Daniel
The night was quiet, the kind of quiet that made everything louder in your head.
Daniel sat outside the house, elbows resting on his knees, eyes fixed on the stars like they held the answer to something he couldn't quite name.
Nuella.
He'd been thinking about her again. Who was he kidding? he always thought about her.
Today wasn't the first time he saw her. No, he'd seen her countless times since he moved into this town.
But she never noticed him until the other day. Until he finally had the nerve to say something.
"I don't know what it was," he whispered into the night, "but from the first moment I saw her… I felt something.
Like a thread pulling me towards her."
He laughed softly to himself.
"I sound like a crazy stalker right now," he muttered. "But I'm not. I swear, I'm not. I just… got lucky.
Lucky enough to finally meet her."
Every time he saw her, she caught his attention without trying.
Her laugh, her walk, that quiet strength.
And her smile? That alone could undo the toughest part of his day.
Tomorrow would be like any other day, he hoped. With luck, he'd run into her again.
"Please, let me run into Nuella tomorrow," he murmured, standing up at last. And with that silent hope in his chest, he headed inside to sleep.
Nuella
The next morning at school, I could feel his presence before I even saw him.
He chuckled when he caught me ignoring him, which, honestly, was getting harder to do.
I don't know what it is about Daniel… he drives me crazy in ways I can't explain.
Not bad-crazy. Butterfly-crazy.
The morning went by quickly. Lessons were engaging enough to keep my mind busy, but now and then, I'd catch him glancing at me, like I was a puzzle he already knew the answer to.
Lunchtime was fast approaching, and I was ready for a little breathing room.
That was, until Saraph turned to him with that devilish grin of hers. "Would you join us for lunch?" she asked.
Why would she do that? I nearly groaned out loud. I had been hoping, praying that he'd have lunch with his usual crowd, James and Lukas.
I needed a break from Daniel and his charming nonsense. He was getting under my skin, and worse, he knew it.
It's time for lunch. Everyone stood and made their way to the cafeteria.
"You go ahead," he told his friends and Saraph. "Get us a seat. I'll walk with Nuella."
I wanted to scream. Or hide.
"Come on, what's taking you so long?" Daniel called, waiting for me by the door.
"I'm coming," I muttered through gritted teeth. I threw my hands in the air and followed.
His nearness made my words evaporate. I felt like a nervous wreck every time he was around.
At lunch, we joined the others. Just when I thought I could get through the meal unnoticed, he casually slipped his arm around my shoulder and pulled me close.
"With you around me, I feel okay," he whispered.
People were staring.
I kept my head down, cheeks burning. I tried to ignore the looks, the whispers, the feelings.
Lunch couldn't end fast enough.
When the bell rang, I bolted out of the cafeteria like it had saved my life.
After school, he offered me a ride home. I declined and said I had something else to attend to.
He was disappointed 😥 "More than I expected him to be.
Daniel: As I drove home, I couldn't stop thinking about her. The way she shifted when I touched her.
The way she laughed when she forgot to hold back.
She enjoys being around me, he thought, even if she denies it.
He smiled, resting one hand on the steering wheel.
Someday… I'll tell her exactly how I feel.
Later that evening, Nuella's phone buzzed with a message.
"Good evening, beautiful."
"Good evening," I replied, unable to stop smiling.
We had exchanged numbers before he left. I hadn't realized how much I'd be waiting for that message.
"Want to grab coffee before school?" he asked.
"Of course, I'd love to."
"See you tomorrow then. Goodnight, sweetheart. Dream about me." He teased.
I chuckled, heart full.
That night, I went to bed wondering what it would feel like to have the morning to ourselves.
The Next Morning
He pulled up at Café Mondo — my favorite.
"Nice choice," I said, already impressed.
"Thanks," he smiled. "I've seen you here a couple of times."
We ordered coffee and sat down.
Then, just like that — out of nowhere — he said it.
"I knew you were attracted to me."
I stared at him, lips parting in protest, but no words came out. I was frustrated mostly with myself, because he was right.
"Well... I'm attracted to you too," he said softly, eyes sincere. Would you do me the honor of becoming my girlfriend?
I froze.
I didn't say yes. I didn't say no either. I just panicked.
"We need to get to school. Time's running."
He held my hand gently. "I'll wait until you're ready to give me your answer," he promised.
All I could do was giggle like an idiot.
He smiled and gave me a wink. "Let's not be late, my lady."
At School
As we pulled up, he gave my hand a final squeeze.
"What's wrong?" Daniel asked, reading me like an open book.
"Nothing… I'm okay," I replied.
He didn't push.
I stepped out quickly, inhaling deeply. I needed air.
Saraph spotted me. "Nuella, are you okay?"
"Yeah, fine," I lied with a shaky smile.
She looked me up and down, then glanced at Daniel stepping out of the car.
"Oh," she smirked. "So that's what's wrong with you." She giggled.
"Hey, Daniel," she added casually.
"Hey," he replied, flashing that million-dollar smile. "See you two at lunch."
And just like that, he was gone again.
But not from my thoughts.
Not from my heart.