𝐈𝐓 𝐆𝐄𝐓𝐒 𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐈𝐄𝐑 ; daniel seavey

N I N E

Saying that Ashley was stunned would be an understatement.

Daniel had answered the door to his apartment, and for the first time since Ashley had known him, he was not wearing his black hoodie. Instead, he sported a deep blue t-shirt that showed off his incredible biceps. He looked fit, but he didn't have those huge, bulging muscles you see guys at the gym with. She was always unnerved by those people because they looked like they could just snap metal bars in half without even trying.

His hair was wet and stuck to his forehead, indicating that he had just taken a shower. He smiled at her with that sweet, shy smile of his that made her insides turn to jelly. He'd been smiling a lot more lately. Albeit, they weren't full on grins, but it was something.

With his more positive attitude change and the sudden splash of colour to his wardrobe, Ashley felt like the Real Daniel was finally peeking through his old sad exterior. And she had to admit, she really liked this new Daniel.

"Hey, Ashley," he greeted with a dorky wave. The gesture was just so adorable she couldn't help but let out a small giggle.

"Hey, Dani. You ready for our movie day?"

"Definitely." He stepped aside to let her in then led her to the living room where everything was already set up.

They sat on the soft brown couch as Ashley took in the movies he had laid out in the glass table in front of them. He had Forrest Gump, Clash of the Titans, Finding Nemo, all three Back to the Future films, and The Notebook.

"Nice variety you've got here," she complemented. She picked up The Notebook and gave him a look. "But The Notebook? I honestly did not expect you to have this."

He blushed a deep red, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "I didn't know what type of movie you liked, so I asked the old lady next door if she had anything I could borrow."

"And you picked The Notebook?"

"Well, all the other movies were in back and white," he said, looking completely embarrassed. "Plus, I thought girls liked this movie so..."

"That's really sweet of you, Daniel." His blue eyes brightened at her praise. "But lucky for you, I kind of have an obsession with Back to the Future. So I'm going to have to go with that one."

He stared at her, shocked. "You like Back to the Future too?"

"Yeah, it's like one of my favourite movies."

"Me too!"

"Really? That's awesome. We should have a marathon."

"Okay," he said excitedly before jumping from the couch and quickly putting in the DVD. This is probably the most energetic she's ever seen him. The thought made her stomach feel like it was being infested with butterflies.

"Oh, I almost forgot. I got these for you." He handed her a twelve pack of Kit-Kat's. Her all-time favourtie.

"Oh my God, I love these! How did you know?"

He shrugged bashfully. "I see you eat them at lunch sometimes. I figured they were your favourite."

"Thank you so much, Daniel." Without warning, she leaned in and hugged him. He stilled, his entire body so rigid it felt like she was hugging a statue. But after a moment, his muscles relaxed as he hesitantly returned the gesture, lightly wrapping his arms around her back.

She moved away after a few seconds, looking into his eyes as she said, "You're the best."

The way he looked at her then, his eyes softening as they roamed her face, made her feel slightly lightheaded.