It's Not an Existential Crisis

Chapter 43

Chapter 43

*****DAN'S POV*****

I woke up with the bright California sunlight shining on my face. My neck was stiff from sleeping on it weirdly. I mean, it wasn't a surprise since I slept on the floor. Ari had a twin bed in her bedroom so there was no way that we would both fit; besides, my long legs would hang off the end. Ari's mother had offered if I wanted to sleep on the couch downstairs but I wanted to be by her side... Even if that means sleeping on the floor. We stayed up last night just talking about everything and anything- even if we didn't want to talk about certain things. Talks like the one we had last night just prove to me that we can work through anything together.

I looked around her room and smiled to see all her mementos from her high school days. There was a My Chemical Romance poster behind a dresser topped with all of her awards from art shows and competitions.

"Babe," I said groggily while a reached my hand up to try to find hers. After patting down the side of her bed, I realized she wasn't there. Heading to the window, I grabbed my t-shirt sitting on her bedside table and saw that there was not one single cloud in the radiant blue sky. Ariella's parents must have left because their car wasn't in the driveway like it was last night. Did Ari go with them and leave me stranded in a house I didn't know very well?

Stress.

I walked down the stairs looking for any sight of her.

"Ello? Ari?" I said aloud. Nothing.

I walked into the kitchen to see half of the coffee pot gone. She has definitely been here. I turned due to some movement out of my peripheral vision. Ari was sitting on an old swing sweet that had bits of white paint flaking off. She was barely kicking, making the swing squeak with rust.

I chuckled as I walked outside and sat down in the swing next to her. I was way too tall for that swing but I still managed to sit comfortably.

"Good morning love," I took her hand and brought it up to my lips.

"Good morning," She smiled as our hands dangled together between the swings. I still couldn't get over her smile- my favorite time to see her is in the morning. She still had this sleepy grin on her face but she always looks beautiful as always in here natural state of no makeup and messy hair. I know she hates to look like that, but honestly I love it.

"What's on today's agenda?" I asked.

"Well I was planning to go see my grandma, she said she has something for me. If you don't want to come, it's o-"

"I would love to." I rubbed her thumb with mine.

"Great, she will be so happy to meet you. She has been wanting to meet 'a royal''," She laughed.

"What?" I chuckled, "why a 'royal'?"

"I told her that you are a popular guy in the UK and she automatically assumed you are a prince. But I mean, you are one to me in my mind."

"Oh stop it you, I don't want to start blushing."

We just sat there in the cold morning air, swinging and talking about whatever we wanted to. She mainly talked about her family and some history of her town, but I could listen to her talk all day about anything really.

"Ugh I should get up and start getting ready. I don't want to move." She threw her head back with a loud existential groan.