Lonely Roads

Chapter 6

In a world of black and white, she found color.

* * *

I look at the woman with a puzzled look and wonder if Daniel gave me the wrong address.

I manage to spit out, "Um, no... Do you know Daniel?"

"Who? Oh, you mean the boy down the street! He's a few houses down on your left, you can't miss it. It's the big blue one. Now, look at you. Daniel's a lucky boy to know such a pretty girl like you!"

My face turns red immediately and I manage to give her a miniscule smile.

"No, haha, it's not like that... Well, thank you for all your help. Bye!"

I retreat down her driveway and continue my way down the road. I check my phone and realize that the encounter made me a few minutes late, so I speed walk until I find the house she described.

Now, this makes more sense, I think to myself as I look at the near mansion in front of me. I can see the flashing lights through the windows, so I approach the door with a little more confidence this time.

Before I can knock a stumbling boy comes out, nearly knocking me over. Daniel quickly comes out and pushes him aside, sending me an apologetic look.

"Hi, Emily. Sorry about that, he's had a little too much to drink," Daniel says while laughing nervously.

"Don't worry about it," I reply.

"Shall we head inside?"

"Sounds good to me."

Daniel holds the door open as I walk inside, nearly blinded by the strobe lights shooting across the room. Once I can handle the lights my eyes open wide as I take in his house.

It's huge.

I thought it looked big from the outside, but I had no idea. The furniture in the giant living room has been pushed aside to make room for a dance floor, filled with people who almost all look like they've had too much to drink. I walk around in awe and finally reach the kitchen. The island is covered only by alcohol and I cringe. I make a mental note to stay away from that stuff.

Daniel asks me,"Would you like something to drink?"

I turn around and see Daniel standing there, chuckling as he notices my mouth wide open.

He looks hot.

"N-no, I'll stick with water," I stutter.

I quickly snap my jaw closed and make my way over to the marble countertop and grab a bottle of water. I chug part of it, trying to will myself to dull the red that spread across my cheeks.

Daniel notices how fast I'm drinking and smirks, causing me to put the bottle down. I give him a confused look and return to admiring his house.

"Your house is amazing," I manage to spit out.

"Thanks, my dad grew up here. He's out of town so voila, party!"

I glance over at him and notice a huge smile spread across his face.

"What?" I ask sharply.

"Nothing, just you look-"

"Daniel!" I heard a familiar voice shriek. "Where have you been?"

I suddenly saw Rose burst through the kitchen entrance and immediately wrap herself around Daniel, planting a big kiss on his cheek.

Rose runs over to me and exclaims, "Emma! It's so nice to see you!"

"It's Emily," I mumble quietly.

She brings me into a bear hug and I'm hit with a horrendous smell which I fugre out to be her breath. She reeks of alcohol. Rose skips back towards Daniel, a red solo cup now in her hand containing God knows what. Daniel sends me an apologetic look and walks out of the room.

For a second I consider taking Daniel up on that drink offer, but I quickly decide against it. I've never seen alcohol do anything positive so why do that to myself now?

I make my way into the living room and make a failed attempt at dancing.

I was always more of a singing girl.

"He's the reason for the teardrops on my guitar,
The only thing that keeps me wishing on a wishing star.
He's the song in the car I keep singing, don't know why I do."

"Great job, sweety!" My dad exclaims from the couch, stretching out his arms for a hug.

I smile from ear to ear and run eagerly into his embrace.

"I always knew you were my little pop star."

I snap out of my flashback and notice that a guy has made his way towards me. I start to back away and retreat to the kitchen when he grabs my arm.

"We just got started. Don't be leaving just yet," the boy slurs. He looks like he's one sip away from falling flat on the floor and passing out.

I try to escape his grasp but he just holds me tighter, pulling me in so I'm forced to breathe his alcohol tainted breath.

He's about to say something more until a strong force pulls him away from me. He snaps his head to the side and finds himself an inch away from Daniel's fuming self.

"What the hell were you thinking? Get your filthy hands off of her," Daniel seethes.

For some reason, all I can think about is how good Daniel looks in that shirt. Something about it makes his eyes pop.

"I was just trying to have fu-"

"Yeah, well party's over for you. Get the hell out of my house."

The boy obliges and drags himself out of Daniel's house. I turn to look at Daniel and find him closer than expected, so close we're almost touching.

"Are you okay?" He asks, the concern in his voice clear.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks for that."

"No problem. Wanna dance?"

I consider his question for a second but quickly respond, "Sure, I'd love to."

He slips his arm around my waist and takes my other hand, twirling me around to the beat of the music. The grins on our faces seem to never cease as we move around the dance floor, but before I know it the song ands and we break apart. We share one last smile before he goes off to check on something.

I try to dance once he's gone, but the little rhythm I had attained left with Daniel. I check my phone and see that it's only 11:00, but I decide to head home anyways. My best friend Abby would be dying to know what happened tonight. I grab my bottle of water and head out the door, only stopping once to look back and find Daniel leaning against the door frame smiling at me. He gives me a small wave and heads back into his house, leaving me to walk home with a whirlwind of thoughts going through my head.