Awkward Meetings for Awkward People

by PygmypuffNargles

When a mysterious new Girl finds her dream flat in London, too socially awkward to make friends, she has to rely on finding other people as equally awkward as her to be truly happy. But what happens when memories from her past creep up on her to reveal the truth about her new neighbors?

10. Chapter 10

A/N Hello all! I hope you like this chapter, and this is an opportunity for me to say thank you so much for reading this Fanfiction - I never even dreamt I would get so many compliments and readers ^.^ Also I have found people are sharing it around which sends me over the moon in happiness so thank you a lot if you have (and you can if you want to :) )

Chapter 10

Rain

DAN'S POV

After my confirming conversation with Phil, the taxi journey only takes about 5 minutes before we reach our flat. I expect to see Tara's car out the front and her yabbering on about something to Maddy, but the only vehicle on this road is ours.

Residing to the fact that either Maddy has escaped Tara early or not even here yet, I pay the cabbie and step out of the car into the rain. The rain is heavy and even thought rain can't really get any more wet, it seems this rain is wetter than others. Large drops hit my head and they streak down like ropes, making my visibility minimal, but I can make out the door to our block of flats.

Running around the back of the taxi Phil hurriedly pulls his jacket over his head and jogs to the front, jabbing in the code to open the lobby doors. Shaking slightly from the rain slapping into my face I am relieved when he finally opens the door to let us both in – running my hands through my hair to dry it off and shrugging my coat off, I can't imagine being out in that rain longer than I have to!

MADDY'S POV

The streetlights illuminate a circle of shiny grey path, sodden with this awful rain. Sucking it up and pulling my hood further around my neck I continue to walk into the streaking rain, it getting heavier and colder with every footstep I take.

Just as I begin to think of how this rain can't get any worse, the drops of rain get larger as they make loud splashes and come sideways into my face, them soaking into my scalp makes me shiver and shake my head.

The path is long and narrow with a fence on my left and the road on my right, but I can only see to the next streetlight which are irregular and leave an ominous stretch of darkness between them. Squinting my eyes and pushing myself into the rain I walk about five meters until the rain suddenly turns from horrible huge droplets to solid lumps of ice falling from the sky.

'Hail?!' I mutter to myself in denial. But it's the end of May! How can it be hailing?! Cursing the horrific British weather, my head under my hood begins to hurt with what seems like mini ball-bearings shooting into my skull – now I really can't see how this night could get any worse.

Picking up the pace I jog into the darkness between the two streetlights just wishing for this evening to end. I want to curl up in bed and be asleep, not running through merciless hail stones with tears streaking down my face. I don't even begin to blame Dan and Phil for what's happening to me now. It was my fault for even telling Tara about them in the first place, and her being such a manipulative person causing me to be in this situation.

Finally turning a corner into an alleyway which cuts into the buildings to our street, the flats beside me stretch like tall monsters and shadow me in black. It's almost too dark to even say where the ground ends and walls begin, but I just hope to god no one is creepily hiding in the shadows.

Still running, I decide the only thing to do it run as fast as I can into the pure darkness and just hope I turn out at the other end.

Skipping through quickly flooding puddles and kicking old cans out the way my footsteps make and eerie echo, but the light of the street light creeps into the end of the alley as I reach the road again. At least I didn't get raped or something in that alley – but my heart is still pounding and I am soaked through.

Turning to my left I see the familiar glow of our lobby light of my flat block, relieved once again I hurry towards it and punch in the code for the door to let me in. My fingers slip over the keys because I am so drenched, but shaking I finally get out of the Hail and rain into the warm lobby where I first met Dan.

Shivering and with a pounding headache, I hit the elevator button and wait for the doors to open.

After what seems like an eternity the quiet lift ride seems to be a loud as a million bees, my ears ringing and teeth chattering, I step out of the rocking box and into my corridor. Fumbling with my bag to find my keys, a wave of dread washes over me like a wall of sudden regret. I feel my stomach drop and I feel sick, realising my keys aren't in my bag.

Frantically searching my pockets and snorting my running nose, soaking head to toe, the horrible feeling turns from panic to confusion. Letting out a loud sob and finally sinking to the floor, my sodden coat squelches underneath me and I hit my head back on the wall – too tired to do anything. Willing myself to stand up and do something to get into my apartment, all tries are futile, as I feel my body, too cold and emotionally drained to function, slip me into an uncomfortable sleep against the hard wall.

PHIL'S POV

We got back from the confusing but mostly great night about 10 minutes ago, but I recall Dan worrying about where Maddy was as we pulled over to exit our cab.

'Dan!' I call to Dan intending to enquire about her. 'Dan!' Why does he never seem to hear me?!

Finally, 'What Phil?' he calls from the bathroom as I sit on the sofa sipping hot chocolate.

'Did you text Maddy or anything? To see if she was okay?'

'Look Phil I just got in, still drying – I can't really right now-' I hear his voice catch at the end of the sentence as I guess he had realised one of us should have checked on her.

'Do...' Finding the words to say, as I wrack my brain for answers, 'Do you want me to see if she's okay? I.. didn't see any car lights pull up outside after us'

'I don't know Phil, I can't do anything right now! You-' He takes a deep breath to calm down. 'You go see her okay?'

'Sure' I put down my mug and stand up, still really tired, but a creeping worried feeling bubbles up inside me as I realise there were no headlights. Maddy isn't home yet, and it's been nearly 20 minutes since I saw her last.

Quickly slipping down the stairs and pulling on my still soaking shows in the narrow corridor, I fling open the front door and step out into the hallway.

A chilling blast of air channels down the hallway towards me, coming from the open window at the end of the long stretch of building, so I hurry and jab the elevator call button. Jumping up and down to keep warm, the wind makes the atmosphere eerie and ominous, and the worst thoughts of situations push their way into my mind.

Finally the elevator opens and I punch the 2 button, to distract myself from horrible thoughts, I suddenly wander who lives on the first floor, and if anyone actually does.

I try to take myself to a happy place but as the doors open all my thought dissipate and are replaced by the most horrible feeling anyone could ever feel.

Shock, dread and regret ball up inside me as a sudden rush of adrenaline from seeing Maddy, curled up into a ball, pale blue and shivering outside her flat. I run to her in three quick strides whilst almost chanting her name in alarm.

'Maddy? Can you hear me? Maddy' I hear myself say as I shake her to wake her up, As my hand touches her skin it's as cold as ice and sodden wet. Like she's been drowned in freezing water.

Getting Panicked I shout her name and try to shake her awake again, noticing her belongings from her bag strewn across the hallway.

'Umm okay..' Starting to get really worried I scoop all her stuff into her bag and say to her, just if she can hear me, 'I'm going to take you to ours okay?'

She gives no response, but I sling her bag onto my shoulder and try to take her hand to get her to stand or at least something.

Being tall doesn't mean I'm that strong, so I struggle as I try and lift her off the floor into my arms, but my tries were of no avail.

Really getting distraught I grab my phone and ring Dan, hoping to god he is out of the bathroom to answer his Phone.

Finally he picks up, but I realise I can't form proper sentences as I babble down the Phone;

'Dan! Come here Maddy she's not, just come here I can't NOW!'

He tried to interrupt me but I just cut in again, 'Come here! QUICK' I notice that I am shaking, but Maddy starts to shiver violently – I drop her bag and rush back over to her, crouching down beside her, I wrap my arms around her to comfort and warm her.

Feeling slightly awkward but my head ringing, I don't care as long as Maddy is okay.

I sit like this for a few minutes when Dan bursts through the doors from the stairs – I instantly see the shocked expression on his face.

All colour drains from is face as he opens his mouth, stopping in his tracks for a slight second at the sight of Maddy.

'What wha-' He starts, blubbering in confusion and alarm.

'I don't know!' I reply, standing up from Maddy, Leaving a large wet patch from her on my coat and jeans. 'Just come on!'

I snap Dan out of it, I sense we are both shocked by finding her like this but we have to stay focused.

'I don't- Why I don't get-' Dan starts to mutter uncontrollably as he starts to jog down the long hallway towards us.

'Just- quickly! Look now just help me!' Trying to be assertive in this time is hard, but we have to help Maddy. 'Grab her arms or something!'

Dan does as told and crouches down by Maddy, her head tilting to the left under the shadow, so her face looks slightly darker blue than the rest of her. He slips his arms around the back of her shoulders and under her left arm, whilst I shrug on her bag again and scoop under her legs and support her back.

'She's- She's Freezing Phil!' Dan stutters, wide eyed and slightly bemused.

'I know- just look, this way-' We carry her over to the lift and I hit the button with my elbow, the Doors instantly open, and I'm just glad the lift was down here already. Shuffling her into the confined space me and Dan manoeuvre Maddy into the square area and we slump onto the floor, tired by quick exertion.

Dan looks at me with very confused and alarmed eyes and I return the look. Neither of us knows what's going on here- but we both know what we have to do.

The elevator zooms up and the force makes my stomach plummet, this with the emotions nearly makes me feel sick.

Sensing we are near enough to our floor, we cradle Maddy once again, her limbs and fingers dropping gingerly by her sides, I think almost as pale as a dead man's. The thought make my insides tie in knots.

'This way' I puff as we shuffle back out of the lift into our hallway. I awkwardly open out door after fumbling for my keys and burst open the door- the lights are all still on and the enclosed corridor which was once familiar seems like a saviour. We have gotten Maddy into our flat safely, but she's far from safe right now.

I peer up at Dan as we both heave her up the many stairs into the lounge. My hot chocolate is still there just as I left it, before this horror even began.

We gently place her on the sofa and I rush to get a few blankets for her. Dan sits gingerly on the edge of the coffee table beside my mug, staring worryingly at Maddy's pale sleeping face. Her Hair strewn all over her face and matted under her hood. As I leave I catch Dan putting his hands into his face and sigh loudly – and I can't help but think he thinks this was his fault.

MADDY'S POV

Colourful bursts of light flick over my eyelids and rainbows refract into my eyes through the tiny gap between my eyelashes. Willing myself to open my eyes, I realise I can't move. My fingers feel as stiff as though they are ceased shut by ice. My whole body feels numb. And I. Can't. Move.

'Maddy?!' I hear Dan's soft voice say with a hint of alarm. I want to respond. I want to tell him I'm okay. I want to reassure him I'm still here. But I can't.

I feel a slight tingle on my cheek, through the numbness I can still feel Dan's gentle fingers slip over my freezing skin. I want to smile and curl up tighter like I am just falling asleep with him at my side, hugging me tightly like in my dreams. But I can't.

He takes my wrist and I feel him press lightly onto the area of my pulse, then let go letting my hand fall lightly to the sofa cushions, causing shoots of tingles to buzz through my fingers.

I feel my thoughts slur into one, I never thought it possible but it feels like my train of thought is crashing, as I am dragged back into another uncomfortable sleep.

xxxx

I have no idea how long I have been sleeping, but as I wake I shiver and my eyes snap open. I feel the warmth and weight of many blankets on top of me, and am comforted by Dan's smell in them.

Unfocused and dizzy I familiarise myself with my surroundings, I have no idea where I am, staring down at the floor from being curled on a sofa, I track my eyes up to see a familiar pair of trainers. And in them it can only be Dan.

Following his legs up I find Dan's face, he is moving his mouth but I can't make out what he is saying, I focus on his eyes and notice he's staring intently at me, a mixture of relief and pain by what I can tell in this state.

He moves his head closer to me and tries to catch my eye line as I try to keep them open, still moving his mouth and talking his eyes widen and I feel him surround me in a warm and strong hug. I just about feel his arms wrap around my neck and shoulder as I still try to keep my eyes open, but I manage to smile.

Finally I can start to hear again, my ears ringing still I just about make out Dan repeating my name as he hugs me so tightly I feel I may pop.

'What happened- why- are you okay? Do you want anything I -' I hear Dan babble through the ringing and I shake my head and cough trying to reply.

I manage to get out:

'No really' another cough, 'I'm fine now,'

Dan lets go of me and sits back down on the coffee table but scoots it forward towards me. 'Are you sure? What happened?' A look of concern washed over his face but his eyes continue to search my face.

I shuffle around so I am sitting upright now, the sudden movement of my head makes me feel slightly dizzy, but at least the ringing has stopped. I scootch over so our knees are nearly touching, as I do I notice the colour of my hands are almost pale blue, I take in a sharp gasp of air, then I look up at Dan, showing my hand in his face.

'I know, you were so blue last night, just so pale... I thought..' He loses his words and becomes too quiet. I see his eyes search my face once again, but I am distracted with my new surroundings.

At the end of the leather sofa I am sitting it is a bookshelf lined with DVDs and a fireplace next to it, then opposite me is another sofa almost identical to this one. Behind Dan to the left it a door and the walls are dotted with super hero art.

'Am I...'

'In my lounge? Yes you are' He chuckles lightly, I guess because I am making more sense than I have all day.

'How long was I asleep for?' This is so strange. I can remember nothing from the moment I lost my keys.

'About 4 hours. It's currently 3am.. Morning?' He smiles as me, his teeth peeking through and sighs lightly.

'Have you been..' I tenderly present the question, 'waiting her for me to wake up?'

'I uhh, well you know you were blue- I thought – just wanted to make sure you were okay!' I understand completely and am more than flattered for him to feel this way, I blush slightly and look away, as I realise my hair is in rat tails and matted around my head.

I feel a flush of embarrassment as I realise what a state I must look, and that Dan has been sitting her watching me sleep like this for hours.

Suddenly panicking slightly I flounce around my arms and fumble with my hair, flailing around my still almost numb limbs, trying to get my hair to look more presentable- and then Dan says;

'Hey hey hey, don't' He reassures me with a soft edge to his voice and touches my arms pushing them down lightly, 'You look fine, really' I look up into his eyes and let my arms fall down, then notice his hair is almost the same state as mine, except his just looks even more sexy on him. It's the wavy mess I love. I almost get lost in his eyes as he raises his eyebrows at me, his hands still on my elbows – then clears his throat and looks away towards the door as we both hear Phil walk down the hallway.

Soon enough, Phil walks through the door into the party-of-three lounge and walks across the room to sit down beside Dan on the table in front of me.

'Are you okay? I heard you talking and wanted to see if-' Phil talks in a babbly similar to how Dan did, but I reassure him I feel fine.

'A little dizzy I guess..'

'Do you want anything?' Again the same question Dan asked me- to which I replied no politely.

'Maddy... Do you remember what happened?' Dan raises the point to me.

'Yeah, I just found you outside your flat, alone.. and scarily blue... what did happen?' I don't remember being found but I remember up to the point I guess I passed out.

'Well I think.. I got locked out of my flat to begin with..' I start from there.

'But why were you so cold? We didn't get this blue from the walk from the road' Dan seems confused but I sense the concern in his voice. I look up to Dan and Phil and they exchange quick glances. Dan takes my hand and asks the question again.

'Tara- she-'

'Oh my god. She- no what did she?' Dan breathes the words like he knows what happened but I have a feeling he doesn't – but I guess he knows her type of person.

They let me talk for a good while, as I explain what happened.

'I got into her car after you left, but all she wanted to know was where you lived – I didn't want her to- I'm sorry. I just got out when I realised, about fifteen minute walk from here – but it was raining – and then it hailed and I just. So cold.' I feel myself work myself up over this as I recall what happened, and notice the stunned looks on both their faces- 'I'm sorry I just didn't want her to find you I know what-' I start to blubber myself, then Phil cuts me short-

'It's okay it's not your fault- Maddy it's okay' Phil puts his hand on my arm as a friend, but Dan sits back and stares at a spot just above my head on the wall.

'It's my fault. I'm sorry I just can't. If I never- if we weren't- If she wasn't - this would have never happened- I just don't know' He half mumbles to himself but loud enough for us to hear. I see his eyes become watery as he doesn't blink, and I sense him tumbling into a pit of turmoil.

'No Dan- don't It's Tara – you couldn't have-' I have finally bought my thoughts together now and am in the position to bring Dan out of a state. 'It's in no way your fault. Honestly. I just hate that people like her exist okay?'

'Yeah Dan, Maddy's right- we aren't to blame, especially you-'

'But we left you there too! We could've waited and none of this would ever have happened!' He just starts to raise his voice as he gets angry at himself, but not to the danger of any of us.

'No Dan-' Phil swaps his hand from me to Dan and puts it on his shoulder to calm him down, as he says quietly to him so I can't hear, 'You could have done nothing, just be glad that she's okay, alright?'

Dan seems to subside his emotions as his stands up and gives Phil a watery half smile – and leaves the room.

I turn to Phil. 'Why-' Why did he do that? What was he talking about? Why was he so worked up about my safety? This is all I want to ask Phil, but I know I can't, I just can't, because I don't know.

'He's just.. sensitive I guess, I honestly don't know' there was no need to ask Phil as he already knew what I was implying- so I subside to just never knowing why Dan felt that way about me.

'I should really be going, I've over stayed any welcome I have here already' I honestly feel like I want to curl up and cry in my bed. Not just for nearly betraying Dan, but for that to make him feel so terrible for a reason I don't know yet.

I am about to stand up and shrug off the blankets but Phil interjects me-

'What?! No of course not! Stay here! You can't just, No Maddy. Stay here you're more than welcome, what you have been through for the least.' Phil's kindness puts my mind at rest as suddenly a wave of tiredness hits me again. 'We are said to be friends now I guess anyway right?'

I remember mumbling 'right' back at him, as I lay my head back on a sofa pillow and curled up to fall asleep, as I notice Phil leaving me and exiting the room too.

A/N Sorry if this chapter sent you into a turmoil of feels/other emotions, but i hope you enjoyed it :)

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