6 CHAPTER V: “YOU REALLY HAVE CHANGED”

Danielle's P.O.V

"Bullshit"

I pulled my keys out of the ignition and buried my head on the steering wheel. My car just had to give up on me today, on a Saturday, the day I use it the most.

I got down from the car was about to walk into the house, canceling my plans when a car pulled up beside me.

The window rolled down revealing an insanely hot Daniel, not that I'd ever tell him that. He was wearing (from what I could see) ripped black jeans, a dark shirt, his infamous flannel and a leather jacket. His curly hair was hidden underneath a black beanie and his hazel eyes, which were twinkling in amusement, we're behind his round glasses.

His lips lifted up in a smirk, "Hey beautiful, where are you off to this fine Saturday morning?".

I rolled my eyes and pretended not to acknowledge his presence.

He laughed and got down from the car, taking off his beanie and running a hand through his hair. Fuck it!

He stood in front of me, hand in his pocket and a smile on his face, "Hey Ella".

I turned to him and smirked, "Oh hello Daniel, I didn't see you there".

He rolled his eyes playfully and asked, "Are our conversations always gonna be this childish, I mean it's like we didn't even move on from middle school".

"Oh, so you want us to grow up huh? Talk about life, school, careers, how we should focus on the future and all that sappy shit?"

He paused as though he were thinking it over, "Yeah you're right, that doesn't suit us at all". He crossed his arms, "So anyways, where are you off to?".

I sighed, "Well I was supposed to be off somewhere to stay alone, be in my feelings, maybe get a few assignments done, but my car won't start to I'm stuck here and considering canceling all my plans for today".

"Oh, that's too bad, but um...maybe I could take you" I gave him a look, "I mean, I don't really know my way around here, but you could be my tour guide and join in on my celebration".

I crossed my arms, leaning my weight on one foot, "What celebration?".

He laughed, dammit he laughed, "Why do you think so low of me? I'm celebrating my victory on becoming the newest basketball star of Merchant High, and also re-connecting with my best friend after a four-year separation" He explained dramatically.

I rolled my eyes, "Seriously Daniel, a victory? You were guaranteed a spot here, you didn't even need to try-out but your humble spirit decided to get in the right way".

He shrugged, "Hey, I just really thought it'd be best to go in just like every other person, how's that a bad thing?"

I bit my lip, "I know, I know, you were just being noble. So tell me, where exactly are you off to?"

He locked eyes with me, "Truth be told, I was on my way to you actually, thought we could hang out and you'd show me around or something". Was he blushing???

As I took in his words, I noticed he was looking me over, and I shivered just from the effect he had on me, just looking at me.

He gave me a one-over, from my hair-which was braided in two corn rows and in a beanie,- to my clothes-Black jeans, black shirt, blue hoodie and white Jordans.

I looked him dead in the eye, a sly smirk on my face, "Hey Turner, take a picture, it'll last longer".

That was meant to be a joke, but it backfired when he took out his phone to take a picture.

I stopped him, grabbing the phone from his hand, "W-what are you doing?"

"You said take a picture and that's what I'm doing, now give me my phone and stand still" He said matter-of-factly.

He reached out to get the phone from my hand and I dodged it, transferring the phone to my other hand. He kept on making attempts to collect the phone from me, till he paused, breathing heavily and I glanced down at our position.

I was holding the phone, my back to his front, his arms around my torso. I was about to move when he whispered in my ear, "You know I could stay like this all day".

Normally, that could have made me cringe immediately, but the way he said-with his voice low and husky- sent shivers down my spine.

I cleared my throat and got out of his hold, handing him his phone. He took it from me, with an amused smile playing on his lips, "I didn't think I had that much of an effect on you Anderson, I'm honoured".

I scoffed, folding my arms across my chest, "Don't flatter yourself Turner". I turned on my heel and walked toward the door of my house, when a hand grabbed my wrist from behind and turned me around.

My face was so close to his, that I pushed back and yelled, "What?"

He looked taken aback by my outburst. He cleared his throat and put his hands in his pocket, "I didn't think spending time with my best friend was too much to ask for".

I was tongue-tied. For the third time, I was at a loss for words. I kept on avoiding him, cuz I didn't want him to find out about my feelings but he just wanted us to hang out and I was being selfish. I'm a bitch sometimes.

He turned around to walk away when I called out, "Wait". He stopped. "I'm sorry, I'm just not in the best mood today, there's a lot of stuff I needed to get done and I get really pissed when I can't-" I paused, clearing my throat, "That doesn't matter, what matters is you. This is your lucky day, I am dropping everything right now and becoming your personal tour guide, let's go".

I pulled him by the hand and towards his car. He walked to the driver's seat and I got in after him. He was about to start the car when he paused, "Wait, shouldn't you drive? I mean I barely know my way around here so maybe you should drive instead to avoid any wrong turns, unless you're fine with giving suggestions...." He trailed off, glancing at me.

I gave it a thought, then looked at him, and raised my eyebrows at him. He tilted his head back and I said, "Switch" and we switched places. I turned the key in the ignition and drove the car. I showed him several places and we engaged in small conversation. We stopped at a drive through and got food then ended up at a park not far from school and sat on the grass.

"So how do like you it here?" I asked, taking a sip of my chocolate smoothie.

He took in a deep breath, "Well, at first, I felt a little out of place, then I met Sam and he made it known that I had a rep of some sort, then I bumped into you and I felt better" He paused, "But now that I know a few more people, and I could pass for a normal student here. So to answer your question, I love it here" He said that last part staring into my eyes that I choked on my fries.

"Are you okay Ella?" He asked corncerned. I nodded, taking a gulp of water.

"So, um what have you been up to since I left? How are our old friends? How did you get through High School? Any relationships?"

He shook his head, "I never knew you to be inquisitive Ella, You really have changed."

I just shrugged and continued eating. "Unbelievable" He muttered to himself. Then he spoke up, "Well I've been through two breakups, all my fault, I take full responsibility. I made some friends, but never let anyone get as close as we were, practically buried myself in Basket-ball and school" He paused, taking a bit out of his sandwich, "I was in a bad place Ella, from you leaving, to my dad being out of my life, everything was hard for me. I'm not looking for pity though, I just want you to know that when I needed you the most, you weren't there, and It hurt, bad."

I sat in silence, letting all the guilt course through me because I had to face the truth, he was right. I hadn't been there for him and I let him down. I took his hands, ignoring the feel of warmth for the time being, and held his gaze, "Daniel, I can't apologize enough. I'm sorry for bailing out you, for letting you down, and not giving you a reason for doing so. I wanted to reach out, honestly I did, but I was scared and truthfully I thought you wouldn't want to talk to me after that. Now I wish I could grow some balls and tell you why I left, but I can't, at least not right now".

He shook his head, "No, you misunderstood me, I'm not blaming you or anything, I just wanted you to know how I felt. And if you don't feel comfortable telling me why you left, then I won't push it, it's your decision."

I sighed, "Danny, you know I trust you right?" He nodded. "Then you know I can tell you anything and I want to tell you everything, I just don't know how you'd take it."

He looked confused, but decided not to push it, "Look, trust isn't an issue, okay?. When you're ready to tell me, I'll be all ears. But till then, just know I'm not forcing you to do anything."

I nodded. How I ended up with someone as understanding as Daniel, I could never know why. "Let me explain something to you. After I ran away that day and moved here, I did some self meditating. I tried to get to understand myself better. You see, my dad cheated on my mom, apparently it had been going on for a while because the person he was with was already pregnant. My mom was furious, and so was I. We moved away and shortly after, their divorce was final. I knew I'd never be myself again and I was fine with that. I met Sam and Emily, and this guy, Justin. This guy made me feel things I never felt before. I was happy, for a while at least."

"That was until he cheated on me, betrayed me, and I loved him. I couldn't take it. I couldn't process why two of the most important people in my life would betray me like that, so I ended it. And he didn't take it well."

"He tried to get me to take him back and when I didn't, he threw the blame on me. He made everyone believe that he broke up with me because I was clingy, always whoring around for attention and wouldn't let our business be ours" I said with a humourless chuckle.

"Honestly, I couldn't be bothered by anything he said, so I moved on with my life, minus having any other relationships. He still comes around, tries to humiliate me, but I could care less what he says. I built up this barrier, this wall that made people think that I was a girl with an iron heart, and I kinda liked it, so much that I started to believe it. I was in denial."

Once I was done, I smiled sadly, and a tear rolled down my cheeks. I blew a raspberry and chuckled, "Wow, I haven't said that to anyone before, and I feel much better".

He looked as though he was trying to understand something, then he said, "Ella, you went through all that, alone?"

I shrugged, "I've seen worse, plus I wasn't alone. I had my mom, brother, and best friends." I bit my lips once I said it, "Shit, I-"

He shook his his head and cracked a smile, "It's alright, they are your best friends, but to be sure, so am I, right?"

I laughed, "Yeah, of course you are, and always will".

He nodded, "Then that's all that matters." He furrowed his brows, "To think I thought Andrew Anderson was like a father to me. Men these days never cease to amaze me. I can't believe he did....all that. It's fucked up." Then his jaw clenched and he rubbed his wrist, "So uh.... this Justin guy, he sounds like a huge prick, Hope you don't mind if I land a punch or two on his face".

I chuckled, "If ever I need your help concerning him, I'll ask you for it first. I don't want any casualties on my account and you look like you could punch through a wall".

He shrugged, rolling his eyes. Then he laced our hands together, his fingers warm and his voice low and husky. His eyes were a shade darker as different emotions ran through them, "You don't need to put up walls to seem tough Ella. You are tough. You're the fiercest, strongest, and most intelligent woman I know. Not to mention talented. You don't need to listen to what people say about you, they don't know you. You have people who sincerely love you and care about and that's who you should worry about. Just be you and everything will be fine. I'm here now, and I ain't going nowhere."

I smiled at him and he engulfed me in a hug. His body heat was warm and his scent was calming. But instead of running away like the last time, I stayed and let it consume me. We stayed there together for a while together then he said, "You know my dad's in jail right?"

I pulled away, surprised by his words and he chuckled humourlessly, "Yeah, Michael Turner is in jail for beating up my mother and I hope to God that he stays there, that's where he belongs." He let out a breath, "You know, it makes sense that my dad and yours were friends, similar minds think alike."

He pulled me back to him, in a side hug and I placed my head in the side of his neck, "We're both messed up, we're both hurt, that doesn't make us useless or worthless. It just makes us unique. We both need to heal and I'm just grateful that I have you with me. No matter what happens Ella, you're my best friend, and you'll always be my best friend. I love you bestie".

We spent the rest of the day together, him trying to familiarize himself with the new place he'd call home, and me mentally enjoying every bit of being his tour guide.

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