The Feel of Water

Two - And Brushed

"Danielle!"

Spinning around, I face the school parking lot, caught off guard. Students pass me by as they make their way inside, and I catch a word or two of their conversations. My eyes scan my surroundings until they land on a familiar face. David. Damn it. I stand with my hands in my pockets, giving him time to catch up to me.

"Danielle," he breathes. "Hey, it's been a while."

Not interested in small-talk, I say, "She won't want to see you. She just got back home-you're the last thing she needs."

His stubbled face falls. "It's been months. I-I just need to talk to her. Is her phone working? She must not be getting my texts."

"David. Come on. If Emilie wants to talk to you, she will. If anything, give her time."

I turn to walk away but he stops me. "Is she okay? Is she better?"

"She's doing okay. Don't worry."

At lunch in sit down at a table where Alisha and Javier are already sat, picking away at a bag of chips that rests between them. They glance up at me, finally looking away from one another. "Hey," she says, relaxed. "Who was that guy you were talking to this morning? I saw you outside."

Shrugging off my bag and placing it beside me on the bench, I sigh. "David. He's my sister's ex-boyfriend."

"Oh," she drops her hand from the bag of chips, "sounds complicated."

"I guess she's ignoring him. And I guess he's desperate."

Soon Becca and Allison join us. Allison unzips her backpack and pulls out a grocery bag with the gas station logo on it. She dumps out a plethora of snacks and drinks onto the table.

"Where did this come from?" I ask.

"We got out of third period early," Becca explains. "So we snuck off campus to go get some snacks. There's a root beer for you, Javier. Oh, and we got you your favorite, Dani."

Allison slides over my favorite chocolate bar. I smile and take it, unwrapping the chocolate and biting. "You managed to sneak off campus and back on? I thought only Cameron could pull that off because he's friends with all the security guards."

"What can I say? We're like Charlie's Angels."

I break off another piece and pop it in my mouth just as Jamie walks by. My eyes follow him out of habit, and I notice that he's sitting at a table with Nick. "Hey," I say, turning to Allison, "have you talked to Nick yet?"

"We've been texting. I may have dropped some hints," she gushes. "He's such a good texter. He answers so quickly."

I glance back at the guys' table. Jamie and I make eye contact and my heart plummets.

"We talked about this party he's having, actually. He invited me and said I could bring my friends."

Becca claps excitedly. "Finally. I've had my outfit picked out for months."

"Months?" I question.

"Well, I was on vacation with my mom and Taylor in Cabo, right? My mom and I went into this store and there was this adorable little dress. Obviously I..."

Her voice fades out as my mind drifts back to my short-lived, shared glance. I grip the candy bar in my hand then break off a piece far too big. If this was elementary school, I could walk over and offer him the piece which he couldn't refuse because-candy. I would sit down beside him and share my chocolate because at this point, I'd rather have him than any chocolate bar.

"So, do you guys wanna come? I really don't want to go alone."

I peer up to Allison. "Wait. What?"