I groaned trying to locate my phone. I woke up to its tone earlier but I ignored it thinking that it must be the alarm I set last night. I purposely alarmed it a bit earlier so I could stay in bed for quite a while.

Must've forgotten I set the alarm more than once, alternating every three minutes approximately or so.

I slept late last night not expecting Mr. Johann's task would consume so much time. I did it last because it's a single sheet assignment compared to the stapled ones.

Yawning, I turned the phone off spending a good amount of ten minutes just laying in bed before I stood up and went to take a shower.

I have less subjects today so that means I can go to Allison's after lunch. Today's my first day on the job so I should spend enough time working, not that I should spend less on the upcoming days of work.

I pulled the shirt over my head loving the comfort it's giving and then went on to tying my shoes. By the time I went out, Daniel's already there.

The ride to school was smooth. However the walk inside it isn't.

I thought none would pay attention because the lunch thing happened days ago, but who am I kidding?

It's Daniel.

Eyes are on him wherever he is.

While we sauntered the halls, his hands gently held mine that I immediately look at him with questioning eyes.

"It's still early. Come with me first." If I was uncomfortable seeing the stares of those who are in the hallway while we entered the school, I seriously began to fidget when Daniel led me to the cafe. More people are looking already. Especially now that his hand is holding my wrist. I tried pulling it away but he held it firmly. I swear I want to hide my face using my other hand when some students took an effort to stop doing whatever it is that they're doing just to take a look at us. At me.

"If it isn't Mr. Hotshot himself!"

"Captain!"

"Daniel!"

Judging by the way they address Daniel, they must be his friends. I really couldn't see who those people were because Daniel's back is blocking the view. I silently  allowed him to pull me while I follow on his trail.

I gulped as we got closer and closer. I didn't know anxiety would strike me this bad until we're only steps away.

"Team captain, you're early."

"What's up captain!"

He's heading towards the spot where he usually sits, if I'm not mistaken.

He halted and so did I doing my best to stay covered behind his broad back.

They all stood tapping Daniel's shoulder in greeting while his hand remained holding mine. My grip tightened a bit when he pulled me beside him allowing the towering heights of his friends to meet my small ones.

"I want all of you to meet Georgina Torrens."

I badly want to shut my eyes tight. I don't know but I felt the jolt of anxiety spreading all throughout my body that the situation overwhelmed me.

What would his friends think?

The faded shirt I'm wearing's probably sporting a darker shade now due to excessive sweat excretion.

Subconsciously, I took a step back inching behind Daniel once again.

"No way!"

"Finally!"

Two heads peeked past Daniel's torso. I had no other choice but to flash them a smile one that I'm sure looked quite forced.

"Dude, holding hands is considered PDA!" One guy remarked shoving Daniel's hand away and advanced towards me holding his own hand out.

"Hi, Garett Luca, pleasured to finally meet you Georgina."

"Move over dude, I want to see her too! I'm  Kash Donovan."

"It's my turn-Angelo. Angelo Connor."

"Jensen Ronan."

"Nash Rafael."

"The name's Sean Walker ma'am."

"Hey, you might scare her! I'm sorry you had to witness their dorky side, I'm Matthew Samuels."

I chuckled worries flying out somewhere else when I felt their amiable welcome.

They're..not so bad after all.

Okay, I know it's not right to judge but I can't help it.

"You're the talk of the school Georgina!"

"It's actually...Alex." I  said sticking to how I'm typically called. Georgina sounds kind of odd. Like it's not me.

"Cool! Alex."

"She's cool captain!"

"Captain, why don't you  bring her with you on Saturday! We want to know her."

"Definitely. We want you there."

"It'd be fun!"

I eyed Daniel only to find him intently watching me. I would have averted my gaze if it weren't for the barely-there smile on his lips that coaxed a smile of my own.

The guys continued talking and I felt comfortable responding whenever they would ask something. It was really fun. I laughed whenever Luca would turn on Kash.  And then somewhere along the conversation, Jensen and Nash would start arguing. It's really different.

"I'm sorry if it scared you."

Daniel said after a few minutes of silence.

I didn't want our fun conversation to end but I have classes to attend so Daniel interrupted saying we both have to go. Now I'm steps away from entering the room when he spoke.

I guess he's talking about what happened earlier. I flashed him a small. One because I feel grateful, and the next is because  what he did is not something he should apologize, in fact, I feel like I owe him for what he did.

"It was unexpected, but I had fun. Your friends are great." I assured him adding a grin which came out naturally when I recalled what happened earlier. They were so fun and so full of energy that listening to them talk is entertaining.

"I'm glad you did."

"I better..go inside." I said, fully aware of the current butterflies freely storming my stomach with ticklish electric currents. His eyes is so not helping the situation, so as his scent. He nodded, eyes still on me making it hard to move an inch. My breathing hitched when he took a step forward, butterflies in extreme chaos. Heat crept up my neck to my cheeks that I swallowed series of condensed air. I think my mouth stopped salivating.

Gulp.

He's still coming closer!

I gulped some more.

"HELLO lovebirds!"

Came the loud entrance of which I assume were my friends.

Moment ruined.

I jumped not expecting the sudden interference.

It was Penny.

Head popping out of the door frame, followed by Jade and Chloe. They all wiggled their brows at me like we're sharing something unsaid.

"You two look closer than before."

"Hi Daniel, mind if we borrow our friend? Class is about to start."

"I don't know guys, but I don't think she wants to part with Daniel."

I furrowed my brows when I heard Jade's teasing comment. Looking back at Daniel, it's only then that I realized I was creasing the edge of  his clothes with my fisted hand.

Oh.

"I'm sorry." I tried easing the wrinkles out but his hand reached out to stop me.

I didn't miss the squeal and screams my friends made when our skin made contact.

"I'll see you later Ms. Torrens."

****

"Unbelievable! My guts nearly crossed trying to contain the squeal from coming off my mouth!"

"He's sooo  dreamy!"

"He looked so handsome when he took your hand-stared at you with those gorgeous pair of mesmerizing eyes and said- "I'll see you later Ms. Torrens." Oh my goodness-and that voice!"

"Andrews really is the man, I tell you."

I couldn't stop the grin from stretching my lips wide enough that it hurt but I couldn't care less. It's not something I can stop. Just thinking about Daniel makes me want to plaster the goofy smile on my face again, and I didn't want it to stop. I don't want this feeling to stop. It feels so good. So invigorating.

Daniel, what are you doing to me?

Lunch came and I received a message from Ian asking what time would I be coming in today. I told him I'll be coming in after a few minutes  to which he responded with an "okay" and a few lines along with it.  I texted him back shaking my head. He's really full of humor.

"Who are you texting?" I jerked, lightly jumping from my seat. I got a bit absorbed watching the screen and typing my response that I didn't notice Daniel's arrival.

"Why are you here?" He took a seat beside me acknowledging my friends in the process and then went back to looking at me.

"I'll take you to Allison's."

What?

"Why?"

Doesn't he have classes to attend?

I even had sneak a glance to the three in front of me to see what their reactions were.

"I want to."

"No, it's fine. It's close by, I can go there alone." He listened to me respond but instead of talking back, he only glanced at his watch telling me to start eating right afterwards. The four of us watched him watch me. He doesn't even look like he's affected by the look my friends are giving him. Hence, he leaned his elbow on the edge of the table fully facing me.

I had the urge to refuse again but If I argued with him, it's probably going to end up like last night so giving the thought a once over,  I did what he said.

As what he said-the way he said it,  he did  took me  to Allison's.  He   insisted to escort me in-thankgoodnessforthesuddencall-but something came up so he had to leave. I don't know why but it sounded urgent. I just hope it's nothing serious.

First day of work was great. It was kind of tiring because you had to stand for hours, walking here and there to take orders and clean tables but it's great all in all. It's a good kind of exhaustion. One that feels fulfilling.

We got out late because we had to clean first before signing out so it must be past eight by the time I and the other employees parted ways.

I silently walked the route leading to where my house is. The cold breeze of the night chilled me a bit that I shivered. Vestige of what was before flashed before me when my body recognized the familiar feeling.

Way back, dad would pull a picnic blanket. He would light a fire outside the house and the three of us would huddle close with me tucked between the two of them. Despite the cold breeze, the chilly air, mom and dad would make sure to fill me with warmth.

Mom and dad would tell me how they met. How I grew up. How full of energy I was when I was kid. How silly dad looked when I painted his face with mom's lipstick. How mom would look when dad and I would fill her face with mustache and beard whenever she's asleep, how we would secretly giggle when mom would get mad at the both of us for vandalizing  her face.

How happy and perfect everything was then.

My chest ached with longing upon the memory I know I could only look back on. Tears threatened to fall that I sniffed and blinked rapidly to prevent them from sliding down my cheek.

I  can't cry.

I won't.

Diverting my line of thought, my head subconsciously went to Daniel. The man who's  frequently popping into my head since that unexpected encounter.

I wonder what he's doing right now.

As if on cue, footsteps registered into my ears that just as I was about to turn to see who it was, warm hands gently took and held mine.

Daniel.

Does that mean he's close all along?

He's not looking at me this time. He had his eyes straight ahead while we continued walking. I would've seen him earlier if he was outside Allison's, but I didn't.

I remembered he told me he'd wait till I finish my shift at Allison's. He really did.

I held his hands back, feeling consoled by his presence.My once chaotic thoughts seeking for refuge found peace when he came. It's like the  sadness I was battling with earlier  dispersed the moment his hands held mine.

"Where's your car?" I asked breaking the silence between us. He glanced my way while we continued walking. I even saw the light movement of his throat and the  curve of his lips.

"Does that mean you think about my car more than you think about me?" I eyed him with mock-incredulity.

He's joking now?

"Well I'm surprised you don't know!" I gasped riding along along with his play.

"I guess I should consider getting rid of it then."

"Mr. Andrews, don't get threatened over a fine piece of vehicle. Between your car and you,  I'd still choose you in a heartbeat." I laughed, thinking that this whole thing's getting silly. I didn't know Daniel is capable of handling jokes, let alone of initiating one.

"Really?"

I watched him, anticipating a different response.

We're still playing are we?

The question was instantly answered when he pulled me to him so close our bodies touched. Stupefied, I was at loss for words. Even my body seem to be experiencing momentary paralysis due to what he's doing. I eyed his deep and penetrating eyes, watching  each and every move he's making.

His eyes seem to be saying something but I can't tell what. He's...He's very difficult to read.

"Daniel." I whispered fighting the loud hammering beat my chest is making while trying to gauge what's behind the look that he's giving. Yeah, I can feel the butterflies but I also couldn't ignore the look he's giving me now. I can sense something else. Like something's wrong. His eyes. I can see trouble in them. Like he's waging with something he only knows.

I was about to say something else when his next words spooked my own speech away.

"I want you."

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A/N: HI GUYS! It's me again, hoping you're all safe and sound. Let me know what you guys think about this chapter and the previous ones-oh and feel free to give me extra comments.

Stay safe!💜