"You ready?".Tara typed.She already knew what he wanted.
"Yes".Daniel typed as he closed his notes.He thought of this like a memory test."Hey Babe ❤️"
Daniel cringed as he wrote that.He couldn't believe he was actually calling a girl "babe"
Tara laughed as she saw his message.
"Not a bad start,guess I'll play along".She murmured as she replied."Hey Boo"
"What you doing?"
"Nothing much,I'm feeding myself chips.Want one?"
"Nah,I'll pass.What I want is you".Daniel typed
Tara stilled as she saw the message.For a brief second,she thought what he said was real.
"Oh yeah.Prove you want me"
"The twinkling stars all pale in comparison to your beauty and my poor heart can't take the sight of you standing without me at your side".Daniel typed.He was already sweating even though the air conditioner was set at maximum.His heart wouldn't stop beating wildly.
"This is nerve-wracking".He murmured as he stared at his phone waiting for her reply.
"He's good".Tara said after reading his message."Aww. That's cute".She replied.
"Wait.Paragraph two, sentence four to five:Just go with the flow ,and if she complements your message,Go on to step three".Daniel recited.
"Thanks but it's the truth".He typed
"You're getting good at this".Tara typed.
"Is my reason for wanting you good enough".Daniel typed.
"I guess so"
"Then I shall have you"
"And if I don't want that?".Tara typed
"I'll make you want me".A red tinge spread up Daniel's cheeks.He couldn't believe he was actually saying all this.
"I guess we'll see".Tara replied
"Guess so.How did I do".Daniel asked,eager for his result.
"Great job.For a second,I actually thought you were serious".
"Thanks".Daniel replied.He felt warm and fuzzy inside,like he'd done something good.
The next few days featured Daniel texting Tara like a natural.He didn't realize he wasn't utilizing what he learnt but what was in his heart.
Then a day before the food wars,Something peculiar happened.
Daniel was on the phone with Tara.
"It's for kids".Tara snapped.
"It isn't.Anime is for everyone from all walks of life no matter the person's age"
"Daniel,you're been irrational"
"No,I'm not.I believe you're the irrational one.You're judging it when you haven't even tried watching a single anime"
"Okay Fine.What if I watch an anime and still find it childish?"
"Then I'll respect your opinion"
"Okay then".Tara said
He lay down on his bed and laughed softly
"I think this is why I like you".He said.
"You like me?". Tara's voice came from his phone.
"Shit".Daniel violently sat up and ended the call."How could I forget to end the call? Now she knows and I have no idea what she's going to say.Maybe I'll say I was talking to my cat or I'll say I had my girlfriend over.No one would believe that".Daniel rose and paced furiously around the room.He had to think of an excuse before tomorrow.
The next day rolled around pretty quickly and Daniel found himself standing in front of his mirror.
He had no idea what he was to wear for a food wars party.Heck,he didn't even know what he was to do there.
Throwing food at another person wasn't really his style.
After about two minutes of staring at his reflection,Daniel finally settled on a long-sleeved top that had stripes on the arms and paired it with normal jeans.
"Can't draw too much attention".He murmured as he brushed his hair and put on cologne.
He glanced at his phone and hurriedly rushed out.He hailed a cab and dropped at the library.
"Why are you late".Tara said with her arms folded.She kept hearing his voice in her head."I think this is why I like you".It seemed to be stick on repeat
Daniel didn't answer.He couldn't stop his eyes from roaming over her body.Tara wore a black long-sleeved top and complimented it with black and white leggings and sneakers.
"What?".Tara asked,aware of his gaze.
"Nothing,You look stunning".He quickly said.He had already come up with an excuse if she asked.
"Oh Thanks".She said with a faint red on her cheeks.
"Shall we?".Tara asked
"Yeah".Daniel trotted to her side and they started walking to the venue.
The venue was about a five minute walk. Tara wanted to feel the evening breeze on her face,so she opted to walk.
Daniel on the other hand just wanted to be close to her.
"She smells nice".Daniel thought.He had a strong urge to hold her hand ,but he held back.He had no idea how she'd react.
"This is it".Tara halted in front of a large building.Compared to the other houses she'd been to,this house was in another league.The house was painted cream and such a colour couldn't emphasize the grandeur of the house more.Two stone pillars stood to support the house.The exterior of the house oozed unimaginable class to the ordinary passerby.Dozens of people who could be seen entering and leaving the house indicated that it was a party.Music blared from the speakers: Sunflower
"Hey,This is my jam!".Tara chuckled as she went inside, leaving Daniel.
"Parties".Daniel shook his head and followed her.
Like all teenage parties,Daniel walked into crazy dancing and the pungent stench of alcohol.
He had learned to control his nauseousness ,but he still felt an urge to throw up.
The song "sunflower" blared through the speakers and Tara could be seen reciting the lyrics and twirling around like a child.
Daniel took a seat at the corner and watched her.
Tara glanced at Daniel and softly smiled.She was happy.She could do whatever she wanted.There was no Julian to hurt her.
"Tara".Bruce called
"Hi".Tara said, grinning like a Cheshire cat.
"The food wars will start in about twenty minutes"
"Oh! I have no idea what the rules are"
"It's like war but the weapons are food".Chris replied, striding towards them.
Tara mouthed "hey" and Chris nodded as a reply.
"So is it a free for all or what?".
"No".Bruce started."We're grouped into teams and before you ask,the teams are completely random.Four people are chosen and they serve as leaders to each group.The leaders have the freedom to choose a maximum of twenty-five individuals"
"Okay".Tara said."what's the goal?"
"Get the cupcake!".Chris and Bruce said in unison