Rise to the Occasion (a Daniel Radcliffe Fanfic)

Chapter 2

"Oh my god!" I couldn't help but scream in frustration. It was only 11 but I already had a headache and desperate tears brimming on my eyes. I call a tow truck service and Eva. I'm the only one without a car and it kills me it have to depend on others. I grip the steering wheel tightly and sigh. Great first day. I look over at Andrea who is beginning to stir. I Can't help but worry about her sometimes. I know she wouldn't do anything too stupid but it still bothers me to see her so... Limp. Her arm is hanging off of the inclined passenger seat. I carefully place it on top of her stomach and hope she doesn't wake up. I hear a honk that snaps my head up and pulls a muscle in my neck.

"Oww" I groan. I look in the side mirror and sure enough the tow truck is here already. I walk out and give the driver Andreas license and insurance info, which I had to dig around her car to find. As I finish signing, Eva pulls up with Clare in the seat next to her. I drag Andrea out of the car and towards Eva's. The tow truck guy gives my a weird look before deciding to help me.

"Thanks" I mumble. He nods and walks back to Andreas car, hooking it to the back of his. He drives off with a curt wave that I return.

"He seemed nice and confused." Clare laughed as I entered the car.

"Yeah." I give my best attempt at a smile which she just laughs at. I lean my head against the window and stare at the lamp posts we pass on our way back. The drive isn't long and were back in 10 minutes. I float to my bead and am knocked out within seconds.

..........................................................

The next morning, Andrea is hungover and decides to skip the first two classes. I roll out of bed and get dressed. I wear the comfiest clothing I have. Some loose jeans, an oversized t-shirt, and fuzzy boots. I pad over to the kitchen to brew a pot of coffee. I finish my breakfast and head out the door with Eva to get to class. First period I have Sociology, then Law and finally, last period I have Principals of Professional Writing, my favorite class. I find myself writing in my free time wether it's at a coffee shop, fast food place, at home, or even in traffic.

I take my seat next to my friend Elizabeth who I met this year in class.

"Did you see the new guy? He's kinda cute", she whispered.

"What? No, where is he?" I scanned the room, looking for a new face. There were many, considering it was only the second day since classes began.

"Show me!" She pointed to a brown haired boy sitting in the front. I thought he looked familiar, but decided against introducing myself. It turns out I didn't have to, since he got up and turned around to pick something up. He's from the tow truck service. I gasped, making Elizabeth give me a questioning look.

"You know him?" She said, reading the look in my eyes.

"Yeah. I do." I muttered as I sunk in my seat a little. "He cannot see me"

"Why? Did he do something?" She asked nervously.

"Shh here he comes" I got up and turned around, pretending to talk to the person behind me, hoping he wouldn't recognize me from that embarrassing night.

"Hey, drunk-girls friend, remember me?" Shit. I had no choice but to turn around. His accent was just as I remembered, light but still very present.

"Oh hey!", I responded, meeting his eyes. I was taken aback. They were crystal blue, a striking color that was unforgettable. A feature that I didn't catch at our first encounter.

"Hi, I'm Daniel." His voice softened slightly, making me feel more at ease. We shook hands and exchanged nods.

"Aliyah, but call me Ali" I smiled. I suddenly wished I hadn't worn such tacky clothing. His wardrobe consisted of Ralph Lauren and True Religion jeans. Kinda preppy for a guy that works at a 24 hour roadside assistance service.

"So, where are you from?" Elizabeth asked, hinting she actually cared about his accent.

"Fulham. It's in the UK." He smiled, glancing behind me. "Hey! Professor Harvey! I'm a big fan of your work." He gushed over Harvey as he was entering, a well known author. Ass kisser...

"Thank you boy. Now sit down, I'm already late."

Class went by quickly. As everyone was leaving, Daniel approached me, clutching something. He walked past me, dropping a piece of paper on my tiny desk without a word, much less a glance.

Lunch Tomorrow? My# 803-248-9013

I looked back, to try to follow him, but he was already gone. Might as well. I added the contact into my phone and walked back to Eva's car, and waited in the passenger seat for her to come. I was clutching the phone, having second thoughts about calling Daniel back. We just met, he seems nice but kinda stuck up. I mean his clothes, getting buddy-buddy with the teacher on the first day... What's his deal?

I gave in. The curiosity about finding more about him was killing me. He answered on the second ring.

"Hello. I see you've gotten my note."

"I have. So about that lunch... It sounds great, and I'd like to get to know you better."

"As do I. What are you feeling? Fast food, sit-down?..."

"How about Panera? It's a little of both." He chuckled, agreeing. We set a time and decided to meet each other there. Finally, Eva arrived. I dished to her all about Daniel while she drove us back to our apartment.