Elodie POV
"Uhmmm, hi Daniel," I said, trying to contain my excitement, but my voice betrayed me, trembling slightly.
He smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "You're Elodie, right?" he asked, his deep voice sending a shiver down my spine.
I nodded, feeling a blush rise to my cheeks.
"Yeah, that's me." I chuckled nervously, surprised that he knew my name.
I took a deep breath and finally mustered the courage to ask, "Would you like to grab lunch together?"
Daniel's smile faltered for a moment, and I worried I had misread the situation. But then, he nodded, his expression softening.
"Sure, let me just go to the teacher's office real quick. I need to drop off this form."
My heart skipped a beat as he turned to head to the office. I watched him go, feeling a mix of excitement and relief. I had done it! I had asked him to lunch, and he had said yes!
As I waited for him to return, I couldn't help but wonder what the rest of lunch would bring. Would we talk about something meaningful, or would it be awkward small talk? Either way, I was thrilled to find out.
After waiting for what seemed like hours, Daniel came back
"Let's go," Daniel said, his voice low and gentle, as he gestured for me to walk alongside him.
As we strolled through the crowded hallway, I felt like I was floating on air. Everyone seemed to be staring at us, and I couldn't help but feel like a cute little girl, protected and cherished by the boy beside me.
We grabbed our lunch and found a quiet spot to sit down, the silence between us comfortable, yet filled with anticipation. Finally, Daniel broke the silence, his eyes locking onto mine. "We were classmates in middle school, right?"
I nodded, surprised that he remembered me. "Yeah, we were." I couldn't believe he had recalled that tiny detail.
Daniel smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I knew I recognized you from somewhere. You look different, but your smile's still the same."
My heart skipped a beat as I met his gaze, feeling a connection spark between us. "Thanks," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "You look different too."
The conversation flowed easily from there, like we had known each other for years, not just shared a few classes in middle school. I found myself laughing and opening up to him in ways I never thought possible.
School finally ended, and for the first time in a long while, I actually felt a spring in my step as I walked home with Hannah. I couldn't stop grinning, replaying my encounter with Daniel in my head like a favorite movie.
Hannah raised an eyebrow, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "You look awfully happy, Elodie... what's my best friend not telling me, huh?"
I tried to brush it off, attempting to end the conversation. "I don't know what you're talking about."
But Hannah wouldn't let up. "Elodie!" she shouted, her voice echoing down the street.
I rolled my eyes, laughing. "Gosh, Hannah, seriously?"
Hannah's grin turned mischievous. "Are you going to spill the beans, or do I need to shout some more?"
I playfully pushed her away, trying to maintain my secrecy. But Hannah's persistence was hard to resist, and I knew it was only a matter of time before I confessed everything.
"I spoke with Daniel today," I finally admitted, surrendering to Hannah's persistence.
Hannah's eyes widened in surprise. "Daniel? You mean the same Daniel from middle school, the same one who ignored you?...the same popular Daniel?"
I nodded, rolling my eyes. "Yes, yes, yes, Hannah... the same Daniel."
Hannah's expression turned stern, her voice laced with accusation. "Seriously, Elodie, you promised you had no crush on him anymore."
I quickened my pace, trying to deflect her scrutiny. "I don't have a crush on him, Hannah," I said, my words tumbling out in a rush.
Hannah's glare could have frozen water at a hundred paces. "Save it, Elodie. I know you too well. You're still head over heels for him, aren't you?"
I remained silent, my cheeks betraying me with a telltale blush. Hannah's knowing smile said it all – she had seen right through my denial.
"A one sided love I see"...she muttered
"And what's that supposed to mean Hannah"... I replied getting angry at the way she was acting now
"seriously elodie, he doesn't even acknowledge your existence...and you here thinking about him and smiling sheepishly"
"We talked today Hannah isn't that a good thing"... I said staring at her
"well you talked, you ain't dating him...and what's with this Daniel guy"
"seriously girl, why you always like this, maybe you should be happy for me"...
"Happy?... I'm just tryna lookout for you elodie" she replied trying to calm the situation
"then maybe you shouldn't"... I said walked home alone. I was already annoyed by her behavior.
"I can't believe she ruined my mood"... I murmured
"Hi mum"... I said greeting as I hurried upstairs
"you are back early, what about Hannah...she isn't joining today?"...she said
"I don't know mum"... I said cutting her off before she could ask me any more questions.
Throwing my school bag on the couch as I thought about my fight with Hannah....
"why wasn't she happy for me?"
"i mean for the first time he finally acknowledged my existence, then what's with her attitude".
"Are you okay darling?"....my mum came in looking at me worried.
"I'm fine mum"
"you didn't fight with Hannah now right"...she asked looking at me
"no mum, Hannah isn't just feeling well but she would be coming over tomorrow"
"Okay come down for dinner"....she said finally leaving.
Changing my school dress as I received a text
"I'm sorry elodie.... I shouldn't have said that"
ignoring it as I received another....
"Hey it's Daniel"