Trapped (egobang trans)

Chapter 48 - Teasing

< Arin's POV >

It was a good 10 minutes before Danny came back, and Arin felt herself sigh with relief when he came in alone. He was smiling more than when he left, but Arin put that down to his usual musical enthusiasm as he bounced up to the stage.

"Did you find the room okay?" asked Sung casually.

"Yup! Ashley's where she needs to be now."

"Ooooh, she has a name, does she?" Meouch said with a wink.

Arin watched as Danny's smile dropped for a second. Then, he chuckled.

"Yeah, ever heard of making conversation?"

"Is that what they're calling it nowadays?"

Danny rolled his eyes, turning away slightly.

"Yes, that's all it was, Meouch."

Arin's eyes flitted between Danny and Meouch. She could see Meouch grinning stupidly, about to make some other suggestive comment probably. Danny on the other hand looked suddenly hostile, like the pestering lion's words had hit a nerve. His cheeks were slightly red and he seemed to be holding back some harsh words of his own. Arin feared where this would go if Meouch didn't shut up.

"I don't blame you, bud. She's pretty hot-"

"Shut the fuck up already, I said that I just showed her where the room is," Danny growled suddenly.

Meouch flinched, backing up a little.

"I-I..."

Even that small sound seemed to aggravate Danny even more, and his eyes burned with a sudden annoyance as he balled his fists. Arin saw him fighting to keep them at his side's and not swinging towards Meouch's face so she knew she had to do something.

"D-Danny, come on, let's take a breather outside for a minute," she said as softly as she could, edging closer like he was a wild animal about to pounce, which honestly wasn't too far from the truth.

The curly haired boy let out a heavy sigh, his expression softening just enough to regain rational thought as he quickly left the room, Arin following close behind.

Arin closed the door behind them and watched as Danny leaned against the wall opposite, facing her. He rubbed his face, shoulders dropping in another long sigh.

"Ugh, sorry, Meouch just gets to me sometimes," he apologized through his hands.

"It's okay. Why is it bothering you so much, though?" Arin dared to ask.

Danny didn't reply at first, running his hands past his face to run through his curls before letting them fall across his chest in a folded, closed off position. He gazed down the hall, avoiding looking at Arin. Blush seemed to play on his fair cheeks as he thought about her question.

"I... It wasn't like that. Sure, she's pretty, but I just met her, why does Meouch have to say all that stuff? And after what happened with us... I-I don't know..." he finally said, half to himself.

Something in Arin's heart lurched, and she felt a new question burning in her mind. It wasn't what Danny wanted to hear, but she just had to ask.

"So, do you... l-like her?"

"You too? Fuck, can't you guys just lay off it?" Danny hissed, and Arin regretted her words, "I'm going home."

Arin stayed where she was, cursing her stupid impulsive behaviour as Danny went back into the music room, only to come out a moment later with his bag slung over his shoulder. With one dirty glare he stormed past Arin, not looking back even as Brian appeared in the doorway and called his name. A second later Arin vaguely heard Meouch being blamed for driving Danny away, but she knew she was the one who had pushed him over the edge.

A/N: sorry for the angst lol, got lots of work right now so im trying to continue this story when I get free time. There's a bit more angst to come, probably only one more chapter, but then I have some stuff in store ;) so bear with me (I feel like I say this all the time with my fics honestly)