The Nobody's Angel (danisnotonfire fanfic)*ON HOLD*

Chapter 6: Press Start

CHAPTER 6

-PRESS START-

 Saturday, December 5th, 3:50pm. That's what my phone's lock screen read.

I walk down the cracked sidewalks of Wokingham with my hands shoved in the warmth of my coat pockets. It's late in the afternoon, almost 4pm, but I've only just got out of bed an hour before. My hair is fixed in relaxed, wavy curls down past my shoulders, I've covered up a slight blemish just on my forehead, and my eyes are lightly defined with charcoal eyeliner. I decided to wear the first thing that appeared in my closet--plain black leggings and a sweatshirt. It was a placid look, yes, but it was not like I had a date with Dan. We were only going to hang out; My heart flutters a bit in my chest. This would be the first time I hung out with anybody since the accident. I nervously check the messages on my phone, confirming that Dan had said 4pm at his house. Yup...

I breathe out a puff of white mist into the motionless winter air. Dan's house was just across the street, but I decide to go the long way and walk around the block before reaching his house. What would have been a 1 minute walk turns into a 10 minute stroll, but I don't mind. Surely he wouldn't care if I was a few minutes late. 

I brush the hair from my face and turn the bend onto our street. I see my house, small and pushed back on the hillside in the confinement of our pastures. Smoke billows from the chimney and I recall telling mom I was out for a long trail ride, which is obviously a lie. Hopefully she doesn't see Bandit running around in the field without me, but I doubt she will since Bandit goes towards the south end during this time of day. I would be back in time for feeding, when she comes up to the gate. Right? 

Then I see Dan's house. Compared to my side of the street, it's very different. It stands closely together with the neighboring homes, not an uncommon sight in England. It almost reminds me of the New York City homes in Brooklyn, except in some strange way, more inviting. The outer paint is a warm brown, the entrance way is carved white, and a lone flowerpot stands on the front steps with a nameplate by the doorway, "Howell". 

To be honest, I'm not sure what to expect. Did I even remember what friends do when they 'hang out'? I waver on the second step for a moment, but decide there was nothing to lose. Our whole text conversation made it a bit less awkward, anyway...We had so much in common. I swallow my hesitancy and knock on the door. Just be cool...

"Hey, Kara"  Dan chimes in his charming English accent as he opens the door. My eyes go immediately to his smile--genuine, white, and almost perfectly aligned. A small dimple forms at his cheek and he sweeps the chocolate brown hair from his eye with a quick hand gesture. I then realize we're wearing similar clothes; overly-large sweatshirt, colorful woolly socks, even the same color pants (except except he's wearing jeans).  I smile and force my cheeks not to blush. 

He leads me through the doorway and shuts it quietly behind him. 

"So," he laughs. I can feel the awkwardness consuming me, but I brush it off and smile, forcing myself to make eye contact. Don't blush, stay chill...Why am I so uptight? 

"You can leave your shoes there," he says, pointing to a small rug by the door. I pull off my boots. The floor feels cold beneath my feet, but I don't mind. 

"Uh, I was just finishing this game" he gestures toward a room to the right. We walk past a cramped staircase and into what I believe is the den. It's small, but homey, with light tan walls and a soft creamy rug. Dan slumps down into the big, somewhat beat-up couch and picks up a Rock Band controller from the floor. 

I smile and take a seat in an armchair by the couch (sitting right next to him would be weird, right?). 

"So, how's life?" Dan asks with a clever grin. I watch as he resumes the game on the TV, noticing that he's set the level to hard.