Darcy and her father return back to their old stomping grounds of New York City. With her, Darcy brings habits of being reclusive. She is perfectly content spending most of her time within the walls of her father's café and sees nothing wrong with t...
I threw my hands up with a cry of, "I don't know! I just didn't expect them to. It's not like we're super close friends or anything."
He shook his head at me. "That's kinda the goal, Darce, if you'd sit with us at lunch, meet us more in the mornings before school starts, invite them to the café, reply more in the group chat..."
He began to count the list off his fingers and I waved him off with a loud, "Okay, okay!" I pressed my hands against my cheeks and groaned, "It'd be easier if I was more like you."
Chris frowned and pulled himself upwards again. He settled onto the floor and pulled the laptop closer. "More like me?" he echoed.
I brought the chair to a stop. Even if my whole world was tipping in dizziness, I could see the need to hear more was written on his face.
"Calm, cool, and collected Chris. That's what I've always though, ever since we were kids," I explained, resting my forehead down on my arms. "You get along with everyone so well and always find a way to make the best of a situation. I learned that the first time I met you."
Chris was no more than a complete stranger when Reece took me with him to his apartment. I was already rattled to begin with because of everything that happened that night. Honestly, I wanted nothing more than to go back to the orphanage and seal myself under a blanket so tightly that nothing dangerous could take me away again. I'd feel safe. Chris, on the other hand, didn't bat an eye when he walked in on a bleeding Reece who'd brought home a little girl. Nope. He offered me a drink, took me to his room, put on a Disney movie, and taught me to play his favorite toy. Calm, cool, and collected. Then and now.
"I like you just the way you are." I pulled my face from my arms and rested my chin on top. Chris stared back at me intently. "Doubtful, down-to-earth, and daring when need be. That's the Darcy I know. You don't have to wish to be like me or anyone else. You're you, and that's perfectly perfect."
At this, not only did I try my hardest not to hide my face, but also the reflexive urge to doubt and deny. Chris is sincere. I should take his compliments and keep it close, not send it back at him with a stamp of more self-doubt. Still, while I struggled to do both, I failed at only one.
Chris laughed heartily as I hid my face back in my arms. "I would add adorable to the list, but it would kill the first letter trend we have going on."
"Well, I could easily add charming and charismatic to your list," I mumbled into my sleeve.
"What was that?" he asked, sounding amused and smug.
"I should've known not to inflate your head any bigger," I replied back, pushing against the table with my foot so that I did one more spin on the chair.
He leaned his head back against the bed. "Listen, let's stop ignoring the world now. They're all celebrating right now. Let's go join them. You'll hit midnight before I do, so go have fun."
Though I couldn't help but feel down that he wasn't here to celebrate with me, I smiled all the same. We had our own little celebration right here, together. "Thanks, Chris. You always say exactly what I need to hear."
He winked. "See you next year."
And at that original knee-slapper of a line, I logged off and joined the others in saying goodbye to this year and hello to a new one.
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