blue jay | janiel

twenty six

Daniel

Hope's mouth dropped open the second I told her the news.

H: You're in love with a criminal?

She screeched. I nodded slowly.

H: What's his name?

D: Joey

H: Joey what

D: I don't know his last name

Hope's whole face scrunched up and she sputtered as she spoke furiously.

H: B-but Daniel, he's killed people! Not only that, he's 18. You're fooling around in a motel room with some kid!

D: Stop yelling and just listen to me, please Hope I need you now

I pleaded, standing up. Hope stood up too and began marching out of the room.

D: Where are you going?

H: I'm calling the police

D: Are you out of your mind?!

I yelled, running after her. I grabbed  her hand and she swung around.

H: You have to tell them! What you're doing is against the law, Daniel! You're eventually gonna get caught and go to prison, do you want that? Huh?

D: I'm probably going to go to jail one way or another, so calm down, don't call anyone

Hope took deep breaths before speaking again.

H: You're usually so smart and serious. What were you thinking Danny?

She said, more calm and grave now.
I gripped my head in frustration.

D: You think I planned for things to go this way? Cause I didn't. I was going to initially find the bad guy and have him arrested, but then I got to know him. And now I realize he's not a bad guy after all

H: He's a murderer

She reminded me.

D: He's not perfect, I know that. But damn it Hope I've never felt so deeply in love with someone before, not even with Shane and we were together for a year

H: Wow

Hope said softly, her hard look fading away. She twirled the gold locket that hung against her chest.

H: Then maybe this Joey kid isn't so bad after all

A small smile formed on the corner of her lips.

D: He's amazing. He makes me really
happy. And he got me this

I showed her the silver bracelet around my wrist.

H: Oh my, that's gorgeous

She breathed, pushing her long hair out of her face. She stood up and hugged me.

H: Despite the bizarre circumstance, I'm happy for you

D: Thanks Hope

She sat back down and I joined her.

D: Speaking of Shane--well kind of, he swung by my motel room the other day