I woke up from the familiar sound of a page being flipped. I didn't open my eyes right away because I was aware that someone was in my room with me, and I don't want them to know that I'm awake.

At first, I thought it was Natasha because knowing her, she would get worried about me locking myself in my room with a migraine. But as soon as I heard,

"Goddamn it, why is it so hard to understand you?"

I knew instantly that it was Dani, and she was talking to herself under her breath.

I heard another page being flipped, and I heard the other girl sigh in frustration. Slowly, very slowly, I moved my head and opened my eyes to get a good look at her. Dani was sitting at the foot of my bed, and her back to me.

"What are you reading?" I muttered and moved around enough to indicate that I'm awake. Dani flinched in surprise and turned. I thought I saw her wipe a tear away, but I wasn't sure. I couldn't really see properly without my glasses.

"Twilight." She replied. Then, she turned around to face me. I wanted to close my eyes again because they felt heavy, and honestly, I also didn't want to see the pained look that Dani seems to be giving me recently. It makes me feel guilty, and pathetic. "I didn't know you were a Stephenie Meyer fan." She added.

"Since I was eleven," I responded, and trying to air out the tension between us a little. "I was really into vampires back then."

Dani can't help but snicker at that.

"And you still think I'm a vampire?" She asked.

"I have a theory that you might be, yes," I replied, while Dani gave me an amused look.

"And that is?" She asked, now raising an eyebrow at me. She had on her usual lopsided grin, and it was so contagious that I just had to smile. I sat up slowly and pulled my knees to my chest. My blanket was still around me like a cocoon, and I rested my chin on a small pillow.

"I don't know if you know it, but you have this... Predatory look in your eyes, you know?" I answered her, staring right into her light brown eyes. "Like it's a trap."

Dani laughed.

"Why, you don't like it?" She asked, and her stare not wavering. "You think I have this ability to lure mortals like you?"

"I think you do," I answered truthfully. "You're pretty enough to make people like you."

"Don't say that." She said.

"But it's true," I protested. "You have no idea how many people talk about you in school. It was like, everyone wanted to be friends with you."

"That doesn't matter."

"I think it does," I said. "It's saying that we're in different worlds, Dani."

"You know, I heard you once said, 'so you're basing my interests on how I look?' remember that?"

"I'm just saying-"

"So what if I get that kind of attention? Natasha's the same, so I don't understand where you're getting at." Dani asked, her hand running through her staticky blond hair.

"But Natasha's not... She's not like, you know- Like you."

"Like what, Mave?"

"Natasha's not gay." I blurted.

"Well thank you, for stating the obvious," Dani said sarcastically. I frowned, and I couldn't look at her. Dani was seriously getting upset, and I didn't know what to do. "I think I can relate to Edward," Dani said after a moment of awkward silence.

"How so?" I asked.

"I think you know."

"I actually don't," I replied.

"Let's say, you're Bella," Dani explained. She moved a little closer to get comfortable on my bed, and crossed her legs. "And I'm Edward, right-"

I rolled my eyes because that sounded ridiculous.

"Hear me out." Dani continued, giving me a small smile. "I think you'll find my example quite understandable."

"Okay," I said with a nod.

"So Edward has telepathy, right? He can read everyone's minds, except for Bella." Dani explained, pointing at the book in her hands. "I totally get Edward's frustration, because I myself, want to know what's going on in your mind, and you won't let me."

I sighed at Dani and stared at the book.

"But just like Bella as a mortal, I'm not doing it on purpose," I said. "I just... I can't help that I can't let you in." I continued and leaned my head on the small pillow. Dani sighed, and her shoulders slumped in defeat.

"You were right about me not knowing you that well... But Mave, I'd like to know you better." She said, her voice sounding genuine. "If you could just give me a chance to help you go through what you're going through, maybe you'll realize that you're not really alone."

"But Dani, it's really not that simple," I said. "Sure, it's easier said than done."

"I know. I know that. Look, I know you still have some issues about me being gay-"

"No, I don't." I protested.

"Mave, yes you do."

"No," I said sternly.

"You obviously don't like the fact that I'm open about it," Dani said, and giving me a pointed look.

That shut me up, because of as much as I didn't want to admit it... She was right.

Maybe I do have issues about her being openly gay. I mean, I doubt anyone at school knows about her, but I knew that Dani's not afraid to come out if anyone needed some clarification. Not that it's anyone's business, it's just that-

I've been hanging out with her a lot, and if people knew about Dani, then they would suspect that something is up between us. I guess now I understand why Thomas' parents made him transfer to a different school. They were afraid that people would start talking about Thomas and his boyfriend, Dennis.

"Dani, I'm so sorry," I said, my voice so little I wasn't sure if she heard me.

"Can I tell you something?" She asked, and moved closer so now she's only a foot away from me. "There's something between us, and you can't deny that. I know you can feel it, Maverick." Dani reached for my hand, and now she's leaning into me so that her chin was also resting on the small pillow on top of my knees.

"Damn, I wish you wouldn't do that," I muttered and biting my bottom lip. Her face was just inches away from mine, and I knew for a fact that she was planning on kissing me.

"But, why?" Dani asked, her voice sounding desperately sad, and frustrated. Her hands on both sides of my face now, and she was moving the blanket away from my head. "Why are you hiding?"

"Becuase I'm not sure when it's safe to come out," I whispered, my voice shaking.

Dani just stared at me for a moment, a very concerned and worried look was across her face. Without question, she pulled me in for a warm hug. I didn't even know there were tears in my eyes until Dani wiped them herself. She was so sweet and kind, that I felt so guilty for hurting her feelings.

"Will it make you feel better if I say that I can protect you?" She asked, her light brown eyes searching into my blue ones.

"How do I know for sure?"

"You don't," Dani answered. "That's the risk you're going to take. Isn't that the meaning of romance?"

I smiled at that, and can't help but move forwards to give her a peck on the lips.

"Do it again. That one sucked." Dani complained but was grinning nonetheless. "I want the other kiss."

"You're ridiculous," I said, blushing profusely.

"And I don't think the three-out-of-ten score that you got from Natasha is very accurate."

"You think I'm a great kisser?" I asked, chuckling now.

"Seven out of ten."

"Rude," I said, pushing her away from me a little. "There's still room for improvement, I guess."

"I'll help you practice if you'd like," Dani said, winking. By this point, I was blushing so hard, and I felt so giddy.

"We can practice right now if you're up for it," I replied as smoothly as I can.

"Wh- Right now?" Dani asked, her eyes narrowing.

Before she can react anymore, I boldly placed my hands on her cheeks and pulled her in for a kiss. I surprised myself when I took the lead and kissed her deeper while my hands travel through her hair, and finally to the back of her neck.

Her whimpers made me shiver, and it's fascinating how her lips felt so soft and hot at the same time. Our lips brushed against each other with a passion, and I felt the need of wanting more. Dani felt the same way because her hands that were gripping my hips were slowly caressing their way under my shirt.

I didn't want it to end, but Dani stopped our session. It was obvious that I was disappointed.

She pulled back from the kiss, her one hand on my torso while I found myself straddling Dani with my one free hand gripping her sweater. Both of us feeling flustered, and both were breathing pretty hard.

"I think we need to stop." She muttered.

"Why?" I muttered back, stealing kisses on her neck.

"Because I was supposed- to tell you that the party downstairs is going to start soon... and Natasha wanted me to get you-" Dani's breath hitched when I kissed a spot under her jaw.

Sighing, I finally pulled back and said,

"Remind me, why did I agree to have this party?" I asked, and can't help but smile at the grinning face of Dani's.

"You said that it's going to create opportunities."

Dani and I stared at each other, then realized our position on the bed. Then, we then burst out laughing because she and I knew that we didn't mean for this opportunity to happen.

😂

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