Feel This

Chapter 6

I spent the next three days tactfully avoiding Daniel the best I could. Apart from the few hours I was forced to spend sat in the same room as him during Psychology and form time, I was able to tweak the ins and outs of my life to ensure a Daniel free zone. Unfortunately, this included the introduction of a forty minute walk to school in the mornings instead of my beloved bus rides which somehow, I had convinced myself was worth it. After spending several restless nights contemplating the alleged horror story that came to shape and mould his emotion barrier, I had decided to follow my instincts and steer well clear. Erasing his mental presence, however, proved a lot more difficult than erasing his physical one, especially when he was Rebecca’s favourite topic of conversation.

“You know Samantha is utterly distraught that Daniel won’t even return her looks, let alone any kiss attempts that she makes!” Rebecca squealed with delight, “Karma’s a bitch, Sammy.” 

She made her way over to one of the booths lining the baby pink walls of our favourite dessert place. As per tradition, every Friday after school we came here and ordered two strawberry milkshakes as a sort of congratulatory reward for making it through another week of academic hell. The waitress gave us her signature wink before confirming our usual order. I sat opposite Rebecca and relieved my aching shoulder by flinging my satchel down beside me. I sighed before replying,

“He was just toying with her to piss me off which makes him just as bad as she is when it comes to using people and having next to no morality.”

“Oh, calm it Ghandi!” Rebecca grinned at me as our milkshakes arrived and I couldn’t help but grin back. I took a long, delicious sip as she continued talking, “Speaking of which, how you’ve managed to maintain self-control and avoid him most of this week is beyond me. I commend you. Really.”

“Why you’re referring to him as a necessity is beyond ME. I told you what he said about having a story and all the mental prep needed to listen to said story and quite frankly it scares me a little bit. I mean, what if he’s an assassin?”

“Ooh, that’s hot. Former pirate maybe? Complete with eye patch and peg leg?” She giggled. I decided to play along.

“Maybe he’s wanted back in the USA for serial flashing.” The familiar ring of the wind chimes above the door mingled with our laughter as new customers entered the building.

“Now that I’d like to see!” I rolled my eyes at her, noting that it was not the first time I had done that in response to a Daniel related statement she had made that day. We finished our milkshakes, paid and headed out into the warm afternoon.

“In all seriousness though, Rebecca, do you not think it’s a little shady?”

“Honestly … I think you’re overthinking this. I reckon it’s one of his many and probably most successful girl trapping acts.” I thought about how easily he seemed to switch from one persona to the next, warm then cold then back again. It seemed to fit Rebecca’s theory somewhat but I just couldn’t shake that it was more than that.

“Hmm, maybe.”  At that moment, my phone buzzed. I fished it out of my pocket to find a text from mum.

You home for dinner? Contemplating making lasagne.

 Rebecca repositioned herself next to me in an attempt to achieve full access to my phone screen, reading the text message out loud. I tapped out a quick reply,

Yes and please do.

“How is your mum? I haven’t seen her for a while.” Rebecca knew to tread lightly when it came to asking about my folks. She was the only one who really knew about my dad leaving and how badly it had affected both of us. When it happened I nearly shut Rebecca out altogether and I am beyond grateful that she didn’t let me. In hindsight, shutting her out completely would have done more damage than good.