After that night, Daniel and Anya talked every day for about a week on that app. They got close to each other, dropped the formalities and were comfortable in being themselves with one another.
One would even think that they were close friends if not for the fact that ... well, they still didn't see each other yet.
Not like none of them thought about it or that they weren't curious to see what the other person looked like. To them, it just seemed ... unnecessary.
Especially to Daniel's surprise; the guy who only got the app to get confidence boost from pretty girls' compliments and attempt of seducing him. Even if he talked to Anya everyday, it's not like he became a saint, either.
Daniel still talked and flirted with a few girls on there who kept asking for his number and for dates. However, when Anya texted it was almost as if she became a priority.
He would ignore all of them just to reply to her. He was eager to chat and subconsciously awaited that time of the day.
~
- Anya's point of view -
"And you still haven't seen him yet ? ", Lilly asked me with an astonished grimace.
"No", I replied with what seemed like embarrassment. "Not like it's a must, you know ? I mean, we're just friends" I added as I felt my cheeks flush.
"Yeah, that's what you are but doesn't seem like that's what you WANT " Lilly teased me while winking.
Her laughter made me more embarrassed. She's been my best friend for so long but i still wish she was more stupid at times.
It was the first time I talked to her about a guy which, on its own, is a miracle. Given the fact that I never was interested in guys in general.
Plus, why would it be him ? It's not like he showed interest in me like some guys did in the past. It's also not like we even met each other. So why am I so comfortable with him ? Why does he matter to the point of me mentioning him to my best friend ?
Hmm. Is it because I could open up to him ? Because he helped me through a panic attack ? After all, aside from Lilly and Liam, this was the first time I open up to someone.
I even told Daniel things that I thought were buried deep inside me. Things none of my best friends knew about. Was it because it was easier to open up to a stranger you might never meet, as he said ?
But we're talking everyday now and it's almost as if I got used to him.
Is it just the lack of social interaction that is making me over dramatise this ? I really don't know ...
It might be that I'm the only one who is over thinking this.
Probably I should ask Lilly about some advice of what to do next. She's been in a serious relationship for very long, now. She might enlighten me.
"I think you should ask him to send a picture" lilly said and interrupted my train of thoughts. She said it so nonchalantly while taking a bite of her sandwich.
" I should do WHAT ? But that would be so hypocritical of me; since I said I don't send pictures in my bio. Not to mention that it would be very unlike me and probably he will interpret it in a diffrent way I mean I already value talking to him and- " I was interrupted by Lilly's snapping her fingers in my face as she said
" Yooo chill your potatoes, Anya. Breathe and relax. It's just a picture and I have a feeling this guy enjoys talking to you too. Yeah sure, you said it in that stupid bio but who says he even remembers it ? that is if he read it in the first place " she finished with a lower voice tone looking at her sandwich before she lifted her head and glaced at me.
Lilly let out a long sigh when she saw my unconvinced face.
" GURL you really be thick headed sometimes " she let out. " Don't force things out and don't worry about things that didn't happen yet. Keep talking to the guy and see where it goes from there. Probably he will be the one asking to exchange numbers not just pictures. " lilly finished as she layed back on her chair.
After deep thinking, I realised she was right. Over thinking this is worthless now. I may just be exaggerating.
" what would I do without you my Lilly " I said as I reached out to hug her.
Lilly let out a sweet laugh while she hugged me back and said " obviously, NOTHING ! "
After she finished the last few bites left of her sandwich, she managed to mumble with a full mouth " Come on lovebird, we'll be late for class. "
And so we went to class and continued with our schedule for the day.
~
" Ughh I swear I'm not cut for this university life. " lilly said out of frustration after we were done with our afternoon classes and headed back to the faculty entrance.
" Come on, you're exaggerating. You graduated with one of the top students in highschool and this is just the 2nd year though you're already tired of this ? " I replied with a grin on my face.
" well, this university sucks. It's not much diffrent from high school to be honest. It's always the same faces. If you weren't with me, I'd be bored out of my life. "
"Well, you're on your way to accomplish your dream of becoming a doctor, you have Thomas, your entire family and me by your side here too. Don't you think you're being a little bit of an ungrateful brat ? " I said jokingly as I pinched her cheek.
Lilly let out a laugh and replied " I know, I know. I am grateful but I expected my life to be in a big city living my uni life and experiencing new things." The sparkle in her eyes turned into an annoyed gaze when she added, " not to be stuck in this shit hole" she added as she gestured to her surrounding.
We both laughed at her dramatic reaction then looked at each other.
Her expression got more serious than her usual bubbly face when she asked me " When do you plan on leaving that apartment, honestly ? "
When she saw me lowering my gaze and respond with a sad smile she added " I know it's not really an easy choice and the circumstances don't allow it but you need to leave that toxic environment. "
All I could say was " I know".
After all, my life with my aunt has been far from being normal. She despises me although I am her brother's daughter, her only niece.
Ever since I was little, affection and love would be emotions she never felt towards me, I looked too much like my mother, according to her.
As time passed by, we grew even more distant and I'd rarely hear of her even if we lived in the same neighbourhood at the time.
Despite not being perfect, things were still contained. However, ever since the accident, she became my legal guardian and I had to move with her, that was when my life became a nightmare.
It would sound ungrateful of me but, I would have preferred to go live in an orphanage because she never considered me as part of her family. it's like living with a foster parent that never asked for foster kids.
I was more of the enemy who killed her brother.
My aunt, Isabelle, was the trigger to many of my mental issues and past traumas. Matter of a fact, she was the cause behind them. In addition, she never cared when I had my panic attacks or even when I wanted to seek medical help. She wanted to keep me around as long as possible to seek her revenge on me probably.
Growing up, I first believed what she told me about me being the culprit behind my parent's death. I blamed myself and till this day, I have issues copping with it.
Then, in my early teenage years, I tried to understand her and put myself in her shoes in a way to get closer to her.
Even as a teenager, i did to her what she failed to do with me, although she wad the adult.
But now ... now I just want to be as far from her as possible.
She never got married despite being older than my father. Not like age defines when you should get married.
She works as a nurse in the town hospital.
A job to which I'm so very thankful. Because, thanks to her shifts, she works at night and sleeps during the day.
We rarely even see each other despite living together. Although we're aware of the other person's presence in the house.
She only interacts with me when she orders me around, gives me tasks or when she argues about my whereabouts.
I'm not allowed to spend the night at Lilly's house nor at aunt Claire's and never was. Even when Lilly came to stay with me, she didn't receive the most warm and welcoming greetings from her.
It wasn't the happiest life but I never tried to go against her orders.
I always avoided angering her at first out of fear. I didn't want to be abused or triggered by all her accusations over and over again.
Now, I just avoid her all together to be in peace. Rebellion wouldn't lead me anywhere as she pays the bills now and even legally, she's my only guardian.
My thoughts took me so far that I didn't realise we were already at the bus stop.
Have 15 minutes passed already ? I looked to my side. Lilly was quiet on her phone. She was probably texting Thomas, her boyfriend. I felt bad for ruining the atmosphere but my life with my aunt was a delicate topic.
we had the same dream, Lilly and I, to move to a diffrent city and live far from here when we graduated highschool. When reality hit us, we knew it wasn't easy to make it happen.
" Lilly, I'm ok. You can go with Thomas. I'm drained and I want to go home to rest anyways. I know that look on your face, he wants to meet, doesn't he ? " I said.
" I can't hide anything from you, can I ? " Lilly responded with a faint smile on her face.
Before she could say anything else I added " I'm going to aunt Claire's on my way home too, Liam will leave again very soon. I should at least spend some time with them "
It seemed like my attempt of convincing her worked. After some reflection she said "Ok but be careful, though. And make sure to call me if you need anything ! "
I am so lucky to have her in my life.
" Ok, promise" I said while giving her a goodbye hug.
We went our separate ways after that.
As much as I miss aunt Claire and want to spend time with Liam, I wasn't in the best state of mind to do so. I only said I would go to convince Lilly so she doesn't worry about me. I feel guilty enough for ruining the mood as it is.
But as I was on my way home, I heard some car horns as if the car was approaching me.
As if someone is calling out for me ?
-to be continued