Again, WARNING! This chapter contains en excessive amount of mush and other cute things. Viewer discretion is advised.

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It was way too hot in the bathroom, and I was sweating profusely that I had to take off my hoodie. I was pretty flustered and was biting my lip the whole time I watched Dani get dress. Her expressions from earlier replayed in my head over and over again that I almost started again. With a sigh, I forced my hands in my back pockets and stayed still.

"I'll go out first." Dani said and reached for the door. I nodded my head at her and noticed a faint love mark on her chest just on top of her shirt.

"Um." I said sheepishly and pointed at her chest.

Dani wondered where I was looking at, stared at herself in the mirror and immediately zipped up her bomber jacket.

"Oh my god." She said sounding flustered. I laughed lightly.

"Still think I don't have it in me?" I asked playfully, and trying to lighten her up.

Dani shook her head in disbelief, and tapped he visor of my hat with her hand. She didn't comment on it and only said,

"I'll see you in a bit."

When Dani left, I looked at myself in the mirror and saw that my face is still red. A chuckle left my lips and I can't help but grin. It was completely unexpected that Dani and I did it in this bathroom. The images of earlier was starting to replay again and I immediately tried to splash my face with cold water to cool myself down.

Be cool Maverick. Be cool.

After a few minutes, I finally exited the bathroom and made my way to our seats. Dani had her laptop open, and was working on a design. I sat down beside her and she gave me a smile in greeting but didn't say anything.

There was an editing software on her screen, her right hand holding a stylus on top of a wireless pad that she was drawing on. I watched her silently work for a while, feeling engrossed on how effortlessly clean her strokes were.

The silence wasn't uncomfortable but rather relaxing. I don't even know what to say to her right now, and I'm sure Dani felt the same way.

The screen in front of me stole my attention and it looked like we're about to land in an hour. I rested my head on the head rest and continued to watch Dani's work feeling tired all of a sudden.

I could feel myself drift off to sleep.

***

Dani woke me up with her hand shaking my shoulders lightly. I opened my eyes, and squinted at the lights in the plane that turned on. She said that we were going to land in a few minutes, and she was looking anxious.

"Need to hold my hand?" I asked nonchalantly when the plane tilted downwards. I placed my hand palm up on the arm rest and she took it without saying anything.

Of course I grinned.

"You are so smug." She muttered, and gripped my hand tightly. I shrugged my shoulders and continued to gloat.

We were silent again for a while, and I wondered what she was thinking because we haven't been talking since we...

"Do you think we're rushing into this?" She asked while leaning back into her seat as the plane's wheels touched the ground. The plane shook slightly.

"I don't think so." I answered truthfully.

The plane successfully landed, and so Dani took her hand away. She didn't say anything more and started to gather her things. Frowning, I can't help but feel some sort of awkwardness from her. It wasn't there before, but now it's really noticeable.

I myself gathered my backpack from the overhead storage. It was quite far that I had to reach up and my shirt rode up a bit. Finally when I successfully took hold of my backpack, I caught Dani stare at my bare and toned midriff.

"Do you need help?" She immediately asked after she realized that I caught her.

"Nah, I got it." I replied.

Dani sighed and shrugged her shoulders. Before I could say anything more, she started to walk down the hall to the exit where the flight attendants were saying their goodbyes.

Why the hell is she acting so weird?

"Hope you guys had a good time!" A flight attendant said while giving me and Dani a smirk. I pursed my lips and nodded while waving them goodbye. Dani was already leaving.

They shouldn't know what happened... right?

"Hey, wait up!" I called after Dani when she bolted out and speed-walked her way to the gate.

I gripped the straps of my backpack and immediately caught up to her which made me speed-walk beside her as well.

"Why are you in such a hurry?" I asked. Dani didn't respond and continued to walk towards the baggage conveyor belts. Both of us stood there idling.

"Are you ignoring me?" I asked.

Complete silence.

Sighing, I looked around to see if Dennis and Natasha arrived already. No sign of them yet. The airport was crowded and busy with people meeting up with loved ones, relatives, friends, colleagues etc. I glanced sideways at Dani and remembering the time when I would jump on her when I was going to pick her up in an airport.

"What's wrong?" I tried asking again.

Nothing.

I was getting frustrated at this point wondering why she was acting like this all of a sudden. Did I do something wrong?

"I'm just overwhelmed." Dani finally said after a while and still not looking at me. "I haven't felt like that in a long time so I... I guess I'm adjusting."

I found my medium sized luggage and immediately grabbed it.

"Okay." I told her while pulling out the handle. "Should I keep my distance? I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable."

"No, god no." She replied, and also finding her luggage. Hers was bigger than mine but she lifted it like it was nothing.

"Okay." I said again, and stared at her looking to see some sort of reaction.

"I'm a little embarrassed about what happened." She admitted, and smiling a little.

"I'm not." I said. "I liked it very much."

"I liked it too." She said and finally turning to look at me. "But I lost control. We didn't use to be so... So wild like that."

"It's surprising, that's for sure." I said. "I don't think it's a bad thing."

"I didn't say it was a bad thing." Dani said. "But what's going to happen after this? We have different lives now, and I know you live far but what if... What if- Nevermind."

"Trust me when I say that I'd love another chance with you." I said clearly. "If you'd let me, of course."

Dani looked at me, her brown eyes had a shade of fear and her eyebrows were furrowed in a stressful manner. She then quickly glanced at my lips like she wanted to kiss me. That familiar drunkness from within came out of nowhere and I wanted to taste every inch of her.

Someone had cleared their throat behind us and interrupted the moment.

"Hello, strangers." Natasha greeted, wiggling her eyebrows at me and Dani.

She had cut her hair shorter, and dyed it metallic grey. The sight of her surprised me and brought me immense joy that I couldn't help but pull her in for a hug.

"Natasha!" I exclaimed, and pulling my best friend close feeling so fucking stupid how I could stop talking to her for all of these years.

"Hi Maverick, it's good to see you!" She laughed and hugged me back. "You too Dani."

I pulled back, and Natasha pulled Dani in for a hug as well. If I remember correctly, Dani is pretty awkward when people hugged her.

"Nice to see you." Dani said, patting Nat on the back but was smiling genuinely.

"Where's Dennis?" I asked, looking around for him.

"He's outside at the pick up station waiting with the van." Natasha replied. She took hold of my shoulders and shook me like she was testing to see if I was real or not. She did the same to Dani.

"I can't believe you two are back! I've only seen Dani through zoom calls, but you-" Natsha pulled me in for another hug. "I missed you so much!"

"I missed you too." I said and can't help but burst out laughing at my energetic friend.

"Are you riding with us, Dani?" Nat asked when she pulled away. My ears perked up and looked at Dani hopefully.

"Sadly no." She said. "My grandparents are picking me up. Oh, there they are!"

Dani took hold of her luggage handle and walked towards an old couple dressed formally. A bright smile appeared on her face and hugged both of her grandparents. They said their warm greetings to each other and Dani glanced at me quickly looking flustered.

"I think they want you to go over there." Natasha said and nudging me on the rib with her elbow.

"Ow!"

"Look, Madam Dubois is ushering you." She nudged me again.

"Okay, okay. Careful with your bony elbow!" I said, chuckling.

I could feel my heart pound in my chest as I walked towards the Dubois. It feels like I'm in trouble and about to get scolded but when madam and monsieur looked at me enthusiastically, the feeling went away.

"We met in Toronto, and I was really surprised." Dani said to her grandparents who were now shaking my sweaty hands.

"You should come visit us, you hear?" Monsieur Dubois said. I glanced at Dani and she looked away from me quickly. She was a little fidgety and couldn't meet my eyes.

Obviously I have this new profound effect on her, and I'd be lying if I said I don't feel the same way.

"Definitely." I told madam and monsieur.

The Dubois spoke French to themselves for a bit, and I picked up on a few things. I had taken French in university as an elective and never told Dani about it. I wanted to surprise her one day with a phrase but never got the chance because by then we had already broken up.

My heart pounded a little too fast when I realized what they were talking about.

"Dani, tu rougis?" (Dani, are you blushing?) Madam asked her granddaughter who was suddenly very red.

"C'est juste... Qu'elle est si belle." (It's just that... she's so beautiful.) Dani replied and glanced at me.

Monsieur gave a light laugh and madam smiled at me.

"Je ne suis pas belle." (I'm not that beautiful) I said and rolled my eyes at Dani.

Dani looked completely taken aback and narrowed her eyes at me.

"Since when did you..."

"I took three years of French in university and kept at it. I thought it would be useful. Wouldn't want to miss every opportunity." I said innocently.

"What- You-" Dani opened and closed her mouth to try and say something but decided against it.

Madam and monsieur were both impressed and continued the conversation in French. To my surprise, I can keep up with them without making any mistakes. They were asking about my parents and mentioned that they saw me on TV once.

Dani was watching me the whole time, and I can't help but feel nervous.

Finally, the Dubois said that they should be going and held my hand again for a shake. They asked if I was going to church this weekend, and I told them I most definitely will because I know that my parents will make me.

"See you at church this weekend, Dani." I said when they prepared to go.

"See you..." Dani said and blushing when I dared to wink at her.

I've never felt this confident when we first started dating and it's making me feel like I'm a different person somehow. It feels so good to see her and it was almost like that hole in my chest is getting filled in with warmth. It didn't occur to me that I would feel it thump like that ever again but one glance at Dani and I was fully overjoyed.

I sighed dreamily towards her direction and couldn't wait to spend time with her again.

"I don't know about you, but there was steam coming out of you and Dani." Natsha said and nudging me again.

"Oh shush." I said and playfully nudged her back.

***

Dennis had a lot to say on our drive back home to Prince Albein. I knew he was an emotional man from the start, but never thought it would be this bad. In the end, he keeps saying he forgives me and that we should move on.

I was glad that I'm reconnecting with my friends. It feels like I was home and safe from an emotional turmoil. Right then and there, I made the decision that I will forever keep them close to me. For heaven's sake, I grew up with these two, and I know them. I don't want to hurt them anymore.

I don't want to be that person again.

There was a combination of anger, guilt, and love in that forty-five minute conversation. It was the type of conversation where the seriousness of it tired me out. Plus, I'm feeling the jet lag on top of that. I was offered to lay down on the built in bed of the van.

The van that we were in was impressive. Dennis and Natasha worked really hard to convert it. Cherry wood frames with glossy stains, neutral paint colours of the cupboards, added windows, sinks, storage spaces, bathroom, and a bed... It was definitely a tiny home on wheels.

Natasha told me the story of when she dropped out of college, worked at a restaurant as a server and couldn't pay rent. She kept that a secret from her parents knowing that they would be very upset over the fact that their only daughter, their perfect child- couldn't handle the pressure that was put in to her since the day she was born. I never knew her parents were strict back then, and never realized that Natasha felt that way either.

"No one knew. No one could've known." She said. "That version of me was never the person I wanted to be." She added, and smiled at me through the rearview mirror and immediately kept her eyes on the road.

That was why she wanted to stay over all the time when we were kids. How did I not notice this?

"Mave, you were dealing with your own stuff. Everyone was. We were all too busy trying to grow up."

"I could've helped you."

"You can't help everyone." She said.

My heart sank.

"Anyways, I bought a van and spent all of my savings for it. I tried living in it to get away with rent and I was lucky enough that my boss let me park behind the restaurant so I at least have some security."

"Fucking ballsy." Muttered Dennis.

"I was homeless, but it really didn't feel that way. I would drive to the gym to work out every morning and take a shower there, then drive to work- I saved up a lot of money for myself and can finally afford an apartment to rent again. I knew I wanted to improve my van a bit but I went a little overboard."

Natasha invested in her van and posted on it on social media. Next thing she knows she was getting offers from people wondering if she could convert their van like hers.

Money started coming in.

"I was getting clients nonstop and couldn't handle it by myself. That was when I reached out to Dani."

"Then I came along!" Dennis said. "I was useless for the first few months because I was a trainreck but I've got some carpentry and plumbing skills so I became an asset. You could say that Natahsa is my boss."

"Wow." I said, feeling genuinely impressed. "I missed out on so much."

"Exactly. But you know what Mave, we're still so young. There's so much time to make amends. We're cool. It's not worth it if we hold a grudge on you. Nothing good will come of it."

"If you haven't noticed, Natasha became this person who would say... Energy is contagious, we must spread good energy everywhere to preserve peace." Dennis said.

Natasha had hit him on the arm.

"I didn't change that much." Natasha said.

I laughed with them, reminiscing our time together when we were younger. I love my friends, and I'll do my best to win them back.

***

I forgot to tell my parents what time I was coming home this weekend. When my dad answered the door, he looked like he saw a ghost. My mom peeked behind him and saw me. She narrowed her eyes in surprise, pushed my dad aside aggressively, and pulled me in for a bone-crushing hug.

"Oh, my baby!" She cried happily, and not letting go.

"Hello!" I greeted and can't help but laugh at my parents' total opposite reactions.

I was immediately ushered in and was being served dinner. They ask all of the questions,

What brings you here?

How long are you staying?

How is everything at the university?

Do you have a girlfriend?

The last one took my dad by surprise, and mom rolled her eyes at him.

"I told you dear, Marick is into bees and bees." My mom said.

"How am I suppose to know that?" My dad asked in bewilderment. He was a little sad because I didn't tell him but I explained that I wasn't sure how. I just assumed mom would've told him earlier on but now realizing it from a parent's point of view, it looked like I didn't trust him enough to tell him this important fact about myself.

But my dad was understanding. He love me so much that it didn't matter if I told him or not. What matters is that I am still a part of his life.

I didn't want to cry after dinner, and so I excused myself to my room early making exhaustion as a valid excuse.

My room looked the same as ever before, and it made me feel comfortable. I let myself fall back-first in my bed and let out an exhausted sigh. I tried to strip my clothing while laying down and succeeded. My clothes laid messily on the floor and I thought that was the least of my problems right now.

Laying there with only my underwear, I crawled under my blankets and felt warmth. It would've been better if someone was cuddling me from behind, and my thoughts went straight to Dani.

Made it home safe? I typed on my phone and pressed send to Dani Dubois. That was the first time I messaged her in a while, and the previous messages weren't pretty.

We were arguing about something stupid from three years ago, and I rolled my eyes at it. My phone buzzed and I got a message from her immediately.

Yeah, I made it safe and sound. She replied.

I'm glad. I sent.

My grandparents think they're so sneaky about my "surprise" birthday party on Sunday. Grandpa had already spilled a bunch and grandma didn't notice.

I'm honestly looking forward to it. I replied. Maybe because I get to see you again.

I didn't get a reply right away, and I thought I fucked it up somehow.

Since when did you start being bold and confident like that? Dani finally replied.

It just happens when it involves you.

I bit my bottom lip to stop myself from squealing like a little fan girl.

Then Dani started calling me, and I had to let it ring three times to calm myself down before answering it.

"What are you playing at?" Dani asked on the other end. "Seriously."

"Nothing." I said. "I just want to be-"

"You say that you want to be with me, but Mave think about your job, your apartment, your friends- for god's sake, your life is not even in the same country as mine."

I frowned.

"What is this sudden out outburst?" I asked, my heart pounding rapidly. "You've been hot and cold and I'm getting really confused."

"You're confusing me, Maverick." Dani said. "I want to be with you, but there are circumstances that you have to think about."

"What do you mean?"

"You built a life for yourself out there, and I built a life for myself as well- I don't want to move all the way to North Carolina- Mave... I'm done flying around and I just want to settle."

"Oh."