Bittersweet Honey

25. End of the Day

"The roof was pretty windy
And she didn't say a word.
Party dying downstairs,
Had nothing else to do,
Just me, her, and the moon."

-One Direction

Toni.

     I stroll my suitcase across the hall and into Daniel's room. I just really need to change out of these dirty clothes, I was a bit sweaty all day because I was a little nervous and then the day just got crazier by the minute.

     I leave the suitcase on the floor next to the couch, and I take out some sweatpants and a tank top, before I change I make sure the door is closed. Mom and dad would not approve this at all, me staying at Daniel Ricciardo's house with three of his friends. Growing up half Latina means I could rarely have sleepovers, because you never know.

     The bathroom is pretty nice, but there are lots of men's products all over the place. I do manage to make room for my face wash and moisturizer. I feel a little cleaner and I decide to make my way back to the living room.

     Michael and Daniel are in the kitchen making some snacks.

     "You're alive." Michael comments with a big smile on his face. And I raise my arms in victory, but I can't even raise them the whole way, they hurt, probably from the erratic day I just had.

     "Barely." I answer as I make my way to the couch. Daniel doesn't say anything, so I just scroll through Instagram for a moment, seeing lots of posts about today's race. Daniel seems awfully calm even though he got a podium today. I do come across a selfie he posted holding up his trophy. I look over at him and he's so focused chopping up some carrots, and the scent of buffalo wings starts to fill the room. I didn't realize I haven't eaten since breakfast, I only had popcorn at the race.

     "Smells good." I comment, standing up to meet them at the kitchen.

     "Thanks, Toni, it's just some frozen wings for dinner. Do you have any allergies?" Michael asks.

     "Sounds good. I'm just allergic to walnuts and hazelnuts." I tell him, and I look over at Daniel, and he looks back at me.

     "Oh okay, good to keep that in mind." Michael smiles back. I don't know why Daniel is suddenly so quiet.

     "Yeah, thanks. So...what's the surprise, Daniel? Don't tell me we're riding bikes through fire." I sarcastically say, hoping to get some words out of him.

     "That would be pretty wild, that's for sure." He answers looking up at me, and then takes a bite off a celery stick. "But that's not what we're doing."

     I look at him with an unintentional grin. I can't imagine what he has planned.

     "C'mon, the guys are already outside." Daniel instructs and heads to the backyard. I help Michael with a platter of boneless wings that make my mouth water. Daniel carries the veggie tray and a beer six-pack.

     I follow them outside and I'm actually surprised, in a good way, to find a little bonfire, a couple chairs, and a screen they must have put up with a sheet, and they're projecting The Office on it, it looks like an outdoor movie theater.

     "Okay, this is actually quite nice." I confess as I put down the food on the table in the middle.

     "I'm glad you like it, Tones." Daniel answers, giving me a brand new nickname. And I kind of like the sound of it, no one had ever called me that.