Chapter 2
1436 Words
“Why do I react this way” Danny
Present time
She shook her head, disagreeing with how her body was reacting towards
Blake. She just hoped that he didn’t notice it. Picking up her backpack, she
slams the door of her locker shut before turning to Blake.
Putting on her best poker face as she spoke, “What do you want,
Conner? Run out of girls to bother?"
In her hurry, she threw the backpack over her shoulder without
thinking. The back-back hit a bruise on her back. Danny couldn't stop herself
from cringing and closing her eyes, trying not to cry out in pain.
Danny always had bruises, another reason why she loved her
oversized tracksuit.
She took a deep breath and opened her eyes to see Blake's
worried face staring back at her. His piercing chocolate brown eyes with his
golden-brown hair framing his face. The way he stared at her locked her in
place. She almost wanted to touch his face.
Fuck it, Danny, she shouted in her head.
Quickly she brushes off the thought and turns around, deciding
that it was best if she just ignored him.
"Something wrong, Dans?" Blake tries to reach for her
arm, but Danny flinches away. Blake’s worry was written across his face.
But why would he care now? She thought. Convincing herself that
this was all an act, and the sooner whatever this was done, the sooner he could
go back, ignoring her.
"Just too much homework and way too much coffee. Also,
don't change the subject; what do you want, Conner?" She quips.
"Homework? School is almost done. We only have a week left,
and last time I checked, no teacher is giving out any home-works. " Blake
was aware that she was avoiding answering her question.
"Fine, if you must know, I am working on extra credit. I
have a few more to graduate this summer.” She signs; no one except the
teachers
"Wait? Extra credit? Graduation? But you're a junior?"
Blake asks curiously.
"Thanks for pointing out the obvious, Einstein," Danny
sighs in relief; she may not want to talk about her early graduation, but it
was better than him looking worried about her.
"Then how are you graduating with us this
summer?"
"Not graduating with your batch this summer. I may have to
stick around until August. Besides my, I’ve been taking advanced classes
already. The teachers thought it was an excellent idea and decided to help me
get all my credits this year.”
“Why the rush?” Blake pursued.
“I have somewhere I need to be next year.” As quickly as she
said it, Danny regretted it immediately. Surprised at herself how fast she felt
comfortable around Blake.
Biting her tongue as she froze in place. She quickly looked away
and turned around to leave again.
“Dans, wait up,” Blake calls out after her.
She keeps her eyes on the empty hallway in front of her as Blake
walks next to her.
“What do you want, Conner?” She mumbles, obviously annoyed.
“Where do you have to be next year that you need to graduate
this year?”
Silence
“Did you get a scholarship in an ivy league?”
Silence
“If you have to graduate before leaving. Does that mean you are
leaving for good?” A hint of sadness in his voice.
She abruptly stops walking and turns to face him, "Again,
what is it you want, CONNER?"
They did not realize that she stopped right in front of the
auditorium doors. The doors swung open like a couple of students rushed out.
Danny lost her balance as one of the doors almost hit her from behind.
As she braced for impact, she was surprised to feel Blake’s arms
snake around her waist. His reflexes were as quick as the swinging of the door.
In a split second, he could pull her into his chest. Their bodies collide,
sending a jolt of electricity that almost knocks her.
She felt more unbalanced, her knees turning into Jell-O. As if
some force of gravity made her lean into his embrace. She could feel the rise
and fall of his chest as his breathing raced. His arms tighten around her
waist. Even though Blake was taller than her, she still could feel
his breath come closer, almost brushing her cheeks.
She doesn't know how it happened but walks away from Blake
Conner. To be wrapped in his arms. And she liked every second of it. Like she
always belonged there. She rests her hands on his torso, and instead of pushing
him away, she allows her thumbs to draw circles on his abdomen.
She leaned on him as if her life depended on it. Her knees felt
weak, her heart racing as blood rushed to her cheeks. A fire inside her ignited
a burning for Blake she never knew existed. Her eyes traced every inch of his
face. And a single thought bore a hole in her mind.
Kiss me.
Her body almost obeyed as she inched her face towards his. A
gut-clenching scream cuts through her mind, waking her from her trance-like
state. She pushes herself to stand straight.
As soon as they parted, she longed for him to hold her
again.
Stop it; she scolded herself.
They stood inches apart, neither wanting to move. Danny looked
down, hoping that looking away from Blake would stop these ridiculous urges for
Blake.
"Dans," Blake broke the silence. His deep voice almost
soothed her.
Blake places his finger under her chin. Gently raises her chin
until his eyes meet hers. Danny traced every inch of his face. He was pausing
on his lips. She allowed herself to imagine how it would be if Blake kissed
her.
As if Blake could read her mind, his eyes grew darker. His
breathing hitched as he licked his bottom lip.
What the hell is happening? Danny thought.
She wondered if this is how Blake charmed all his girls? With
that, she frowns. The thought of all those girls he kissed in public throughout
high school made her see red in jealousy. She flicks Blake’s hand. She shakes
her head and takes a step back. Crossing her arms, hoping that was enough to
stop him from kissing him.
Danny clears her throat before speaking, “FOR THE f*****g LAST TIME,
WHAT IS IT THAT YOU WANT? CONNER?” She huffed.
“Dans,” Blake tried to reach for her. But she wasn’t having any
of it.
As he took a step forward, she took a step back. You are putting
up her hand, motioning him to stop. She takes a deep breath, “You haven’t
talked to me since I was a freshman. You pretend I don’t exist. You and your
friends have made it your life’s work to torment me. Suddenly you’re here
calling me DANS.”
Recalling the times they bullied her; she was shaking from
anger as she continued, “Is this a prank? Am I a conquest you need to tick off
your list before school ends? Are you videoing taping this to embarrass me on
social media? Seriously CONNER! Don’t you guys have better things to do?”
Blake opened his mouth, but she interrupted him before he could
utter another word. “AND FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, STOP f*****g CALLING ME DANS!”
She sighed and lowered her gaze as if recalling better days,
“Only my friends can call me that, and you made it very clear we no longer
are.”
A lone tear threatens itself to fall from her eye. Her chest
hurt from saying out loud the truth that they were no longer friends. She knew
her words were hurtful, but Blake hadn’t been kind either.
Her words hurt Blake as he took a step back. He shook his head
as he replied, “Nothing. I want nothing,” I Almost whispered the last word. He
looked up and walked past her. She didn’t dare turn to look at him walk down
the hall. She could hear his heavy footsteps as he walked away.
Something inside her was telling her to run to him. To yell to
him to come back. Like a desperate damsel who wanted her lover back.
No, Danny, this is Blake Conner. She told herself. She reminded
herself that the boy she was once friends with no longer
existed. That when he slammed the door on her face on the
night, she needed him the most was the end of their friendship.
- Writer
