Melancholy & Memories; Ongniel

IV. Please, Let's Race

"Oh hey you're looking like your usual self, trash that is," Daniel said, bursting into laughter.

His laugh was infectious, causing me to double over in laughter. He slapped his hand against the doorframe to try and control his laughter, and I noticed the close distance between us. I felt my face heating up, as if it weren't already red enough from the laughing. I managed to reduce my laughter into small giggles as Daniel took deep breaths to calm himself down. He threw his head back to catch more air, and my eyes were instantly glued onto the collarbones that were peeking out of his white button-up shirt. For someone who was going to eat dinner at his own house, he was pretty well dressed. Then again, I think he'd be well dressed no matter what he wore.

Throughout the entire walk from my apartment to the lift lobby, Daniel went on and on about the insensitive prick from university. I've heard this tirade a million times so I just hummed to acknowledge the diatribe. I reached out to push the elevator button, but Daniel thought otherwise. He grabbed my hand.

"Let's race down the stairs," he said, a wide smile appearing on his face.

"I'm lazy," I griped, trying to yank my hand free from Daniel's grip, although I was enjoying every second I was in direct contact with him.

"Please, let's race," he whined, pouting.

How could I decline the person I've been trying to suppress my feelings for when he's acting so goddamn cute? I didn't. Despite him calling it a race, he held onto my hand the whole time. I was flushed with delight. It was euphoric. He lead me to his car which was parked a few feet away from the apartment complex. The car was a second-hand Subaru XV but it still looked spotless and new. Daniel called shotgun, and I groaned.

"Are you really going to make me drive to your house? I don't even know where you live."

"No," Daniel said, opening the car door. He leaned against the opened door and motioned for me to enter. "Ladies first," he grinned.

My ears turned red. "F--Screw you, dude," I huffed out, offended, but I accepted his offer anyway. It's so hard to not swear in front of him sometimes, but since it bothers him so much I made an effort to control myself. He's an angel like that.

Daniel was singing along to the radio the entire time while driving to his house and before I knew it, we were both jamming to our favorite songs. Every time I tried to steal a glance at him, he'd catch me and smile, ruffling my hair. We were having such a great time that it felt like the car ride took no time at all.

As the car came to a halt, he looked at me and said, "We're here," with a little bit of excitement in his voice.