next door neighbor

chapter twenty: "who do you really love?"

(this chapter is all about Danny so this is coming from Danny's perspective and Roxanne's perspective. its time for a break from joey and Jeannie.) 

(Danny's perspective) 

"Danny, let go! you always take so long." Roxanne said and whined as she pulled my arm. I was still getting ready for a double date that joey invited us too. we were planning to go to a Mexican restaurant that just opened up. jen didn't want to go but since joey wanted to go she just went woth the flow. I was in the same boat as Jen but Roxanne wanted to go as she a big fan of Mexican food. I also just let it go as I want to make Roxanne happy. 

"Okay, okay! let me put on my jacket," I say and Roxanne let go of my arm. I went to my bed grabbing my jacket and an extra jacket which I put both over my shoulder. I wanted to one in my car just in case I get cold or if Roxanne does which is obvious. Roxanne drives with me and is always with me always ninety percent of the time now that we're dating. 

"hurry up. can I get your car keys? I want to drive." Roxanne asked and I looked at her like she was crazy. 

"do you have your driver license rox? I'll let you but you need your license," I say and grabbed my car keys and phone of my nightstand. 

"no, but soon." Roxanne pouted and I just sighed. I walked up to Roxanne and I hugged her by the shoulders while I lean in to kiss her sweetly. roxanne smiled in the kiss.

"no not until a few weeks after you get your license. I don't you to get arrested rox," I say again giving Roxanne another sweet kiss. rox rolled her eyes and I just grabbed Roxanne's hand. I pulled her out of my room. Roxanne doesn't like being called the cute names so I just call rox. Roxanne calls me by Danny even though I don't mind being called dan but I don't mind. 

"a few weeks? do you really not trust my driving skills?" Roxanne said she pulled me forward as she took the lead. there's no way I'm letting my girlfriend get arrested just yet. surprisingly I have been pulled over a few times and it was scary.

"you don't want to know how it feels like to be pulled over. it scary rox, I been there before a few times," I say and rox looked shocked as we made it to the stairs. we jogged down the stairs as we were in a rush. I'm sure Jen is starting to get anoyed now that I'm late.

"you been there before? you're the bad driver here if you were pulled over frist of all." Roxanne says and she said and I felt offended at this. this may be true but that doesn't mean anything right? 

"That was when I got my car and started to drive. can't blame a new driver rox, it happens when you're a starter," I say which Roxanne nodded as she understood I guess. we made it to the bottom of the stairs and we walked to my front door where all the shoes go. I let of Roxanne's hand as we went to put on our shoes.

"so I have a quick question, you don't have to answer if you don't want too," Roxanne says and she looked down at me as she put on her shoes. they were easily one-inch slip-on shoes that girls like. 

"ask away rox, don't be scared to ask me anything," I say and rox put a smile on her face. I put on my more complicated shoes, Roxanne sighed, she had a serious face now. 

"When will I meet your parents?" I almost fell but I held the wall as I tried to stand up. I sat down on the floor to put on my shoes. 

"wha-" I stood up straight and cleared my throat. "soon rox, we just need a plan as both my family and you need a free day the match up," I say and grabbed rox's hand agian. Roxanne nodded as she understood the problem. 

"that goes the same for my family too Danny. I'm glad that we have something we can agree on." Roxanne put a smile on her face again and I pulled her out the house. I just shook my head. I parked my car outside my house as I knew we were going out. 

"so when do you work? you can meet my parents on your day off. I know I don't work weekends so there that to think about." I said and I closed my house door locking it.

"I can do this Saturday. your dad don't weekends ether right? of course, your mom is a stay at a home mom." Roxanne says and I nodded as I unlock my car. 

"I'll talk to my parents later. for now, let go to this double date. were late as it is." I say and Roxanne right away ran to my car getting her hand out of my strong grip. she ran to my passenger seat and she entered in. 

"it's your fault, Danny, if Jen yells at you then it's not my fault we're late," Roxanne says and I rolled my eyes. I walk to the driver's seat and entered in. I saw Roxanne put on her seatbelt. I put the two jackets in my back seat as I put on my seat belt. I started my car while I lock my car. 

"yes rox, I know it's my fault. Jen scolded me many times before." I say and start my car. Roxanne then grabbed my phone from the cup holder. 

"tell me your code, you know I can't use my phone remember?" Roxanne said and I sighed. also, another thing is Roxanne's parents check Roxanne's phone once a week. her mom mainly checks it for a good reason which I can see why. 

"It's my birthday," I say as Roxanne knows my birthday. barely anyone knows my birthday other then Jen, rox and my family of course. I have trust issues for some reason. rox put on my birthday and she unlocked my phone. she went to the maps and put the address. I started to drive off to the main road from my house. 

"it's a 15-minute drive. were going to be 30 minutes late because of you." Roxanne says and she put my phone in the phone holder Jen gave me after I got my car. it had a small anime character name 'Ciel' plushie hanging from the phone holder. roxanne gave it to me saying that I act like him. 

"cool, let go and I'd better be ready to be yelled at," I say as Roxanne giggled and she texted her mom that we're going now to the restaurant. her mom wants her to update her every second of her day. it's annoying but Roxanne's parents are strict for a good reason I wonder how her parents react to meeting me. I may act like a smarty but I also act as a party boy too. 

"I'll be there to not support you," Roxanne says and she was still texting her mom. I shook my head and drove off following the maps. 

*****

"late as always dan, here no way I expected that," Jen said as she got out of joey's tesla. I parked across from them as the spots beside then was taken. 

"Sorry, I had to look good, you know I have to look good when I go out," I say and put one of the jackets I brought over my shoulder for Roxanne. Roxanne got out of my car and she closed the passenger seat door. jen rolled her eyes.

"all boys are the same. I'm going to talk to you later but for now, let eat, joey is hungry." Jen says and looks at Joey. who was on his phone. he was also looking good too. 

"same here, let go." Roxanne grabbed my hand and forcefully pulled me. Jen and Joey walked towards the restaurant. I looked up at the restaurant as I lock my car. it looked fancy but it was just any normal restaurant you can go too. 

"so what have you guys been up too? I and Jen are planning to go watch a movie after this." joey asked opening the door letting Jen walk in first. Roxanne and I followed behind her as joey came in last. 

"well I mean rox has t be home by ten since her mom said so. her parents don't about us just yet, that includes mine too." I say and we waited as there was a sign saying 'wait to be seated. there were two seats empty for people waiting which is nice. jen sat down at the empty seat and rox sat next to her. 

"dam, can you call your parents if you can stay put a little longer. the movie ends at 10:30 and you'll most likely get home by 11. " joey says and Roxanne looked at joey. 

"I can ask but that a ten percent chance she says yes," Roxanne said and then a waitress showed up. 

"Hello, how many?" she asked and then Jen spoke up before I can." 

"four please," Jen says and she got up from her seat. rox got up and grabbed my hand as the waitress grabbed four menus and she walked us over to our seat. je=oey walk up to Jen putting his arm around Jen's waist. 

"just call your parents and see. who knows your mom might say yes," I say and Roxanne nodded.

"I'll be right back then. save the window or wall seat for me," she says and she leans in to kiss my cheek. she let go of my hand and she walked toward the door.  jen looked behind me as the waitress seated them. Jen sat at the window seat and joey sat at the end seat. I sat on the other side at the end too. 

"where did rox go?" Jen asked confused, joey was the same. 

"she went to call her mom," I said and they both looked at each other and nodded. 

"hope her mom says yes," Jen says and she leans back at her seat. 

(Roxanne's perspective) 

"Thanks, mom, I promise I'll be home by 11 at best," I say and I hung up on my mom. my mom actually said yes but I made a trade of doing double the chores in the house the next three days which I don't mind.i put my phone back in my back pocket and walked in the restaurant. I saw Danny, Jen, and joey were seated near the back so I walk towards them. the waitress noticed me and she gestured to where the others were at. I nodded and walked past her. danny notice me first of course. 

"how it go rox?" he asked and he removed out his seat. so I can go into the window seat. 

"she said yes exchange to double the chores for the next three days," I say and Danny looked supirsed. 

"so you made a trade-off, at least now you can stay longer." joey said and he put away from his phone. 

"still double the chores, do you mind?" Jen asked and I sat down. Danny sat back down and he gave me the menu. 

"I don't mind. I don't do anything at home anyway so it's a good thing that my parents make me do things around the house," I say which is true. I'm a hermit at home so the fact that I'm dating Danny means I have an excuse to leave the house once in a while other than school and shopping with my parents. 

"okay cool! so the movie's after we're done eating? we can go window shopping first since I do want to buy something." Jen says and joey rolled his eyes. joey looked at Jen anoyed. I just opened the menu to see what I want. 

"We already ordered so just choose what you to want," Danny said and I nodded. 

"really? you know I hate walking too much babe." joey says and Jen scoffed. the waitress then came back to our table. 

"Are you ready to order ma'am?" the waitress said and she looked at me. joey ticked Jen thighs playfully. jen moved his hand away but he grabbed her hand instead. Danny's arm was behind me on the back of the chair. 

"I'll get number four. the burrito plate," I say and the waitress wrote down on her pad. she reached out as I gave her the menu. "also an ice sweet tea." I say and then the waitress nodded as she put the menu under her armpit. she wrote that down too. 

"Alright, your order will be out as soon as possible." the waitress says and she walked away. 

"you should know what she likes dan, you did say she was a fan of Mexican food." joey says and Danny sighed. 

"We don't go out to eat often. we go out and actually spend time with each other," Danny says and joey nodded. we walk around downtown often and other places of LA I never been too. it actually kind of nice. we eat at Danny's house as his mom makes good food. I never meet his mom but she always leaves food on the table for the family. I know I sound like I'm stealing food but Danny surprisingly doesn't eat much. he usually tells me to go in his room as he makes are food for us.

"so let me guess you guys actually tour around LA? that's a lot of gas money your spending, " joey says and Danny rolled his eyes. 

"at least I'm showing my girl a good time, I bet you and Jen stay in one of your houses most of the time. you guys do have s*x too often." Danny says and I was shocked. of course, they would have s*x often so I shouldn't be surprised but I was. 

"it's called feeling loved dan, it a thing between us." joey said and he looked at Jen on her phone. Jen was just shaking her head. 

"you boys just stop talking over who's relationship is better. you guys have your own ways of showing us you love us. joey is more hands-on as for you dan, your a let me show you everything." Jen says still on her phone. Danny and joey quiet down and I just sighed while I look outside. me and Danny haven't had s*x yet but we touch each other so I know how it feels. 

"I like going out and exploring the city. we went to the Hollywood sigh. it was pretty cool." I say and Jen looked up from her phone to me. danny put a smile on his face and lean in giving me a kiss on my head.

"well looks like we have to go there too babe. maybe I should take you out more." joey says and looked at Jen who just put her phone away. she looked behind us and I saw the waitress with our drinks. the restaurant was full so they were busy for sure. 

"maybe we should," Jen says and the waitress came to our table. she set the plater with two iced water, coke, and my iced sweet tea.

"here your drinks, sorry it took a long time but were very busy at the moment," she says and Danny removed his arm from behind me. 

"it's okay, we can wait," Danny says as we had all the time in the world before we head to the movies. the waitress put a 'thank goodness' smile and she gave us all our drinks. of course, Danny would order the coke as the waitress gave him the coke. the waitress gave me my iced sweet tea. the waitress put four straws on the table. joey grabbed one right away. 

"Alright, I'll inform you when your food is coming out." the waitress said and she walked away with the plater against her chest. she walked away and joey slipped his water with the straw he put in just now. 

"It looks like we have time to kill, so Roxanne hows house life?" joey asked looking at me. I was supirsed and Danny cleared his throat. Jen hit joey's arm and joey looked at Jen anoyed. I just cover my mouth as I slip my iced sweet tea. I was using a straw of course. 

"it's fine," I say and put my iced sweet tea down. Danny sighed and he leans back on his seat. Danny put his arm back behind me again and he leans in kissing my head again. 

"see? so.." joey said and Jen rolled her eyes while she looked at Joey with a 'really' face. I just sighed and started to talk. 

*****

"That must of been fun." harry said as he opened the school door. we started to walk to the parking lot. it was the next day and school just ended. I and Danny acted like a couple the whole time holding hands and kissing each other. we get eyes on us the whole time but I didn't mind. I also got close to Jen as she wasn't a party girl and she only been to one party ever since she met Joey and his crew. she changed joey for the good and I hope I do the same.

"trust me, seeing Jen and Roxanne's face while watching that scene was funny. they both yelled at us of course after the movie about us laughing at them. " joey says as we reached joey's car and we all stopped walking just hanging out right there. Jen scoffed as she let go of joeys arm. joey realized right away and he grabbed Jen by her waist hugging her tightly. "I'm sorry! sorry babe." joey started to kiss Jen in the cheek many times. jen tried to pull away but I can tell she gave up as joey had a strong grip on her. 

"I wanted to watch a family-friendly movie but these boys wanted to watch a scary movie. I'll never go to another movie with joe," Jen says and joy stops kissing her cheek and he nuzzled his head in her neck. I nodded to this and Danny looked at me shocked. 

"you said you love scary movies," Danny said he grabbed me by my wasit pulling me close to his body. I just giggled to this and shook my head. 

"when I know we're watching a scary movie not when we let you boys choose the movie," I say and Jen nodded agreeing with me. 

"well next time we'll let you pick the movie next time we go out." joey says with his arm still around Jen's waist. Danny then kissed my cheek to grab my attention. 

"for sure next time, I hated getting yelled at especially by you," Danny says and I rolled my eyes. Greg who was quiet the whole time finily spook up.

"We should go together. more people, more fun." Greg says on his phone as he was leaning against his car. harry who was in Greg's car in the driver seat was just texting on his phone nodded. joey nodded as he unlocked his car letting Jen sit in the back seats. joey put both his bag and Jen bag there. we were driving with them do Danny let go of me and grabbed my bag from me. Danny walked to joey car as he put our bags in joey's car. he walked back to me, 

"more fun? do you mean annoying Greg." joey said and joey leans against his car. greg looked offended and looked at his phone. 

"if annoying then I agree." harry said and he looked up from his phone. greg shook his head and continued to look at his phone. "also kelly is having a party tonight. I know you joey in specific wouldn't go but I'm just saying." harry said and looked at Joey. Joey rolled his eyes, 

"I'm sure the couples have plans like chilling at one of there houses," Danny says and he put his arm around my waist. I met Danny at a party and I don't plan to go back. I enjoy alone time with Danny more than anything. 

"oh, so a no from dan, joey?" harry questioned and looked at Joey. 

"no, and I rather chill at home with my girlfriend." joey says and Harry nodded. 

"that a shame, I want to get to know Roxanne." a girl said all sudden and I turned around to see the girl that Danny talk to when he introduced me to his friends. Danny breathes through his nose anoyed and he pulled me closer to him. 

"Sorry but I have a plan with my girlfriend val. bedsides I don't want o go to a party with you there." Danny says and he pulled me towards joey's car. "go to Jen and join her in the car. this might get messy." Danny whispered in my ear as we walked towards joey's car. I just need as Jen saw what  Danny was doing. jen moved more into the car and I sat in. danny kissed my cheek before joey closed the door. I felt scared for some reason. Jen put her hand over mines and she had a smile on her face. the moment the door closed jen spoke up. 

"it's okay, I been there before and Danny is just protecting you from val," Jen says and I nodded. I knew Jen knew Danny well and maybe she knows val well too. Jen must experience their whole relationship until the break-up.  

"can I ask you a question?" I asked looking a Jen who was still holding my hand. it was nice and comforting from what was going on out there. jen looked supirsed but nodded. 

"what is it? you can ask anything," Jen said and now I can see how joey changed because of her. she's so nice and the most caring person you can ever meet. 

"can you tell me about val? I know you basically know her as Danny told me you convicted him to break up with her," I say and Jen looked more surprised. jen sighed before she squeezes my hand. 

"well one val is crazy and two she was always unfaithful. when Danny was dating val she would try to have s*x with Danny every day but he manages to push away when he wasn't feeling it. they did have s*x though. val was always a party person and she did tell dan to come with her but Danny once again managed to not go at all until he meets Harry and Greg. let me tell you this, val cheated when she did go to the parties and Danny knew. the thing is val was the second person Danny could only trust other than me. I'm just glad I convinced him to break up with her." Jen says and I just nodded taking in Jen's words. "val obviously as you can see is a jealous type. she found out Danny became more popular because of joey and his crew. she wants to get back with him but he found you. you got lucky, Danny is the sweetest guy you could ever meet." Jen continued and she squeezed my hand. I heard yelling from the outside but since Jen is squeezing my hand I felt safe. 

"so he relied on val and you but now he has friends like Harry and Greg. how did they meet anyways?" I asked wanting to know. jen sighed again. 

"they in school as they dated for three years. they meet in class and at this time val was innocent but she changed over time of course." Jen sad and the yelling stopped outside. 

"I see, I'm glad you convicted Danny to break up with her," I said as the door opened. Jen still continued to hold my hand as when the door completely opened Danny showed up looking stressed out. 

"you guys okay?" Danny asked as joey walked towards the driver seat. I looked to see Greg and harry gone. did they go home? 

"were okay, let all just go home," Jen said and she leans back at her seat leting go of my hand. Danny was here now and I felt safe that Danny wasn't hurt at all. 

"good, are you okay rox? I'm sorry about that. do you want to drop home?" Danny said and looked at me. he cupped my cheek and looked at me worried. joey entered the drover seat starting his car. now I know about his past relationship I felt like I knew Danny even more. 

"I'm okay and yes, please. I'm sure my mom is wondering why I'm staying after school for too long." I saw and Danny nodded as he leans in to kiss me sweetly like usual. he definitely was the sweetest guy I ever met. 

"Okay." Danny lean back and he walked to the passger seat. I looked at Jen who had her seat belt on. that went for joey too. I put on my seat belt as the door closed. 

(Danny's perspective) 

"so what happened exactly," Jen asked sitting at her desk. she was doing homework since her joey hung out the whole day after school. I groaned and laid on her bed. I was at her house late because I need to talk to her and yes I still hang out with her sometimes especially when I have problems. 

"val said that she was sorry and wanted to get back with me but she wanted to make sure she sees I break up with rox first in front her. of course, I told her no way and the boys were on my side basically. what about you and rox? what did you guys talk about in the car? you were holding her hand." I say and look at Jen who stopped doing her homework at this point. Jen crosses her legs at the desk seat. her frame was small so she can do that. I can't do that. I'm sure Roxanne can do the same with her small frame too. 

"that's val for you. she wants to see the prof and plus she planning to use you again since you became more popular and now have more friends. also you know she'll cheat on you again like always. just be glad that joey and the other boys have common sense." Jen said and I sighed as she was right. val used me the whole time as she knew she was the second person I could rely on during the time. I have friends now and a new girlfriend. I have more people to rely on. 

"Still no way I'm not getting back with val. she managed to go after joey said that a slut like her deserve to not even be in a relationship. that might have been too much but val would go away." I say and Jen looked shocked. I guess she never thought joey would say that. 

"joey would never say that but knowing val I guess it was the only way to get val away from Roxanne," Jen says and she looked down. "Roxanne asked me about val and I told her just the basic. you know how she is a party person and cheated on you as if you'll ever know. she a stubborn girl and plus your situation at the time. you know how you were close with me and val only at the time. Roxanne understood of course." Jen says and she looked at me. I nodded, I can see why Jen was holding her hand. she was comforting Roxanne as she was scared. it good that Roxanne asked Jen other than me. I would say anything to be honest if she asked me. 

"that good you didn't tell her all the fights we had. the fights we had were ugly and plus how val treated you when I was dating her." I say and Jen nodded in agreement. 

"Just make sure you stay close to rox, who knows if Val's friends will make a move without knowing. ypu should warn rox about val and her friends. ask her if she was ever bullied? it not good if she was bullied after you guys started to date." Jen says and I took in Jen's words. that I have to note for sure, I'll call Roxanne later. 

"I'll do that, I'm glad that I can rely on you for advice," I say getting up and looking at Jen with a smile. Jen smiled back. 

"Just because we're in different relationships doesn't mean we can't talk to each other. if you want to talk just come to me anytime dan." Jen says and I nodded. 

"The same goes for me. if joey cheats on you tell me and I'll beat him up bad," I say Jen scoffed as she shook her head. 

"gotcha, I'll update you when joey cheats on me," Jen jokingly says and I chuckled. looks like val is going to be part of my life for a while. I have to protect Roxanne no matter what.