Daniel was only with us for a few days, but the time we spent together felt like months. I never expected someone like him to fall for me. The first day was the day I thought I would regret. My mother had told me her best friend from her primary school would be stopping at our house over the weekend; she mentioned somethig about her son coming, aswell.
"Philly, run downstairs! The Howells are here!" My mother yelled upstairs. I looked out my window and spotted a yellow taxi on the driveway. I quickly closed my blinds as a brown-haired boy looked up at me. I threw on a t-shirt from my hamper. I ran downstairs while combing my fingers through my hair.
My mother had just opened the door for our visitors. I spotted the boy walking on the pavement, rolling a small black suitcase and earphones comfortably placed in his ears. I couldn't clearly see his face, but I suspected it was beautiful. He wore a black sweater with some baggy sweatpants. On his feet were some black crocs with some cute additions of random animals and letters.
I stepped outside my house. The patio's wood is cold on my toes. I jump down from the steps and hop onto the grass. It's damp from last night's storm. I hope the storm didn't affect their arrival.
My mother calls for me, and I jog down the driveway. The boy I'd soon know as Daniel turns towards me. His dark, uninviting eyes meet mine. For a second, I'm stuck in my spot. My legs refuse to move. Daniel seems to be in a similar situation.
His mother yanks his earphones out. "Daniel," His mother scolded, "We just arrived! You're making me look bad." He snaps into reality and grabs them before his device falls out of his sweatpants. He shoves the earphones in his pocket clumsily and stands normally as if nothing happened.
"Philip, do you mind walking Dan inside and showing him his room?" My mother suggested. I nodded and gestured for him to follow me. As I walked up the driveway, I could hear the roll of his suitcase and his shoes squeaking on the wet pavement. I helped him haul his bag upstairs. I showed him to his room, which was my brother's before he moved out.
The room had pale walls with colorful pictures hanging from them. The hardwood floors were cold to the touch, but the rug placed on top of it was soft. A bed was shoved into the corner, covered with a navy quilt. A white, silky blanket was folded on the end of the bed. A dresser sat empty waiting to be filled at the foot of the bed. A window revealed our backyard, although not very exciting, still a good view.
Daniel seemed to appreciate the window as he walked toward it and stared outside, his breath fogging up the glass. I admired how easily he adapted to his environment.
"Can you show me to your backyard?" I hadn't noticed our eyes met. I was mesmerized by the way they reflected the light.
"Oh, sure. Just follow me!" I said graciously. He followed me back downstairs, and into the kitchen. The kitchen had not been renovated since we bought the place, and the paint was peeling where the wall met the ceiling. Daniel didn't seem to notice the condition of it, because he simply followed me outside without looking up from the ground.
When we reached our destination, his pupils widened. He walked around as if he had never seen a blade of grass in his life. I made my way towards the used swing set in the corner of the yard. Dan seemed to think he needed to follow me everywhere, and joined me in the dirty seats.
"It'd seem strange for a kid like me to enjoy the outdoors." His voice was raspy, I'm guessing from sleeping.
"I don't spend too much time in my backyard," I admitted, "but it's nice out here. I feel... safe." I could see his smile spread out of the corner of my eyes.
"I didn't know if I was going to have a good time here, but I think you'll make a good companion." Not sure what he meant, I just smiled.
We went silent, as a slight drizzle began to touch or noses. I got up, and I guess Dan felt like staying outside, as he didn't move when I made my way inside. I heard some sniffles and looked back, seeing him cry. In my mind, I debated whether to go comfort him, or leave him.
"Don't worry about me." He said as if he was reading my mind. He wiped his nose and the rain began coming down a little harder. I reluctantly turned away and walked inside the screen door.
-
"Philip, come for dinner!" My mother called. Right now mother? I'm kind of busy. I sighed and turned off the game I was playing.
When I reached the dining room, Dan was nowhere in sight. "Have you seen Daniel? We're unsure of his whereabouts." Ms. Howell asked. I shook my head. I hadn't heard him come in from the rain. I walked to the kitchen and looked outside. The sunlight was dimming as the sky changed colors. The swingset was still, no sign of Dan. I opened the door, my mother questioning me.
I walked outside and went into the forest behind our house. I followed the trail my brother and I had created with some of our neighborhood friends. As I got deeper in the trail, the light began to dim around me. I stumbled along the disappearing trail.
I heard a loud scream and immediately began running towards the source. I tripped on something, and landed face first in a group of wild flowers.
"You're gullible, Philip." I heard a voice next to me. I pulled my phone out and turned on the flashlight. I saw Dan standing there, grinning a devious grin, holding a hand out for me to grab. I took it and he helped me up.
"Dinner's ready." I mumbled. Apparently he didn't understand, and continued talking about whatever he felt was necessary.
"Phil, how long have you had this amazing treehouse?" He laughed. The treehouse had decayed since we were children. The house was about 15 feet off the ground, because my brother didn't want my parents coming in. It was covered in moss and cobwebs. The rope ladder was on the ground, tattered from years of usage. I hadn't stepped inside there in years, but from what I remember there was a couch, a mini fridge, and plenty of other things. I remember decorating the inside with polaroid photos. My camera is probably still lying inside there, most likely damaged from rain.
Dan decided it was a good idea to go inside the tree house, and began climbing the tree. "Um, Daniel, what are you doing?" I asked. He ignored as he reached the leftovers of the rope ladder. I heard something snap, but apparently Dan didn't. Dan barely grasped onto the deck when the ladder broke and fell to the ground. He tumbled towards the ground. I went to grab him, but I was too late.
When I reached him, his arm was bent the incorrect way. He seemed calm yet panicked, so I helped him up and we began running towards the house.
