This Pressure Is Overwhelming

Chapter 17

Dan's POV:

I couldn't stop thinking about that kiss.

We got ice cream like we planned, she got strawberry and I got mint chocolate chip. We sat across from each other and I couldn't stop grinning and looking at her.

"Daan stop!" She laughed.

My smile just grew, "I-I can't, y-you're just...you're j-just- wow..."

She laughs again, her eyes and nose scrunch up, it's adorable. "You're pretty wow yourself."

It was my turn to blush, "Noooo..."

She was going to say something back, but her phone started ringing. She gave me an apologetic look and answered it.

"Hello?" Pause. "Oh hey Kyle." Pause. "What? No, no-" she got cut off, "No he's with me, he's fine, I-"

Oh. They were talking about me. Really when aren't they though...

"Kyle, Kyle, calm down..." Pause. "Yeah, we'll come back." Pause. "Yeah bye." She hung up.

"So, um, everyone if freaking out, we need to go back to the hospital."

I looked down. "Oh."

"Yeah...um, let's go, I guess."

We walked out of the ice cream shop in silence. Nora had a blank stare on her face while I was sporting a frown. We didn't say much in the taxi, we had nothing to say.

I felt bad, it was my fault Kyle yelled at her. I didn't bring my phone! What the heck was I thinking?! My mum just told me to have it on me at all times and....and...oh I'm such an idiot.

"No you're not, this was my fault."

Oh. I accidentally said that last bit out loud.

"N-No," I immediately disagreed.

She shook her head, "I made you come, I didn't tell anyone except the doctor, it's my fault."

"And don't disagree," She cut me off before I could get any words out. "I'll take the blame, it's my fault."

Silence filled the space and it stayed that way.

/

"Oh my baby!" My mum hugged me tightly. Everyone had relieved looks on their faces, but quickly turned to angry.

"Where the heck did you go?" Woody slightly yelled.

Before Nora could, I spoke up. "Um...well, I was feeling d-down and bored a-and a bit claus-claustrophobic so I literally begged her t-to take me out of-of here a-and I told her th-that you guys knew a-and so she d-did a-a-and it wasn't her fault..." I finished weakly.

It was quite for a bit, everyone was staring at me, it was making me uncomfortable.

Woody sighed, breaking the silence. "You idiot." He gave me a hug, "Glad you're okay, mate."

Everyone took turns hugging and saying goodbye, telling me I should get some rest, mostly because they could tell I was falling asleep on my feet.

Well everyone except Kyle. He must've snuck out while I wasn't looking.

"Let get you in bed, yeah? You're gonna pass out any minute." Nora joked.

Once I got comfortable, with Nora sitting on the chair beside my bed, I gave her a concerning look.

"What?" She slightly laughed. I didn't answer immediately and she turned serious. "What?"

I sighed. "I d-don't know..." She gave me a look. "It's just...w-why doesn't Kyle l-like me anymore?"