Summer days

Chapter 9: Capital A, Awkward

William

It was finally Friday. Everyone quickly rushed out of school and started their weekend. Gordon was telling me about this party later at some dudes house. I told him that I didn't really like parties and he should just go without me. I'm not saying that I'm anti-social, it's just that I don't feel like going anywhere tonight. I went home after that, I would normally take the bus but I just felt like walking today. As I walked, I was thinking about yesterday. About Dani and me. And then I looked back on today, Danica seemed to be the same Dani. She ate with us at lunch and still talked to me normally. I guess she just let that day pass and forgot about it. Maybe I should too. Why would I bring that topic up in a middle of a conversation anyways? I was already near my street when I hear someone calling my name. I took off my earphones and turned to the direction of the voice calling me. I turn to see Danica on the other side of the street. She was waving at me just as she was crossing the street.

"Hey Will." She greeted me with that smile of hers.

"Oh hi..."

We stayed quiet for a while. But it was a comfortable kind of silence. She was looking down on the ground as usual. She looked back up at me again before she spoke. "So, wanna walk home together?"

I cleared my throat before I answered. "Uh sure..." So we walked. Even though she's acting as if nothing happened yesterday, I still cant drop that day. So I was acting weird, looking at her and bumping into things on the way. Just like earlier, I almost bumped into a lamp post.

Dani looked at me and looked back at the lamp post. "Will, what's with you? You seem off today..."

"Uh sorry, I'm just thinking about uhm something..." I mutter. I tried to focus on the sidewalk and try not to glance at Dani every 10 seconds.

"Okay, something's wrong Will." Dani told me. "Just tell me, I won't judge..." She stopped walking and faced me. I tried to avoid eye contact by looking back at the lamp post. I cant let her see the embarrassment in my eyes. She then placed her hand on my cheek and turned my face to face her. Her hand was soft when see touched my cheek. "Will just tell me, something is bothering you. Is it your parents?" I shook my head. "Is it your sister or your brother?" I mutter a no. "Is it Gordon?" I shake my head side wards again. She was about to say something but she didn't. She then nodded at something and faced me again. "Is it me?" She says sounding a bit down. I slowly nod and kept my hands in my jacket pockets.

"Oh." She said as her voice cracks a bit. "Is it because of yesterday?"

"Not really. It just seems that you're acting as if it didn't matter to you at all. When we shared what we felt and stuff..."

"Will, just because it doesn't seem like I care doesn't mean I do. I do care a lot about the fact that you like me and I like you a too. It was the only thing in my head last night and this morning." She told me. She then continued walking, leaving me speechless. I don't know if she's mad or what but it seems like she is. Just as she was reaching the turn, she turned back and called out for me. I quickly walked up to her and we were standing next to each other.

"I'm just freaked about this whole thing..." I whispered to her.

"Me too. I never liked anyone this much before." She replied.

We both crossed the street and continued walking. We were about to reach her house just as she turned back at me again.

"Okay, see you at school then." She said as she was going to her house. I bid her bye and slowly walked home. I was walking when I hear something and looked back. Footsteps, they were getting louder and faster. I turn to see Danica running to me. She quickly stopped as she reached me. She handed me a piece of paper from her pocket...

"My number in case you want to discuss the project or whatever..." She panted. I smiled at her and put the piece of paper in my pocket.

"Okay thanks..."

She then waves and walks off. I continued walking home and keep on looking back if she's still there. I guess she's everywhere. She's there standing behind me, she's there in front of me. I guess that's what happens when someone just seems so attached to your thoughts that they start to appear everywhere.

Danica

I walk back home when I gave Will my number, checking my phone every now and then. Even at dinner, every five minutes I would check my phone for him that my mom got pissed. After dinner, I was laying on my bed waiting for a boy who'll never call or text. It's not like he would because I told him it's for school purposes and stuff. And why would he talk to me after that very awkward conversation we had walking home. I guess our conversations were really meant to be awkward. I rather keep it that way actually, I cant handle serious talk. Or maybe serious talk just turns awkward when I start to talk...? Anyways, I was eagerly waiting for at least a "hi" or something about the project. But there wasn't anything. I didn't wait anymore. I just slowly went to sleep and was hoping it would already be Saturday. But guess what disturbed my slumber...

Ring Ring...

I groan as I search for my phone on my bed. I found it and hit the answer button.

"Hello..." I grunted as I rubbed my eye and checked my alarm clock. 11:23 pm. I've been asleep for almost 3 hours. Great...

"Hey, this is Will." I jumped up from the sound of his name. "William Henderson..."

"Uh yeah, yeah this is Dani."

"Oh hi."

"Hi." I smile as I heard his voice. Why would he call so late at night? Maybe he was busy or contemplating whether to call me or not. If I was him, I would surely just think about it all night. After that we stayed silent for a while. Not that kind of silent where we just stop talking and talk a few seconds later, I could hear voices in the background so I just waited for Will. I'm not sure if he hung up or lost connection or what.

He seemed to be one for too long and the phone line seemed to be breaking up. "Hello? Are you still there?"