Just another love story [BeforeYou Exit Fan Fic]

So Happy Together

I feel like I haven't seen Dani in a while... She has been spending most of her time with Riley and I have been spending mine with Braiden. I'm glad that we made plans to all hang out and fill the void of each others absence. "So where are we headed anyways?" I asked Braiden. We couldn't decide whether we wanted to go to Downtown Disney or City Walk for the evening and we told Riley and Dani that we would let them know.

"Downtown Disney," he said with a smile on his face. I sometimes still can't believe that him and I are together. We have been boyfriend and girlfriend for a little over a month and I was so happy when we both felt that we had gotten to know each other enough to become official. Before then, we would hang out and enjoy each others company. We took things slow and I feel like that was the best decision we have made. We didn't have to date right after him and Tayler broke up, and from what I've heard about her, she would've started some drama."Here we are! The happiest place on earth!" He announced in an animated tone. I let out a small laugh and he got out of the car.

Just as I was about to open the door, he locked me in. I gasped as he made his way over to the passenger side and unlocked the door. He opened the door for me and held out one of his hands to help me out. "For a second I thought you were going to abandon me!" I joked.

"I would never do such a thing!" He replied. He then took his hand into mine as we headed towards the entrance. Shortly after arriving we finally saw Dani and Riley making their way towards us, hand in hand.

Honestly, they would make such a cute couple. I don't get how they haven't even tried dating, but Dani told me that there was no "spark" between them. Mind you, they acted like they were a couple anyways; holding hands, always all over each other, and though Dani claims that that've only kissed once I can easily tell you that's a lie.

"Hey!" Dani said in her peppy voice. She let go of Riley's hand and hugged me.

"Oh my gosh, Braiden. A stranger is hugging me! Stranger Danger!" I let out jokingly as I hugged her back. "How are you, Dani?!"

"I'm alright," she said, her mood suddenly changing. It's like she let go of Riley and she was a different person. Maybe I was just making assumptions, "how are you?" She pulled back and smiled at the both of us.

"We are doing fantastic!" Braiden said as he rested his arm around me. I swear, every time he touched me, chills ran down my spine and butterflies filled up my stomach. It was a good feeling and it made me blush slightly.

"Good!" She responded as she reached for Riley's hand. There was definitely something different about her. And I've noticed even when her and I hung out a while ago that she hasn't been the same. Ever since Connor practically broke her heart, she hasn't been the same. And she's been attached at the hip with Riley since.

"So how are you two?" Braiden asked as if they really were a couple.

"We as in individuals or we as in both of us together?" Riley caught on. Dani suddenly looked uncomfortable and squeezed his hand. I felt kind of bad for her because it seemed like something was off and she was super dependent on him.

"Either." Braiden challenged.

"Well as an individual human being I am doing quite swell. And Dani and I are happy as we are." Riley answered.

"And what is that...?" I let out, "I mean... What are you two?" I didn't want it to come off as nosy or anything but I just needed some clarification on what was going on between them.

He looked down at her and smirked and she looked up at him and grinned back, her fog of discomfort lifting up, "We are actually dating..." He finally said after they glanced down at each other.

"Oh my gosh finally!" I sighed, "I knew there was something going on between you two. Especially by how you two are always all over each other and really, you just make a super cute and adorable couple! Awww... And this can be our first double date!" I kept on rambling until they both looked at me and bursted out in laughter, "wait...what's so funny?"

"The fact that you really believe that Riley and I were together!" Dani spat out.

I looked at them in confusion, "wait...so you're not together? You two aren't dating?"

"Nope!" Riley said as Braiden let out a chuckle.

"Oh c'mon you can't tell me you didn't fall for that either!" I shot at Braiden.

"I did but you got really into it and excited. I was just gonna say congrats but no need for that now!" He continued to laugh.

"Dammit! Well why aren't you two dating?!" I was irritable and curious as to why the hell they weren't.

"Well we just love each other too much to ruin the relationship we have now." Riley poetically answered, "I mean, why change something that's already great?"

"So... You love each other. More than a brother-sister relationship but less than an actual relationship?" I still needed more insight on the situation.

"You could say that I guess..." Dani informed me and half smiled,

"So friends with benefits...?" Braiden and I were wondering the same thing.

"We haven't been using each other for sex if that's what you're asking. Nor have him and I had sex." Dani said defensively.

"I didn't say you were! I was just asking a question," Braiden assured them.

The conversation started to get uncomfortable for everyone, so we just dropped it. We continued to walk in through Downtown Disney and caught up on what else was going on in each others lives. Dani had told me that she had recently gotten two part time jobs at Forever 21 and Starbucks to save up for life ahead of her. I however, was still on the hunt for a job and I would be happy if I got one. Even if it was at Hollister. Turns out that Riley had gotten a job too, he was working at Guitar Center and he was more than happy to talk about how happy he is about it. Seems like I'm more behind in my job hunting than I thought, even Braiden had a part time job, and I didn't realize that him and Riley were going to start working together. Guess I'm more out of touch with the people I'm around too.

We finally got ice cream and sat down in front of the stage to relax. The sound of Christmas music file the crisp, cool air around us. It was dry and chilly and I smile at ow much I love this time of the year. And even though I had a constant brain freeze by eating ice cream, my body shivering, Braiden held me close to keep me warm. I looked over at Riley and Dani, tuning out the Christmas music an listening to a song on YouTube off of Riley's phone. They were in their own little world, oblivious of anything going on around them. Dani started giggling at something he said and though the reflection of the light from the phone washed out her face, it was noticeable that she was blushing.

I really don't care if she secretly wants to be with him or not, or even if she still, somehow wants to be with Connor. I just want her to be happy. And hopefully as happy as I was in Braiden's arms. I felt safe, secure, loved even. Braiden and I haven't told each other those three magic words yet. I think that the word love should actually mean something, not thrown and overused. When we're ready to exchange those words, we will. I care about him so much and I don't want to lose him. We were going on, happy and strong and for the past few weeks, I've felt like I was on top of the world. Even though I feel like it's too soon to call it love, I know that deep down, I'm really starting to fall for him.