Hi there!

So I'm really really happy because this book has hit *drum roll* 1.15 K READS AND 85 VOTES! THANK YOU EVERYBODY! It's strange to me that a story I came up with when I was bored that I wrote on my holiday (yes in the Isle of Wight) that I wrote on my iphone notes has reached 1000 reads on Wattpad! It's amazing and I'm so pleased and I'm confident that I will keep writing not only this but hopefully in the future a lot more!

So I've started dedicating chapters to people so this Chapter is dedicated to @BurningRedWriter because her books are amazing and because she was one of the first people to read my book and comment, I've only just realised that she dedicated her book to me which means so so much, the book she did it in is one of my favourites, so thank you!

BUT I'm also really happy because while skyping my friend she was telling me about how much she loved my book, I now regret keeping my writing to myself for nearly 2 years. (so thanks you know who you are and will probably have a chapter dedicated to you ;) )

So this chapter has only taken 14 double sided pages of my notebook so it's shorter than usual I think. Oh and by the way I've edited the last few chapters with *** to show that it's a new place or topic, otherwise it's really confusing.

This chapter is where Dan finally comes to terms with things, but I won't give too much away :)

Follow me if you aren't already (it would be an awesome Christmas Present) and read my little note at the end too.

Keep commenting! Your comments make me smile :)

THANK YOU!

Lauren :D

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Daniel P.O.V

Something furry nudges my face.

I'm too tired to see what it is.

Something wet touches my cheek and I let out a loud sleepy groan.

I open my eyes grudgingly to see the furry black and white face of Murray.

He meows loudly.

"Murray I'm tired!" I say drowsily

He cocks his head to the side and sits his heavy weight on my lap.

"Murray!" Yells Ellie from downstairs.

Murray hops off my lap, his tail held high in the air as if he is holding a grudge against me. I watch as his fuzzy tail disappears from view and then I lay back starring at the ceiling.

Last night.

Well, I know what happened between Hazel and Tilly and that blonde idiot Harvey.

How could he do such thing to a such beautiful, well natured, caring girl?

Ah man, what's happening to me?

"You're falling for her" says a voice in my head.

"No I'm not" I reply out loud shaking my head.

"We are just friends F-R-I-E-N-D-S" I think as I sit up, running a hand through my hair.

"You keep telling yourself that" says the first voice mockingly.

Man, conversations in my head? I'm going crazy.

But why did she tell me all that stuff about Harvey?

I'm interrupted by a gentle knock on the door.

I turn my head to see none other than Hazel standing there.

"Hey Hazelnut"

"Morning Dan, can I come in for a sec? I want to talk to you"

I run a hand through my hair nervously.

"Sure"

She steps in, her feet making my wooden floor boards creak slightly. She pushes the doo shut and I sit on the side of my bed facing her.

She leans against he door, her dark hair cascading down her shoulders beautifully.

"I wanted to say thank you" she shyly mumbles.

"For what?"

"For listening to me, for allowing me to tell you everything, I've never really talked to anyone about Harvey and Tilly, Laura and Mum tried but I wouldn't open myself up to them"

"It's fine, I just wondered why?"

"Why what?"

"Why did you tell me?"

Her lips curve into a smile and she brushes some loose hair away from her deep brown eyes.

"Because I trust you"

"Really?"

"I feel that you won't judge me or tell anyone"

"I won't"

"Exactly"

Woah woah woah, she trusts me?

"Breakfast?" I ask breaking myself from my daydream.

"Sure" she says, flipping some of her silky brown locks over her shoulder.

I follow her light footsteps down the stairs.

"Morning guys!" My Dad says

"Morning Dad" I reply

"Morning Mark" echoes Hazel

I open the fridge and I scan the shelves carefully. Nothing good.

"I think we'll have to make do with cornflakes"

She nods with a smile.

"Listen Dan, I've got the day off so I thought maybe you could take Hazel out in the boat?"

My attention goes from him to Hazel who leans against one of the wooden kitchen cabinets.

"I'd love too"

"Oh good" says Dad sipping his tea with a slurping sound.

"That's today sorted then!"

Hazel P.O.V

Yes okay I opened up to him and told him everything.

I trust him, I mean I really do, but I don't know why.

I grab my shoulder bag from when we first travelled here and I fill it with; my purse, some mints with the creamy center (which in my opinion smell amazing) and my phone.

I bump into someone as I walk out of my room, the person grabs my arms as I stumble a bit, I look up to see Daniel looking at me worriedly, his gaze softens ans he laughs.

"You should really look where you're going Haze, tripping on the stairs, tripping on the shopping center stairs and now this"

He releases his grip on my arms and continues down the corridor.

"I'll just go and tell Dad we're all set, see you in a minute" he yells slightly.

I nod, unable to speak and he smiles, then continues to walk.

That's three times that's happened. Three times he's either saved me or asked if I was okay.

I ignore the tingling sensation from where his hands gripped my bare arms and I continue down the hall.

What is happening?!

"Morning sis!"

I turn to see James grinning at me.

"Oh er...Morning"

"What's up?"

"N-nothing" I stutter

"Good"

Man he is so thick!

"Seriously?!" I yell after him as he closes the bathroom door.

"What's with all the yelling? There's two people trying to rest here!" Laura shouts barging out of her bedroom, rubbing her head and stomach.

"Two?"

"The baby!"

"Oh right, sorry to you...er both"

What? It's not my fault I forgot! She doesn't show yet!

She smiles and rubs her eyes, then follows her actions with a yawn.

"Go back to bed" I say patting her on the shoulder.

"Okay" she says sleepily

She runs a hand through her messy mane as she disappears into her bedroom, shutting the door with a slam.

Pregnant women are so stressy!

Dan comes up the stairs and leans on the banister.

"Dad says I can steer the boat, he's not working today!" Dan says excitedly, his features wild and passionate like a child receiving a toy.

"You look nice" he says downgrading his grin to a gentle smile.

"Thanks" I say still smiling at his child-like enthusiasm.

"Then again, you always do"

HUH?

"What?!"

"God, it's just a compliment!"

I laugh, trying to cover up that stupid bush on my cheeks.

What is wrong with me? I'm serious.

He hurries down the stairs, I guess I have to follow him then.

Okay...breathe.

I allow my legs to walk after him as I'm not entirely sure if I'm still classified as sane.

I grip the handle of the solid wood banister, there is no way I'm letting scramble my thoughts by acting like Superman again by catching me. Oh no I won't let that happen.

I walk into the living room where Mark is sitting watching some of yesterdays football highlights, his eyes are glued to the screen and he doesn't hear or see Dan and I enter.

"Dad" says Dan

Mark jumps and his eyes glance over to us, he smiles, the skin by his eyes crinkling slightly.

"Oh, sorry guys, I didn't see you there, alright I'll go get the keys, you'll be okay steering it right?"

"I should be fine" Dan says confidently

He nods and strolls out into the reasonably narrow hall.

***

The salty sea air calms my senses as we walk down the damp, dark wood harbour.

"Don't slip" I think to myself.

"Here we are" says Dan standing in front of a reasonably big white fishing boat that could probably have about five people working on it.

I'm a little taken aback, but what was I expecting, a small wooden boat and oars? Pfft if Mark is an ex-lawyer he will only want the best.

"Ladies first" Dan says with a grin, tapping the edge of the boat as if it were a dog.

"Er...I don't think that's a good idea"

"Suit yourself"

He grips the side of the boat and lifts his legs over the side, he then holds out his hand with an offer to help me.

No, you've done enough today Superman.

"I'm okay" I say coping his actions and then beaming at him as he looks slightly shocked.

***

We talk for a while just enjoying each others company, I occasionally dip my hand into the water and let my hand rake through the water as Dan steers the boat and I sit on a wooden bench-like thing by the side. I even help Dan fish a bit and he says we could sell it at the fish market and split the money evenly. We fall silent for a minute and a random question pops into my head.

"So Dan, this might sound odd but do you have a dream in life that you want to achieve one day?" I ask smiling at him.

Daniel P.O.V

Hmm that's a hard one.

"I think I'd like to learn how to play the guitar"

"Really?"

"Yeah, I just really think that there's something special about people who play the guitar and I just love the idea of sitting round a campfire and playing it" I say as I turn the wheel and let the smooth leather brush my fingertips.

"That's really sweet" she says

I glance at her, she smiles that perfect smile, the sun makes her look like some sort of Goddess as he chocolate hair almost glows and I feel myself smiling back.

"Do you have a dream then?"

She sighs and puts her hand in the slowly moving water like she's done a few times already and then she looks up from her focus on her gentle hand movements and she looks at me again, her small hands now fiddling with her owl necklace.

"It's...well...it's stupid"

"Come on, you trust me"

"Okay, well...I'd like to fall in love with someone who appreciates me and loves me, who cuddles me when I'm scared and who sticks up for me when no one else will, who will laugh with me and create memories that I won't forget"

Appreciation, love, cuddling, comfort, security, comical fun and memories?

If I am falling for her, which I think I probably am, I need to think about what she just said, I quickly come to a conclusion and I smile at my thoughts.

Yeah, I can do that.

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Good old Daniel :) I'm sorry that it's quite short

So I wish you a Merry Christmas and I will see you in the New year (These things take time to write you know so I'm sorry, and I'm busy with family so I'm sorry :( )

Please comment, vote and follow me (all optional of course)

Lauren :D