The Risk of Falling in Love: A Jonah vs. Daniel Fanfiction

Chapter 15

"Em," Harper says shaking my arm. I jerk awake and I look around frantically.
"What's happening?" I ask, worried.
"There's... someone at the door for you," she replies skeptically.
"What?" I say looking at the clock. "It's only 7 am!"
"Just... go talk to them Em," Harper says going back into her room.
I pull myself out of bed and I walk to the closed door. I open it, and am surprised to see Daniels concerned face staring back at me.
"Dani?" I ask confused and still slightly mad. "What are you doing?"
"I couldn't sleep knowing you were mad at me. I just had to come talk to you," he says grabbing the back of his neck.
"Daniel, why did you lie to me and Jonah?"
"I... I was trying to protect you, Em. Jonah had a girlfriend..."
"What?" All the blood drains from my face and I cant breath.
"He... he had a girlfriend?" I stammer. "What the actual hell, Daniel!"
"I didn't want you to know... I knew it would hurt you..."
I shake my head with an annoyed laugh. "I should have known right? Why would Jonah have liked me?"
"Em..." Daniel says grabbing my arm. "It's okay, to be upset..."
"Thank you for telling me," I say giving Daniel a hug. "I have to go."
I close my door without another word, and I let the building tears fall. I slide onto the floor into a ball, and I let the floodgate of Jonah tears open once more.

~
My phone buzzes on my bed, as I'm doing my makeup for the day. I get up to grab it, and I read the text from Zach saying, 'come meet us for lunch at Lyfe Kitchen'.
I smile slightly, and type back, 'See you soon, Zachy!'
These boys were my best friends. It's time I start acting like theirs. Even though it will be painful to see Jonah's face, I owe it to Zach, Corbyn, Jack, and even Daniel- the people that changed my life for the better.
I grab my keys and drive about 15 minutes to the restaurant.
I walk in, my eyes searching for any of the guys. I spot Zach's smiling face coming toward me, and we embrace in a hug.
"I'm glad you could come," Zach says messing with my hair.
I frown and say, "Hey, not the hair bro!"
We both laugh, and Zach leads me to the table with a solid hand on my back.
I let out a relived breath of air when I see that Jonah has not joined them for lunch.
"Emma!" Daniel says getting up to hug me. "How are you doing?"
"I'm okay," I reply. "Still kind of... shook up I guess." Daniel nods, and pulls out a chair for me.
"Hey," Corbyn says handing me a menu.
"Thanks dude," I reply with a smile.
"Hi Jack," I say with a wave down the table.
"Hey Em, check this out," Jack says pointing to his new tattoo on his arm.
"That's fresh," Corbyn says cracking up. Jack glares at Corbyn teasingly and I say, "I cant think of anything better than 'fresh' to say."
"Dang you Corbyn," Jack says throwing his balled up straw wrapper at Corbyns head.
We all laugh histarically, earning glances from the other people in the restaurant.
"We're the weirdos," Zach says with a smile.
"When aren't we?" Daniel says looking up from his phone.
"Bro, put your phone down," Jack says to Daniel.
"I had to answer Jonah," he replies, not meeting my eyes.
"Where is he anyways?" Corbyn says eyeing his menu.
"He said he was doing something," Daniel says.
We all exchange glances, knowing exactly why Jonah was "busy".
"Hey Em," Daniel says looking up at me. "There's a party tonight at our friends house. Do you want to come with us?"
I take a sip of my water, thinking. Do I want to go to a party where I don't know anyone? What is Jonah's there?
Finally, I reply, "Sure, sounds fun."
It's not like I have anything else to do, so I might as well try to have some fun.
"Great. It starts at 9. If you come over we can uber together...?"
"Sounds great," I reply with a smile as the waitress comes back.

~
At 8:30, I finish my hair and walk over to my mirror. I stare at my reflection- a short black dress and heels- and I call for an uber.
I arrive at the Why Dont We house a few minutes before 9.
Daniel sees me coming and opens the door for me. I step out and take in my surroundings- Jack, Zach, Corbyn, Daniel... and Jonah- all dressed very nicely.
"You look great," Daniel says with a friendly smile.
"Thanks," I reply with a laugh.
"Yeah," Jack says. "You'll be the most breathtaking girl there." Corbyn and Zach nod in agreement.
All eyes float to Jonah, who is looking at his phone.
He feels our eyes and looks up at us with a small blush.
"Oh. Yeah, you like very... nice," he says looking back down at his phone.
"You guys really know how to make a girl blush," I say teasing them.
The uber pulls up, and we all pile into the big SUV, heading to the party.
The car pulls up in front of a large house, full of people.
I follow the boys inside, and watch as all but Zach disperse in different directions.
"You don't have to watch me," I say elbowing him playfully.
"You're more fun than anyone here," Zach says grinning at me.
"Let's go dance bro," I say leading him into the center of the mosh pit.
Zach and I jump around for hours, until I'm so thirsty I might die.
"I'LL BE RIGHT BACK," I scream over the music.
"OKAY," Zach yells back. "I'LL BE RIGHT HERE."
I wander around the house until I find a container of clear liquid- presumably water.
I pour myself a glass, and chug it down, realizing it's not water.
I stare back at the container, debating whether I want more of the supposed alcohol.
'What the heck' I think to myself, pouring more into my glass. I carry my drink through the house, sipping on it as I look for Zach.
The room starts to blur together a little, as I continue my search.
After 10 minutes I still can't find him, so I find my way to the backyard.
The backyard is crowded with people.
I spot Zach on top of a table with his shirt off, dancing for girls standing below him.
I laugh, and finish my fourth glass.
"EMMA," Zach yells to me. "COME DANCE WITH ME!"
I laugh giddily from all the alcohol in my system, and I climb on top of the table.
"THIS IS SO FUN," I yell.
"I KNOW RIGHT," Zach yells back.
Zach and I spin each other on top of the table, earning cheers from the other tipsy people below us.
Some dude brings us more drinks, and my vision becomes so blurry I can barely walk.
"Zach!" I say laughing my ass off. "I feel like i'm floating!"
"Me too!" Zach reply's joining my laughter.
The two of us stumble around the backyard laughing, until suddenly the world goes black.