The Devil with Charm

Part 2

I impatiently tapped my foot against the base of the car. We had been waiting for 10 minutes for Sir Daniel to appear. After the eleventh minute of waiting I forced Emma to go in and and pull him out otherwise I'd be off on my own.
"Goodbye Mr. Finn!" I heard Emma say. I turned towards their driveway and saw Emma walking down with Daniel just behind her. Now if I say that he looked like poop, I'd be lying. He was wearing a deep green polo shirt teamed with a pair of dark blue jeans and black sport shoes.
His hair was in a careless tousle. As they approached the car, I could clearly see his sharp facial features- dark mystifying eyes, a sharp nose and the signature smirk. Sometimes I wish I could slap the smirk off his face.
He stopped short when he saw me in the front seat. I turned my head and looked straight, but I saw that he was utterly shocked to see me there. Apparently my lovely friend had not told him either about the 'group' plan. Well done Emma, well done.
This would be the first time since my return to Springdale that I would have to converse with him. Shortly after my Mom died, Dad packed a few things and we moved to New York. Dad had a passion for art and he became a very successful architect. However, he never bought a house in New York. We lived in a small flat despite my Dad's huge bank balance. We returned to Springdale 5 years back. Dad has an architectural agency in New York, and a pretty successful one. He visited New York once in a while, but managed most of the work from Springdale itself. That's one of the reasons why I love him so much. He is always there for me.
"Get out, I'm sitting in front, " I heard a voice say. My head snapped up and I saw Daniel impatiently running his hand up and down his hair. "I'm not moving from here, " I said flatly. No way was this guy making me change seats. Emma sensed a tension between us and said quickly, "Daniel, why don't you start the drive? I'll take over once we reach the highway." On hearing Emma's words, I glared at her. She was gonna make me sit next to him?! But I didn't say anything. I just picked up my mobile phone and started playing 4 pics one word.
I was so engrossed in my game that I didn't even realise when we reached the highway. Daniel was still driving, one hand on the steering wheel, one drawn carelessly on the car window. It was then that my nausea hit me. "Please turn off the AC, I get sick in a closed vehicle," I said calmly, trying not to he rude. I was gonna have to spend 3 whole days around him, so lesser the tension, the better.
"Why do you need it off? " he asked.
"I said I get sick in closed vehicles."
"It's too hot outside to turn off the AC."
"Do you want me to puke on you? Because I don't mind at all." I said casually.
He gave me a sour expression and put down the windows. "I'd rather not have my brand new Lee Coopers stained with digestive waste." I gave him a smug look and looked down at my phone again. This journey may not be all that bad.
"Guys, this is boring. We can't just drive for 3 days without talking," Emma spoke up from the backseat. Emma didn't want to drive so I volunteered in her place. I enjoyed driving. The cool wind blew my straight hair across my face as we drove along lush green fields.
All of a sudden, Daniel cheered up. "Let's talk!" he said mimicking the high school girls. The high pitched words sent Emma and me into such a fit that it took us both 2 whole minutes to recover. "You're good at copying the fussy type," I said, quite impressed by this 'skill'. He did a little courtesy and said, "My pleasure." It was odd to see him be friendly with me. My entire childhood was filled with anti-Daniel memories- me crying in on corner of my room because Daniel said I was the unluckiest girl in the neighbourhood because I lost my mom, me in the park and Daniel mocking the new ballerinas that dad bought me on my birthday, me hiding in the ladies restroom so that I wouldn't bump into Daniel. Daniel's bullying was one of the reasons why Dad wanted us to shift residence. He didn't want my childhood to be corrupted by such experiences. We barely spoke to each other once I returned to Springdale, even though we went to the same school. No mocking words, no unfriendly gestures. He ignored my presence, and I happily ignored him back. For all that mattered, Daniel's ignoring was a blessing after my return to Springdale. Now seeing this new, funny, awfully friendly Daniel was a change. And it was definitely a change for the better. Ah well, time changes everything. Including my dislike for Daniel.
"Earth to Nancy," said Emma, snapping her fingers in front of me. "Boo," I said and stuck my tongue out. "How old are you? 10? 11?," Daniel said with a disapproving look. "I'm hungry, " groaned Emma from the backseat before I could greet that reply with some biting wit. "There, I can see a gas station, I'll pull up there and you can get us lunch, " Daniel replied. He pulled up in front of the station and Emma hopped off to get our hamburgers. I was about to plug in my earphones when Daniel said, "Look Nancy, I am sorry about whatever happened in the past and I know it is difficult for you to forget it but please don't make that the reason behind this grudge you have against me. You can hate me for my good looks but please not for that incident. " "Good looks?" I said rolling my eyes. "Do not deny it, you know you love my pretty face, " he winked at me. I just shook my head in surrender. "I don't hate you...anymore, " I said, without looking at him. But I could sense his body, which has stiffened up when he turned to talk to me, relax and perhaps, a smile spread on his face. Forgive and be forgiven, I said to my devil side which didn't want me to forgive him. However, there was one thing certain after this incident- I need to find out what has caused this change in heart of the devil who has (correction: had) a reputation of never uttering the holy word 'sorry'.

A/N- Hi readers! Exams coming up so the updates might be slow but I'm trying! Any ideas on what has caused this 'change in heart' in Daniel? The person who guesses it gets a shout out ;) And a cover or two someone? *puppy eyes* pleeeease? Haha writing is fun. Sorry for the typos and cheers to Wattpad!