CAPTURE>>Why don't we

CHAPTER TEN: JANITORS CLOSET

BILLIE'S POV:
The janitors closet at Ridgewood is not your average, typical janitors closet.its one of my favorite things about the school. It's a small, neat room with boxes of all sorts stacked against one wall. The other wall has various brooms, mops and cleaning supplies. The opposite wall has shelves of neatly placed jars and packets of food that doesn't go off easily such as Nutella. Then the last wall has a box tv against it but no one really watches it. Beanbags, rugs and chairs are scattered all over the wooden floor and it's such a comfy place. Of course the kids at my school have disrespected the real purpose of the room by making it a social gossip and hookup spot so I don't usually go in there,
When I get there I open the door to find an anxious Daniel sitting in one of the chairs. He looks up at me in surprise so I greet him

B: hello
I say giving him a warm hug
D: uh...hi I didn't think you'd show
B: why wouldn't I?
I say before sitting on one of the beanbags and he does the same
D: I don't know...maybe because you like Jonah now
B: I don't like Jonah
I say completely lying
D: I saw you holding hands this morning
B: that meant nothing
I lie again
B: I was scared of getting in trouble so he grabbed my hand to calm me down that's all

We sit in silence for a bit before it hits me that Daniel seems...upset because I like Jonah? Why?

B: wait...why does it bother you so much if I held hands with him?

DANIEL'S POV:
This is it...my chance to get her back. I know I still have,to tell her about her dairy...ugh! When I saw her I just wanted to hug her so hard and squeeze all the pain out of her! I guess I need to tell her why...

D: well...ever since the first time I saw you picking up your notes and all I thought you were the most beautiful angel I've ever seen and I say that because I really mean it. I've been tryna find the right way to say to you that...I would walk a million miles to find my way to you and...there is no one else that ever could compare to you
B: Daniel...what are you saying?
D: I'm saying...I love you
I look down feeling my face turn all shades of pink
B: y-you...love me?
D: yeah more than anything

BILLIE'S POV:
I look down trying to take this all in...it just doesn't make sense. For starters, him and Jonah wouldn't both like me...it's like bro code and second...I'm not pretty enough for someone like Daniel! We sit in silence while I try processing this information. I feel like I'm in a dream...like a fairytale or something. I guess I'm just going tell him the truth

B: I uh...avoided you after we met in the hall the other day because I was embarrassed of how I left things. Before we met at the hospital and became such good friends...I won't lie I did feel something for you but I tried to stop because I never in a million years thought someone like you could like someone like me
D: why not? How couldn't I? And so what happens now...what are you saying?
I reach out and grab his hand
B: I guess I'm saying...I can't say I love you just yet but...never comes when never's all you know
He smiles and it seems like the most perfect moment that nothing could ever ruin

DANIEL'S POV:
it's a perfect moment but I have to confess about the dairy. If we're gonna be in a good place then I want no secrets between us. I'm dreading this but it's time for me to put my big boy pants on...I take a deep breath before talking

D: Billie
B: yes
D: since we're in such a good place I want there to be no secrets between us
B: yeah...me too
D: and I want you to know that I'm always here for you no matter what
B: thanks dan that's so sweet
D: I want you to know that you're beautiful just the way you are and I love you just the way you are. Please don't ever feel pressured into changing yourself...especially not for someone like Haley
B: Dan...
She started tearing up and didn't let go of my hand...not that I'm complaining
D: I'm...sorry about your brother
She straightens immediately and glares at me
B: how do you know about that?
D: I...uh-
B: Daniel?!
D: I'm sorry please don't be mad
B: what?!
D: I...I took your dairy but-
She yanks her hand away from mine and stands up with an angry expression
B: you took my dairy?! It was you this whole time?!
D: It was for safekeeping. You left it that morning we met and so...I took it for you and I didn't read it until this morning I swear! When I saw you and Jonah...I don't know what happened I just panicked and I needed a way to get you back...I needed to understand