Daniel sat at the head table that night beside Chance and Rebecca, both
unable to stop talking even for the shortest moment. When one ended, the other
started, and he knew his evening would only end up getting worse if he didn’t
listen. With his head resting in the palm of his right hand, he stirred the
cocktail in front of him with his left hand wishing the ice would melt a little
faster. Daniel stared out at the crowd dancing in the middle of the floor to
a song he didn’t know. Beside him sat Chance, her fork lightly flicking around
pieces of broccoli as she stared unhappily at her plate. Gently, he tapped her
shoulder.
“Hm?” Chance mumbled resting her chin on her hand.
“You look really distracted,” Daniel said. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s way too complicated for you to understand. Jeez, I don’t even understand
it,” she replied, suddenly getting very cranky.
“Well, maybe if you talked to someone about it, you might be able to
sort out a few things and get a clearer picture of your problem,” he suggested,
wrapping his arm around her shoulders.
Chance began to ease up. She looked at Dan and started, “You know I love
Scott, right?” Dan nodded. He knew she had deeply fallen for her best friend.
“Well, lately, I’ve been getting some very strange feelings while being around
Darren. It’s like one minute I’m his friend and don’t want him to be anything
more, and the next I’m totally in love with him and I don’t even know who Scott
is anymore. You just saw what happened out on the dance floor. One second I
was kissing Darren, then the next I was pushing him away. I know that’s wrong
because I’m in love with Scott, not Darren. What I don’t get is why this is
happening to me. How can I be in love with two people at the same time? How
can my feelings be so fucking confused about who they want more?”
Dan could see that Chance was on the verge of losing whatever sanity
she had left. Her explanation was, like she said, confusing, and he didn’t know
how to answer her. “Maybe living with Darren is making you think you want him
because he’s with you almost 24/7. Then again, maybe it’s Darren that you were
meant to be with, not Scott. I’m not saying that you should dump Scott for Darren.
You have to look past everything that’s happened and take a look at what the
future holds with each guy. Weigh out all the good and the bad and see who fits
you better,” Daniel offered his opinion.
Chance smiled. He knew he was right, talking out a problem with someone
helped a lot. She felt better about the situation by having it evaluated by
someone else. “Thanks, Dan. That really helps,” she said, bending over to give
him a hug.
“You’re welcome,” he replied. “I’m always glad to help.”
Daniel looked out across the room and stared at the couples dancing on
the floor. He wished Alexia were there to keep him from losing his own sanity.
Maybe he should talk to Chance about it. She’d probably understand and give
him a hand with his problem, but she was now talking with Rebecca, and he wasn’t
about to have her get in the middle of the things happening in his life. He
opted to listen to their conversation instead.
“I just came over here to tell you that you did a great job today with
that song. I hear you’re a great musician. I’d like to hear more, and so do
Walter and Larry. They were very impressed with your performance. We’d like
to offer you a deal,” Rebecca told Chance.
“I… I… I don’t know what to say,” she nearly burst into tears.
“Lets schedule a meeting for some time within the next few weeks and
we can discuss the details,” Rebecca offered, extending her right hand.
“That’s fine with me,” Chance answered, graciously shaking her hand with
a wide smile on her face.
As Rebecca retreated to her seat, Chance wrapped her arms around Daniel
and Darren and said, “You guys are the best. This is one present I’ll never
forget.”
They all raised their glasses for a toast. “To us, and to our friendship.
Friends till the end,” Chance said. All three tipped their glasses to that and
had a sip of their drink.
Daniel put down his glass and took Chance’s hand. “Come on, let’s dance,”
he said, pulling her out of her seat and to the dance floor. Maybe this would
keep his mind off Alexia for the time being.
“You remember the rule,” Chance affirmed, knocking him out of his thoughts.
“Ah, the all to infamous rule. Of course I remember. No going beyond
the equator, and I know what you mean,” Daniel replied, placing his hand on
her back just above her waist.
Chance smiled. Her head rested on his shoulder as they danced to a slow
ballad she had never heard before. “This is the best day of my life,” she quietly
told him. “I’ve turned 18, I’m about to get a record deal, and I have the best
friends in the whole world.”
“And let me guess, now you’re wondering if I’m going to give you any
advice,” Dan answered. Chance nodded. “All I can say is I hope you’re as successful
as we are.”
“Aw, that’s so sweet of you,” she replied. She looked up at him and kissed
his cheek. Her head drifted back to his shoulder as the song continued. They
danced for a few more numbers until Chance could feel someone tapping her shoulder.
She looked up to see Darren standing behind her.
“May I cut in?” he asked.
Daniel let go of Chance and handed her over to Darren, but not before
softly kissing her forehead. He headed back to the table and watched the two
as they danced together to a song he clearly remembered, “I Will Love You,”
by Fisher. It had been the first song they ever danced to, and somehow Daniel
knew it had been saved especially for them. He began to wonder what song he
would share with Alexia if they ever danced together.
‘Will you stop thinking about her?’ a voice in his head yelled. Daniel
tried to push the thought out of his head, but it was nearly impossible. All
the things that happened during day were still so fresh in his mind, he had
to stand up and walk out of the room to get away from everyone and think alone.
He pulled out a pack of cigarettes, something he rarely ever did anymore, once
he was outside. It was only on those occasions that he was completely frustrated
did he ever smoke. It was the only thing that provided any comfort.
Taking in only one drag, Daniel threw down the cigarette and pulled out
his phone. He knew he was doing a stupid thing, but what the hell, tonight had
been one of the worst nights of his life since he didn’t know why Alexia said
no to him. He quickly dialed her number hoping to get a response.
“Hello?” came a sleepy, soft voice.
“Alexia? It’s Dan,” he said hoping it wouldn’t make her hang up.
“Dan? Do you have any idea what time it is?” Alexia nearly yelled. “It’s
one in the morning.”
“Yes, and I’m sorry for calling you so late. I just haven’t been able
to get you off my mind. Ever since I saw you in that dress, I haven’t been able
to get rid of the picture that it’s left in my head. You’re so beautiful and
so wonderful and so, I don’t know, but you’re everything. And I just wanted
you to know that,” Daniel confessed, unable to get to the real reason he called
because her voice was so hypnotizing to him.
Alexia sat up in her bed and listened to his soft breathing from the
other end. She couldn’t believe he was telling her all these things after only
being with her for one day. She was stunned to find out his true feelings even
though she already knew. Her heart melted with the words that he told her, but
her mind kept her from expressing her true feelings for him. Alexia could feel
the warm tears that flowed from her eyes as she tried hard to do what her mind
told her to do.
“Why do you have to be so wonderful?” she softly asked. It was time for
her to cut off the con before she got caught, but something deep inside her,
something that overpowered the already strong voice in her mind, told her that
if she did, she’s lose the best thing that ever happened to her.
“Because I think I’m in love with you,” Daniel whispered back. He pushed
his head against the wall to wait for her response, hoping his knees wouldn’t
give in to the sudden emotions that ravaged his body, making him weak like some
kind of disease.
As if someone was listening to their conversation, a few strands of music
drifted into the air. “Your body language says so much. Yeah, I feel it in the
way you touch, but ‘till you say the words it’s not enough. C’mon and tell me
you’re in love, please…” Daniel smiled thinking how much it applied to his situation.
From the other end of the line, Alexia could also hear the music playing in
the background and took it as a sign that her heart was right and she shouldn’t
be holding back her feelings.
“Don't, don't let me be the last to know. Don't hold back, just let it
go. I need to hear you say you need me all the way. Oh, if you love me so, don't
let me be the last to know,” the song continued.
“Daniel, I need you,” Alexia cried as she finally let go of her feelings,
setting her heart free for the first time.
“Meet me at the hotel in half an hour. The party’s almost over. I have
to see you,” he replied. “I need to go now. They’re probably getting worried.
I’ll see you in half an hour.”
“Bye,” she said.
Daniel paused for a moment. He didn’t want to let go of her again. All
he wanted to do was listen to her breathing as she waited for his parting words.
Finally, he replied, “Bye.”
Back inside, the party was winding down, but Chance was still dancing.
It wasn’t with Darren, but with her boyfriend, Scott. They seemed so perfect
for each other in the pale light of the room as their song, “I Shall Believe”
by Sheryl Crow, played in the background. After the song was over, the manager
made the announcement that the restaurant was closing and that everyone had
to leave.
Daniel was the first out the door, eager to get into the limo. Darren,
Rebecca, Larry, and Walter met him there, but ended up waiting as Darren said
his final goodbye to Chance. The others stepped into the limo as they talked
outside. Darren put an end to his conversation with Chance and slipped into
inside, his face sour and full of regret. Daniel made an attempt to talk to
him, but he turned away and stared out the black window into oblivion.
All was silent until they arrived at the hotel and Dan, Rebecca, Larry,
and Walter bid farewell to their upset friend. The made their way to the elevator
in silence, either hung over or tired, and walked into their rooms without saying
goodnight.
Once in the confines of his room, Daniel fell onto the bed and stared
at the ceiling hoping that Alexia would come soon. He couldn’t take being away
from her any longer. His body ached for her like it had for no one else. He
yearned to feel her fingers on his skin and her lips pressed gently upon his.
There was nothing more he could possibly want.
As he lay motionless in the bed, Daniel heard a faint knock at the door,
triggering him to quickly jump to his feet and run to answer it. Swinging it
open, he found Alexia standing there, her hair a disheveled mess and wearing
no makeup. She was wearing a light jacket over a plain white shirt and baggy
black track pants. He pulled her into the room and kissed her before either
knew what was going on.
Alexia felt her body being pressed against Daniel’s, but didn’t resist
his arms as they wrapped around her, holding her so tight, yet making her feel
so safe. The only thing on her mind were his lips caressing her mouth as they
kissed passionately in the middle of the room. She pushed him towards the bed,
slowly pulling away from his grasp. As their lips parted, Alexia looked into
his deep green eyes for what seemed like an eternity.
Daniel couldn’t keep his distance from her. He pulled Alexia in for another
deep, passionate kiss. His lips began to travel away from her mouth and down
her cheeks to the nape of her neck, his nose picking up traces of her Nautica
perfume. She slowly slipped off her jacket exposing the skin of her arms. Daniel
let go of her and just stared at her body in amazement. She was so perfect in
his eyes that there was no flaw he could find, no minor detail that was off
even by a little bit.
Alexia gradually pushed him onto the bed and sat down beside him. She
slowly began to pull the black jacket of his suit off as he made an attempt
to kiss her. She pulled away, smiling as her hands began to work on the buttons
of his crisp white shirt. Daniel tired again to reach her lips, but only made
contact for a few precious moments before she pulled away again.
The heat in the room began to build as Alexia slowly pulled Daniel’s
white dress shirt down his strong arms and threw it to the floor nonchalantly.
She stood up and slipped her own shirt over her head to reveal the sports bra
she wore beneath. With her left hand, she slowly pushed Daniel onto the bed
and climbed over him, hovering above his chest as she stared back at him from
above.
Alexia slowly lowered herself on top of him and kissed his full red lips.
Daniel wrapped his arms around her again, holding her so she wouldn’t get away,
and rolled her over. It was his turn to look down at her. She smiled as she
reached up to run her fingers through his dirty blond hair. He turned his head
and gently kissed the palm of her hand. She returned the favor by kissing his
chest.
Daniel rolled off her body and rested his head on his hand to watch her
as she lay still beside him. Alexia’s hair was sprawled out over the bed as
she stretched her arms above her head. She turned towards him, her hand reaching
up to touch his cheek. He loved her soft fingertips as they made their way to
his lips.
Their eyes locked on each other as Alexia whispered, “I’m all yours.”
Daniel rolled back on top of her and gently began to kiss her abdomen
as his fingers looped over the band of her pants. He pulled them down slow and
easy, taking his time to kiss her exposed flesh. Alexia ran her fingers through
his hair again sending tingles down his spine as his lips traveled down her
leg and to her foot. When he slipped off her shoe, she unexpectedly stood up
and faced him.
Alexia was once again staring into his deep green eyes hoping to find
an inkling of the love he said he felt for her. She searched the depths of his
soul trying to find out if this was real or just a dream. Daniel reached up
to touch the bare skin of her arm, sending shockwaves throughout her body. She
knew deep in her heart this was real otherwise she wouldn’t be feeling so much
with just one touch. She wrapped her arms around his neck, holding him for a
long time as he cradled her.
Daniel pulled her away to kiss her. It was her turn to let her lips wander
his body. Alexia pushed him back onto the bed and kissed his neck, slowly traveling
down his chest and to the brim of his pants. With a quick motion, she pulled
them off to reveal his black boxers. She made her way onto the bed beside him
and laid her head next to his. A devious smile came across Alexia’s face as
she looked down at Daniel. She crept down his body, anxious to show him what
she was planning to do.
A sudden ring came from the phone making Alexia jump and fall off the
bed. She hit the floor with a loud thud prompting Daniel to stand up and make
sure she was okay. She gave him a thumbs up and he answered the phone carefully.
“Hello?” he asked, making it sound as if he were sleeping.
From the floor, the only thing Alexia heard were bits and pieces of the
conversation. The person on the other end was talking too fast for her to understand,
but she looked at Daniel to see his facial expression change from happy to worried.
She knew it was bad news.
“Oh my God. Is Chance okay?” Daniel asked. He sat on the bed, his mouth
gaping open, waiting for a response. “So she’s okay? You had me worried for
a second. I’ll be at the hospital in a few minutes. Let me get dressed.” Daniel
hung up and looked across the room to Alexia.
“What’s going on?” she asked. “What happened?”
“There was an accident. Chance’s boyfriend, Scott, was killed. Chance
is at the hospital with a few cuts and bruises, and I have to go see her to
make sure she’s okay. I’m sorry,” Daniel tried to apologize before Alexia had
a chance to say anything.
“It’s okay. I know she’s like a sister to you. I’m not going to keep
you from family affairs,” Alexia said as she stood up and sat down on the bed
beside him.
“Thank you for understanding. Again, I’m really sorry we can’t finish what we started. You can stay for the rest of the night. I don’t want you getting into any trouble. Feel free to order anything if you get hungry and just charge it to my room. I’ll try to be back as soon as I can,” Daniel replied as he hopped into a pair of faded jeans and a dark sweater. He didn’t care much for his appearance at that time. All he wanted to do was get to Chance.