~07-Old Friend~

I called my mom to let her know I'll be staying over at Beth's house.

Beth hasn't returned from Clark's house but I don't think she's coming back anytime soon so I have to cover for her over here 'cos she forgot to ask her mom before leaving.

I lied to Clara that Beth's tired and already asleep before she went to bed.

And tried the same with Will but he's a lot smarter, he noticed that her car was gone so I had to tell him the truth

Well, not the real truth..just fragments of the truth-I'm not sure Beth wants him to know just yet.

We opened a bottle of wine while we waited for Beth-he insisted on waiting with me.

I chat with Will for a while-a really long while-and I remember how close Will and I used to be.

I had a huge crush on him at some point in our childhood and we almost had a relationship but...I'm not one for such so I broke it off before it even started and since then, we just grew distant.

"I can't believe you don't have a boyfriend" He gasps "Are all the boys at Lake Washington blind?"

"No, actually they have very good eyesight. They know danger when they see it" I laugh

"Oh wow. Since when were you so vicious" 

"Since forever. It just got visible after I took boxing lessons" I inform, proudly.

"You learnt to box?" His eyes widen with surprise and admiration "You amaze me more everyday, kid. I'd be glad to teach you a few skills though"

"Or learn from me" I supply "I'm pretty good"

"We'll see" he smiles.

"Alright, enough about me. How about you? Your girlfriend? Allison, right?" I say to shift the topic away from me

And it works perfectly well

His eyes light up like a bulb at the sound of her name "yes, Allison, she's the most beautiful girl in the world"

"Of course" I smile and take a sip of my wine.

Every girl is the most beautiful to the man that loves them

"She really is. She has perfect blue eyes, the perfect shade of brown for her hair, smooth, soft skin, full lips which are just perfect for kissing" he says dreamily "And best of all she loves nature, cares for all animals. She's very warm and loving"

"I can tell you love her a lot" I say, bringing my glass to my lips.

Hearing him talk about her like that makes me feel a pang of emptiness sit in. Is there someone out there that would look at me and love me the way Will loves Allison?

"I do. She lights up my world"

"That's overrated. Try something else" I joke.

"Yeah, sure" he chuckles a bit

"You plan to marry her?" I ask

"Yes, It would be an honour to spend the rest of my life with her" He sighs, dreamily

"Oh, wow. I can't wait to meet her"

"You'll love her. She's very jovial and lively" he says with such pride and love in his voice, I almost feel jealous of her.

Keyword there being almost.

"I already love her" I smile.

"Oh, Beth's here" I inform when I hear her car pull up outside "Remember, I told you nothing"

"Of course" he smiles "I'm even going to bed now. I was never here"

"Bye. Goodnight Will" I give him a hug "It's good to see you again"

"Yeah, you too. It was nice talking to you. Goodnight, kid"

And then he puts his glass in the sink and runs up the stairs before Beth makes her way in.

"So?" I ask as she takes a sit next to me.

"So?" She replies with her face void of any emotion, trying and failing to keep her joy out of her voice.

"I'm guessing it went well" I say and her face breaks into a wide smile.

"Better than expected. We made up" she smiles.

"I know"

"I still love him so much. Nothing's changed" she smiles, dreamily

"I know"

"He really does love me" she sighs, happily

"I know"

"Alexis is now out of our lives and we're stronger than ever" she beams

"I know"

"Ugh, since you know it all. I'm going to bed" she rolls her eyes but can't get rid of the big smile on her face.

"Bye" I say, though I know she was only saying, she's not going anywhere.

"Danny, I agreed to marry him" she smiles as if she didn't just give me the shock of a century

"What did you just say?"

"I agreed to marry him" she shrug, still smiling.

"You what?"

"Agreed to marry him" her smile grows bigger.

"Are you crazy?" I almost yell.

"Yes, crazy in love" she sighs, dreamily.

"You're seventeen f******g years old" I whisper-yell

"Yes, almost 18" she beams "we'll do it when I'm 18"

"What the hell are you talking about? You still have a life to live. You're still going to college, right?" I look at her like she's crazy.

She send the look back at me "I can be married and still go to college, Danny"

"You're still too young" I tell her "You were miserable a few hours ago over this same boy"

"Stop acting like you're my mom" she frowns and gets up to get herself a glass.

"Why do you want to do this so soon, Beth?"

I ask, more calmly

Pouring herself some wine, she sighs "I've been thinking, it has always been my dream to have my mom at my wedding and the thought that in a few months she won't be here just...."

Her voice breaks and I go round the table to give her a hug.

"I understand" I assure her "but have you thought this through?"

"What's there to think about? I love him" she says, quietly

"There's a lot to think about, Beth. Do you trust him enough to spend the rest of your life by his side?"

She nods, confidently.

"Do you know him well enough to live with him for the rest of your life?"

"Yes" she says, her eyes glinting with the affection she feels for him.

"How do you think your mom will take it?" I ask, softly after a few quiet moments.

"I don't know" she admits

"You're certain you want to do this?" I ask again and she nods.

"Okay, then I'll support you" I assure her "I will always be here for you"

"I know" she smiles and squeezes my hand gently as a thank you gesture.

"I know I never say this but...I love you, Beth a whole f******g lot" I murmur

"I love you too, Danny" she responds

"You should go to bed now" I tell her

"Yeah, you're right" she lets out a loud yawn "Not all of us have a body that never needs rest"

"Yeah, sure. Let's get you in bed" I chuckle lightly as we both head for her room.

Her needing her beauty sleep and me wondering what to do to pass time while I'm there.