How to Love (un-finished)

Chapter 3

I woke up at 9:30 am. It was pretty nice out, the sun was shining bright through my curtains. It was the beginning of spring, and I could tell I would be sneezing all day. I have a really bad pollen allergy.

I checked the weather on my computer and it said, a high of 83 and a low of 75 so I decided to wear something that would keep me cool. I put on a pair of high waisted, distressed, denim shorts. I wore a black and white polka dot bralet. I wore a cute pair of sunglasses and some white converse. I let my hair down, and I only wore a little bit of concealer and bb cream. I didn’t really want to sweat my eye makeup off or something. (To see the outfit go to-  http://www.polyvore.com/danielle_goes_to_neighbors_barbecue/set?id=137585935 )

When I was done getting ready, I went downstairs. Maddi was already up and wearing a peach colored sundress with some little flowers. She had on really pretty strappy sandals that matched her dress perfectly. She also had a pair of Aviator sunglasses on her head. Her hair was down naturally curly. She was wearing little to no makeup.

Shawn was sitting watching TV. He was wearing a pair of khaki shorts and a t-shirt. 

Maddi was making fruit salad for the barbecue and we were also supplying plates or something. 

It was almost 12 so we decided to head over to the neighbors place. I could already smell the burgers on the grill when I stepped outside. When we got there, there were a couple people from the neighborhood standing around, chatting and eating. The couple that threw the barbecue came up to us.

“Hi!” the woman said, over enthusiastically “I’m Stacy and this is my husband, Dave” she said pointing to her husband. Why do the wives always introduce their husbands in this neighborhood?

Maddi introduced Shawn and I. 

“Is Ariana around?” Maddi asked, looking around slightly.

“Oh, she is inside with her brother, come to think of it, Jake is your age, Danielle.” She said.

The only thing going through my head was, is it the same Jake that I met at the park. 

Stacy ushered me inside to meet her kids. 

“They are probably up in Ariana’s room, she is a little shy when she meets new people.” Stacy said, her voice was really starting to get annoying. She walked me up to where her kids were and introduced me.

“Jake, Ariana, this is Danielle, she lives across the street from us. Is it okay if she hangs out in here with you guys?” Stacy said, it wasn’t really a question either, more of a command.

I looked right at Jake. Yep, it was definitely the guy from the park. He was wearing a muscle shirt and basketball shorts. Damn he looked hot.

After his mom left, he smirked slightly and said, “So we meet again.” 

“Yah, I guess so” I said back, putting my hand on my hip.

Ariana then came up to me and asked me to color with her. She was so adorable, I gave her a smile and sat down next to her, where her coloring things were. Jake sat down on the other side of her. I began to draw a picture of a dog, or something, but it came out looking like a demented log with a smiley face. I couldn’t draw for shit. 

After I totally quit on drawing, I sneaked a peek at Ariana’s drawing. She was drawing people, from what I could tell. She was probably drawing one of those cute family portraits that little kids seem to do often.

“Dani, what are you drawing?” Jake asked, trying to look at my paper. I covered my drawing with my arm so he couldn’t see. 

“Fine be that way” he said, fake pouting.

A few minutes later, I heard Stacy yell from downstairs, “the food is soon done, I would like for you to be down here in a few minutes.”

Ariana then showed me her drawing. It was a girl and a boy holding hands, from the looks of it.

“Who is that?” I said, pointing at her picture.

“That is you and Jake” she said, smiling proudly.

I glanced over at Jake who just shrugged his shoulders. 

“Danielle, it’s your turn to show us what you drew.” Ariana said.

“umm, how about Jake goes first” I said, hopefully, that would give me time to think of a way to get out of having to show them my horrible drawing. 

“Okay” Jake said, smirking. He held up a picture of Ariana. It was perfect and so detailed.

“Wow” I said, my mouth basically open in amazement. He winked at me, and I blushed slightly, letting my hair cover my face.

“Well, we should probably go out and eat now” I said, clapping my hands together slightly.

All of the sudden Ariana started bawling. 

“Hey, what is wrong” I said, sympathetically.

“I don’t have anything to wear” she said, sniffling in between almost every word. 

“Can I help you pick something out?” I asked, walking over to her closet.

“s-sure” she said, calming down a lot more.

I picked out a pair of denim shorts and a little floral tank top. She was happy and she went and got changed in her bathroom. I sat down on the bed next to Jake. 

“You look cute” he whispered in my ear. I couldn’t help, but blush slightly, I turned my head away to hide it.

After Ariana came out of the bathroom, we all came downstairs. It was pretty crowded outside. Most of the people I recognized, but others weren’t too familiar. I started to panic, I wasn’t ready for everybody to ask me about my parents. 

When nobody was paying attention, I slipped back into the house and sat at the breakfast bar. I sat there with my face in my hands, trying to calm down. 

I heard the sliding glass door open and close.

“Dani? You okay?” Jake asked, sitting down next to me.

“I, uh, I can’t go out there” I said, on the verge of tears.

“Why?” Jake asked, sympathetically.

“Everyone knows” I said, tears soaking my cheeks.

“Knows what? Its ok Dani, you can trust me.” Jake said, placing his hand on the small of my back. 

That is when I told him everything. My parents dying, my best friend and boyfriend leaving me, trying to kill myself, everything. For some odd reason, I trusted him. I told him my whole life story in 2 days. Why was he different? Why was it so easy to talk to him? I felt like I knew him my whole life, what is going on?

I invited Jake to come over to my house the next day to hang out. I didn’t go out and talk to people, but I got closer with Jake. I only left at 5, when Maddi said it was time to go home. I could tell Maddi had a good time. I’m glad she did. 

When I went home, I decided to go relax in my room. Maddi told me to order a new phone online, so I did. I ordered the iPhone 6. I wanted one anyways, so it worked out.

After being on the computer for a little while, I went to bed. I think it was around 9 when I went to sleep.

Picture is Ariana

Honestly she is so adorable!