I picked up the tray from our table as we had risen from our seats, Dan helping me clutter everything onto it, I grabbed my bag and swung it on my shoulder, strolling towards the bin and dumping the contents in it. I slid the tray on top of the pile and glanced up to see Dan holding the door open for me, his smooth hair gliding across his face, I loved how long it was.
We walked beside each other silently as we reached the escalator, stepping onto it first was me.
"Is it just me, or do you feel a bit scared going on an escalator too?" I asked, immediately regretting the question.
"Definitely. I nearly fell off once when I was seven, because I leaned over the sides to far in while I was in Asda." He chuckled, I did too as I imagined the scenario.
"I actually fell on my face once, I was ten, and I was stepping onto one in Brighton shopping centre and stepped on to at the same time, and tripped, smacking my face onto the step." Dan's eyes creased as I laughed, him joining as we reached the bottom of the escalator.
"Where exactly are we going? For all I know, you could be taking me to an alley and kill me!" He grinned.
"Oh Dan, do you ever think an innocent, sweet girl like me would ever do that to you?" I fluttered my eyelashes purposely. I had no idea where this shot of confidence was coming from. I didn't care, I felt amazing.
"I wouldn't let you get away with it." He winked straight at me, causing my heart to stop for that split-second. I hadn't flirted with a guy for so long that I felt like I could do it perfectly.
"And what would you do to frame me?" I smirked as I pushed the wide doors open, leaving the shopping centre with Dan trailing behind me.
"Maybe I'd have to stop you myself," he half-spoke, half-whispered close to my ear. I felt a shudder down my spine. He may have labelled himself as awkward but he was definitely good at flirting.
"Hm, I wonder how you'll do that." I attempted to wink, hoping it didn't look ridiculous.
"Wait and see when we get there," I can't lie, butterflies were forming in my stomach, I was so happy I hadn't made myself look a fool yet.
I couldn't think of anything interesting to say, so instead I grabbed his hand, and lured him around a corner then letting go. His hand was warm.
"This way is the shortcut."
"Why are your hands so cold?" He stopped and grabbed my hand, sandwiching it between his two larger palms, "it feels like ice, you should invest in some gloves," he smiled.
I giggled and pulled it away, looking up at him.
"Thanks for the life coaching, very inspiring, Dan." I smiled wickedly.
"Well," he paused as he pretended to pop his collar, "they do say I'm the best in town."
I laughed and pulled his arm to begin walking again, I was surprise he didn't mind me touching him, since we barely knew each other. I thought about that, I barely knew him but I was travelling to show him a place, a place I hadn't been in years. I wasn't even sure if he was a serial killer, yet I trusted him. I felt like I had knew him for years, but I don't know why. He seemed like he was part of my life for such a long time. I just instantly felt connected to him, and that feeling didn't fade.
We crossed several roads and turned a few corners. He asked me questions, a lot of questions- I noticed his curiosity, about me and the town I live in. I returned the favour by asking him a few questions about his YouTube career, which caused him to smile and tell me about events that occurred between him and Phil.
As soon as we turned into a road coated with houses, I noticed the big hill up ahead, the most beautiful hill I've seen. I can't believe I had forgotten about this place.
"It's just there, we're two minutes away," I announced, he just nodded silently as he stared at the houses.
"I remember when I used to live in London, I was terrified of walking down roads like these with my mum- roads just full of houses and really quiet, with no people around. I still am freaked out thirteen years later." I smiled at the memory, thinking of the silly things me and my mum experienced.
"So, you're a twenty year old who is scared of walking down roads full of houses and nothing else?" He asked, recapping what I just said, I began to feel stupid, "that's similar to me, I'm still scared of dumb things that I was scared of as a kid."
I smiled, feeling relieved, (A/N: I made this fear up) "I have to stop the microwave seconds before it will go off, because I just get scared of the 'ding' for no reason." We chuckled, as we reached the grass, "so, you're a twenty year old scared of hearing the microwave 'ding'?" I repeated, causing him to smile.
I glanced at the sloping hill, and pointed to the trees. "Up there, that's where I want us to sit."
He nodded and began trudging quite quickly up the slope, I managed to keep up with him. The wind slapped my face as we continued up the hill, I felt a shiver down my back, causing my eyes to water a little. Sometimes I can't handle the wind, and my eyes turn a little red because of the cold, making me look like I'm crying or I have cried. I knew my eyes were red at this point. I pushed my feet forward as the wind was slowing down, relieving me.
"Where the fuck did this wind come from?" I exclaimed, burying my face into my chunky scarf.
"I have no idea," Dan turned to look at me, confused, "are you alright? Your eyes are a little red."
"Oh, that's because of the wind, it makes my eyes water." I felt awkward, so I casually looked away.
I shot of panic hit my stomach as I felt my foot slip on a clump of mud. I almost hit the ground before Dan grabbed my torso, pulling me up. Thank goodness he caught me, I was definitely not ready to have him see me with a bloody forehead.
"I am so sorry," I squealed as I regained my balance, him still clutching my arm. He was still, and just cracked an awkward smile. Seconds later, we burst into uncontrollable laughter. I hugged my stomach because I couldn't stop letting the giggles out, after we cleared up our laughing, I realised something.
"Dan, you're still holding on to my arm, you know." I glanced at his hand, his eyes became awkward and diverted away from me as he let go, I smiled.
"Why do you do that?"
"Do what?" He sounded genuinely confused.
"You have these moments of awkwardness, then these long periods of confidence. It's really interesting." I stated, feeling confident in myself to point this slight flaw out.
"What? I don't do that." Grinning, he began shaking his head, looking in denial. I bravely took a step forward.
"Yes you do. You just did it right now! I didn't mind if you had your hand on my arm, because you prevented me from falling. It didn't make me feel scared or anything, don't worry." I peered up at his slightly worried face, I could see a hint of panic in his eyes. I could see he didn't want to be questioned about this particular manner, so I decided to step around it.
"Ooh! The wind stopped, come on, I don't want to fall again." I began trekking, he didn't say a word, and simply followed me up the path, heading towards the top of the hill.
As soon I stepped foot on the very top, I turned to admire the scene set out in front of me. A view that stretched over miles into the distance, beautifully laid out. Houses and shops, schools and parks, everything collided into one big sight. I had remembered the last time I was here, January, 2007 when I was sixteen years old with my father, the last time I had ever seen him.
I watched the sun emerge from the clouds, streaming down on me. I stared for at least a minute, just taking in the beauty. Golden rays of light poured over the city laid in front of me, igniting it's huge amount of colours.
"Are you okay?" Dan placed a hand on my shoulder, causing me to fall out of my trance.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I just can't help but look at it."
"I see why you've brought me here. This view is beautiful."
"I'm glad you think so." I smiled, turning towards the tree. I crouched on the ground to feel the grass; crisp and dry. Following on from that, I removed my bag and propped it next to the trunk, and slid off my jacket, lying it in front of me, sitting on it.
Dan followed and sat down next to me, resting against the ancient trunk. I sat crossed legged.
"When was the last time you've been here?"
Dan broke the silence between us. I was hesitant to tell him the truth; but that feeling in my stomach told me to take the chance. After all, he was still partly a stranger, he couldn't threaten me with my own information or anything.
"Four years ago," I began, copying his position with my back against the trunk, "I was here with my dad. He came to visit me here, a year after me and my mum moved here in 2006, when I had discovered this place. I hadn't seen him since I just turned thirteen. I showed him this place- he told me all about the things he was planning to do with me whilst we sat in this very spot. He told me how he was ready to get back with mum and live with us, provide for us and fix our money problems. He promised he would never leave me again, but he did. He left me when I needed him. He always left me when I needed him. I haven't talked to him in four years. He changed his number and address. The last thing he said to me was 'I'll be back again- I promise', but he lied. And now I don't know what has happened to him."
Dan stared at the ground- dumbfounded. A sheer gloss of pain in his eyes. He was silent, and looked straight at me, with a little pity. I adverted my eyes, feeling bad for saying that.
"Dan, I'm-"
"No, no. Don't apologise, never apologise. I'm glad I heard that. You know, when I met you- I knew there was something I had to figure out about you. And I couldn't help but think about it when I was with you yesterday and even now. I realise now- you're just like me," he smiled a little, gentle and loving smile, "I know it's tough. I know. I may seem a stranger to you, but I definitely know. I'm so glad I met you, Aria. Because now.. I'm not so alone in this world."
I tried to interpret his words, but he looked at me with loving eyes. I was puzzled, what?
"What.. What do you mean, alone?" I still couldn't understand.
"If truth be told, I didn't have a best friend for the first eighteen years of my life," my heart sank in that second, "my friends didn't really want to hang out with me. My parents were young when they had me, so they were prone to having multiple fights. I couldn't stand it. I had no idea where I was going with my life, and they didn't understand. My friends didn't understand. That was until I met Phil- and he honestly changed my life, a lot. He helped me build up my YouTube career, he helped me get through the toughest year of my life. I found my best friend and I felt relieved. That was until my mum threatened to walk out on me and my dad. She packed a suitcase and shouted at him, saying she'll never return unless he told her a secret he had. She went berserk, she was stressed and wanted to get into every detail of my dad's life. He had enough, and they nearly divorced. But, they didn't. She stopped her antics and they resolved their problems. But me, I was struggling to keep myself together. I was in constant fear of them splitting up. And I went back to my old ways, where Phil had to help me again. I'm truly grateful for him."
I couldn't speak.
I sat up, moving myself forward and not giving a care in the world, he did the same, as I wrapped my arms around his warm neck, clasping him against me, into a hug. He didn't mind, and instinctively placed his arms around my waist.
"I am so sorry," I whispered, taking in his scent. He smelt amazing.
"Don't be," he whispered back.
"I know we've only just met each other, but there's something about you that makes me think that we've known each other for years," I whispered again, I felt him smile against my head.
"Dan, I'm going to be here for you. No matter what," I calmly whispered again into his ear, smiling.
"I'm going to be here for you too, Aria. I promise."