I barged into Danny's apartment a few days later and for a few moments I could barely recognise the place. It vaguely resembled a hurricane sight. Clothes were strewn everywhere, guitar cases lay open, and a large suitcase was sitting at the foot of Danny's bed, which was buried in clothes, toiletries and other random items.
I blinked, "wow. Did I miss the earthquake?"
Danny poked his head out of the bathroom and smiled at me, "hey. It wasn't an earthquake it was a mini tornado."
"One that spared every room except yours," I added as I dropped my handbag on a pile of magazines, and shed off my work jacket. "Man, I cant believe you are leaving tomorrow," I stated as I cleared a section of clothes from Danny's bed and plopped myself down.
"Neither can I," Danny replied, his voice muffled, "I didn't think the past few weeks would go so fast."
I nodded in agreement and trailed my eyes over his room, "how's the packing going? You don't seem to be making a lot of progress."
"I only just started," Danny replied. He emerged from the bathroom with an arm full of toiletries.
I raised an eyebrow, "what did you do all day?"
Danny shrugged, "I don't know. Procrastinated I guess." He dropped the toiletries into his empty suitcase before leaning over and pecking my lips in greeting, "how was your day?"
I grinned, 'I thought you'd never ask. Guess what?"
"What?"
"I might be getting a promotion."
Danny's eyes widened, "really? Congratulations."
"Might be," I repeated.
Danny rolled his eyes, "you'll get it."
I smiled, "thanks for the faith."
"No problem. When do you find out?"
I shrugged, "a few days. The gremlin just came up to me today and informed me that she's considering the promotion." I sighed happily, "Oh that would be the best. I was wondering why she had been keeping such a close eye on me."
"So what would a promotion mean?" Danny asked curiously as he began sorting through the clothes, strewn across the kitchen counter.
I ticked them off on my fingers, "better pay, I'll have my own office, and I'll have a better selection of clients, the hours are better…" I trailed off dreamily.
Danny laughed, "Sounds amazing."
I nodded, "it will be." I paused and watched him sorting through a massive pile of clothes, "do you need some help."
"Help would be great."
---------------------------------------------------
"Hey Am, come and sit on this suitcase so I can get it closed," Danny said several hours later.
"Hang on," I called from where I stood in front of Danny's fridge examining the contents, "hey do you reckon we should chuck out all the stuff that's going to go off."
"Definitely, but one thing at a time," Danny replied beckoning me over.
I stepped away from the fridge and plopped down onto his bulging suitcase, "are you excited about the tour?"
Danny zipped his suitcase closed, "yeah I am. But…"
"But…" I prompted.
Danny got his suitcase closed and looked at me, "but I'm going to miss you."
"I'll miss you to," I murmured. "I've gotten used to having you around."
"I've gotten used to being around," Danny replied, he stood up and surveyed his apartment, which was now devoid of any mess, "I've gotten used to this place. When I first bought the place I couldn't wait to leave. But now its home."
"You'll be back," I replied standing up and wrapping my arms around his waist from behind.
"Not soon enough," Danny replied.
I was silent. We had never discussed what would happen after tomorrow. Our motto 'take things one day at a time' had worked rather well until the days ran out. I didn't want him to leave, not when things had just gotten so good. But I guess all good things must come to an end. I had my share of Danny Jones. Now it was time to pass him along to someone else. I wondered if every other girl he had been with felt as empty as I did about that idea.
I squeezed him tight before relaxing my grip and letting go, "so what do you want to do for your last night at Muscrove Apartments?"
Danny grinned at me, "Do you really have to ask?"
---------------------------------------------------
I let out a deep breath when I stepped out of Muscrove Apartments and onto the sidewalk. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the feel of the cool winter breeze on my face before leaning against the wall and shoving my hands into my pockets.
Loud clunking alerted me of Danny's presence and I turned around to see him emerge onto the sidewalk loaded down with a large suitcase, guitar case, and a backpack. It gave me the oddest sense of dejavu, except the last time I was in this position Danny was arriving not leaving.
I watched quietly as he arranged everything out of the way of pedestrians before he walked over to me. When he was a foot away he stopped and mirrored my stance.
"I remember six months ago I was on my way to work when you arrived here," I told him, "I'm having dejavu. Its probably because you are wearing the same beanie."
"Am I?" Danny questioned softly. He pulled his beanie off and fiddled with it in his hands. Silence.
"So this is it huh?" I asked.
Danny lowered his eyes, "I guess."
I stared at him curiously, Danny had been quiet all morning, and it was throwing me because he was never quiet. Ever. I couldn't think of one time over the past six months when Danny didn't have anything to say. But this morning, he had barely muttered anymore than a few words in a row.
"What's wrong Danny?" I demanded abruptly.
"What wrong?" Danny repeated bitterly, "you know what's wrong?"
I was blank, "I do?"
Danny sighed, "I don't want to go on tour, and I don't want to leave because I know as soon as I do, some other guy will come along and you'll forget all about me. I'll be out of the picture for months and then suddenly I'll be back, and I'll have to watch some other guy make you happy and that pisses me off because I want to be that guy."
I stared at him, "Dan…" I began.
Danny shook his head and cupped my face with both hands, "I know we've never talked about it. But if I asked you to wait for me, would you?"
"You know I would," I murmured honestly.
"I don't want whatever we have together to end," Danny admitted, leaning forward and resting his forehead against mine, "not yet."
"I don't either." I wrapped my arms around him and pulled him into a close hug, "but you do realise that if you ask me to wait, it means you to make those promises you didn't want to make."
'Its different now," Danny replied, hugging me back and lifting me off the ground briefly, "I was hesitant before because I wasn't sure things would work out. Now I know they will." Danny pulled back and pressed his lips to my forehead.
"When will you be back?" I questioned pulling back slightly so I could see his face.
"Straight after tour," Danny replied squeezing my hands, "I'll have a few days off before we head into the studio. Do you think you can last that long?"
I laughed, "asks the boy who'll have flocks of girls throwing themselves at him each night."
Danny gaped at me in mock horror, "what are you suggesting?"
I shoved him playfully, "nothing, I trust you."
'I trust you too."
Honk Honk
"Shit," Danny stated, seeing the taxi pull up at the curb, "c'mere."
He pulled me into his arms and kissed me passionately, "I'll call you tonight ok?"
I nodded, "look after yourself."
"You too," he gave me a hug and kissed my temple, "good luck with the promotion. Call me as soon as you find out ok?"
"Of course," I grinned.
I helped Danny load his stuff into the trunk of the car, and shoved my hands into the pockets of my jeans as he slid into the backseat. He wound down his window, "tell Lana and Eric I say goodbye."
"I will."
Danny smiled, " then I'll see you soon Miss Blair."
I laughed and waved as the taxi pulled away. I watched until is disappeared around the corner. I smiled. Muscrove Apartments would certainly be lonely, without the presence of Mr. Room 302.
-------------------------------------------
THE END
-------------------------------------------
Thanks so much to all my readers!
