PIECE ME BACK TOGETHER

CHAPTER X: "DANNY SQUARED IS OFFICIAL"

Danielle's P.O.V.

"Are you kidding me?"

I whisper-yelled as Emily and I walked out of the class. We were headed to lunch when she broke the news to me that had automatically made me nervous-Daniel was sitting at our table.

Normally, that wouldn't be bad but since Daniel and I had been sort of avoiding each other for a little over a week, it was sort of a big deal.

He would use the excuse that he needed to get more practice in when everyone knew that he of all people didn't need practice.

I was actually getting used to him not being around, then Emily decides to tell me that Sam convinced him to come back and I couldn't be more nervous.

After the heartbreaking conversation we had at my house, the one where I unintentionally and indirectly rejected him, we hadn't said anything more than "Hey" to each other since then.

After Emily and I got off the lunch line, she tried to get me to do some exercises to keep me calm.
First she made me do some weird breathing exercises that surprisingly helped, then she told me to just act like it was the normal days that Daniel used to sit with us.

I sat calmly, trying to eat my food when I heard a familiar chuckle, "Yeah it was an easy game, doesn't mean it was any less of a challenge. But honestly, you guys did great, I couldn't be more proud".

At the sound of his voice, the nervousness came back and I couldn't focus anymore.

I heard Sam speak up, "Yeah yeah, and you just beat your own record of most slam dunks in a season, and we're only halfway through it. Honestly, you Daniel are a living legend".

Daniel smiled and turned and instantly our eyes met and he stops moving. He sends a small smile in my direction and when I return it, he sits down next to me.

"How've you been?" He asked, setting his plate down on the table.

I smiled up at him, "I've been better, you?"

"Same" He replies, grinning at me.

My smile drops with my tone, "This is awkward and frankly, just wrong".

No reply.

"Aren't you going to say anything?" I ask him.

He turns to me, "You know what this reminds me of? The day you ran away from me in middle school, the day you left me, the day you rejected me".

I stared at the ground guiltily but he chuckled, lifting my chin up to meet his gaze, "I'm never going to hold that against you Ella, I didn't then, and I won't now" He assured me, "As long as you promise to keep us awkward" He added with a wink.

I grinned at his words, "Wouldn't be me if I didn't". He pulled me into a side hug.

After pulling away, I held out my hand to him, "Best friends who screw each other up?".

He stared down at my outstretched hand for a moment before accepting, "Yeah, Best friends who screw each other up".

Emily let out a sigh and wiped a fake tear from her eye, "Oh thank heavens, they're back together again, Danny squared is official, I'm so proud of them".

I blinked, looking puzzled, "Danny Squared?"

She shrugged, "Hey, it was either that or whatever Sam thought of, and trust me, you don't want to hear them" She leaned forward, pretending to whisper, "He's horrible at naming things". I love my friends.