Playing With Fire || d.h

43. Fireworks Pt. 2

Dan's POV

"So, we've basically been able to fix the problem, we just wanted to meet with you to keep you in the know," one of the people who have been helping me with my merch store explains. "We've been able to refund or exchange any of the infringed merchandise."

"Okay, sounds good," I say, taking a sip of the lemon water just placed in front of me. If you've already been able to fix the problem, why do I have to be here? Dodie, Phil and I had been planning on bringing (y/a) to an amusement park, when the merchandise company decided we needed an immediate meeting to talk about some of the faulty merchandise that had been being sold. Basically, this issue was that the material the sweatshirts had been made of was easily falling apart after one or two washes, even though they were marketed as washing machine safe. As much as it's super important that I'm producing the best merchandise for my fans, if they've already fixed the problem, I don't see why they couldn't just give me a phone call.

As they continue on about business stuff that sounds like another language to me, I space out, nodding along at all the right times. My head is currently pounding, as I hadn't had time to take my prescription this morning. I had sort of rushed out, not wanting to wake (y/n). Even though it's not as if it's new for us to sleep in the same bed, I still feel nervous like a teenager and his first girlfriend.

I've never felt entirely nervous about sleeping with someone before, but with (y/n), it's different. Maybe it's because this time when I care what she thinks about me, it's not for superficial reasons. Say I was worried a girl thought I was ugly, it would just be because of my ego. But this time, it has less to do with me, and more to do with her. It's like it's my first time being with a girl all over again, the way I feel with her is something I've never experienced before. It's exhilarating, but also frightening. It means I have a lot more room to fuck up.

"Dan? Is that okay, Dan?" My eyes refocus and I see everyone in the room focused on me.

"What? Oh, uh, yeah, that's perfect," I instinctively react, hoping I didn't just agree to something that could possibly screw everything up.

"Great, then I guess we're done here," the woman sitting across from me says, standing up and gathering the papers sprawled around the table. I hastily stand up, nearly knocking the chair behind me to the ground. Blushing, I hurriedly shake the hands of everyone in the room and book it out of there as if the building's on fire.

The weather's abnormally bright and sunny, so I've dressed in skinny jeans and a t shirt, rather than some sort of lumpy sweater or thick jacket. The sun feels pleasant as it heats up my face, and I walk casually down the street, not knowing exactly what to do next. I do have a long list of chores that need to be done, all of which I'd be more than happy to procrastinate doing. I stick my hands in my pockets, and start the trek to the tube, which I'll take to my doctors appointment.

"You seem to be recovering in a more than satisfactory amount of time, Mr. Howell," the tall, ancient doctor who I've been seeing since I moved to London tells me as he holds the stethoscope on my back, instructing me to take deep breaths. "The trauma to your head is healing efficiently, the swelling in your face has been going down, and it seems like there'll be no long-lasting physical effects." He laces the stethoscope around his neck, and takes a seat in front of me.

"How often have you been taking the pain medication that's been prescribed to you?" He asks, typing speedily at his laptop.

"Only when I feel I really need to," I reply. "About...every other day, I guess?"

"You don't feel like you ever need to take it, or have any signs of withdrawal?"

"No."

"You're supposed to be taking it daily, whether you're in pain or not, Daniel. Is there any reason you feel the need not to?" I only shrug my shoulders. "Well, due to how strong these meds are, I'd recommend you'd keep your dosage to a tight schedule from now on."