Those Nightmares Gone

Chapter 2

Danny’s POV

When the alarm rang, I reached my hand out to turn it off but nudged Devin’s head instead. Great. I just had to be reminded of his presence first thing in the morning. Devin slept like a log so I went around to turn the noisy thing off. It was 4:00 on the dot. Time for my tedious routine.

I found a sticky note of the daily to-dos on the refrigerator. Guess I was first to know we were hosting a party today. But it was a hassle. More people equated to more work I had to do.

It was already 7:00 by the time I finished cleaning the house. I had more shopping for the party on top of yesterday’s dump of groceries, so I raced to finish decorating the house and strung lights across the ceiling and rails. I looked at the time. 8:00?! H-How? I sprinted to my room just in time to see Devin exit the bathroom.

"Someone's in a hurry," he noticed.

"Get out of my way." I rummaged for my wallet and skipped changing. I rushed out the door with Devin hot on my trail.

"Well, good morning to you, too," he said with a frown. When he saw the pristine floor I created downstairs, he mumbled in awe. "Is something happening soon?"

I grabbed my boots and coat and he asked me where I was going. I roughly handed the note to him and he read it in time before I left with my car keys.

"I'll drive!" he proposed. He was lightning quick as he waited for me in the driver’s seat.

I growled while slipping inside. "I can drive. I’m 17." In case he thought otherwise.

"Me, too, darling. But you don't seem like it."

"Call me darling again and I'll punch your mouth. I woke up at 4:00 to do chores and I’m still falling behind." He was floored for a second but didn’t argue, just hit the accelerator. We reached the plaza in no time with his speedo driving – which I would cringe in fear of my death on any other day – and parked in front of Pizza Pizza.

"Order ten boxes of pizza and meet me in Metro." I shoved a $100 bill in his hand and ran off to Metro.

While in the store, I filled the cart with pop bottles, chips, salsas, wine, beer, all the basic needs for a casual house party. I nearly crashed my cart into someone before noticing who it was.

"Pizza's going to be ready in in half an hour. Here's the change," Devin said, handing me the loose bills and coins. "Stop rushing. You almost smashed my groin."

I rolled my eyes. "I apologize." He tugged a strand of loose hair on my shoulder.

"Ouch!" I yelped. “Hands off, jerk." In the car, my eyes bulged when I saw it was 9:45. I rubbed my temples to avoid hyperventilating. "I’m dead. That woman will kill me."

"Linda? Why's she making you do all this stuff?" Devin asked.

"Because I'm a servant who's supposed to finish a million chores every morning in six hours!" I was glad Josh, Asha, Ryan and Karissa were already up to help me set up the food when we reached the house.

"Wow, Danny, did you do all of this?" Karissa marvelled.

"I had to," I said, pacing back and forth.

Linda clomped down the stairs and I handed her the to-do list and showed her the display of items I’d bought on the kitchen counter.

"Are the chicken wings ready?" she said after a thorough check. What wings? "Danny? Are they ready? Answer!" The list didn’t comprise of last-minute demands. This woman should take a chill pill.

"Mom, there's no more chicken left," Asha intervened. There was always chicken in the refrigerator, but Linda wouldn’t argue with her baby daughter.

"Go buy them," Linda told me. Asha followed me out the door.

Asha's POV

"Should I come with you?" I asked Danny. She shook her head and drove off. I joined the Masons and my sister in the living room as they chattered, but I sat beside Karissa in gloom.

She nudged me with her shoulder. "Is Danny okay? Will it be too nosy to ask why she has to do this?" Karissa was truly a nice and caring person, but to reveal Danny’s past?

"Well, she's the stepdaughter," I started. "Her dad, Ben, doesn't really care for her so Linda thinks she's kind of useless and treats her like a housemaid. Like Cinderella almost." I sighed and cupped my chin. "I wish I could help her."

"Say no more. I have an idea on how to give her a break," Karissa said, her eyes spewing with determination. "Linda loves Devin and he's good at convincing people, so we’ll use him as bait to free Danny."

"Devin's not on Danny's good side," I said.

"Yeah, I can tell," she agreed, but on we went to disturb Devin sitting on the couch chatting with Ryan. "We need your help with Danny," Karissa said. When he smirked after hearing our plan, I knew this was our guy.

We peeked from the kitchen island as Devin nonchalantly staggered up to Linda.

"Oh, Devin!" Linda said when she noticed him. "Is there anything you need?"

"You see, Ms. Elne, I'm Daniella's roommate and I would like her to give me tours and help me with my new school." The politeness and slight dose of sugar in his voice was remarkable. "I was wondering if you can spare her a break from housework for the next six months?" Wow. "Oh, and please?"

"Oh, Devin!" Linda wiggled her eyebrows. "Someone wants to spend time with Danny." She tapped his nose. "Of course, if you want."

"If only you want," Karissa mimicked, laughing when Devin joined us against the island.

"Please. She makes me want to duct tape her mouth," Devin mumbled. Karissa laughed harder and I giggled.

"What's so funny?" Danny entered the kitchen, blowing a piece of hair from her face and holding a bunch of KFC chicken buckets.

I couldn’t wait to share the good news. "We talked to Linda –"

"And she said to drop off the chicken wings on the counter," Devin interrupted. I gave him a strange look and he winked. Danny sighed and walked past us.

"What was that for?" I asked Devin. Karissa looked at me, then back at Devin.

"Devin, I need to talk to you," she said.

* * *

"Beautiful.” Judy adjusted the pin on my hair and twirled me around.

"Judy?" I said, looking at her from the mirror. "I know you told me to never mention it, but can we dress up Danny, too?"

"You know how mom feels about that," she reminded me.

"Think about it, Judy. You know you want her dressed. Mom won't care since the Masons are here."

Josh, Judy's roommate came through the door to get his tie. "Ready for the party?" he said excitedly. I stared at Judy, and his expression downturned in confusion. I left the room to find Danny and spotted her at the main entrance with Marissa and mom.

They were greeting everyone who came in.

"Hi," I said, standing next to Danny. She smiled towards me.

"You look beautiful, Ash," she said.

Proving that point, two teenage guys approached and shook hands with us. "I’m Richard, and this is my bro Jacob," one said. His hand lingered on Danny’s, and I had a bad feeling.

"Danny, let's go upstairs," I said, dragging her despite her protests. I looked back and saw Richard staring at us. At Danny. Not a good sign.

Just as we were passing our rooms, Judy opened her door and said, "Wait." She appeared to not care but invited us inside. "Danny, you need a makeover." I bit my lip from smiling.

"No, Judy, it's okay," Danny said.

"I can’t stand it. You look so out of place." Judy sorted through her wardrobe and played dress-up on Danny for the next thirty minutes while I watched lying on her bed.

After a pinch of make-up and an indigo dress, Danny was finally ready. She looked gorgeous. She looked special and loved. Love from Judy.

Danny fidgeted nervously. Rest assured, Danny. I was there for you.

Devin’s POV

Everyone was dancing under the disco lights, drinking as if it was a pub, eating and making a mess everywhere which Danny would’ve cleaned up if I hadn’t made Linda back off. My thoughts subconsciously traced back to her even with the hottest gal in the room dancing in my arms right now.

"What's your name again?" the girl said flirtatiously.

The corner of my lips quirked up. "Pikachu." She giggled, but I was sure she thought I was crazy. I removed her hands from my chest and milled around in boredom. I flashed a smile towards a group of girls and their jaws instantly smacked the ground.

"Started already, Devin?" Eric said, popping up from behind with a glass of punch.

I chuckled. "Can't stop, can I?"

"Why don't you find a proper girl, bro. You're sick." I spotted some sketchy guy sneaking into the kitchen and my smile slipped off. Wasn’t that Richard?

"I'll be right back," I said, trotting to the island. My eyes narrowed at the situation in the kitchen. Danny was trying to reach for a cupboard she was clearly too short for, and my eyes momentarily skipped down her body, admiring the new dress hugging her torso and waist.

"Need help?" Richard asked her with a smile too sweet.

"Yeah. Can you get me that cookie pack on the highest shelf?" she replied and pointed to the cupboard. He grabbed her waist and lifted her, causing her eyes to widen.

"You're welcome," he said. I wanted to kick his nuts for some reason.

"Put me down," Danny nearly growled. Richard frowned, and I left my position as a spectator to take matters into my own hands. I had no reason for why I had to do this. But I did. I wrapped an arm around Danny’s shoulders and drove her out of the kitchen.

"Sorry, Richard. I'm borrowing her for a second," I called.

"Do you mind?" Danny snapped, pushing my arm off. "I need to serve those cookies around." Cookies at a pub night party? Not normal.

"Save that, Prinplup." I guided her farther from the kitchen into the depths of dancing mobs and vibrant music. Lights cast across her face, her reflecting eyes, her cherry lips, and I found myself leaning in, whispering, "You look hot."

She stopped in her tracks and cast me a stony glare. "Don't." With that one word, she walked away. I still vividly remembered the conversation Karissa and I had earlier at the island.

"She has a bad past, so don't mess with her, okay?” she had said, and I’d denied wanting to mess with her. “I know you’ll make a pass at her. She doesn't like boys, or rather, she’s afraid of relationships. If you're going to mess with her, protect her, but don’t break her heart.”

Karissa was right then; I wanted to mess with Danny. Her funny expressions and attitude were more fascinating than annoying. Adding a little prettiness to the mix wasn’t harmful either. I wanted to play her, or rather just experience all her sides and suites, but I didn't need to protect her. I never wanted to.

Oh right, I already did.

I was searching for Danny again, ignoring the looks I was receiving from the other girls and rejecting drinks. Karissa blocked my path at the foot of the staircase.

"Looking for someone?" she asked

"Nope."

"Good, because Danny's on the balcony upstairs." I rolled my eyes and waited for Karissa to leave. "Do you want me to show you the way?"

"What is up with you, Karissa? Spill it, please," I said. She put a finger to her lips. Whatever. I went up to the balcony, not for Danny, but to find entertainment away from the boredom down there. Danny was standing near the rail with her arms hugging her body, a few of her light brown hairs swaying in the breeze and her eyes glazed at the night sky.

I was immobilized by her beauty, her essence. It wasn’t the kind I usually wanted to mess around with.

She spun around and scowled instantly, completely tarnishing that essence with her deep nasty frown. "Can you stop following me around?"

"Hello? I'm Pikachu, and Prinplup and Pikachu are always side by side." I played by her own game. "Why are you out here, anyways?"

"Because you're not here," she said flatly.

"Aw, is that so? Is it because you like me and you can't stand my hotness?"

She snorted. "You wish. Please leave me alone."

"No."

"The hell?" she spat.

I grinned and leaned against the railing with her. "How come you have to act like a servant in this house?" She refused to answer, and I pulled her hair, causing her to yelp. "Why aren't you enjoying the party?" She remained mute and I threatened to grab her hair again.

"I'm not into parties," she said quickly. I gaped at her. Really? "I don't have a life anymore," she added even quieter. I stared at her for a long time, not able to comment, until she went back inside.

That night, I waited awake in bed until Danny finished cleaning after the party, which would hopefully be her last day.

"You don't need to set the alarm for tomorrow," I told her.

"Why, you'll wake me up?" she said sarcastically. She really had no clue.

After she pleasantly snuggled in bed, I asked, "Hey, Prinplup. Why are you like a servant in this house."

She moaned in annoyance. "Let me sleep. And stop calling me Prinplup." After a few minutes, I poked her shoulder. "Don't you dare touch me."

"Feisty, aren't you?" I said. "Tell me why you're the servant."

"Oh my God,” she mumbled, tugging the blanket over her head.

A piece of her hair fell on my side of the bed and my hand itched to touch it. It was smooth and cold as I tugged it out of it's knot and her hair came loose. Her eyes snapped open in fury and she came to a sitting position. I propped myself up with my elbow.

"Devin, I swear you'll get pushed off if you touch me again," she said sternly.

"I didn't touch you, I touched your hair. It was on my side, that's why," I answered.

She huffed. "Hair doesn't count."

"Then my hand doesn't count."

Her eyes narrowed. "Excuse me?"

"Deal?"

"No, not at all." She sighed and pulled her hair close to her as she plopped back on the bed. "My hair won't touch your side. You better keep your hands to yourself."

My lips spread into a faint smile. "Good night, Prinplup." I couldn’t promise anything.