timeless | sequel | d.w

15

   The week passed by slowly-- painfully slowly. It was almost as if the universe wanted me to suffer, the nervousness about meeting Dallon's girlfriend nagging into my skin and finding it's way all the way down into my core. Would she be prettier than me? Smarter than me? Funnier than me? Each time I found myself thinking about these things, I wanted to slap myself. I shouldn't even have worried about it. Dallon was happy, wasn't he? That was all that mattered. That was all that should've mattered.

But eventually, the day came. I woke up early and decided to try and run off the nervousness that had been sticking with me for the whole week. I put on a tank top, a pair of thicker leggings and my running shoes before quietly getting out of the house. The morning sun was shining and warming me up, even though the breeze was rather cold against my exposed skin.

I played one of Panic!'s songs in my ears, the vocals of my close friend calming me down as I ran around the block. It was a beautiful morning, and I had a feeling the evening would be as well. I arrived back at the house around thirty minutes later and found Raúl sitting at the kitchen table, coffee in hand as he read the morning paper. I greeted him with a kiss to his cheek and got a cup of coffee as well.

---

"Shit, shit, shit, shit..."

I mumbled quietly to myself as I browsed through my closet, looking for something nice I could wear. My hair was still dripping wet from the recent shower I had taken and I still hadn't removed the towel from around my body.

"Babe?" Raúl walked inside as he was buttoning his white shirt.

"Hmm?" I said, barely even noticing my boyfriend that had joined me in the room.

"You ok?" He asked softly, head tilted to the side as he stepped closer to me.

"I'm fine!" I replied hastily, not realizing how angry I actually sounded.

Sighing, Raúl just nodded. "I'll be downstairs." And with that, he disappeared out of the room. I heard his steps echo down the stairs and when I couldn't hear them anymore, I sighed and sat down on the bed, burying my face in my hands. I didn't know why I was so stressed out-- the fear of Dallon's girlfriend being better than me was so pathetic, and yet I couldn't stop worrying. Did Dallon worry as much over meeting Raúl? In a way I hoped he did, just so I wouldn't feel so alone. It's selfish, but I couldn't help it.

---

After spending hours on makeup and trying to pick the best outfit that would make me look hella good, but still not too slutty, after a fight with Raúl and being twenty minutes late, we had arrived at the restaurant. I sat squeezed in between Raúl and Dallon in a large booth, Dallon's hand resting on his girlfriend's leg that was sitting next to him. Raúl had barely looked at me since we got here. Everyone was laughing and seemingly having a good time- except for me. Dallon had already taken notice of that. Of course he had. But he said nothing. Maybe because he didn't care. Or because he didn't want to. I didn't know.

After finishing my dinner, I excused myself and managed to get out of the booth and the heat. I ran to the bathroom, feeling the anxiety pound on my chest like a drum. I didn't know for how long I was in there. But suddenly, I heard a knock on the door. Shit. The line outside was probably reaching the entrance right now. After flushing the toilet and washing my hands, I unlocked the door and stepped out.

No line, no nothing. Just Dallon.

"Hey- you ok?" His voice was filled with concern, but somehow it made me smile.

"Just having a rough night. I'm fine." I responded, giving him a short nod.

"This whole thing with Breezy...-"

"Dallon, it's fine. I'm glad you're happy."

A pained expression painted my face, but I managed to smile.

"I am happy. I'm just..."

He fell silent, and I did too. We looked at each other and I could tell that we were thinking the same thing.

"Stuck wondering what this could have been."

He finished his sentence and I looked down.

"Yeah. Me too." I whispered, tears welling up in my eyes as I desperately tried to push them back by closing them. It didn't work.

But suddenly, a hand was on my chin, guiding me upwards and when my eyes opened again, I was staring into Dallon's beautiful eyes. We seemed to be stuck in time, staring at each other, just like we had those ten years ago at prom night in school. The only difference was, that night, we didn't share a kiss.

Now, his warm lips finally met mine after what felt like an eternity of waiting. I whimpered; shocked, confused but also so incredibly happy. I laid my hand against the back of his neck, my fingers curling into the small strands of hair that were growing there. I pushed my lips back against his and inhaled a shaky breath through my nose. He tasted like red wine; the taste never applied to me. But on him, I just wanted more of it. I pulled him closer, and his free hand landed around my waist. It felt like we were melting together to one and for a second I thought that I wouldn't mind if it happened.

But another second passed and I heard Raúl's voice crack through the silence, saying my name. And the red wine taste separated from my lips and looked at me, ashamed in himself. My gaze flickered to Raúl who stared at me, hands in his pockets.

"Our dessert is served. I thought you might've wanted some." Raúl spoke before silently leaving us again.

No.