FALLING IN LOVE AT A COFFEE SHOP | D.H [✓]

Thirty Seven

Today was the day I planned on showing Dan all my favourite childhood places and hopefully at the end of the day, also tell him I loved him. This confession was long overdue and I refused to let myself wait another day.

Talking with my mom yesterday made it beyond clear how much I cared for him and even made me realize how much he cared for me. If everyone else could see that we were in love and I finally did as well, I was able to tell him.

"Daaaaaaaaaannnnnn." I drag out as I poke him in the shoulder attempting to wake him up. He simply grunts but makes no attempt to actually wake up.

"Daaaaannnn." I repeat but this time poking his cheek. "C'mon squishy, wake up."

He opens one eye, "Did you just call me squishy?" His voice is raspy and I swear I swooned. Morning voices were the 8th wonder of the world.

"Yes, I did. Do you have a problem with that?" I question with a smirk.

He grunts again and shuts his eye. I narrow my eyes, why did he have to be so stubborn? "Alright fine. Be that way. You can stay here all day by yourself while I go to Tim Hortons and eat a pack of timbits allll aloooonneeee."

Dan's eyes fly open and he whips he head around to face me, "You wouldn't!"

"Oh, but I would. Maybe I'll find another boy to keep me  company as well since mine won't get his lazy ass out of bed."

I begin to make my way out of bed as I say this but Dan quickly wraps both of his arms around my waist causing me to land on top of him. "Don't leave me!"

"Dan! You're suffocating me, let me go!" I say laughing as I try to escape his death grip.

"I won't let go! Not until you promise you won't leave without me!"

I struggle for another minute before giving up, "Alright, alright! I won't leave without you!"

Dan softens his grip on me but doesn't let go completely. Now it seemed like more of a hug and I relax into him. "Never let me go. I don't think I'd be able to stand it." he whispers as he rubs my back gently.

"I'm not going anywhere. I'll stay for however long you want me to, as long as you do the same."

-

After we had left Tim Hortons, and Dan had his timbits, I began giving him the tour of my childhood. Visiting all the places had given me a strong feeling of nostalgia and despite being happy in Manchester, I still missed these places. Many of them had their replacements but there was nothing like visiting the original place.

First stop was the neighbourhood park. Back when I was younger and all the kids in my grade weren't afraid to be friends with everyone, we would often play for hours after school. Grounders, red rover, hide and seek, tag. Back when everything was easy and before everyone became judgemental and formed their groups to try and be the cool kids. Obviously, I wasn't in one of those groups.

"Why is it that no matter how old you are, you still get excited at the site of an empty swing set?" I look over at Dan, "Race you?"

He smirks and starts running without giving me a warning. I break out into a sprint and, surprisingly, catch up to him and pass him. I slid to a halt once I reach the swings and plop down into the empty seat.

Dan comes up to the other swing breathless, "Dear lord I feel like I'm going to cough up a lung. I really need to get into shape."

"Don't worry, that's the last time I'll force you to run."

"What if the zombie apocalypse happens? I'll have to run then."

"Nah, just push someone down as the honourable sacrifice."