the cheerleader and the outcast >> dan howell

Chapter 12

"You don't need another human being to make your life complete, but let's be honest.
Having your wounds kissed by someone who doesn't see them as disasters in your soul, but cracks to put their love into
is the most beautiful thing in the world."

-Emery Allen

~

Today at school was a boring day, just the usual. Although, Ethan has been acting...different lately. He's been getting really close to me and touching me. Gwen and Dan had to tell him off so he would leave me alone. It scared me, but I just shrugged it off.

After school I hopped in Gwen's car to go to the mall, and Dan drove home in his car. I felt bad for leaving him alone, but it was nice to get some girl time with Gwen. As we arrived at the mall we both hopped out of the car and started wandering the mall looking at different clothing stores like Hot Topic and Urban Outfitters. Gwen asked to go get some ice cream, so we headed to the food court and bought some. We both have a seat at a table in the food court and start eating our ice cream. I got vanilla with strawberries and whip cream and Gwen got chocolate with caramel sauce and walnuts. As we laugh and talk, Gwen automatically goes silent.

"Oh fuck." She whispers looking behind me. I give her a puzzled look and turn around, following her gaze. I roam the mall and finally find what she was looking at. Ethan and four of his friends, including Jacob, were all gathered at a table almost directly across from us a few tables down.

I quickly whip my head back to look at Gwen and I widen my eyes at her. She shakes her head and places her spoon in her empty ice cream bowl. I still have some ice cream left in my bowl that I hadn't finished.

"Trouble always finds us." She says quietly rolling her eyes. I sigh and bite my lip.

"Tell me about it." I mutter, mostly to myself. I hear loud laughter and turn around. Ethan is walking toward us and all of his friends are laughing and cheering. My heart races and I bite my lip. Ethan nears the table and sits down next to me, putting his gross arm around me.

"Well, fancy seeing you here." He mocks grinning down at me. I cower under his height, but I somehow manage to sit up straight and glare slightly at him.

"Leave me alone, Ethan." I say, trying to sound threatening. Ethan laughs letting me know that my attempt at being scary completely failed.

"Come on, girl." He whispers getting closer to me. "Stop denying." After I have the chance to respond, his lips crash against mine harshly, sending me struggling to get out of his grasp. He keeps a firm grip on me and his tongue enters my mouth, violating it. I feel so dirty and I try harder to push him away. I suddenly hear Gwen scream something and Ethan pulls away from me abruptly. When we part, I notice that Ethan's head is covered in vanilla ice cream and strawberries.

"Bitch threw ice cream at me!" He yells in shock, wiping some ice cream away from his face. Ethan gets off the chair and stand up trying to shake off the ice cream. I stand up also and walk up to him.

"How dare you do that. I am not a toy, I am a human being with dignity and self pride, unlike your girlfriend. If you ever lay a hand on me again...lets just say it will be a lot worse than ice cream." I hiss at him through gritted teeth. He stands in shock and before I know what I am doing, I punch him square in the jaw sending him staggering back a few steps. He doesn't respond and just walks briskly away in the direction of the bathrooms, his friends jogging after him calling his name.

I feel Gwen grab my wrist and I look at her.

"Let's get out of here." She tells me right before she grabs her bag and we both rush out the mall.

When we arrive at Dan's house to drop me off, I offer that she comes inside but she denies the offer.

"I have to get going home." She says. "My mom will kill me if I'm home too late." She sighs shrugging her shoulders.

"Well thanks for everything today. I'm glad to have a friend like you." I say sincerely as I hop out the car. She grins at me as I close the car door and wave goodbye. I watch her car leave the driveway and drive off before I make my way to the door. I knock on the door and Dan answers with a quizzical look on his face.

"Well you're home earlier than I expected." He huffs as I gently push him aside to get in. He closes the door and I walk to my room without saying a word to him. I am a very bad liar, and I don't want to tell Dan about Ethan. As much as I hate keeping things from him, I don't want him to worry or to get into another fight.

I get dressed in my pajamas and sit on my bed, reading. Dan walks into the room and sits beside me.

"Uh what's up? You didn't say a word to me since you came back." He asks looking at me. I barely look up at him as I answer.

"Sorry. I just have a headache." I say blandly. I hear Dan sigh and I look up at him slightly.

"Rachel, I know you aren't okay. You're acting different...now tell me what's really wrong." He says and I close my book and place it on my nightstand. I stare at Dan and frown slightly.

"Babe I'm okay, really. Sorry I'm acting weird, just a lot has been happening lately." I say, not completely lying. Dan finally gives in and nods. He wraps his arms around me and presses his forehead against mine, his chocolate brown eyes staring at me softly.

"What can I do to make you feel better?" He whispers and I squirm slightly, feeling my heart beat faster and my stomach churn.

I open my mouth to say something-anything, but no words come out. He pushes me back onto the bed, and I lay back, him on top of me. I start breathing like I'm running as my heart beats faster and faster.

I bite my lip and just as the longing became unbearable, Dan's lips met mine. The warmth of his mouth sent a current through my body. I throw my arms up and rest them on his shoulders as I get lost in his spearmint breath and soft lips, completely forgetting about Ethan.

As the kiss deepens, I let out a moan as his tongue spears into my mouth. I shivered as arm snaked around the small of my back, his arm spreading toward the top of my bottom. He draws himself away from my mouth, his nostrils slightly flaring.

"Rachel," Was all he said. Yet I can hear the yearning in his words as if he was reaching out and trying to tell me something. I move my hand upward and pierce my finger through his deep brown hair, ruffling it away from his stunning eyes. I searched his face, longing for him to need me as much as I need him.

His mouth collides with mine again, and his hands feel around my body. I arch my back, meeting his touches. His fingers brush the inside of my thigh and I shudder. He brings his hands quickly to my back again, hugging me closely as his lips press into mine and his tongue explores every cavern of my mouth.

He parts from the kiss quickly only to remove his gray t-shirt and quickly kisses me again. I move my hands over Dan's corded muscles. The back of his neck, his broad shoulders, down his spine, and over his hip. He moans slightly at my touch and I smile into the kiss.

"Dan? Rachel? You two home?" We hear his mom call suddenly. Dan springs off me and pulls his shirt back over his head as I smooth out my hair.

"We'll finish this later." He whispers winking at me. I bite the inside of my cheek hard. He walks out the room to greet his mom and I spring off the bed and follow him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We had to eat dinner and then we decided to go to bed. Dan sleeps in his own room tonight because he didn't want his mother getting suspicious since she was staying up late to do the dishes. I lay in bed staring at the ceiling and wonder what would have happened if Dan's mom hadn't shown up. Would we have kept going? Would we have had-I quickly shake the thought off and change my position so I am laying on my side. I stretch my arms out and yawn loudly.

Today was an interesting day. In the back of my mind I keep thinking about Ethan. Was it really necessary for me to punch him like that? I sigh exasperatedly and close my eyes. Whatever, that is in the past and what happened happened. I can't change what has already happened.

Even though I'm trying to keep a positive attitude, a little voice in the back of my mind is saying "What's going to happen at school tomorrow?".