Chapter 37
Luce had managed to avoid Daniel. It just hurt to much to see him. She had even been able to avoid him at swim practice. It just hurt. He had cheated on her yet again. She knew that deep down the kiss had meant nothing and the flowers and sorry notes came every day meant something. Nora had finally had enough. Luce had been sulking around between their room and the library. "Luce are you sure that you don't want to talk about it?"
"Nope, not really. It simple. He kissed Becky and I'm done. The good isn't worth the maybe and hurt." Luce had changed the pictures on the desk back to pictures of family and her friends. She had switched all her jewelry back. She had even started talking to RJ again. He was being sweet and ok with just taking it slow. Being friends. She hadn't ended it with Daniel yet cause she still wasn't sure if it's what she wanted. Luce loved him. So much. But at the same time the maybe hurt to much.
Daniel had held back he'd stayed away letting her have her space. Mainly because he didn't have any idea what to say. He had hurt her again. And he had no idea how to fix it. But finally he had to enough and had to talk to her. Daniel slowly walked to her door knocking. Inside Luce hesitated to put her piece of popcorn in her mouth looking at Nora. "You two are going to talk. And I'm going to go over to Cams. If you need me I'm just a text away. Love you."
"Nora don't you dare leave me." Nora opened the door scooting past Daniel. "Hi Dan. Bye Dan." Luce sat up in her bed crossing her arms across her chest.
"Hey Luce." He came in stayed right inside the door.
"Hello." Daniel could hear the pain and furry in Luce voice.
"So I thought that maybe we could talk." Luce just rolled her eyes. "Ok." Daniel was getting frustrated. "Or I could just talk."
"Daniel there's nothing to talk about. You kissed another girl. Becky of all people."
"No there is. Because I love you. And I know that I screwed up. Majorly screwed up and I will give you as much time as you need. I just want to be with you. Look it's Saturday night let go get some dinner . Maybe see a movie. Please baby."
"No thank you."
"I don't want to loose you Luce. Even if we are just friends."
"Maybe. Maybe we can try the friends thing. But I'm still really hurting Daniel. And I think I need some space."
"I don't want to give you space." Daniel walked right over to Luce bed. "You are an amazing girl Lucinda and I am not giving up on us." He slowly slipped his hand into hers. At first she pulled away but tan gave in to the warmth coming from Daniels palm. She missed and loved that warmth.
"I'm sorry. So sorry." Luce could see the pain and longing written all over Daniels face.
"I know you are but until you figure out the way you feel about Rebecca. And don't say you don't feel something cause I know you do. Even if it's nothing. I love you." Daniel smiled at that.
"I love you. So dinner?" Luce smiled back just a little.
"Not tonight. Some space please." Daniel kissed her hair and then walked away.
It had been a whole month since they had decided to be friends and it was working. Luce was walking across campus. It was a beautiful sunny day and spring had finally started to come. Luce took a deep breath inhaling the crisp air. The snow was finally melting and maybe so was he heart. Daniel had continued to send her flowers and I love yous every few days. She loved him too. Luce was turning these thoughts over and over in her head when she saw Daniel standing with Jason and Mark. His golden hair shinning in the sun light. His dark blue shirt was tight against his chest. "Yumm."
"Well that is a good sign." Nora had sneak up behind Luce.
"What are you talking about?" Nora slipped her arm thru Luce's.
"You said yum while checking out Mr Edward Gordon." Luce smiled.
"Yeah well I'm not dead. Hell we haven't even really broke up technically."
"No. But damn has the sexual tension between you two been enough to .." Luce turned bright red.
"I know. But I just can't. I want to. Trust me I do. I miss him. But he kissed Becky. Again. And I wont do it." Nora pulled her closer.
"I know sweetheart, and I don't blame you for two second. So you two having breakfast?"
"Yeah." Luce looked at the ground. "But just as friends." Nora rolled her eyes.
"Yeah right."
Later standing in her bathroom Luce thought about everything happening between Daniel and her. There had been plenty of little moments like him tucking hair behind her ear while they were studding together. Hugs lasting a little longer then they should of. Gazes exchanged. He still made her all tingly, in a good way. He made her heart race every time she looked at him. But, no, she couldn't. Not til the baby was born and Becky only had ten weeks left. Wasn't to long to wait. Luce had her toothbrush in her mouth standing in a towel thinking when there was a knock on the door. She looked at Nora in the mirror before closing the door with her foot. Luce could hear Nora getting the door. "Hey Daniel." The last month had been really hard. The little moments had almost been torture. But he knew he still loved her a and she still loved him. He just needed to be patient. He had picked out her favorite dark blue t shirt and a pair of dark wash jeans.
"Hey Nora. Is Luce ready?" Luce poked her head out the door watching his violet eyes light up as she did.
"Almost." Luce smiled making her hazel eyes dance. Lunch. It was just lunch.
"Ok." Nora rolled her eyes as the bathroom door shut.
"Alright well as fun as this is. I have class. So you all have fun." Luce slipped on her tight white tank and skinny jeans before coming out of the bathroom.
"Hey. Sorry. I'm almost ready." Daniel grabbed her arm wrapping his arms around her. Luce smiled loving the tingles and warmth that came from his hugs. "Well thank you." Luce grabbed her sweater sliding her arms thru the oversized sleeves. Than she grabbed her bag and coat. "You ready?" Daniel eyes melted her.
"Yeah. You look beautiful." Luce blushed.
"Thank you." Daniel took her bag and they headed to the mess hall. Shoulders brushing as they walked.
Before Luce knew it spring break and again finals were right around the corner. Next week to be exact. They had already made the plans for Nora to come home with Luce. Which they were both really excited for. "I can't wait to see your house and spend time with your parents. I mean I've never been camping before."
"Well your going to love it. The only down side is that RJ will be camping three spots down from us."
"Yeah I have something to tell you too. Kinda a surprise." Luce looked up from one of her books.
"Ok. What is it?" Nora plopped down on Luce bed.
"Oh just that Cam and Dan are going to be camping in the spot next to us." Nora bounced a little. Luce wasn't so excited. Having RJ and Daniel that close was worrying. Nora shoulder dropped. "Your not excited."
"No I am. Kinda." Luce chewed on her lip while playing with her locket.
"It's gonna be fun Luce. Are you sure we don't need to buy anything for the week?" Luce shook her head.
"No. We have plenty of camping supplies." Nora hugged her little sister.
"I know finals are a week away but would you come out with us? You haven't been out since well you know. It'll be fun." Luce really had no desire to go out.
"Maybe after spring break ok?" Nora nodded.
"Is it ok if Hailey and Jordan come over to get ready?" Luce nodded going back to her book. "You know Jordan really came back around since Bill and her broke up. I was really worried about her? You know?" Yeah Luce did. Jordan had gone back to her old preppy self. Not that Bill hadn't stayed semi around. Luce had ran into him here and there and he still gave her the creeps but hey. Maybe I should go out tonight.
"Hey do you think I can come?" Nora turned quickly.
"Really. You wanna come out?"
"Yeah. Maybe spending sometime out will help with this horrible writers block." Nora rolled her eyes.
"Yeah or you can always get drunk and have some fun with Dan." Nora giggled.
"No. I'm not going to have fun with Daniel. I just been a good girl all term. I think I deserve a night out." Nora nodded pulling a black dress out of her closet.
"And your gonna wear this little number with these shoes."
"Would it be slutty to hook up with Daniel?" Nora smiled shaking her head.
"Well since your technically still together. No."
About an hour later Hailey and Jordan showed up. Luce jumped in the shower while the girls started destroying their room. Luce spent the time alone to contemplate what to do about Daniel. To sleep with him or not. Hmm. Well she was at least going to make him drool. After she showered Luce dried off and lotion. Luce dried crimping her ends as she went. Luce took her time. Than slipped into the clinging black dress. It was spaghetti strap and fit like a glove. Luce frowned looking in the mirror. The dress showed a lot of skin. She tugged a the bottom than the top. Nora knocked on the door. "Luce come on at least let us see." She took a deep breath than stepped out.
"Oh my god." Hailey covered her mouth.
"Luce you look hot." Luce look from Jordan to Nora who hadn't said anything.
"Nora what do you think?"
"I think your wearing that and your not getting a choice." Luce looked in the mirror again. The black lacy dress wasn't that short but Luce felt oddly naked. But she had to admit she did look hot in it.
"Ok." Luce slipped on the pair of black high heals Nora had also let her barrow. "We ready to go." Nora was finishing curling the ends of Hailey hair and nodded. Nora was standing there in a almost identical dress to Luce except hers was totally backless. Jordan had gone with a flowy tank and tight jeans. While Hailey in all her bubbliness had gone with a tight spaghetti strap and torn jeans.
"Okay. Lets go." Nora lead the group out to her car. "Hails, Jor you ridding with us?"
"No we're gonna take Jordan car."
"Ok we will meet you there."
When Luce walked into Johnny she felt very nervous. But the bar looked exactly the same. The four pool tables in the back looked really used. The tables in the front with the small stage and dance floor. Finally of course the boxy U shaped bar in the center with its tower of blooze in the center. Luce saw Daniel lining up a shot in the back . It made her smile at all the good memories of dancing and drinking. She remembered herself the first night here being surprised that no one checked her id. Luce remembered Daniels face when he had seen her. Nora tugged on her arm when she realized she had been gonking at Daniel Who hadn't even looked up yet .
Daniel and the guys had gotten to Johnny about 9:30 and ordered food plus drinks. He knew Nora, Hails and Jordan were planning on coming out but hoped Luce would too. God he missed her. He had stolen kisses, had hot make out sessions but that was it. Hell they hadn't even officially broken up. Yet it had been two months of cold nights. "Hey Dan look who is here." Daniel looked at Jas who suddenly had Hailey by his side.
"Hey Hailey. Where'd you come from?"
"Just got here but look who's at the bar." Daniel turned his head to the bar and his jaw dropped. She was standing there in a mini black dress which back was all lace and showed a ton of leg.
"Luce." Her black hair was half up with the rest cascaded down her back. She was smiling at Nora and looked amazingly gorgeous. "Luce." Daniel almost ran into the pool table. Jason, Mark, Hailey, and Jordan laughed.
Luce and Nora had go to the bar to get drinks. "Guess who is starring right at you." Luce smiled bigger.
"A certain yummy blond who is wearing a wonderfully tight black shirt." Nora nodded. "Should I look over there?"
"No. Lets let your dress do the talking and looking. Come on before he hurts himself." They laughed grabbing their drinks and walked over to the group. Daniel quickly walked up to Luce side.
"Umm Hi." Luce smiled looking over her shoulder as she stood at the table.
" Hey." Daniel ran his figures down her lower arm sending little warm shivers down Luce spine and into her stomach. He lean down whispering into her ear .
"You look amazing." Luce suddenly didn't feel so self conscious.
"You know I would love for you to teach me how to play pool better." She turned facing him. "Your so good at it. Think you can give me some pointers." Luce gently pressed herself against him.
"Yeah. Jas wanna play teams for awhile?" Jason pulled Haley close.
"I think that we can do that."
The night continued with Daniel and Luce playing pool. Well more like them pulling and pushing themselves against each other. Even when it was only the two of them playing. Daniel finally wrapped his arms around her waist pulling Luce close. "Come back to my room with me please."' Luce groaned. She wanted to really badly. Daniel berried his face in her hair. "Please." Daniels voice was all ruff.
"Umm."
"Come on baby. Please." Daniel nuzzled her.
"Ugh. Ok." Daniel took Luce by the hand and started leading her out of the bar and toward his car.
"Good morning beautiful." Luce rolled over loving the feeling of not only Daniels bed but his arms too. Luce rolled over to see Daniels violet eyes dancing and his messy golden bed head. Luce stretched.
"Good morning." Did she ever miss this. She just missed Daniel. He brushed some hair out of her face.
"Your beautiful." Luce blushed rolling into his chest. "You wanna go get some breakfast with me, or you can stay here and I can bring it to you." Luce snuggled deeper as his arms tightened around her.
"Just don't go." Luce kissed his bare chest. "Breakfast sounds good. So I heard that Cam and you are going to be camping next to us over spring break." Daniel rolled onto his back.
"Maybe. Is that a bad thing." Luce sat up holding the sheet against her chest.
"No. Not a bad thing. Just" Luce chewed on her lip. Daniel sat up turning so he was looking at Luce.
"Just what babe?"
"Only that RJ will be camping in the same camp ground." Daniel ran his hand thru his hair.
"Ok so. I can just avoid him.." Luce felt guilty all the sudden. She shouldn't have been talking to him all this time. "Wait how do you know that?" Luce played with the blanket she was starring at.
"Cause he told me." Daniel climbed out of bed throwing on some sweatpants.
"So you've been talking to him. Again." Luce nodded. Daniel sighed "And I said that I would be ok with it. But Luce I'm not ok with it at all. I hate it actually." Luce wiggled. Daniel rubbed his face than crawled back into bed. He pulled her into his arms. "Can we make a deal?"
"Yeah."
"No more RJ?" Luce nodded. Daniel held Luce tight. " I want this to work Luce. So bad. Now how about breakfast?"