A janiel story (high school)

Chapter 3

Daniels perspective

I lay in bed and think about Joey. His eyes, his dirty blonde hair, even his height was just perfect. I wanted to know more. What's his life like at home, who are his friends, what does he want to do when he's older. I want... I want to be with him.

I let my mind wander off into an unknown territory. I want Joey so so bad. But I can't, he's obviously straight as a goddamn ruler!

"Dannie! Will you take me to the pool? Daddy's acting funny!" I snap out of my daydream to find Alex, my little sister attempting to climb onto my bed.
"Yeah, just hold on a sec." I climb out of bed and get ready, trying to get my hair to lay the way I want it. After a long battle with my hair I give up and walk out of my bathroom to find Alex dancing and singing a song to herself.

"And what do you think your doing!?" I poke Alex in the stomach where I know she's ticklish and she doubles over laughing. "I'm dancing!"

"Let's go!" I grab Alex's hand as we begin to make our way downstairs.

"Where the hell do you think your going!" My father tumbles out of the kitchen, bottle in hand and slurring all his words.

"Swimming! Dannie is gonna take me swimming! Remember, it's my friends birthday party!" Alex jumps up and down. My father smiles at Alex but glares at me, like I'm the problem.
"Ok! Have fun!" And with that last comment I quickly walk out the door with Alex dragged behind me.

The whole car ride to the pool is silent, the only noise audible is is the sound of me clenching and I clenching my fists around my leather steering wheel.
"Why are you mad?" What do I say? She's four years old, she won't understand!

"Some of daddy's decisions make me mad." I say calmly. I don't want to make Alex worries, she's to little to be stressed out about this kind of stuff.

"Oh, okay." I'm glad she doesn't have any more questions, I don't know if I'll have the strength to answer any of them.

The gates that surround the pool come into view. "Will you walk me in?" I really don't want to have to go spend the rest of my night talking to moms, they all ask the same thing. 'How's football?' Or 'how are your grades' or my least favorite, 'have any special ladies in your life yet?' But after the whole deal with dad, I just can't say no.

"Yeah, but no promises I'll stay for the entire party."

"Ok!" I unlock the car doors and climb out to open Alex's door. She bolts out the car immediately and runs to her group of friends.

I begin to walk out of the gates when I hear a mom call my name. Just great.

"Daniel! How have you been!" Let's hope this doesn't last long.

I put on a smile. "Good!" Crap, what's her name again? "Your sons jet, right?" She's the hairdresser, I think.

"Yep! Can I ask you a favor?" Oh no! Please don't ask me to ask her daughter to prom or something.

"Umm depends on what you need me to do." I take a deep breath in, and exhale slowly. I need to do something to calm myself down.

"I have a few appliances I need help moving. I have a son around your age but he can't lift everything by himself. Maybe you can swing by before you pick up Alex from the party." This doesn't sound too bad, it could be worst.