The Love of a Stranger

Dear Diary...

It was an awkward car journey back as we said nothing to each other since I brought up the topic of school. I just wanted to get back to the apartment and enjoy the rest of night.

Dan entered the apartment first and threw his keys onto the counter and stormed off to his bedroom closing the door on his way. Old habits die hard. I thought it would be right to give him some time to himself, God knows what memories I've sparked up again. In the meantime I placed out plastic cups, party hats, beer and other alcoholics drinks, food and most importantly, cake. I even set up a playlist on my iPod that consists of bands like Muse, Mumford & Sons, Imagine Dragons, To Kill A King and Panic! At The Disco. I checked the time and I thought I needed to start getting ready which meant having to talk to Dan. I knocked on the door before entering, I slowly placed my head around the door and there was no Dan, he must be in the bathroom. Yet again I knocked on the door and he unlocked it.

"Dan are you alright? You haven't came out of your room since we came back."

"Yeah I'm fine..." He sighed placing his hand over his wrist covering something, something was still on his mind but I shrugged it off making a mental note to myself to figure out what it was. It was his birthday for Gods sake he should be happy not miserable.

"Go and have a drink, I've set everything up for the party." I finally got a smile out of him and I kissed his cheek.

I chose my outfit carefully, I knew I'd be drunk by the end of the night. I wore a basic red tube dress which reached to just above me knees, I had my hair curled and my make-up neatly done, then I completed the outfit with my low top red converse. I walked out when I was ready and I hadn't realised the guys had came early. The synchronisation was unbelievable, they all heard me walk into the living room, all lifted their heads and change their facial expression at the same time, you would've thought that they practiced.

"Wow Laura you look...beautiful." Dan said looking quite amazed.

"You really do." Added Woody while the others all nodded their heads. I hid my face and whispered a quiet 'thank you'. I started to blush so I walked into the kitchen to get myself a drink before anyone else arrives. My nerves were starting to assemble inside of me thinking about how Dan was going to react to my song, I would repeatedly change my mind about doing in front of everything or leaving until everyone leaves...but then I'll be super drunk, but if I do it in front of everyone I might panic and I won't be able to breathe and then I will end up looking like a complete idiot. Ugh I don't know!

"What's up?" Interrupted Will as though he had just read my mind, he walked in through the kitchen grabbing himself a straw.

"I..nothing." I started.

"Laura, what's the matter?" He asked except this time more persistent.

"I wrote something for Dan - musically - and I was going to perform it tonight and I'm really nervous and I know I'm going to mess up and I won't be able to breathe and what if he doesn't like it? I'm just going to ruin things an-"

"Woah woah stop. First of all, that's a fantastic idea and Dan will love it, second of all, even if you do mess up, who cares? Whenever I'm performing on stage I always mess up and no one makes a big deal out of it, no-ones perfect. And you won't ruin things, so whatever happens happens and don't worry about it. Everyone will love it. Alright?"

I nodded taking in what he just said. He's right, it's just a bit of fun, putting pressure on myself to get it right will make me more nervous.

"Thanks Will, remind me to come to you when I need advice." I gave him a hug then the buzzer went, I left the door unlocked for anyone coming to the party. I didn't know half of these people but the guys did, they were the ones that gave me guest list, I just sorted it.

The whole night I had either Dan, Will, Woody or Kyle come up to me and say;

'Oh Laura I want to you meet blah blah blah'

And,

'Laura, this is my friend whatever your name was'

To be honest, I couldn't remember half their names, I was too busy being sent back to my teenage years where I had too many drinks. Just before we all got a bit too drunk we let Dan open his presents, he mainly just got cards with money but there were also a few things like t-shirts and CD's. I ran to the bedroom to get my present from underneath the floorboard, thank God it was still there. As soon as I picked up both my things I noticed something right in the corner that I didn't see before. I bent right down and it looked like the ground had swallowed my whole arm - that's what I needed to do to reach it. I brought it out and I realised it was a simple notebook of some sort, it had a simple front cover saying 'For Notes'. I blew off the insane amount of dust and opened the book. The pages were covered in scribbles, sentences and dates, so it was a diary. I needed to get back to the party or people will be wondering where I've went, but I couldn't help skimming through the pages and then I stopped at a random page, it was short and I had enough time to read through it.

September 19th

Every day it's getting worse, they won't leave me alone. I'm surrounded by my loneliness and isolation. Every living moment that I spend at that school is giving me more and more proof of what I think my life really means and I'm getting closer and closer to giving up. I just can't.

Dan.

I gasped placing my hand over my mouth. I couldn't believe what I was reading. I bit my quivering bottom lip in fear. I was about to read more when I heard footsteps coming down the hallway, assuming it was Dan I hurriedly shoved the diary back in its place and placed the floorboard gently back just in time for Dan to walk in.

"Oh you're in here, I couldn't find you." He laughed. I stood up with my back to him and took a deep breath before turning round as giving him his present.

"Worst to last. Happy birthday." I mumbled. He sat on the bed and opened it up. He looked so happy now, you would never of known what a terrible childhood he's had. His face lit up as he held up the jumper.

"Oh my God Laura, I love it. I used to have this but th-"

"Then you lost it, I know, Kyle told me." I finished his sentence for him. He smiled and continued to open the box of red, high top converse. He turned to face me and pulled me into a warm hug, I pressed my face into his shoulder and unexpectedly a tear strolled down my face. I guess it was just me thinking about the diary. I wiped away the tear before Dan noticed.

"Thank you so much. This has been the best birthday ever." He pulled apart and kissed me sweetly.

"I've got something to show you. Come with me." I grabbed his wrist and guided him to the music room, where he closed the door behind us giving us some privacy. Good. I placed my hand on the space beside me on the piano stool inviting him to join me and he gladly accepted. He was rather confused when I placed the music sheet I had titled 'For Dan' on the stand and began to play.

This is it Laura, don't fuck up now. Lungs, keep your cool and just forget about the disease for at least once.

My voice filled the room, along with the piano chords I played with my shaking fingers. I focused on my lungs and remembered to take deep breaths and remain calm. I also had to keep in mind Will's advice. If I fuck up, fuck up with style.

But luckily for me, I didn't need to. I was getting slightly out of breath but it didn't matter anymore, I was finished. Done. No more pressure. No more nerves.

I exhaled and rested my hands on my lap, sitting next to a silent Dan. I could hear and feel my heart pound. Come on say something Dan you're making me panic.

"Wow...that was...unbelievable. Laura that was utterly-"

"Terrible? Yeah I know."

"Amazing." He said in one breath finally turning his head to look deep into my eyes. I looked away shrugging my shoulders.

"No really, that was fucking amazing, you wrote this yourself? It's so well done and your voice, oh my god, your voice is breathtaking. What did I do to deserve someone like you?" He sighed.

"It's not what you've done, it's what other people have done to you."

A/n: hello...still here? Wow. I have plenty of chapters I'm desperate to release so I'll probably be updating often. Feedback?