Chapter 1 – Friendzoned
"I hate men! Gah why are they all so stupid Danny?" ...she's drunk dialling me to talk about other men on a Friday night...that's just great. I mean it's great hearing her voice and knowing that she trusts me enough to comfort her, but seriously why is it always someone else she's calling me about...?
"Danny, are you listening?" ...oh man zoned out..."Yeah Riles of course, men...stupid, got it"...there's nothing more I'd like to do then to go round to her apartment and show her that all men aren't stupid, to hold her in my arms and softly kiss away those tears... "Danny...do you think you could come over..?" ...how could I stay away... "Sure thing Riles, you want me to pick up some fat free frozen yogurt on the way?"
"Danny, you're the best.."...my heart stops when she says things like that; she has no idea how much her compliments mean to me... "...friend a girl could ever have" and just like that I'm reminded that I'm her friend. I'll never get to hold her the way I want to, or savour every inch of her full lips...man I need to get it together.
Hanging up the phone, Danny sits back in bed for a minute to think about things...well thing really. The same thing that has been torturing him for years; the same thing he's about to leap out of bed for, buy frozen yogurt for in the middle of the night and be a cushion for as she cries herself to sleep. Riley...
After a few minutes of self loathing, Danny kicks his covers off and throws on some sweats and a jumper. Remembering to pocket his phone; keys and wallet; he makes his way downstairs to get to the shop to buy her that nasty frozen yogurt stuff, and walk over to console a woman who's very drunk and very sad.
Knock knock... "Riles...it's me"...knock knock "Riles..." The door suddenly swings open and he's face to face with those big brown eyes. Although they are red-rimmed with some mascara running down her now puffy cheeks, they're still the most beautiful eyes he has ever, or will ever, see.
She smiles drunkenly before the sobs start again, and he takes a step forward before wrapping his arms around her. "hfmfphh...hfmphhh..." she's not making a lot of sense as she sobs into his jumper, but he doesn't mind. He'd rather hold her than any other person...even if it is to cry over someone else.
"I got you that nasty frozen yogurt stuff; let's make a dent in it together ay?" Two little slight movements signify her consent and he shuffles forward slightly. Not realising just how drunk Riley is, he almost misses the sudden sway and swoon she makes in an attempt to turn herself around. "Woah woah there Riles, I think you'd better let me help you"
"I'm fine Danny, honestly I'm...woah" she reaches out to break the fall, but finds herself stopping short of the ground. Big warm arms hoist her slight frame up and carry her over to the sofa. At times like these she appreciates Danny and his strength. It doesn't really matter how much weight she lost, she still feels like she weighs 300lbs...or something. But those arms have always held her, and protected her, ever since she was a girl and fell off her bike. Super Danny, her hero, her best friend, god why don't they make men like him anymore?!
Holding her body close to his is uncomfortable and comfortable at the same time. She was always made to fit to his body, her small curves and his bulky muscles – but its soo distracting to him. A little shakily he places her on to the couch, and takes a minute to suck in a quick breath of air that isn't surrounded by the smell of her body lotion. I mean it's like chocolate and vanilla...she smells like desert. C'mon man, is she trying to kill me?!
A little chuckle snaps him out of the direction his thoughts were heading..."Urm you still want that yogurt Riley?" Her eyes look up and catch him with their deep brown stare...they fog over a little as if she is confused and then suddenly clear as she smiles a goofy drunken grin... "No, I think I'd better not".
Making his way back over to the door he picks up the yogurt he dropped when he caught her and softly closes the door. He puts the yogurt away in the freezer and notices a bottle of vodka on the side which she has made a serious dent in. Picking up some glasses from the cupboard, he makes his way back over to the sofa and folds his large frame next to her. "What do you say we finish this off then?" Her grin gets even larger and she rests her head against his shoulder "Game on Wheeler"