The next Monday,Tara came back to school ,and Daniel felt like his life was finally complete.
He would have her in his grasp if he could just plan the perfect date.There was no room for error.
The closing bell rung which meant end of the school day.
Daniel saw Tara leaving the class ahead of him ,so he dumped his books in his bag and ran after her.
"Hey" He called
"What's up?"
"Nothing,uhm I was just wondering if you'd be willing for us to walk home together"
"Uhm,I don't think so.I have a project to submit" Tara said, walking.
"Uhm,no problem.I can wait"
"Are you sure? Don't you have assignments?" Tara asked
"Yes ,but I'm sure it can wait"
"Okay then" Tara replied."The teacher's office is just down the hall. I also have to introduce the project briefly ,so that would take about 10-15 minutes"
"No problem" Daniel replied as they walked to the teacher's office.He sat on the bench next to the office and watched Tara go in.
"This is nice" Daniel muttered with a smile.
However, someone's presence made that smile turn upside down.
"Hello Daniel" Julian said walking towards him.
"Uhm hi"
Julian shoved him even roughly to sit on the bench ,though it wasn't comfortable for any of them.
"I hear you and Tara are really close ,but that's not what you told me when I asked you"
"I was kinda caught in the moment ,you know?" Daniel said, slightly holding his hands up in hopes of defending a punch.
"Ah! I see" Julian rose."It's alright then.I was just the bigger fool in this situation" He said before leaving.
"Well that was weird" Daniel muttered.
Tara came out of the office some minutes later.
"How'd it go?"
"It was alright.I could've sworn I heard Julian's voice"
"Yeah,he stopped by"
"Well,what did he say?"
Daniel rose,took a large breath and said:"I'll tell you later,Let's get going,shall we?"
"Alright then" Tara replied with a small smile on her face."He's really sweet" She muttered as they left the building.
Leyla stared at her phone with a wide smile on his face.She read the message again to be sure.
"Hey babe, Thankfully,it looks like the business stuff won't take as long as I expected.The merger has been approved ,so I should return tomorrow evening.This isn't my phone so don't reply" The message said.
"Finally" Leyla huffed,staring at it one more time.
She quickly rose from the bed and did a happy dance.She had missed him so much.
"Hey guys,wanna play some basketball?" Julian asked the gang.
"I don't know,bro.I have a ton of homework to do" Chris said
"Same here" Eddie said.
"Bro, we're in the same class.I also have assignments ,but I'm feeling shitty" Julian frowned.
"Welcome to the world" Joey said.
"Frankly,at this moment,Basketball is the only thing that can cheer me up" Julian said."Come on guys"
"Fine" Chris agreed.
"Bro—"
"I know,bruce,but we can't just leave our buddy alone with his shitty thoughts" Chris said.
"Thanks" Julian said as they headed to the court.
"Hold your horses.We're only playing for thirty minutes"Eddie said.
"No problem" Julian smiled.
"Heads up" Joey threw a ball in their direction.
"Whoo!" Julian whistled, catching the ball."Man, it's been so long" He said relivedly
He raced to the semicircle line and threw a spinning three.
"Alright,let's start this game" Bruce said.
"Aren't you playing?" He turned to Chris.
"No, I'm gonna start my homework" Chris said,making himself comfortable on a nearby chair.
"Boring" Joey and Julian chorused.
"Think what you will" Chris replied.
The game started with Julian throwing a quick three.
"Whoo!" He exclaimed as the ball went through the basket.
"So loud" Chris said irritatedly.
"Do you think I should ask her?" Daniel asked Jason
"Of course not,that's the dumbest thing ever"
"But I want to know if she's fine with it?"
"Well, that's your problem.You have to think of a date that will blow her mind.Something she'll never think of"
"I don't know what that thing is" Daniel groaned.
"What do you have in mind" Jason asked Daniel.He was at least proud that a girl took notice of him.Jasom thought Daniel was going to die alone.
"I was thinking an amusement park"
"No,that's too bold.Just take her to a restaurant"
"Okay"
"Do something special at the end. You don't want it to be a normal bland date,right?"
"Yeah"
"So surprise her with something. A gift,maybe"
"Okay,thanks" Daniel said,ending the call.He rose and headed to his desk to think of a flawless plan."Come on,Daniel" He said, motivating himself.
He took to Google to search the best restaurant around him which was Ryu's.
He quickly called Tara before making any further decisions.
"Hey" Tara answered
"Oh ,hey.I just want to know if you have any dietary restrictions or any allergies"
"Oh,uhm none I know of" She replied.
"Oh great.Can I take you out tomorrow?"
Colour rose up Tara's cheeks as she tried to control herself before responding.
"Tara? Are you there"
"Uhm" Tara controlled herself."Yeah, tomorrow's alright"
"Okay" Daniel said relivedly as he ended the call.He just needed to make a few girls ,and the date would be golden.
The next day.
Daniel woke up feeling weirder than ever.For the first time ever,he didn't feel like going to school.He only felt like going on the date with Tara.
"I think I'm sick" He thought."My final plan depends on someone in school" He realized as he hurriedly showered and ran out the door.
"Shit! It's 8:00 AM.School has already started" Daniel said as he quickened his pace.Unsurprisingly,he was late to class,and the teacher present put him in a rough spot.
"Detention today!" The teacher bellowed.
"Uhm sorry?"
"I said detention.What? You got cotton in your ears?"
"I can't do detention today.I have something very urgent to take care of after school"
"Well, that's on you.Off you go" The teacher said, pointing to his seat.
"You've got to be kidding me" Daniel said as he slumped in his chair.
"I was really looking forward to it" Tara thought after watching Daniel get detention.