After Daniel had Christmas dinner,he cleaned up with Tara.
"I can't thank you enough for your kindness.Thank you" Daniel said,bowing his head.
"You're welcome to stay" Joyce offered."we've got an extra room"
"Oh,I couldn't do that after all you've done"
"Alright" Joyce said with a sigh.
"I'll be taking my leave now,Merry Christmas" Daniel said before leaving.
"Why don't you escort him?" Joyce turned to Tara who was happily staring at her phone.
"Why?"
"Because I said so.Accompany him to the junction"
"Fine" Tara said.She left the house and caught up with Daniel before he got too far.
"Thank you" He said
"For what?"
"For everything.To be honest,if you didn't invite me, I'd have spent Christmas just watching anime and eating chocolates"
"I thought you enjoy doing those things"
"I do,but it's just that it gets lonely sometimes"
Tara kept silent for a little while.She had a strong urge to soothe all his worries and alleviate his loneliness.He had never experienced things with other people.
"Hey, we're going to see a movie tomorrow,wanna come?"
"Seriously?" Daniel said,with his eyes lighting up.
"Yeah,it's nothing" Tara said, straightening her luscious hair.
"Thanks.I'll be there"
"Great.I'll send you the details" Tara said.
Daniel couldn't help but admire Tara's strength.Just a couple of days ago,she was down in the dumps,but now,she seemed different.
"I'll see you tomorrow" Tara said as they reached the junction.
"Yeah" Daniel waved as Tara turned.He stared at her retreating figure ,and felt a pang of guilt.
"Even if she falls for me,do I deserve her?" Daniel thought as he headed to his house with that question in mind.
On the outskirts of the town,the gang gathered around a campfire.
"So how's she?" Joey asked
"Taking it well" Julian replied.
"How are you going to fix this? Everyone saw that kiss between you and Cassandra" Bruce said
"I know" Julian said exasperatedly as he raked his hand through his hair."It'll eventually die down.When something more juicier than what went down happens, everyone would turn their attention to that"
"You have a point" Eddie said, munching on a cracker.
"Got the fireworks?" Bruce asked Chris.
"Of course I have it" Chris said.
"Great! Let's light this baby up" joey rose and shouted.
"How many did you get?" Julian asked Chris.
"Five,one for each person" Chris replied,placing the five fireworks on the ground.
"Hey,I want the red one" Bruce said.
"It's the same thing.The colours don't matter" Chris said to his brother who immediately frowned and pouted."ugh fine,just know you're acting like a child"
The rest of the gang took their fireworks.
"We're gonna place it there and light it at the same time" Chris said, pointing to the small clearing in front of them.
They did what Chris said and lit the fireworks simultaneously.
"Merry Christmas bros! Cheers to the good times we witnessed ,and the bad times we overcame" Eddie said,raising his hand.
"Cheers!" The rest lifted their arms and shouted.
They chatted a bit before heading to their respective houses.
On his way home,Julian saw Daniel passing by.
"What's this nerd doing?" Julian muttered as he followed him.
Daniel stopped for a moment to gaze at the stars ,but that was all Julian needed.
He approached him from the side,and tackled him.
"Please,I have no money or parents.There's literally no one you can call to hand you ransom" Daniel said panicky.The moon wasn't full or bright ,so it made the person's face a little vague to Daniel.
"Hello nerd" Julian said.
"Julian?" Daniel said,recognizing the voice.
Out of nowhere,Julian punched Daniel right in the face.
"Ouch!!" Daniel said, clutching his nose."what was that for?"
"You like Tara,don't you?"
"Uhm no" Daniel lied.Tara had already told him the situation between Julian and her ,so he needed to be careful.
Julian paced furiously around Daniel.He looked like someone who was ready to fight
"Hey" Daniel said,rising cautiously."it's okay to give into emotions ,but what's not okay is to hurt people with your actions.Now,I'm not a seer or anything like that,but I heard you and Tara broke up"
"No shit nerd" Julian frowned.
"Wow,uhm is it safe to say that you hurt her?"
"I think" Julian answered.
"Do you know the reason why?" Daniel asked again as he tried to put some distance between him and Julian.
"Cos I hurt her" Julian muttered.
"See,isn't talking about your feelings much more helpful" Daniel said.He was glad he read up on peaceful management last week.
"Shut it nerd" Julian said,closing the gap between them in seconds then delivering a punch to his gut.
"Shit!" Daniel exclaimed in pain as he crouched and held his belly.
He lifted his head ,but Julian wasn't there anymore.
"Shit" Daniel rose and adjusted his glasses.He placed a hand on his belly and continued the walk home.
Meanwhile,Leyla and Maxim couldn't stay apart.After a round of sex,one of them suddenly got aroused again ,and they ended up doing it again.
"You have a problem"Maxim said."Just can't keep your hands off me,huh?"
"Don't flatter yourself.You started it the last time" Leyla laughed.
"Touche"Maxim said as he stroked Leyla's back.
"Are you ready to tell me what's really going on?" Leyla said,using his chest as a pillow
"Ugh" Maxim sighed as he took a huge deep breath."My parents don't know I'm here"
"So you ran away" Leyla said
"Well,I wouldn't call it running away because I still have to sneak back in"
"Isn't the place like in another country"
"Precisely.With the help of my annoying brother and a few promises here and there,I was able to make your Christmas"
"Thank you" Leyla sobbed.She didn't realize how much she loved this guy.He was like her rock.
"Not to worry, babe.How about we go out tomorrow?"
"Where?"
"A movie or amusement park.It's your choice"
"Amusement park" Leyla said.
"Amusement park it is" Maximus said."Now,let's finish what you started" He said as he captured her lips.