𝑆𝑇𝐴𝑅𝑆𝑇𝑅𝑈𝐶𝐾, djs

[CHAPTER 25]

𝑆𝑇𝐴𝑅𝑆𝑇𝑅𝑈𝐶𝐾

Seven hours.

That's how long Alex waited for a reply from Daniel. She tried not to get annoyed, but after constantly checking her phone for the last seven hours, she couldn't help but be worried.

"Seven hours," she complained over the phone on a three-way call with Liv and Madison.

"Seven fucking hours. Is he ignoring me?" She laid back on her bed, partially angered with Daniel, and mostly angered with herself for having feelings.

"He's famous Alex," Madison replied.

"Maybe he has work or something. I mean, he doesn't seem like the type of guy to ignore someone like that; he seems so sweet, especially to you."

"Or he could be ignoring you and playing 'hard to get," Liv chimed in.

"Why would he be playing games?" Alex asked, running her fingers through her hair and letting her eyes fall closed.

"He has no reason to."

"Well ..." Liv trailed off.

"Well what Liv?" Alex asked, a hint of suspicion in her voice. After a moment of silence, Madison spoke, "Maybe he likes you Alex, and that's why he's playing games with you. "Alex laughed, shaking her head.

" He doesn't like me, idiots. Maybe he just got busy or is being an asshole like I said he was a while
ago. " Madison sighed," Whatever you say Alex. But I'll tell you something: I've been texting Jack and he's been playing video games with Daniel and the rest of the band all day. "

Alex paused, unable to find the right words to say." So you're saying he has

"She frowned, staring up at the ceiling. She hated how disappointed she felt not to hear from Daniel all day, and it was worse to know he was purposely ignoring her now.

" Look Alex, I don't know the full story, "

Madison replied, after a moment,

" I could be wrong but- "

" No, she's probably right, "

Liv interrupted." Boys are idiots. If he really is ignoring you and treating you like garbage, there's only one thing to do: dump his ass. "

"Liv," Alex sighed. "I'm not even dating him so I can't exactly dump him." She hesitated before asking, "Any advice?"

"Wait for him to text you Alex," Madison said after a moment.
"Ask him why he didn't reply and go from there."
"Yeah, and remember Alex," Liv added.

"Boys give shit advice."
Alex nodded, rubbing her temples. She glanced at her phone screen, checking for Daniel's reply. But no text was there. All Alex could do was wait or move on, and she preferred the first option.

~Daniel~

"Where the hell is it?" Daniel muttered to himself, searching through his closet for his black hoodie.

He sighed in annoyance before yelling into the hall,

"Has anyone seen my black hoodie?"

"Maybe if you clean up that damn room of yours, you'll find it!" his dad shouted back sarcastically.

Daniel sighed, slamming the door shut and flopping onto his bed. He stared up at the ceiling, his mind lost in thinking about where his damn hoodie was. He sat up in realization, running a hand through his hair.

Alex still had his hoodie.

Daniel laid the unconscious girl on his bed, gently removing her sneakers and setting them at the foot of the bed.

He went to his closet, returning with a dark hoodie. He sighed and slowly sat on the bed, slipping the hoodie onto her frame, covering her cold skin.

"Looks like I'm playing hero in real life," he muttered, gently touching the girl's forehead.

"You better not die on me sweetheart; that won't look good on my record."

He shifted her to lay down again, her pink hair coming out across the pillow under her head. Daniel reached into his pocket, retrieving the girl's cell phone that he had found in the alley. He speaks hesitated for a moment, glancing at the unconscious girl and shrugging.

After a few failed attempts, managed to unlock her phone, taking note of her phone number just as his name was called. he Daniel stood up, glancing at the girl and quickly leaving the room with his guitar in hand, leaving only minutes before she had woken up.

He couldn't stop the grin from forming on his lips as he thought about how cute Alex had looked in his hoodie that night on the balcony; he wouldn't have the heart to take the clothing back from her. Guilt settled into his mind as he glanced at his cell phone, remembering the text message she had sent hours ago.

Daniel sighed and rubbed his eyes, millions of thoughts running through his head. Some of him knew he needed to keep himself away from her, to save himself from catching more feelings than he already had.

But deep down, he knew he wanted to drive to her house, climb up to the balcony and sing softly until she heard and went to meet him. Daniel sighed, staring up at his ceiling.

The thought of her soft lips pressed against his lingered in his mind, the image so vivid it made him frustrated. He glanced at his cell phone again, picking up the device and fully shutting it off and dropping it onto the bed next to him. He let his temptation to call Alex pass as he flipped on the TV to a talk show.

"Why don't we are working on an album -the exact date unknown- for the upcoming Album being released later in the year. Unfortunately, the band haven't given us any inside info, but the Album is sure to be a hit! The band will be on the show later in the week to hopefully give us some info. "

Daniel groaned, completely forgetting about the interview they was supposed to give later in the week. He sighed and closed his eyes. The Tour was coming up sooner or later; and when that day comes, it would be the day he left California, and Alex.

His Alex; the Alex he had caught feelings for and would have to leave. Time was beginning to tick away and for the first time ever, he didn't want to leave. Especially since he had Alex waiting for him in California with her bright smile and fiery personality.

He glanced at his cell phone again, before turning his attention back to the TV. Even though Alex was a phone call away, he couldn't bring himself to call her. Zach's and Corbyn's words and advice lingered in his head, his curiosity stronger than ever. He knew Alex was unique and unlike any girl he had met and that she wouldn't chase after him like his friends had said she would.

But he couldn't help but still be curious.