Forbidden Kiss (Danielle Savre and Stefania Spampinato)

2. First Look

"Danielle, what a surprise," Stefania said while approaching the table.

It's been almost five years since the last time Stefania saw Danielle or Cody. She sees Marcus and Emma once in a while at the coffee shop since it's her favorite place to get cherry pie or tea.

"Hello," Danielle said while still staring at Emma.

"Good to see you all together," Lucy smiled while looking at Emma, whose mouth was still a little open as she can't believe what her friend just said.

"First time in almost five years!" Marcus did his happy dance. He's a little too excited to see his old teachers, in Danielle's taste, and that's why she gave him a little look before focusing on her empty plate.

"How exciting is that?" Stefania said while looking at Danielle's back and secretly hoping that Danielle will turn around and look at her too.

Stefania remembers what happened the last time they saw each other. She kissed Danielle. Without any context or warning and it was the first and the last time she kissed a girl. Even though Stefania knew it was wrong, she couldn't help herself. She always thought that Danielle was sunshine in human form, and it made her somehow special.

"Very exciting," Emma replied. "Do you want to join us at the table? We were talking about graduation and all the fun things that happened there," Emma was smiling from ear to ear, and Stefania understood what fun they are talking about.

"Thank you, but I think we will sit down next to the window. Don't want to ruin your special moment," Lucy replied, perfectly understanding how awkward this situation could get if they sit down here.

"It was good to see you all," Stefania said before heading to the corner table next to the big window.

Stefania felt distracted by Danielle's presence the whole time she was at the coffee shop. She couldn't concentrate on anything Lucy said because she kept on looking at Danielle in hopes for her to turn around.

"Can you be any more obvious?" Lucy asked while shaking her head.

"Spiacente?" Stefania looked at her a little blushed.

"You keep on looking at her," Lucy looked at her phone. "I'm not saying that it's bad, but I didn't expect you to react like that,"

"I'm not looking at anyone," Stefania looked at Danielle's table as she saw some movement there. "I think they are leaving," She whispered.

Both Stefania and Lucy watched Danielle and her friends gather their things and slowly walk towards the coffee shop exit. They all were talking about something, and as much as Stefania tried to catch Danielle's eyes, she couldn't.  

"I'm sorry," Lucy gently squeezed Stefania's hand.

"It's nothing. It was just that one kiss five years ago," Stefania quickly said. "I feel stupid now," She was about to look at Lucy, but Danielle turned her head to the side and looked at Stefania. Stefania's brown eyes met Danielle's blue eyes for a brief second before Danielle smiled, and Stefania felt like she got struck by lighting.

"Oh God," Stefania felt her heart racing. 

It's been almost four days since Danielle got back. She met Cody this morning for a run and then Emma afterward for a smoothie. They spend some time together before Danielle rushed back to her apartment. She was feeling kind of anxious after last night's nightmare, and not even run or meeting with best friends helped her to feel better.

Danielle's phone screen lit up as she was sitting on the kitchen counter and eating some grapes. She looked at the phone and saw a message from Marcus.

Marcus: Are you busy?

Danielle: Not really. Is everything okay?

Marcus: Can you do me a favor?

Danielle: Of course. What's up?

Marcus didn't reply instantly, so Danielle went to her room and put some jeans on. As she was looking for a top, her phone started buzzing.

"Is everything okay?" Danielle asked as she could hear some loud screaming in the background.

"Could you maybe pick up my sister from school?" Marcus quietly said. "And make sure that she doesn't come home for another hour or so?"

"I can do that, but what's going on?" Danielle put some white top on and sat down on her bed.

"I'll tell you later. Just make sure she doesn't get home until I text you, okay?" Marcus' voice was shaking, and that made Danielle feel even more anxious.

"Do you want to meet at the coffee shop later?" Danielle asked as she was putting some shoes on.

"I'll text you. Can you get my sister now?" He asked.

"I'm leaving my place now," Danielle said while locking her apartment door.

"Thank you, Danielle. You really are the best of us," Marcus said before ending the phone call. Danielle could feel that something horribly wrong is happening. 

It took Danielle around seven minutes to get to the school. It was the same high school Danielle went and looking at it now made her feel nostalgic. It seemed like nothing really changed here.

"Out of all the people, you were the last one I was expecting to see here," Danielle looked up from the ground to see Stefania slowly approaching her. Stefania's voice made Danielle's knees weak.

"Not my first choice either," Danielle smiled while trying to avoid Stefania's look.

"Oh, you came here for me? That's so nice of you," Stefania gently touched Danielle's shoulder. She could feel some kind of electric feeling between the two of them.

Danielle nervously laughed. She could feel her palms getting sweaty, and her cheeks start blushing.

"I'm just kidding. Are you here to pick up someone?" Stefania laughed.

"Cara, Marcus' sister," Danielle looked around after few groups of teenagers came out of the school.

"Did something happened again?" Stefania looked around. "She should be out in a minute,"

"Again? What do you mean again?" Now Danielle was staring at Stefania and trying to read her facial expression.

"I'm not sure if I should talk to you about this," Stefania crossed her arms and raised one eyebrow.

"Marcus is my friend," Danielle quickly said.

"That's why Marcus should tell you everything," Stefania smiled, and Danielle looked at her lips for a moment before closing her eyes and letting out a heavy sigh.

"You're probably right," Danielle opened her eyes to see Stefania still smiling. "What?"

"You know we will need to talk about what happened eventually?" Stefania leaned in closer to Danielle.

_____

Stay safe and happy lovely people!  🥰 Lots of love from me to you.