Who's the One?

Chapter 28

Dani and I get to my house and walk in to find Doug and Steve playing video games in the living room. Great.

"I'm home! Going to my room", I call as I pull Dani along toward my room.

"Wait. How was the fair?", Doug asks.

"Fine.We'll talk later", I respond. I feel bad, but I don't want them seeing my red puffy eyes.

"I think they know something's up Lil. You made it super obvious. Plus, Steve couldn't keep his eyes off of you when you were dragging me over here", Dani says.

"I know, but look at me. I'm a mess", I reply as I plop down onto my bed.

"Maybe you should seek some comfort from Steve."

I look over to Dani with a brow raised. She's wiggling her brows and smiling. We laugh and I lay back on my bed.

"You're funny", I say.

"Seriously though, think about it."

"Oh, it wasn't just a joke?" I lay on my side to face Dani who is sitting on my bean bag chair. "Why would I do that?"

"He likes you." She says nothing further, as if that should have made everything perfectly clear.

"Okay, and?"

"He can give you some insight on Dylan's perspective. Duh."

"True", I go over it in my head. "What if I start crying?

"Let him hug you, bonus", Dani says with a chuckle.

I shake my head with a small smile. "I'll just melt into the hug. That could complicate things."

"Hm. That's really all I've got Lil. There's not much I can help with. This is all about what you feel. I can't tell you what to feel. I'm sorry." Dani gives me a pained look. I know it's hard for her, not knowing the solution to my dilemma.

"I know." I sigh, "You should call Aaron and go back out. Tell him I'm sorry for stealing you."

"No, it's okay. You need me, I'm here."

"I'll be okay Dani. Go, have fun. I'll feel worse if I keep ruining your day."

"You're not ruining anything." She pulls out her phone and holds it up. "Are you sure? I'm giving you one last chance to tell me to stay."

I laugh. "Call the boy before I do."

Soon after Dani calls Aaron, she's gone.

I lie in my bed allowing myself to play over the events of today. I can't help the tears that fall. I let myself cry and release the hurt I was feeling. There's nothing like a good cry.

There's a knock at my door.

I quickly wipe my eyes. "Come in", I say trying to sound like my normal self.

My door opens to reveal Steve. "Hey. Doug said I should check on you. He said he heard you crying. Are you okay?"

I sniffle. "Yeah, it's just been a heck of a day."

Steve steps in and closes the door. He sits at the foot of my bed. "What happened?"

"Well", I pause and look at him. His stare is so intense.

"You don't have to tell me if you're not comfortable. I just want to help, I still care about you."

Steve's eyes never leave mine.

I break eye contact and bring my knees to my chest. "Dylan and I hung out at the fair because Dani and Aaron kind of ditched us. It was fine, we were having fun. Then we went to get food. He chose nachos of all things. It made me think of you."