Daniel stilled.For a split second,his heart seemed to stop then restarted but this time it was twice the rate of the former. He wasn't sure whether he heard her correctly.
"I didn't get that?".He turned rigidly
"I asked if you like me?".Tara repeated
"No,Of course not".Daniel refuted,his hands were shaking.The excuse he thought of was now long gone from his mind."What gave you that idea?".He said,his voice faltering.
Tara gauged his expression for a minute before saying."Nothing,Good night".She walked in and closed the door behind her.
Daniel lingered on her doorstep for any more surprises.But after she didn't come out within five minutes,he headed home.
His heart didn't stop beating wildly until he collapsed on his bed.
"That was unexpected".He murmured.
He couldn't tell whether she meant it as a joke or not.
What if she figured that he was lying?
Daniel didn't want his and Tara's relationship to change.She was the only person that cared about him,and he was so grateful to have her as a friend.
"There's no way Tara can like me".Daniel walked slowly to the bathroom."She's way out of my league"
Tara stared at her phone.She would normally text Daniel at this time.But something felt wrong,it was as if an invisible barrier had been drawn between them.
Julian paced furiously in his room.He was holding in his phone.
"Dude,you missed a lot.It was so much fun".Eddie's voice came out of the phone.
"Yeah,I know.Stop reminding me". Julian snapped
"Sorry bro.I sent you some pictures though".
"Okay thanks".Julian ended the call and viewed the pictures Eddie sent.
He stopped at the picture of Tara lifting the trophy.He missed her a lot.
"You look hot as always".He murmured,staring at her face.
A week passed by.The season gradually got colder.Christmas decorations were hung on every store.Children ran around with smiles on their faces.They were all eagerly awaiting Christmas day.
Daniel hadn't talked to Tara all week ,and boredom was slowly getting to him.He desperately needed something to do.
Tired of sitting at home,Daniel headed to the library.
He walked to his destination with the intent of reading fantasy novels,but what he meant there was evidently real.
'Tara".Daniel stuttered as he caught a glimpse of her.
He quickly hid behind a shelf and waited for her to leave.
She left the area and Daniel walked out from behind the shelf.
"Why are you hiding?".Tara's voice came from behind.
"Tara".Daniel shrieked."What are you doing here?"
"This is a public library.I assume that answers your question".Tara replied.
"Why are you hiding?"
"What makes you think that?".Daniel said,averting his gaze.
"Ugh".Tara rolled her eyes and pointed to the entrance.
Daniel averted his gaze to where Tara pointed.It was a television.It was showing all the activities going on ,in and outside the library.
"How did I not see that?".Daniel thought.
"Ready to tell me why you were hiding?".Tara sat.She had no idea Daniel would be in the library,but it made things better for her.
Daniel scratched his head as he thought of an excuse.Nothing was forth coming.
"I didn't want you to see me".He said truthfully.
"Why?"
"I don't know".Daniel replied.
Tara shot him a glare.
"Things are weird between us".Daniel muttered.
"Why do you think that is?".
"I don't know".Daniel said.He didn't like where the conversation was heading.
"That's a lie".
"I'm serious".Daniel said with his head bowed.
"No,you're not".Tara said fiercely."But I want you to say the truth and you will do it"
Daniel gulped nervously as he looked into her eyes.They were fierce and unyielding.
"Okay,I—"
A ring from Tara's pocket interrupted Daniel.
"Hold on, it's my mom". Tara said.She turned her back to him and answered the call.
Daniel had a crazy idea.His idea was cowardly but confessing to a girl would be way worse.
Daniel waited till Tara was engrossed in the call then made a break for it.
He stealthily moved between the shelves to avoid getting seen.Sighting the door with no camera in sight,Daniel ran out of the library.
At the same time,Tara ended the call and turned.
She expected to see Daniel getting ready for his confession but all she saw was an empty chair.
"Son of a —".Tara snapped and ran out the library.
She spotted Daniel running on the sidewalk.
"Why are you running?".Tara shouted as she chased after him.
"I don't know"
"For someone smart,you are really dumb when it comes to life problems"
Daniel didn't reply.He concentrated his energy on increasing the gap between him and Tara.
But it wasn't working:Tara was closing the gap with every step.
"You're also slow for a male". Tara's voice came closer this time .
"I find that offensive".Daniel said, veering right into an alley.He had no idea where he was.By the looks of it,he was far away from his house.
Daniel crouched to catch his breath.He hoped Tara didn't see him.
"Do you think I was born yesterday".Tara's voice echoed off the walls.
"Argh".Daniel moved back.
"Stop, You're making me look like the bad guy"
"That's because you are.You want me to tell you something I don't want to"
"But I already know it"
"You do?". Daniel's eyes went wide.His face paled and his heart went into high gear.
"Of course I do.".Tara said."You like me".She pointed to him.
After her statement,Daniel felt like his world was crashing.Tara was the only one that cared about him and now he was going to lose her.This was exactly why he didn't want her to find out.He could try to deny it but there would be no use.His facial expression had already given it away.
"Yes".Daniel said solemnly.He rose and walked out of the alley.The bright sky was a stark contrast to what he felt."Now you know,I guess all good things have to end someday".He turned to face her then took a step in the opposite direction.
"Where are you going?"
"Home"
"Why?"
"You are going to reject me which would make us no longer friends"
"What makes you think that I'll do that".Tara said,furrowing her eyebrows.