Rose Tinted Lenses

Chapter 13

The serotonin flooded through Kendall when Daniel scored the winning basket right on the buzzer. The audience stood and cheered.

Daniel's team-mates picked him up and carried him on their shoulders, chanting his name. Kendall allowed a huge smile to stretch across her face. She adored seeing him so happy and care-free. She wished she could see more of that side of him.

Once the celebrations calmed down, Kendall plodded down to the bleachers and over to Daniel. He beamed as he watched her approach.

"Congratulations, good game," she said nonchalantly.

He quirked a teasing eyebrow. "That's all I get? Good game? Come on, Princess, you were having the time of your life watching me kick ass today."

She reddened and rolled her eyes to hide her nerves. She evidently hadn't hidden her excitement very well if he'd noticed it from where he was playing on the court.

"Okay fine, I had fun watching you. You played pretty amazingly," she smiled.

He smirked and said cockily, "I think I deserve a congratulatory hug."

Kendall kept her arms to her sides. She'd never been much of a hugger.

His smirk grew and without warning he took her waist and picked her up. As he pulled towards him he spun her round, causing her arms instinctively to wrap round his neck.

Finally he put her down, but she'd been so startled she hadn't registered her feet were back on the ground and her arms remained firmly around his neck.

He chuckled. "I know you like me, Princess, but you can let go now."

Her eyes met his and widened in embarrassment, before she jumped away as though he was on fire.

He laughed louder and she crossed her arms defensively.

"You should come to the after party. It's at my place," he stated.

"You sure you want me at this one?" she said with a challenging stare.

He nodded, defeated. "Yeah, I know I was an ass at the last one but I promise that won't happen this time."

"Maybe." She said casually, trying not to seem too interested.

"Great. I'm gonna hit the showers and change. You can drive us once I'm ready," he said, and ran off to the locker rooms before she could protest.

***

The evening sky shrouded the parking lot in darkness, with only lamp posts providing some flickering light.

Kendall checked her watch for the third time in five minutes; she was growing impatient. She had never been comfortable in the dark by herself, probably because Austin almost never let that happen.

The doors to the venue finally swung open but Daniel did not walk out. It was the opposing team that walked towards her with so much confidence you'd never have guessed they'd just had their asses handed to them.

They didn't look at all friendly and Kendall wasn't one to wait around to find out. She hopped in her car and locked the doors, then peered out the window to see if they were still heading towards her. By then, they'd walked straight past her and scattered into their own cars. She breathed a sigh of relief.

Suddenly, someone knocked on her window and she felt her soul leave her body. She jumped and let out a squeal but saw with relief that it was Daniel at her window, looking very confused. She signalled for him to get in. He threw his duffle bag onto the backseat and turned to face her.

"Are you okay? You look like you've just seen a ghost," he said.

Kendall was staring speechlessly. His damp hair and black hoodie, his intoxicatingly good cologne, that was filling the car with his masculinity, she just wanted to crawl into his lap and snuggle into his hoodie.

She became aware she'd been staring for at least a minute, without saying a word.

He didn't seem to mind and his signature smirk made an appearance. "Are you checking me out, Princess?"

Kendall didn't need a mirror to know she was as red as a lobster. She scoffed and rolled her eyes to mask her embarrassment, but it clearly wasn't working. Daniel's smirk grew even wider.

"What took you so long?" she demanded.

He chuckled at her attempt to change the subject.

"Beauty like mine takes time," he said.

Kendall scoffed again. "Yeah okay, let's go."

***

They drove contentedly to Daniel's house with just the gentle sound of the radio in the background until Kendall decided it was time to put an end to the silence.

"Where were your parents tonight?" Kendall asked.

Daniel stiffened. "They were busy, out of town."

"Oh." was all Kendall could think to say in reply. She could tell he wasn't being completely truthful, but felt it wasn't her business.

They pulled into the Stryker residence and Kendall found herself thinking once again what an adorably homely property it was.

Daniel interrupted her thoughts. "What are you staring at? Come on, the party's already started."

She tried to keep up with his long strides as they made their way to the front door from where came the sound of loud, thumping music. Daniel dragged her straight into the grand kitchen and the whole room erupted in cheers as they entered. Daniel got pats on the back and congratulations left right and centre, whilst Kendall stood by with an awkward smile.

Guys began handing Daniel drinks and cheering him on as he downed them in seconds. Ten minutes later and Kendall was still watching idly as the scene in front of her unfolded. Daniel was seemingly a hopeless lightweight as the drink was having an immediate effect. To Kendall's relief, Christina appeared at her side.

"You came here together, huh?" Chris asked, waggling her eyebrows.

"In a technical sense but not in the way that you're thinking," Kendall said casually.

Chris didn't seem convinced, but nodded along nonetheless. "Well get ready, he's funny when he's wasted."

Kendall offered a half smile and turned towards Daniel. He looked sweaty and disoriented, but happier than ever. A pretty petite girl pressed herself up against his front and began tracing her fingers down his chest.

Kendall's jaw clenched. She wanted to look away and put an end to the torture, she couldn't pry her eyes off of them. Daniel smirked down at the girl then reached down to the hem of his hoodie and pulled it over his head. Kendall's throat went dry at the thought the two of them were about to start bumping uglies right there and then. But Daniel removed himself from the small girl's embrace and made his way over to Kendall, still clutching the hoodie.

A confident smirk plastered his sweaty face as he thrust the hoodie at her. She took it, sceptically.

"Wear it," he said firmly.

Kendall looked up at him confused, "Why?"

"Please, Princess," he said, pouting.

"Fine," she said and pulled it over her head.

He smiled down at her small frame, drowned in the fabric.

Suddenly someone bellowed, "Beer Pong!"

All the guys, including Daniel, and some of the girls rushed into the other room. Daniel winked at Kendall and disappeared. Her face was burning.

Chris grinned suggestively.

"What?" Kendall said innocently.

"He calls you Princess and he just winked at you after begging you to wear his hoodie for the night," Chris said accusingly.

"So?" Kendall continued to blush.

Chris deadpanned, "Are you braindead? His last name is on the back of that hoodie, he's making sure no guys go near you for the entire night."