Chapter 4
One week later…
Niles has been on Cloud 9 ever since the kiss he and Daphne shared on the porch swing. The kiss they shared was amazing; he has never been kissed like that. Since that evening, he and Daphne have been inseparable. They are together all the time during school. Niles makes excuses so he can go see her whenever he wants. He could never get tired of Daphne. She has changed his life. Nothing can put him in a bad mood, he is too happy. That is until he gets some news from his parents when he gets home from school.
Niles walks in the front door and sets his bag down by the front door. His mother hears him come in. She is on the phone so she is only able to give Niles a wave. He waves back at her. Niles goes into the kitchen to get himself a snack. He takes what he needs out of the refrigerator and sets it down on the table. He grabs his handkerchief out of his pocket a wipes the kitchen chair down before sitting. He places the handkerchief back in his pocket. He sits down and eats his cheese and crackers and drinks his water.
Once Hester is off the phone she joins Niles in the kitchen.
"Hello Niles, just having yourself a snack."
Niles nods.
"Yes mother." Niles responds after swallowing his bite of food.
Hester pours herself a glass of tea and joins her son at the table.
"Guess what, Niles?"
Niles looks at his mother waiting for her answer.
"Frasier is coming home for a visit!" Hester exclaims excitedly.
Niles begins to choke on his food. Hester becomes concerned.
"Are you okay, son?"
Niles nods as he takes a drink of water.
"Yes mother, I'm fine. So Frasier's coming home."
Hester nods as she takes a sip of tea.
"How long is he staying?"
"He is only staying a week."
Niles nods as he finishes up his snack and cleans up his mess.
"Well, mother I'm going to go upstairs and do some homework. Let me know if you want any help with dinner."
Niles starts to leave the kitchen as Hester stops him.
"Niles are you okay?"
"Yes I'm fine, mother. I just have a big test tomorrow in history and I need to study."
"Okay."
Niles goes to get his bag from by the front door and then goes upstairs to his room.
He tosses his bag on the desk chair and then he jumps up on his bed. He lies back with his arms behind his head and stares at the ceiling.
"Why does Frasier have to come home right now? Every time he comes home, it's always a competition between us. We never get along."
Niles decides to cheer himself up by calling Daphne. Just hearing her voice will make things better. He picks up the phone and dials her number.
Meanwhile at Daphne's house…
The phone rings. Daphne runs to the phone.
"I'll get it!"
Daphne picks it up and answers.
"Hello?"
"Hello Daphne, its Niles."
"Hello Niles, what's the matter. You sound upset."
"I am Daphne; I needed to hear your voice."
Daphne sits down in the chair.
"What's the matter?"
"My brother Frasier is coming home for a visit and I don't want to see him."
"Why don't you want to see him?"
"We don't get along. Whenever we get together, it's always a competition. It has always been that way between us."
"I'm sorry, Niles. I know what you are going through. I am here to listen."
"Thanks Daphne, you're wonderful."
"You're not too bad yourself, Niles."
Niles gets embarrassed as his face turns red.
"You know, just hearing your voice is making me feel better. I knew calling you was a good idea."
Daphne and Niles continue their conversation for a bit longer and then Niles hangs up the phone and starts on his homework. It's really hard to concentrate because he keeps thinking about Daphne. He just can't get her out of his mind. He can still hear her voice and he can even still feel her lips on his. He is definitely in love and he can't wait for Frasier to meet Daphne. He will be so jealous. Niles gets a sly look on his face as he starts reading over his history notes.
Meanwhile back at Daphne's house…
Daphne goes back to what she was doing before the phone rang. Mrs. Bracken comes in.
"Who was that on the phone, Daphne?"
She looks up at Mrs. Bracken.
"It was Niles; he just needed to tell me something."
Mrs. Bracken nods her head.
"You really like this Niles fellow, don't you?"
Daphne becomes embarrassed as she looks up and smiles.
"Yes I do. He's a wonderful person."
"Well I'm glad. We can't wait to meet him. You should bring him by soon and introduce him. "
"I'll do that, Mrs. Bracken."
"Well, I will let you get back to your work."
Mrs. Bracken leaves Daphne is alone again. But, Daphne can't concentrate because she keeps thinking about Niles. She still remembers kissing him, and how good it felt. She has never felt this way about any boy before. Niles is special.
It looks like there is definitely something happening between Daphne and Niles, but just how far will it go?
