It's Not an Existential Crisis

Chapter 36

Chapter 36

*****ARIELLA's POV******

"I can't do this- I'm sorry," I pulled back. He looked at me as if his eyes were laced with pain, but quickly covered that emotion with embarrassment.

"No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that. I'm not even sure what I'm doing right now and-"

"I think I'd better go," I stood up a little too quickly, "Just, uh, text me when our next meeting will be. I- I'll see you later."

I quickly walked back inside to grab my coat. I immediately texted Dan to come pick me up, I just wanted to go home.

*****

Dan finally showed up in a cab; I sat down into the seat next to him. Should I tell him about what just happened?

"How was the party?" He asked.

"It was good..."

"Are you okay?" He raised an eyebrow skeptically.

"Yeah, I-I'm fine, just really tired."

"Alright, just making sure," He grabbed my hand as we both sat for the rest of the car ride in silence.

****

When we arrived at our flat, I was still in a daze- completely forgetting about the immediate steps at the door; I tripped only to be caught by the strong arms of my boyfriend and an immediate sense of security flushed over me and I couldn't help but let the tears build up in my eyes, right there to the entrance of our building. By the time I composed myself enough, I was sitting in the lounge with a steaming cup of vanilla flavored coffee, a blanket draped around my shoulders and a curious Dan who was still trying to discover why I wasn't acting like myself. He began to nervously play with his hands as I mustered up enough courage to tell him what truly happened.

"Dan-" I said in a hoarse voice. I cleared my throat, "Dan."

It sounded more forceful than intended. He looked up. I was about to start telling about what happened but I could not form words out of my mouth.

"Ari, tell me what's going on, please," he grabbed my hand, soothingly rubbing it with his thumb.

"You were right about Clyde, he-uh.." Come on Ari, just say it, "he tried to kiss me."

I noticed that his grip slightly tensed up as I said this "Before you do anything Dan-"

As the words left my mouth, I realized it was much too late; he seemed to have flown to the front door off to beat Clyde just like he had done to Austin. It scared me to see him that way, "DAN! STOP!"

He quickly stepped toward me again, "What Ari? What!? Are you actually going to try and defend him?"

"No Dan- just listen, please," I say defeated yet hopeful that he would take the moment to hear my thoughts, "He was drunk, down right blasted- I had taken him outside for some air and keep in mind that he doesn't know about you-about us- for all he knows, he thinks I'm single. I was about to tell him but then he started saying this nonsense about an instant connection and tried to kiss me-"

"What are you saying Ariella? Do you like this Clyde guy? Should I feel sorry for him? Should I not be mad about a STRANGER attempting to kiss my fí-" he paused, composed his thoughts then continued, "my fucking girlfriend?!"