hard | daniel seavey

chapter nine

   "C'mon, Madison," Jonah said when I followed him into the living room.  They had invited me over to listen to the song they planned on releasing within the next few weeks, but it really just turned into us hanging out around the house. "Just stay with us until you're able to get on your feet."

   "I can't do that. I don't wanna intrude or anything," I sighed and sat next to Corbyn. He was currently holding little Lavender, rocking her to sleep.

   "You wouldn't be. Like Jonah told you, you're like family now." Zach said as Kay came back from the kitchen with two waters. She sat on his lap and played with his hair. He has easily become my best friend, and I loved how happy him and Kay were together.

    "I appreciate it. But I really can't." I sighed and looked up the steps. Daniel has been in his room since I had gotten here. I tried my hardest to not run up there and spend time with just him, but I so desperately wanted to.

   "Just stay until you get your own place. We can even go with you and make sure you find the right one," Corbyn added and looked at me. The other boys all nodded along.

    "Are you guys like ever mean? Like can you stop being so nice all the time," I laughed and hugged Corbyn carefully, trying not to wake Lavender. I was really thankful to have these boys in my life. Each of them grew to be the best friends I've always wanted.

    "Okay, but I think someone would like to see you," Zach said and pointed upstairs. I rolled my eyes and laughed. The boys couldn't make it any less obvious Daniel liked me. As much as I tried to ignore it, I couldn't.
     
     Walking upstairs, I heard the faint sound of the cello. I slowly opened the door to Daniel's room. He sat behind the cello with his eyes closed, passionately giving it his all. I stood there for a moment, watching him strum away. He hummed along to whatever rhythm he was playing. When the song ended, his eyes slowly opened and he looked up at me.

   "H-hi," Daniel said with a weak smile. He stood up put the cello back on its stand.

    "That was beautiful, what was it?" I asked and sat on the small couch he had in his room.

    "Nothing, really. I just play whatever speaks to me." He sat next to me and played with the strings on his sweatshirt.

     "That's amazing. You really have a gift, Daniel. " I looked at him in awe.

      The more I looked at him the more I felt something. I wasn't sure what it was, but it defienetly was something I haven't felt in a long time. The way he passionately made music, the way he always put others before himself, everything. There wasn't a single thing wrong with this boy. And my heart swelled at the thought of it. Stop - Aaron and I just went on our break this morning. I wanted it to work between us. I don't know if it was my nerves of being 'single', but I felt myself wanting Daniel.

   "Madi? Are you listening?" Daniel snapped his fingers in front of my face. I looked up at him and laughed.

    "Sorry, I just got lost in thought for a second. What were you saying?" I asked and looked down at my hands.  

     "I asked if you wanted to learn how to play? I can teach you anything," He waved over the instruments in his room. I looked over, my eyes landing on the piano.

   "I've always wanted to play the piano?" I said in more of a question. Daniel smiled and took my hand. He led me over to the piano. It had little letters engraved in the keys.

    "I had the letters carved in because I would always forget where they were," He laughed and pulled the bench out. We sat next to each other and he went over everything I needed to know.

     After about 20 minutes I got it down without forgetting the keys. Daniel's hands were placed over mine, guiding them to where they needed to be. We were starting with something simple. Eventually he let me go off on my own and let me play the song without his help. It wasn't perfect, but it wasn't terrible either.

    "You're really starting to get it," He smiled at me. I looked over at him and smiled excitedly. We sat there and smiled at each other for a moment. His eyes trailed from mine down to my lips. We were both starting to lean in. But when our lips were barley an inch apart, I stopped.

     "We can't," I sighed and closed my eyes. I fought the urge to kiss Daniel. He rested his forehead against mine.

      "I know. I'm sorry," He breathed out deeply. I looked at him and saw hurt all over his face.

    "No, I'm sorry. I'm a mess. You deserve better," He really did. He didn't deserve the baggage that came along with me. Daniel's hand gently snaked around my neck. His blue eyes looked up at me. 

     "There's no one better than you." Was all he said before crashing his lips onto mine. And I didn't fight back. Not this time.