danielle, Touché" and she walked out of the room.

"Hey Turner, where's my other half?" A voice asked from behind him.

"Kyle Anderson, it's been a while" Daniel said, ruffling his hair, "He's at home, go ring the bell" and Kyle ran out the door, to the house next door, leaving Daniel and I standing.

Before I could say anything , my mom re-appeared from inside her room, "Would you like to stay for dinner Daniel?" She asked.

I answered for him, "Um, I don't think so mom, he's probably gonna leave soon, and Kyle isn't even here, maybe some other time-"

He interrupted, "Actually, that would be great, I think Kyle would be fine over there, thank you Catherine, I'd love to stay".

She clasped her hands together, "Great, so If you don't mind helping me set the table, I'd really appreciate it".

We walked over to the dining table and helped her set the table. Then she served a delicious home made meal of Lasagna (my mom makes the best, just saying) and a glass of red wine each (I know, I know, but it's good for the heart okay, don't attack me), while my mom talked to (more like interviewed) Daniel.

After dinner, we helped clean up the table and wash up. Daniel offered to do the dishes while I arranged everything else.

After we were done, he turned to me, leaning on the sink, an unreadable expression on his face as he took me in and I noticed a few things that changed in him as well.

The way his brown hair fell in curls that desperately needed a haircut, but still looked cute.

The way the glasses on his face made him look like a nerd. A sexy nerd, but I'd never tell him that.

The way his hazel eyes sparkled as the light illuminated and brought out the beauty of his eyes, that showed hurt, love and understanding.

The way his clothes fit his body and showed his toned muscles underneath his shirt and flannel.

He interrupted my thoughts as asked, "Like what you see?" He had a mischievous smirk on his face, challenging me to answer.

I matched his stare as I crossed my arms, "You wish, I was just wondering when the last time you visited a gym was, the basketball team would need you at your fittest and right now you just look....lanky".

His smile dropped and he scowled, narrowing his eyes at me, "Still always full of insults now, aren't ya?".

I moved to stand beside him and nudged him, "Oh come on, you know how sarcastic I can be, I don't mean those insults, don't go all silent on me".

A chuckle escaped from his lips, honestly the best sound I've ever heard, "I'm not mad though, I've said this a thousand times, I can't stay mad at you, you're too cute" He pokes my cheek and shared a laugh.

We stood in a comfortable silence for a while before he glanced at his watch, breaking it, "Well, it's getting late, I gotta go, this was fun and I hope we do this again".

"Yeah it was" I replied, "I'll walk you to the door".

We walked to the door and he turned to me, standing on the front porch, "I try my best to get Kyle out of my house, but I'm making no promises" He pauses, "You know, I never found out why the hug was awkward to you".

I bit my lip, I didn't think he would remember, then again this is an honor roll student I was talking to.

Before I could say anything else, he engulfed me in a hug. I froze before relaxing in his touch and hugging him back, his head in the crook of my neck.

My breath hitched when he whispered in my ear, "I think I figured it out now, I have an effect on you Ella, and I'm happy about that".

He pulled away and said, "Goodnight Ella, sweet dreams" He said acknowledging the nickname only he had for me ever since we met.

Unable to say anything, I gave him a small smile in return, and he walked towards his house.

I walked into the house with millions of thoughts running through my mind, I went up the stairs, changed my clothes and fell asleep with his thoughts still lingering on me.

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