Falling Slowly

Chapter 5

The entire Coterie group is sitting at their kitchen table. Callie walks through the front door of the Coterie  and sits down at the table next to Dennis with Mariana on his other side. Across the table, Davia is sitting next to Malika with Gael on her other side. Alice stands at the front of the table.

"We are going to attend a Trap Heals event tonight." Alice says, smiling wide.

"That's why you called me?" Callie asks.

"Yes!! We haven't done anything fun as a group since Valentine's day. It's going to be so fun!!" Alice beams.

"I can't. I have papers to grade tonight." Davia says.

Dennis looks over at Davia, who hasn't said a word or even acknowledged his presence since they sat down.

"I appreciate the gesture, Alice but I don't think tonight is a good night." Malika says.

"I have nothing better to do with my night, so count me in." Mariana says.

"I'll guess I'll go. Can I invite Jamie?" Callie asks.

"Totally." Alice smiles.

"Fine, count me in." Gael chimes.

"Dennis?" Alice looks over at Dennis.

"Sure, why not." Dennis says.

Davia looks over at Dennis for the first time since they sat down. The two of them haven't spoken much since Valentine's day and Davia has yet to comment on the painting Dennis made for her hanging in her loft. Davia, feeling nervously aware of Dennis across the table from her, speaks up.

"Um actually... the papers can wait, count me in!"

"Seriously? Yes!! This is going to be awesome!!" Alice booms from
the front of the table.

Davia looks over at Dennis, who is smiling at Alice's reaction to all this, when he slowly turns his gaze over to Davia. They lock eyes for just a moment, before Davia turns her gaze back to watching Alice at the hood of the table.

*Later that Night*

Davia is in her loft, she's wearing a dark rust silk dress with dangly orange earrings, and a necklace that compliments the dress. Her blonde hair is neatly curled. She looks in the mirror, checking her makeup for the final touches. Davia walks over to her dresser, grabbing the necklace that Dennis gave her for Christmas. She attempts several times to clip the necklace on herself. No luck, she grows frustrated.

"Agh damnit!!" Davia sighs, annoyed.

Dennis walks out of his loft dressed in a clean, but casual purple shirt with neat, tan pants. His hair is slicked back behind his ears. Dennis stops when he hears a sound, Davia's voice. He notices her loft door is wide open, taking the initiative, he walks over to her loft and lightly raps on the door.

"You okay?" Dennis asks.

Startled, Davia looks over to see Dennis standing there. She takes notice of how clean, fresh, and handsome he looks. Her heart starts to flutter.

"Um... I can't get this necklace on. Can you help me?" Davia sighs.

A light chuckle escapes from Dennis' mouth. Davia exhales, followed by a small smile looking over at Dennis.

"Of course." Dennis smiles, walking over behind Davia.

Davia watches Dennis in the mirror as he stands behind her. He grabs the necklace from her hand, unclenching the chain. Dennis sweeps Davia's hair over to one side of her shoulder, pulling the necklace chain to the back of her neck. He squints as the hook for the chain is really tiny. Davia feels the warmth of Dennis breathing on the back of her neck, her heart starts to race a little bit. Once Dennis finishes clasping the necklace chain together, he places his hands on Davia's shoulders. She feels the warmth of his hands on her shoulders, she reaches up, touching the necklace. Davia turns around to face Dennis, they are only inches apart. Looking at her necklace, Davia smiles at Dennis, he smiles back. Dennis takes one step closer to Davia, their mouths practically almost touching, they can feel the heat of each other's breath. So close.

Mariana knocks on Davia's loft door, Dennis quickly steps away from Davia, putting space between them.

"The Uber is here. You guys ready?" Mariana asks, sliding her purse over her shoulder.

"Yeah, let's go." Davia says, grabbing her purse off her desk chair.

Davia follows Mariana out into the kitchen, out to the front doors of the Coterie with Dennis following behind her. He takes a nervous breath, knowing he and Davia almost kissed. He knew he needed to tell her how he felt and he remains hopeful that she will feel the same way.