Change over time

chapter 4

To say that I was shocked would be an understatement. I had never truely had a birthday party .What made it 10 times more special was the fact that all of my high school friends were there . I had quite a few but I was never popular. Slowly I walked up to every person individually and thanked them dearly for coming. I exhausted myself doing that and decided to escape to the kitchen. I heard the blazing bass from the other room vibrate through my body. There was lots of food and drinks and many interesting games set up . Everyone was cramped liked sardines in there, it made me feel kind of nauseous since I didn't like tight spaces . I came to get fresh air. Aparently I wasn't the only one with that idea ;that annoying guy from the park was here too.Daniel I think.
He walked up to me in front of the counter and stood next to me leaning back with his arms folded. "So.... Hope that's your name? What happened your mum had a hard birth or something? I mean come on... what kind of name is Hope . It's not even a name it's a word." He teased.
"Shut up tramp , it's my birthday can you at least spare me for today? But I understand that tramps don't get much company so they have to make the most of it when they do." I wasn't in the mood for his idiotic cusses.
"Whatever I'll let it slide this time."
With that we slipped into an awkward silence; a few minutes later he said "Daniel my name is Daniel." , out of the blue.
"Daniel huh. I already knew that . At least it's not as lame as 'Hope'."  I complimented.
"You know I was joking right , hope sounds thoughtful and intelligent." He stated.
"No. I don't think so anyway." I said gloomily.
"Look everything I said I didn't mean even though I didn't start this war I'm just going to tell you this." He sighed deeply before continuing, I became intrigued by this to hear what he had to say. "I live with my dad , my mother left years ago and I haven't seen her since. He's an alcoholic and usually abuses me when he's drunk , which is regularly. Ever since I can remember he's been like this and that's probably why mum left . If it is then I don't blame her.I used to get teased a lot because of my bruises ,at school, and after a while I decided to reply to the comments and verbally abuse them until they quit teasing me. It always worked and since then I promised myself that I would never allow myself to be pushed over by anyone. That's why I am the way I am . It's my defence mechanism."
His confession made me think I tried to get eyes contact but my blue eyes never met his distant ones. "I'm sorry." I apologized . He then turned  his head towards me and our eyes met. "It's ok you didn't know."
I then put my hand out and then asked "Start over?" And he replied with a nod , held out his hand and shook mine.
"The names Dan ." He introduced
"And I'm Hope nice to meet you Dan."
"You too."
"Wanna go back in ?" He asked
"Sure."