The Mysterious Messages

Daniel

Daniel stared at me, eyes wide open as he smiles and embraces me in a hug.

"God, I haven't seen you in forever! You haven't been at your grandparents in what feels like 100 years. How are they anyways?

My smile fell and I looked downwards. "Yeah, they passed away. I'm surprised with how small the town is, that you never heard about the...incident."

"Oh- I'm so sorry, I didn't know. Are you doing well?" I could see the genuine worry on his face and I don't blame him. He basically grew up at my grandparent's house the summers I stayed. His parents were always fighting so he came to our house to hang out with me every day. He never told me his parents were fighting but I could just tell. Every time I rode my bike to pick him up, I could hear the harsh echoes of yelling from the house. He always seemed unhappy or sad when I would first pick him up. Also when he had to leave. His eyes seemed as though they were begging me to just stay with him forever so he never had to go back. At the end of every summer he cried real tears. I wonder what happened to him the summers when I stopped coming. I'm surprised he still trusts me.

"Yeah, I've changed a lot since the incident. Everyone was avoiding what happened back in England so I left and moved into their old house"

"Wow, so you're off on your own now. Is it difficult? I know when I left my parents I was a total mess. My life consisted of late nights of homework and ramen." Daniel laughed, rubbing his head.

"Yeah it is pretty weird in that big house, nobody around. I feel like the place is missing something. I can still see you and I running around the halls and my grandma in the study room reading. It's...strange. Being back and all." We stood there in silence, "Well it was nice seeing you, Danny. We should hang out sometime."

"Yeah, we should." Danny said with a grin, "How about Wednesday?' I stood there in disbelief. I didn't really expect him to follow through. Most people just say that out of friendliness, but he really just asked me out. I wanted to jump up and down. Even though I was 20, I'm not really used to this. Growing up in a well know family with money always scared off all the boys. I just assumed they were intimidated. When I think about it, Danny was the only person I had feelings for.

I snapped back to reality and saw Daniel holding his phone out, waiting for me to put in my number. I typed it in and smiled warmly, covering up my mouth. I have always done this since I was young. I tried to cover up the gap in my front teeth since I always had an insecure about it.

"Don't cover up your smile. It's cute. Remember when I would tell you that everyday? What a ladies man., am I right? " I snickered and he made a goofy smug face as he flexed his arm," Well see you around, Riley." He flashed his perfect teeth and waved as he left the store.

I stood there for a second until I snapped back into reality. I was heading to the candy aisle to eat my loneliness away, but now I have a date... in three days! I walked past the chocolate and gummies avoiding eye contact. The struggle to not give in to the temptation faded away as I ran through my mind what just happened.

My childhood sweetheart and only love who is nice and beautiful just asked me out... I let that sit.

Omg, OMG, OMG!!! I finally let out what I was holding in. At that moment you could see me jumping up and down with happiness in the middle of a rite aid.