Chris hung up and turned to John. "He's at Darren's, alright. He seems to have slept over there as well."
"That's probably a good sign," John replied," That they've maybe sorted out all their problems by now."
"Who was that?" Daniel asked as he got out of the bathroom, a large fluffy towel modestly tied around him. He felt fresh and clean after his shower and much better than the night before. His stomach didn't hurt too badly now.
Darren was rushing about the room, hectically grabbing any piece of clothing he could get his hands on. "Your mother! She wanted to know where you are! Dan, we've got a party to get to, remember? God, I almost forgot completely!"
Daniel slapped his face."Shit! I'm suppose to be there right now...oh great, just great!" He had to go back home to put on some new clothes. He only had the clothes he wore last night here, and they were stained and crinkled. Definitely not fit to wear again.
"Here," Darren threw a long sleeved brown top and black jeans at him. "This will fit you. You don't have time to get back home! We're gonna be bloody late!"
Daniel did as he was told and hurriedly slipped on the shirt. He glanced at the frantic Darren, who was carelessly dry-shaving his face in front of the dressing table mirror, and noticed a rather large purple bruise at the back of his neck. He reached out and touched it gently. "That's where I got you, hey?" he asked in a low voice. Gosh, I didn't notice it before.
Darren winced, and gave him a wry grin. To be honest, it still ached him very much and it was almost impossible to move his neck around, but he didn't want to say anything. "Well, it's nowhere as near as bad as how I got you. How are you feeling, by the way?"
"Better." But in truth, his shoulder still throbbed slightly. He just had to be careful not to accidently poke himself.
As he zipped up the jeans, which was fortunately was a perfect fit, Darren unexpectedly gave him a little hug from behind. "Thanks for forgiving me," he mumbled onto his shoulder. And how I love you, beautiful boy. Just a twist in time...and you could be mine... But it would never,ever happen, he was sure of it. Never.
Daniel turned and hugged him back. He was glad to have his best friend back. "I just want you to be happy," he replied warmly. He looked at the face and without meaning to, his eyes focused on those lips again. The memory of his mouth against them flashed before him and he abruptly turned his head away. "We better hurry."
Darren blinked at him in confusion then sensed what was going on his his mind. Even though he desired Daniel more than anything in the world and the taste his mouth nearly locking into his sent sweet shivers through his spine, he resolved never to touch him. That would just hurt too much, for both of them.
Soon they were all dressed up and ready to go. They both hopped into Darren's dusky blue Mazda Astina and Darren started up the car. He checked his watch. "We're already ten minutes late," he groaned as he pulled the vehicle out of the driveway. It wasn't long before they hit the freeway, and he was relieved the traffic wasn't too busy.
Daniel, sitting next to him with his legs crossed, absent-mindly played with his engagement ring as he looked out of the window. It was a clear summer's day, the sky a brilliant shade of blue with not a cloud in sight. He was thinking hard. His parent's had thrown a 'welcome home' party for Darren at their place and a lot of their friends and family would be there. Nearly all of them hadn't seen Darren as yet; in fact, come to think of it, Daniel had been the only one. And last night was one which he wanted to forget. But memories fade...yeah they're designed that way.... Still how could he do such a thing, such a shocking, perfectly shocking thing.... but there was something else to it as well. Breathing slowly, Daniel began to message his sore shoulder. At first he couldn't quite put his finger on it, but something deep inside kept nagging him. Then it slowly dawned on him. When he had first felt the sleek, smooth skin of Darren's lips brush with his own, he experienced a startling sensation shooting through him as if it was lighting every cell in his body with fire and passion, a sensation he had never experienced before. Even though it lasted only a few seconds, the feelings associated with it was profoundly intense, heightening every sensory organ in his body. And his emotions were running wild......something in him was opening up and he was scared. Very scared. He's my best friend! he thought to himself throught gritted teeth. Dan, you seriously cannot be imaginaing such awful things. But they weren't really awful. And he knew it.
The two sat in deafening silence for the rest of the ride, each drowned their own thoughts. Though the unpleasantness between them was over, there was still that uneasy chemistry in the air. Darren didn't dare to say a word or even look at Daniel as he turned the steering into another street. It would just make things worse.
At last they safely made it to the handsome-looking mansion. Rows of cars were parked all the way down the street. "Geez, how many people are coming?" Darren muttered as he pulled the car up the driveway. Suddenly, the front door burst open and familiar faces streamed out.
"Daniel!" Chris exclaimed as she watched her unsteadily son get out of the vehicle. She threw her arms around him as everyone else gathered and talked at the same time.
"You've had us worried! You're an two hours late, Mister!"
"Hey Daz, welcome home! How was the Big Apple?"
"Darren, we've missed you! God, you're paler than ever!"
"Come and give your old mum a hug, Dozer!"
More excited shrieks and crys were echoed. Darren beamed and engulfed everyone with a big bear hug. He relished every second, and realized just how much he had missed home. Observing the affectionate faces close to him, he could feel tears threatening to burst any moment. This was a moment to savour, a moment which made him feel for one instant that the world was really a beautiful place after all, and that everything would turn out alright. Leave Daniel behind, forget about him. Life without it's usual brutal problems.....got a ticket for a world were we are belong...so would you be my baby yeah....
Someone unexpectedly placed their slim, warm arms around Daniel's shoulder. He looked up and Michelle passionately kissed him right on the lips. "Hello my darling prince," she whispered. The scent of her strong perfumed overpowered him. He recoiled suddenly, as if on impulse. The kiss repelled him in some way.
"Hi," he answered her back, eyes blankly on her. How he loved this face, and cherished her sweet kisses. They had been together for years and years and it was the natural thing to do to get engaged. Michelle, whomed he had loved and treasured so much, he would give up the world for her. Michelle, whom he wanted to spend the rest of his life with until 'death do us part.' The memories of them together would remain with him forever.... but today he looked at his beloved in a new light. Something which quite alarmed him. Bells started ringing in his ears as he saw her examining him closer, an odd expression on her delicate face.
"Daniel, what's the matter?" Baby blue eyes searched his face. "Are you alright?" She brushed a strand of his hair out of his eyes.
What was wrong with him? Why didn't he look at her in the eye?
The earth was whirling. A butcher's knife was leisurely penetrating through him, taking it's horrible time with the torture. The shoulder throbbed, but his middle was a thousand time worse - ten whole boxes of Panadol will do just fine... Everthing was
black, so very black, as he plunged into it's bottomless obscurity.....