Without Words

6- Under your Spell

AN: Italicized portions are flashbacks.

"Your free period?" Tabi asked as she gathered her books from the table.

"Yup." I answered as I finished the ridiculous essay Katelyn wanted me to do as a voluntary contribution to the school paper. "I'll just stay out here and enjoy the air."

"By the way, Katelyn listed you to contribute three more articles." She chuckled and waved at me. "Learn to say no next time."

"Bloody hell, Katelyn." I muttered as I rested my head on the table. At this rate, she might rope me into cheerleading and I would be powerless to say no.

I stared at the school garden for a while and just let my surroundings soak in. After fighting with Matt, things became tenser between us. Mom never noticed because she was never really present, even on the rare moments when she had dinner with us. The nail in the coffin happened when I came home late from club activities and found them with Andy and Sophie at the dinner table chatting happily. Andy seemed like a good man and gave me journal of some sort as a gift. I graciously accepted it. Mom offered me a plate but I politely refused and went to my room. I could hear their happy chatters and laugh from my room and I just curled into a ball under my blanket and let the tears fall freely. At this point, I was already a master of crying quietly.

After dinner and when everyone else were in their rooms, I snuck back downstairs and ate the cold leftovers from the fridge. I wanted to cry at my situation. Here I am, sneaking into my own house just so I could eat. That was the point when I realized I didn't deserve this kind of treatment. Every weekend, I would stay over at Katelyn's. In fact, Katelyn's mom, Caroline, already announced their guest bedroom to be my room. Most of my stuff was already there and so far, Matt and mom didn't notice my absence during weekends. Big surprise there.

I am a girl with a plan and I will execute that plan to the best of my ability. If they think I would stay there and accept this treatment, they have another thing coming. I've already contacted some people and roped my friends into helping me. By the end of the month, it's as if I wasn't even there to begin with.

"Is this sit taken?" A familiar voice asked and I stiffened. I would remember that voice anywhere, it's different but familiar at the same time.

I quickly whipped my head up and was greeted with a pair of ocean blue eyes staring back at me. "Danny." I said breathlessly.

He chuckled as he took the sit beside me. "I go by Dan now, actually."

He most definitely changed from the last time I saw him. Where Noah was the lanky boy that played with us, Dan was the chubby kid with long hair that would always follow me and Matt around. He was close with Matt but he was just as protective of me. In fact, I was pretty sure he was the very first guy who spoiled me.

Now, the awkward chubby kid was gone. Dan looks tall, even when seating, though not as tall as Luca. His brown hair is a shade darker than mine and looked effortlessly styled in a messy look. His innocent blue eyes twinkles with mischief and the chubby cheeks before were replaced by a sharp angular jaw. His thin lips were tilted to the side as he regarded me. "No words, Elle? Even when you're here, you still won't talk to me?" He said it playfully but I can hear the hard edge in it.

I cleared my throat, trying to compose myself. "I was just surprised." I sat straight and faced him. "So, how are you?"

He laughed and it amazes me how it was still the same laugh like before. "I don't know if I should be proud of your arrogance or impressed."

That took me of guard, but then again, I already expected it. "So you're in the I Hate Eliza Forbes club too?"

He shrugged, leaning back on his sit as he examined me. "Not really. I just wanted to see what the fuss was all about."

"So you're not mad at me?"

He stared at me for a long time and I was really hoping that he would say no. I couldn't handle it if Dan would treat me the same as Matt.

"No, I'm not mad." I sighed in relief. "Quite the opposite, I feel nothing."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"It means that you don't affect me the same way as you did before." He answered as he stood up and ran a hand through his hair. "I must admit, they were right when they said you're pretty. But I think Matt wouldn't hold his punches if we decided to continue from where we left of before you left."

I stood up, this is why I was nervous seeing him again. "Danny, please, I just-"

"Dan." He corrected, his blue eyes piercing right through me. "No one calls me that anymore."

"I'm sorry for leaving." I continued, trying to desperate explain myself without revealing too much. "I promise, it has nothing to do with your confession back then."

He chuckled and leaned closer to me, his lips tilted to that annoying smile once again. "I'm not the same person as before, Elle. And I'm surely not Matt. The past is the past. We've all moved on but apparently, you are still stuck to five years ago where you think everything is happy-"

"I didn't say that nor did I expect a happy reunion for all of us." I quipped with a sudden urge to defend myself.

"Good." He leaned away, those familiar blue eyes staring blankly at me. "Then don't look so shocked that we don't fall down on our knees for you."

"Bloody hell, Danny, I didn't expect a freaking welcoming parade but the least both of you could do is drop the hostilities and treat me as a decent human being."

"Expect the hostility from your brother." He shrugged as he started to walk away. "As for me, don't bother to expect anything at all. Like I said, all I feel is indifference."

.........................................

"Are you sure you're fine with the strawberry one?" I asked Danny for the third time. "I know you hate strawberries."

He nodded his head, his thick flop of hair swaying at the movement. "I'm fine. Besides, you like chocolate more."

I smiled toothily at him. "I do."

He laughed and sat beside me, our backs leaning against the thick tree. "Aren't you cold?"

"Nah, I'm fine. My sweater is pretty thick." I munched at the chocolate cupcake he got for me. "Grown up parties are so boring."

"Tell me about it. Dad was gushing over Declan to the neighbors again."

I frowned, not liking it when Danny was upset. Declan is his older brother and for some reason, their dad always brags about his accomplishments at school- which is weird. It's not his own accomplishments, aren't they?

I offered my half bitten cupcake at him to cheer him up. "You can take the last bite."

He shook his head confusingly. "That's yours."

"And now I'm giving it to you." I insisted and I just knew how to put a smile back into his face. "Pretty please, Danny, take the cupcake." I pleaded him with my best pout and puppy dog eyes.

Like a charm, he took the cupcake and ate it in one gulp. I laughed as his chubby cheeks turned plumper with the effort.

"You cheated." He said accusingly.

"I'm just taking advantage of my magic over you." I said playfully and rested my head on his shoulders comfortably. "One day, my puppy dog eyes may not work on you anymore."

"Impossible." He mumbled quietly as he moved an unruly curl away from my face. "I would always be under your spell."