Complete 360

Chapter 3

This damn small town, why do I even have to be here. My parents are seriously deciding to split up right before my senior year of high school? This is bull shit.

I was walking around listening to music and ended up finding myself at the park. How the hell did I wind up here?

I am supposed to be helping my mom unpack her things that way I can go back home. I must be in denial about the separation, leaving her here and going back home. I found myself stumbling and to my surprise I am not alone.

A girl  is reading in a hammock and she looks so peaceful, it's like she is in her own little world. I approach her to get a better look. Suddenly, she looks up at me and I was stunned.

"Can I help you," she says. I couldn't help but grin

"Hey I am Aiden, Aiden James."

"Well Aiden what can I do for you" she replies

I just stood there bewildered by her blonde hair and her blue eyes.  She is beautiful.

Damn Aiden you better say something quick "Uh are you going to introduce yourself or continue checking me out." Good job playing it cool.

"Danielle Davis" she responded nervously.

I had to calm down and play it cool. The best I could come up with "Well Danielle it was nice to meet you, hope to see you around sometime"

I then ran for the hills back to the place I was avoiding this entire time.

I made it back to the neighborhood and I couldn't get Danielle out of my head. I was beginning o think I was going crazy, because as I was sitting on the front porch I saw her.  Danielle was walking down to the end of the road.

I had to do something and quick. The question is what? I obviously know talking to her isn't an option.

A letter, I will write her a letter and maybe that will give us both a way to communicate. I will be here for a couple of weeks before I plan on heading back home. That will be plenty enough time to figure out what this is.

I wrote Danielle a letter in record beating time and I could not wait for her to read it and hopefully respond. I finally got the nerve to walk down to her house. I was carrying my skateboard in one hand and the letter in the other. As I was walking I started second guessing myself.

"What if she doesn't live there and you are dumb enough to leave an envelope at some strangers house." Okay Aiden, now you are talking to yourself. This is great.

As I approach the house I see Danielle through the window and it looks like she is in her living room. I catch Danielle noticing me. I quickly put the envelope in her mailbox and I jumped on my skateboard not looking back.

Day one - maybe Danielle is busy and hasn't had time to write back. I will write her another letter.

Day two-  Danielle must not be home. I will leave  another letter for when she gets home. That will be a nice surprise. Right?

Day three- alright Aiden she is not interested you are past being pathetic. Three strikes and I am out. 

Monday came around and I was surprised to see Danielle out of the kitchen window. She was taking the trash out, and without hesitation I was running.  I kept running until I was standing right in front of her.

Danielle looked amused and says something snarky about what I am doing and about being creepy or something. Who knows, I was only partially paying attention. I am still trying to figure out what my next move is..

"Well Danielle did your parents ever tell you it is rude to ignore a person who is just trying to be friendly." I say knowing she would be caught off guard.

If Danielle wants sarcasm I will show her. I asked her what she had planned for today to see what kind of excuse she could come up with. No response, interesting.

"Well Danielle I will take that as you do not have anything planned so I think we should hang out."

I was waiting for the rejections and I am caught by surprise.

"Okay Aiden so what do you have in mind?" Danielle asked I could tell she is intrigued. Aiden don't mess this up.

"Be ready in an hour and you will find out. Oh yea and make sure you wear a swimsuit." She blushes and I decide to skate off before she over thinks the situation and chickens out.

12 o'clock what am I going to do for an entire hour?  My mom is resting and I know it is only because she is exhausted from moving everything on her own. I feel bad because I really should be more helpful but I still expect her to decide to come back home. Why would you unpack your things just to pack them up all over again.

I decided to pick up my guitar that I brought along and play a few notes. I always end up playing to keep my mind preoccupied. Not long after playing, I had a complete melody in my head about her.

Let me tell you about a girl I met not so long ago.
She was sitting on a hammock drinking lemonade all alone.
She was beautiful and breathtaking
Damn I couldn't even think straight

I had a verse made up when I decided to check my phone for the time.

"Shit I am going to be late." I said out loud as I grabbed my motorcycle helmet and the spare helmet before running out the door. Danielle is going to flip out I thought to myself.

Danielle's reaction was priceless, of course she wouldn't give in that easy to ride a motorcycle with someone she just met. I am hoping that the motorcycle is a good enough distraction from the fact that we are leaving town to go back to where I live. I have yet to decide whether I should tell her or not. I had to do something to get her to remain calm and come along with me.

I grabbed Danielle's hand and I felt something that I can't quite wrap my head around. "Do you trust me?" I asked her, scared to hear the answer. Danielle nods her head and hops on my bike and away we went.

Danielle trusted me enough to go wherever I decided, no questions asked and damn that feeling was amazing.

We arrived at the beach a couple blocks from my house and Danielle stood beside me  in awe.

"What's on your mind Danielle" I asked her searching for answers. Danielle is so complex and I want to know everything about her. The answer was something I never would have come up with.

"Lemonade" she yelled. This girl is something.

"You must really like lemonade. I will have to remember that."  She blushes and my knees go weak.

"Why are we here?" Danielle asked. She is always asking questions.

"You sure have a lot of questions Danielle." I state. I guess I will have to tell her sooner or later.  "I live here." I say and now I feel like I opened a huge can of worms.

"If you live here than what are you doing in Georgetown?" Of course she would ask why I am in her area all of a sudden. I decided to open up to her in ways I have never done before

"No one knows yet but my mom and dad are getting a divorce. My mom has moved to the same neighborhood that you live in." I explain as a huge weight lifted off of my shoulders. I can tell Danielle is genuinely upset

"I am so sorry Aiden you didn't have to tell me. I need to learn to not be so nosy." Danielle responds frantic

I try to lighten the mood "I guess you can say we could be neighbors" and I couldn't help but smile at the thought.

"I am glad you came with me Danielle. I want you to get to know me that way you will trust me to get to know you."

No matter how scary or complicated it may be I wanted to know everything.