Chapter 7

I shouldn't be feeling like this, experiencing the feeling of regret because I've received what I wanted. I should sigh out in relief that he's not bothering me right?

Today, he literally left me alone and didn't even glance my way the whole time, our paths would cross. He's kept his way and I should do the same, not over think things and not allow my mind, to be in deep thought about him.

His friend's words had hurt to be honest, for someone to paint a picture of me as vindictive and someone who loves attention, not to mention selfish and all types of wrong.  He made everyone sound like they are the victims and I'm the bad one here. His words should not matter to me yet they invade my thoughts every now and then.

But he was right about Danny, I've been keeping him at arms length, even after so much time has passed. He's been trying to reach out to me, from some time now and honestly, what he did was really a mistake, if I take it from his point of view. It wasn't his fault that he had mistaken Amber for me at the masked party, so he got adventurous and made out with her in a dark room. He promised me, that it didn't go further, that making out was all that was, until they took their masks off and realized their mistake.

At the beginning I was upset, hurt and disappointed in him, let me not leave out how angry I was. All that rang in my mind was how he could be foolish enough, to not make out the difference between us.

Amber's on the latina side and more light skinned, while I'm a bit darker.

I guess because of our height similarity, he might have thought I was her.

I hadn't felt like going to that party at that time, and he should have known when I was serious about not making it. I felt betrayed the first time I heard of this, not to mention how I found out about it, it was during that same night of humiliation.

They just had to appear together in the dark, between the trees.

They weren't doing anything, they said, yet I saw the full picture in my mind, them doing it again. No regret, no remorse and that was it, I couldn't listen to them, even if they begged me to believe them.

How could I?

When I woke up from the hospital the next morning, everything was explained to me by the doctor then, how I had gotten hurt whilst drowning. They thought I had been playing a prank on them, but how could I when I am not a very strong swimmer, not to mention how terrified I must have looked, as I tried fighting through the water.

I hated not knowing what was around me and having no control of a situation.

Not wanting to torture myself with a bad memory, I train my thoughts back to Danny.

He made a mistake and we all do. He shouldn't have to pay dearly, and be kept at armslength for so long, all because of a mistake. He said he was sorry and that I should believe that as soon as he realized that it wasn't me, he quickly walked out of there.

I should talk to him, right after my meeting with my dad.

I missed him and I was excited to see him again, we needed the time to talk.

The vibration of my phone snaps me out of thoughts. Checking it, I sigh, shoulders slumping in disappointment.

Sorry Hazel but I can't make it, let's postpone it for another time, I'll call you later.

Dad.

Just great.

I lay back on my bed, staring up at the ceiling.

He said he'd make an effort, that he wanted things to be different and that it was me and him. Now look at this, no further explanation but sorry, can't make it. I should have known better then to get overly excited about this.

I sigh, picking up my phone again, texting Danny.

Can we meet up?

        

                               *****

I anxiously wait for Danny to show up, I've been waiting for over 5 minutes already.

I decided on a small diner as the perfect place for us, away from prying eyes and for this to just be about us. I miss him honestly and I hope that I'm not too late to fix things between us, I really wouldn't blame him if he stopped trying.

The door bell chimes and I look up, expecting to see Danny come through that door, only for Roman to take his place.

He looks really good in torn black jeans at the knee, white sneakers and a maroon coloured hoodie, he's let his hair down and it's much longer then how I remembered.

It's as if he knows I'm here, as if he can feel my presence in this place, that with no hesitation, his head snaps in my direction, his eyes meeting mine.

I don't know what's so different about today, his eyes, his stare, that I find myself slowly rising to my feet.

Talk to him, apologise. My consciousness tells me.

The urge to go to him, whilst he's alone, to apologise is strong.

He completely turns to face me. He can see it, that I want to do it. I want to go to him. My feet start moving, and I realize that I'm heading over to him, my eyes sorlely focused on him.

Again the door bell chimes and just like that, the spell breaks and I break eye contact as I hear my name being called.

It's Danny, he's here.

He comes over to me and surprises me, for some unknown reason, with an embrace, pulling me close and keeping me in his arms.

My eyes travel once again, meeting his which had never left me. I should be present with Danny right now yet I can't look away from Roman.

His friends arrive and I break eye contact, leaning back to look at Danny. I offer a small smile, taking his hand in mine and leading him to our booth.

I don't dare glance back.

" I was surprised by your call, is everything okay?"

"Yes, everything is okay now that you're here." I say, my lips curving up into a small smile.