"Who do you keep texting?"

My eyes flicked up from the screen of my cell phone and smirked at Tom's annoyed face. He had been trying to tell some story about a rowdy customer he had that day but I wasn't paying any attention to him. My focus remained on the other conversation I was having on my phone.

Aaron and I had been texting each other none stop since we said goodbye that night in the club. It had only been three days but I felt like I knew him better than I did Tom. He was so open and kind, he made me laugh till tears welled up in my eyes. He made me feel human again.

I cleared my throat and flipped my phone shut, tucking it into my back pocket to show Tom that he had my undivided attention from that point on. He looked at me expectantly, crossing his arms over his chest as he slumped down in the chair. "Well, who was it?"

I began to play with a my jeans, dragging my nail down the length of my leg, making a trail in the fabric. "I was just sending Aaron a reply." I said, casually, lifting my gaze back to my friend, waiting to see what his reaction would be.

Tom's eyebrows arched in surprise and he sat up straighter, his chocolate brown eyes a light with interest. "Aaron, eh?" He said with a smirk. "How long has this been going on?"

"Since Saturday night." I said, feeling my cheeks warm under Tom's scandalous stare. "He sort of asked me out on a date."

Tom gave an uncharacteristic high pitched squeal and bounced a few inches out of his seat. "What did you say? Are you going?"

I smiled and shook my head, hiding my now bright red face behind my knees.

Tom's body pressed me down into the sofa as he jumped on top of me, cheering and yelling as we laughed and wrestled on the couch.

Tom seemed to have an endless list of questions for me about Aaron and my pending date with him. It made me feel so much more confident about my decision to go out with Aaron knowing that Tom supported me, regardless of my awkward situation with Danny.

Eventually, once Tom was satisfied with my answers, he stood up and told me that he had to go and pick Giovanna up from work. I opted to stay at his place while he was gone, knowing that he wouldn't be gone long and I could get in a few messages to Aaron without Tom's prying eyes on me.

With every buzz of my phone, my heart gave a little leap. It was the first time, in a long time, that I felt so excited about something…so alive.

I bit my lip as I read Aaron's last message, trying to think of a clever reply to send back when the door to the flat creaked open and the sound of someone grumbling filled the empty space. I froze as I heard the sound of movement come closer to me, my eyes glued to the hallway as my heart raced in my chest.

"You will not believe the day I've had today." Danny's angry voice sounded. "I've never been this close to quitting in my-oh." He paused as he emerged from the hallway and our eyes met. Danny's hands went straight into his pockets, his shoulders tensing as he looked around the room, trying his best to keep his eyes off of me. "Where's Tom?"

I sat up straighter, rubbing sweat off my palm onto my jeans. "He went to go pick Giovanna up from work. He'll be back soon."

"Good." And with that, Danny walked into the kitchen.

I sat there for a moment, staring at the spot he once stood in, unsure if I should leave or wait for Tom's return though before I could make a decision, Danny reappeared with a can of beer in hand. He paid me no mind as he walked across the room towards his bedroom.

I felt my chest constrict as he walked away and before I knew what was happening, I found myself rushing out of my chair, hand raising up to grab him even though he was still a room's length away from me. "Danny, wait." I said, my eyes bulging as my voice sounded in my ears.

Danny froze for a moment-as did my heart-and seem to be in a debate with himself. He swayed in place, his grip on his can tightening, ever so slightly. I was beginning to think he was going to pass out until he slowly turned and our eyes locked for the first real time since our meeting in the park.

A wave of shyness swept over me as his wary gaze penetrated me. I felt the surge of confidence leave me and I became unsure as to what I was meant to say. All thoughts vanished from my brain and I struggled to get to form through my dried up throat. "Um…" I murmured, shifting from foot to foot. "P-please don't go." I whispered.

"What?" Danny asked, sounding more uncertain than angry.

I licked my lips and swallowed what little saliva I had left in my mouth. "Don't leave because of me." I said more clearer but not as steady as I had hoped. "I know things are still weird between us but can't we at least try to be in the same room as each other?"

Danny blinked twice and nodded his head slowly before taking a sit down in the chair that Tom was sitting in previously. He cracked open his drink and took a sip as I settled back into my seat and silence fell over us.

Danny seemed rather reluctant to say anything, though he occasionally looked my way from over the top of her beer can.

"So," I said, clearing my throat. "What happened at work to make you so upset?"

He shrugged, watching his finger as it looped around the can's lid. "You don't want to know." He said, matter-of-factly.

"I wouldn't have asked then." I retorted, watching him with a new found curiosity.

His finger ceased it rhythmic movement and his eyes rose to meet mine once more. He stared, challenging me to see if I would break but I held firm, wanting to know what had mad him so mad. When he decided that I wasn't going to back down and sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "We signed a new band today. That Cult of Skaro group from the club last weekend."

My heart leapt at the mention of Aaron's group. He got signed! But why would that have been such a bad thing? Then, Harry's face filled my mind and I shook my head in understanding. "Oh. I see."

"Yeah." He mumbled bitterly, sipping his beer again. "My bosses thought it would be a good idea to have me produce their album. Now, I get to be stuck in a studio for the next two months with Judd." He scoffed and downed the rest of his beer in one large gulp then crushed the can in his fist.

"Look on the bright side, though." I began, receiving an incredulous look from the brunette across from me.

"What bright side?"

I smirked and gave a little shrug. "For the next two months, he's got to do everything you say. You pretty much control his career now."

Danny's face lit up with a brilliant smile at that comment and he let out a light laugh that made butterflies erupt in my stomach. "I do, don't I?" He asked through his infectious laughter. He rubbed the back of his neck then laid his head back on the chair. "I guess there is something good that came out of today."

We looked at each other once more but there was a different stare than the ones we had shared recently. There was no awkwardness, no uncertainty, no malice or angry. His soft blue eyes looked at him as if I was an old friend and I found myself smiling from ear to ear at the beautiful man in front of me.

The corner of his lips curled up into a smirk as his shoulder began to shake with a new round of giggles. I found myself laughing along with him.

Our laughter only subsided when the front door clicked open and Tom's head poked around the corner, glancing from Danny, who was wiping tears from his eyes, to me as I tried to hold back more giggles only to look at Danny and burst into laughter once more, Danny breaking down and joining me seconds later.