Forever & Always?

Chapter Six

      "Damn, Daniel. Your duet today was wonderful," I said sarcastically as we were walking out of school that afternoon.

"Oh, yeah. I know right?" He said, playing along.

"I can't believe she appreciated you guys screwing around. Like if I knew that she would have a good perspective on stuff like that I would've goofed off up there."

"Yeah, but that's the thing. You can sing. Cam, Cam couldn't sing to save his life. So, obviously she takes you more seriously."

"Yeah. Good point," I giggled. We stopped in front of the driver side of Daniel's blue jeep. The car was almost an exact match to the color of his eyes. I leaned against his car as he stood in front of me. I looked down at our hands. I thought of the warmth and smoothness of his hands sliding up against mine and wrapping around in one swift motion. I gripped his middle finger with my pointer finger and twirled our hands until our palms brushed together. He stood there, staring at me. I continued looking at our hands, embracing the tingly feelings shooting up my arm.

"All right, I'll text you," I said softly.

"Marie?"

"Daniel?" I looked up at him. I found myself lost in his eyes in a matter of seconds. I was not an easy romantic ever since the death of my mother. Losing someone I loved that much stopped me from ever wanting to love anyone that much again. I refused to believe that Daniel was beginning to take over my world in a matter of a week.

"I think I like you. Like...a lot," he said in a soft, serious voice. I let go of his hands and brought my hands up to his face. I did not know what I was doing. I did not remember my brain telling my hands to touch either side of his face. I did not process the action I made as my face maneuvered closer to his and our soft lips connected ever so slightly. He stood there, hands wrapped around mine for a matter of seconds before bringing one hand to my waist. The wind was blowing strong and I was immediately thankful for putting my hair up in a bun. Our lips separated. My heart was racing. I felt as though my stomach was rising to my chest and plummeting back down into my gut.

"So, uh you'll text me then?" He whispered, chuckling softly. I turned my head, holding my hand over my mouth. I smiled wide letting out a laugh.

"Yes," I giggled in a whisper tone as well.

"Bye, Daniel," I said, smiling. I walked to my car, the butterflies still rapidly flapping and my heart continuing to pound.

                                                                                       ***

      That night I could not do my homework. Focusing was nearly impossible. I was too excited to eat and too anxious to stay still. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but I did not feel the need to worry as much as I always had in the past. I was so eager about something so small. I finally managed to lay down for bed at about 11:30 that night. After spending nearly nine hours calming myself down from earlier, I was finally relaxed. That was, until my phone began ringing.

"Hello?" I answered. A person would have thought it was three in the afternoon with how awake my voice was.

"Marie." It was Daniel's voice.

"Daniel," I said, mocking his voice.

"You kissed me." He went from serious to sounding as though he was a little girl that had received a long lost wish of a pony as a Christmas gift.

"Yeah, yeah I know." I was smiling so wide, I knew he could probably tell from the other end of the phone.

"Okay. I just wanted to make sure you meant to do that," he said.