Hold On, I'll See You Again

Presents and Promises

We sat outside on a bench near the entrance to the building. "Well, I guess we've experienced the horror of Sonic.exe." Dan said. I nodded, still hearing the screams faintly echoing in my mind. I shivered at each new shrill until I felt an arm wrap around me. I leaned into Dan and tried to think about anything other than the game. "You ok, Phil?" "Yea. I just didn't know what was coming, you know?" "I don't think any of us did. Need something to get it off of your mind?" "Probably." I then felt Dan pinch my side, right where I was ticklish. "Ah! Dan!" He started tickling me mercilessly. I couldn't escape due to the fact that I was squirming so much, but I eventually got the chance to jump up and run inside with Dan right on my heels. As I ran down the hall, I came across Peej and Chris again. "Phil? What are you-" I ran right past them with Dan yelling that he was going to catch me and tickle me to death. They both shook their heads in amusement and carried on their way. I managed to duck into my room for safety, but I forgot to lock the door behind me. Dan came in as I was breathing heavily, laying on the bed. He walked over to me and flopped down beside me, breathing as heavily as me. "Well, at least I don't have any lung pain." "And I got the game off of your mind."

I reached out and held his hand as we both laid on our backs. By now, we had both caught our breaths and were thinking of less scary things. The sound of a dying whale filled the room as I heard Dan's stomach rumble. "Shut up, stomach." I giggled at his exasperation and pulled him to his feet. "Come on, Dan. Let's grab some lunch."

We were sat at a table once again with grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup when all of a sudden, Dan face palmed and exclaimed, "Idiot!" I looked up at him in confusion until he said, "We didn't ask Peej and Chris to join us for breakfast the day after Christmas! And I didn't ask if they were staying here for Christmas." Dan jumped up and ran out of the cafeteria in pursuit of our two friends. I sat here eating my soup and sandwich until Dan came back about 10 minutes later. "Did you find them?" "Yea. I caught them right outside the lounge area. They will come to breakfast, but Chris is going with Peej to his family on Christmas." "I'm sorry, Dan." "Nah. It's fine. I'm going to finish eating and go grab the wrapping paper." "Sounds good. Could we wrap presents separately since I have some stuff for you?" "Of course!" Dan and I threw our stuff away, and after giving each other a quick kiss, I gave him my keys and we split ways. I went back to my room and opened one of the boxes containing a ring. My stomach fluttered at the sight of it. I was actually going to give Dan a promise ring! Wait. What if he doesn't like it? What if he doesn't want to have a promise ring from me? What if he's only dating me out of pity?

I was left alone with those thoughts for about 10 minutes until Dan came into my room. I jumped and quickly hid the box I was holding. "Ah! Sorry. Didn't see anything, I promise." "It's fine." "Are you ok?" Dan asked. I shrugged, and Dan put the wrapping paper and keys on the floor as he rushed over to me. Cupping my face in his hands, Dan tilted my head up to look at him and asked what was wrong again. I blurted out, "Are you dating me out of pity?" Dan stood in shock at my words, but I think he knew I was right. "No. No, Phil. No." He pulled me into a tight hug as he told me I was wrong. "Phil, I don't date you out of pity. I date you because you're the best person I've ever met. You're smart, funny, have the same interests as me, and not to mention you are hella beautiful. I wish you would believe me when I tell you this. I love you, Phil. And I will always love you until the day I die." By now, I was lightly sobbing into Dan's shoulder from his words. "I-I love you too, Dan. You're right. I guess you're not dating me out of pity." "Of course I'm not. I promise." he said. He pulled away and wiped the tears off of my face with his thumb. I placed my hands on his hips as he cupped my face and tenderly kissed the corners of my eyes. He followed by kissing my cheeks, the corners of my mouth, and ended with softly kissing my lips. I smiled as he pulled away and picked up the wrapping paper and keys. "Ok. Here's your keys and wrapping paper. I'll be in my room. Just knock on the door when you're done and bring me the wrapping paper. Will you be ok?" I nodded, enveloping him in a hug before letting him go.

After wrapping my parents' and Dan's gifts, I wandered down the hall and knocked on Dan's door. He opened it and took the wrapping paper. Kissing me, he asked if I was doing better. I said yes, and he smiled and said he'd be back at my room in a bit. After he shut the door, I turned on the TV and channel surfed until I heard three swift knocks on my door. I opened it up and found Dan with the wrapping paper. We sat on my bed and watched Free! for a bit. I was laying beside Dan until he moved an arm over my chest and pulled me to his body. He kissed my temple and resumed watching Free! as I wrapped an arm over him and entwined my legs with his. I ended up drifting off to sleep as I curled up to Dan and woke up in the same position with him, except the TV and lights were off. I peered over Dan to look at the clock. 12:39 am. Oh my goodness, it's Christmas!

Now that I was wide awake with excitement, I quite frankly didn't know what to do. Dan was asleep, Chris and Peej were asleep. The only people awake would be the doctors, and trust me, I don't want to visit them. I wonder if the lounge area is still open? I tried to get up only to be pulled back down by a sleeping Dan. Ok, so now I'm his personal teddy bear. I gently lifted his arms off of me, slid a pillow into them to take my place, and got out of the bed. I was still in my day clothes, so I simply walked out of the room, shutting the door behind me.

I was still a bit drowsy as I walked down the hall, but it didn't really matter at this time. No one else was out to see me occasionally stumble and yawn. I managed to make it to the lounge area and opened the door. All the lights  were off since most people were asleep, but I turned them on anyway. I walked over to a computer and logged onto Tumblr. Nothing new really appeared, but I got to see all of my favorite pictures and creations.

I stayed online until 2:00am when my head hit the keyboard. I jolted back up and began to leave as I rubbed my forehead. Flicking off the lights, I made my way down the hall and back to Dan's room. When I got back, I saw Dan still tightly cuddling the pillow. At this point, I removed the pillow and slid myself between his arms. A little smile flickered on his face as his arms adjusted to my figure. I soon fell asleep, combing my fingers gently through Dan's hair, never being more satisfied in my life.