Forever

Chapter Nine

Dana and Chandler made their way upstairs; wrapping up any last thought about what they just watched. Their focused turned to the two girls playing a game against Robert. Dana wasn't shocked to to Jessica and another girl having their turn due to the social butterfly Jessica was. Lana was right behind her cheering her on with her cup gripped tightly in her hand.

Chandler chuckled at the sight. "I thought you were lying when you said you gamed." His half smile sent her heart into overload. "Maybe I'll invite you over sometime soon so we can play. It's not unusual for my console to be over taken on a weekend."

Dana nodded in agreement while her gleaming eyes stayed locked on him despite him moving further into the room. She sighed while fascinated by the relaxing time they spent together. She was even more satisfied with how he listened the whole time.

"What!" Lana shouted when Jessica's entire body jumped into the air. "Two times in a row! Yes! We told you!" Lana's hands were now in Robert's face as he took one irritated look at her and left his spot on the couch. Both girls did a dance to rub in the pain even more then ended it with a hip bump. "Dana! Where have you been girl?" She pointed across the room.

Chandler turned to look at her with an effort to contain his laughter. He then motioned her to move deeper into the room and she followed. "It's getting pretty late. We should probably start heading home."

"Awe," the two moaned.

"Yep! Alright everyone. This little gathering is over. I have to clean up before my parents get back from business vacations." Chandler raised his eyebrows as he scanned the room. Endless trash, cups, and food particles coated the floor. How such a small group could make a mess like this in two hours was unknown. "But... thank you all for coming." He then turned to Dana who didn't bother to release her eyes from his frame. "I'll walk you out?" Dana didn't hesitate to agree.

It was almost eight by the time the three girls made their way out the front door. Lana and Jessica held hands as they giggled and gossiped about how cute some of chandlers friends were. Dana ignored them since the guy she found attractive was standing right next to her shoulder.

"So there's an exam we need to take posted online. I think it's open book or even open brain." She knew what he was hinting at but she wasn't sure if it would go as she liked. "Maybe you can come over-"

Dana grimaced as she looked away. "I'm having fun and all doing this but I've never done my homework with other people. Sometimes it's hard for me to focus." It would be impossible to focus with Chandler near. "Maybe we can study for it and work on it separately."

"It's just that I'm not doing so well in her class. The help would be beyond what I really need." The desperate look in his eyes caused a shift in her decision. "You did such a great job on last weeks essay that I realized we could really make this a thing."

A thing? Was Chandler Beckett inviting her over more times to build a friendly relationship? Was this just what Dana was seeking? Her heart was beating wildly as his words slowly but surely made an impact.

"How about I think about it." Chandler sighed at her response. "I'll get back with you today or later this week." She rubbed up and down her arm nervously. "It's just... what I said before..."

"Yeah, I know."

The sound of Dana's car horn going off caused the both of them to jump and see the commotion going on behind them. "Come on girl! Y'all can kiss later!"

Dana felt as if she was going to die. "I clearly have to go. Just text me or I'll text you! Somebody will text somebody!" She smiled and waved while walking backwards to her car. Before she got to the door she turned to jump in and scold her friends for embarrassing her. "I think I don't want to be seen as an idiot in front of a guy like him."

Jessica nodded with a look of pure understanding. "You like him." The words came out of her mouth with directness that Dana almost backed into his mailbox. "Or he likes you." She pointed at Dana. "You both like each other. You think we didn't notice you dip out the moment you could." She smirked. "What happen down there?"

Dana, in the most serious voice she could muster up, answered honestly. "Homework." Lana let out a loud laugh in return. "What? We watched a Ted talk. We did homework."

"Leave it to Dana to be left alone with a boy I get hundreds of requests to hook someone up with and they do... homework." Jessica rolled her eyes.

Two hands gripped the side of the driver and passenger seat before they were used to lunge Lana's body forward and in between both girls. "Julian and I do homework."

"You both weren't doing that when you first started dating," Jessica winked. "That's such a Dana thing though. Face first in a book."

"Well, what are we supposed to do?" Dana questioned.

Jessica scoffed. "What do genders dos when they're in the same space? Not homework. No chatting."

Both girls looked at Dana with devious eyes which made Dana gulp.