How To Love | Daniel Seavey AU

3 | hope

THE NEXT DAY WAS the same as yesterday.

I got ready for school, had breakfast and arrived early enough to avoid anyone and everyone. It was up until U.S. History started that I knew I wouldn't be able to keep quiet for long when Daniel came with a wide grin, making eye contact with me and sitting in his seat, but facing me. "How are you?"

"You really aren't going to give up, are you?" I asked.

"I'm determined," he simply answered with a shrug, "Anyway, since today's Friday and you are new to Portland, I was thinking maybe I could give you a tour." There was hope in his eyes, but I only sent a flat look. I planned on going around town when I felt like, but I knew Daniel wouldn't stop at nothing. I shook my head, taking my glasses out when Mr. Reeds entered the class. "You wear glasses?" I could only pull my brows together in frustration.

"Yes, Daniel, I do," I answered bluntly, "now turn around and pay attention." I've been patient the last week since I arrived here, but this blue-eyed, spontaneous boy was testing it. During the lesson, Daniel had been reaching back to scratch the back of his head, but also dropping little pieces of paper in the process.

do you like parks?

what's your favorite food?

do you like animals?

He was asking me all these questions, with the motive to take me to these many places that would have either one of them. I didn't feel like answering to any of them, instead gave him a small piece of paper that said: we'll talk at lunch, i want to study. He was quiet the rest of the class, and I was grateful. He didn't share any other classes with me for the rest of the day, until lunch. From the newfound information of how the food sucked, I had brought my own and voluntarily entered the secret garden.

I found Anna there, admiring the roses. "Hey Logan." I only waved. "Still not much of a talker?" I shook my head. "Well, since my brother isn't here yet, it won't seem too awkward." I nodded once, and sat on the bench, opening my lunch.

"What class are you?" I asked.

"I'm a sophomore," she informed. "You must be really lucky to be able to join this late, huh?"

"I guess." I ate my lunch in silence, but you can expect what happens whenever I've settled in the peaceful quiet of my surrounding—it gets disturbed. Daniel entered through the vines—for once—an exasperated look on his face as he sat beside me, taking deep breaths.

"What happened?" Anna asked her brother.

His eyes were wide as if he was traumatized by what had just happened. "Math," was his answer and I almost rolled my eyes.

"A test?" I asked monotonously.

"Not just any test—a speed test, my brain's fried," he breathed out, taking the bottle of water Anna was holding out for him, downing it immediately. He calmed down for a second before his head slowly turned to me—creepy, may I add—and a grin spread across his face—double creep. "I think you owe me some answers."

Damn it, you idiot, you forgot. Well shit dude, I'm so sorry.

"What answers?" I asked dumbly, my face not shifting from the flat look I had in the beginning.

"Since you don't like talking, just nod or shake your head, alright?" I stared at him flatly. "Alright?" Rolling my eyes, I nodded. "Okay... burgers?" Nod. "Ice cream." Nod. "Hotdogs." Nope. It's the shape that bothers me. "Cats?" Nod. "Dogs?" Nod. "Animals?" Nod.