I was standing by Gigi's locker checking my phone every now and then to see if I received a message from her. I felt horrible when I shouted at her. I could tell she was hurt. But the worst part is, I don't know why I decided to lash out at her. All she did was tell me I read well. But I hated it, I hated being the center of attention. I hated having all eyes on me. Ten minutes before the first period started, I saw Gigi approaching towards her locker. She stopped once she saw me.

"I'm sorry." I began "I'm sorry for lashing out, I know it was wrong, I feel horrible you don't deserve it-"

"Hey" she cut me softly "it's ok!"

"But I was a total bitch to you!" I complained.

"I know" she smiled "but I feel like it was my fault. I shouldn't have kept going and I didn't know it bothered you."

"It's ok, you didn't know. Peace?" I opened my arms, waiting for her to hug me.

"Hhmmm, I don't know, considering the fact that-" I cut her off by giving her a bone crushing hug.

After our embrace, we headed towards the girls.

"That one?" Stephanie pointed a girl with glasses.

"Nah, not his type." Lori said.

"And that one?" Chelsea signalled the small girl that passed by.

"Too petite."

"Hey Guys whats up?" Gigi butted in.

"Oh haven't you heard?" Gigi and I looked at each other "Daniel skipped the whole school period with a girl."

"No fucking way!" Gigi exclaimed.

Oh no.

"What's the big deal? They were having sex probably." I asked.

Casually.

"Daniel normally skips a whole period to bang a girl in the janitor's closet. But this. This is new."

I never felt so uncomfortable in my LIFE.

I caught Gigi look at me.

"What why are you staring at me like that?" I stuttered.

"You skipped the whole school period too." She pointed out.

Oh fuck.

"Uhh yeah I-I didn't feel well." I lied.

"OH MY GOD!" The girls screamed, causing heads to turn.

Before I could react, I was pulled into the nearest bathroom.

"Beat it." Lori spat to the freshmen girls, causing them to rush out. Once the whole bathroom was clear they all looked at me.

"Spill." I rolled my eyes.

"Ok yes. I was that girl" they all squealed "but nothing happened."

"Oh really?" Chelsea smirked.

"He took me to some beach and started telling me this crappy story about his mother. But that's it." I pointed out.

They all gave each other the same panicked looks.

"What? What's wrong?"

"Astrid" Lori began "what was the beach like?"

"Well, it had like, rocks-"

"On each side?" She finished as I nodded "and what about his mother. What did he say?"

"Well he began to tell me how he used to go there every night to hear the waves. What? Why is this important?"

They all looked at each other.

"Guys what's going on!" I called out.

"Astrid." Stephanie began "Daniel's mother died a five years ago."

Oh my god.

"They were in the car, it was raining and dark outside. They didn't see the coming truck." Chelsea finished.

My heart sank.

God I'm such an idiot!

"His mother was the only one who died." Gigi added.

My head shot up.

"Only one? Was there somebody else?"

They all looked at each other before Lori continued.

"Daniel also has a sister. But, that's his story to tell." I nodded understanding.

"Oh my god" I whispered "I basically insulted his mother!" I ran my hands through my short brown hair.

"God I feel awful!"

"Hey! You didn't know!" Lori tried to say.

"I know but still!"

They all hugged me saying that it was ok.

"Has he? Has he ever gone to that beach after..." I couldn't finish the sentence.

"He tries to go there every night. But, he never has company." Lori commented

"What do you mean?"

"That beach is like his safe haven. When he has a bad day, he goes there. Jack and Alex didn't get to go with him. Not even Mason. So this whole 'bringing you to the beach' thing is kinda new. It's like he's showing a new side of his persona" She continued to explain.

"What does that even mean?"

"I guess we could say...that you're special to him." Gigi concluded.

I rolled my eyes "whats so special about me?"

"I don't know" Chelsea shrugged "but he's gonna find out soon."

***

Gig and I left Spanish with terrible news (well, for Gigi). We had a Spanish test on Monday. I promised her to help her through her revision the night before, as she was going to be busy with Mason.

Her words not mine.

We were currently standing in front of my locker as I was getting my things for the weekend. As soon as I closed it, Daniel's face appeared, causing me to scream.

"Jesus Christ you need to stop doing that." I exhaled, with my hands onto my chest.

"I need your help for the test on Monday." He spoke as he chuckled by my reaction.

"Sorry, I'm helping-"

"Mason will help me" Gigi cut me off "she's all yours."

"Wait what?" I exclaimed.

"You'll thank me later." She whispered, and then it clicked. It could be my chance to say sorry to him.

Gigi waved us goodbye and I turned around to ask him when and where we could meet.

"Come on let's go." Daniel spoke, causing my brows to furrow.

"We're going to my house and study." He explained as he began to walk.

I looked at him with disbelief, still standing at the same spot "Why not tomorrow?"

"Busy"

I rolled my eyes and caught up with him. As soon as we got to his car, he turned the engine on.

The ride was silent. Again. I looked out into the window with my fingers drumming onto the sides of my seat.

I heard Daniel chuckle, causing my head to snap towards him.

"What's so funny?"

"Just remembering the day I told you that would get that study date." He then locked his gaze with mine "turns out it came true!"

I scoffed and looked into my window.

Even though he could be a douche, he would still manage to make a smile appear on my face.

"I know you're smiling."

"Am not." I lied, causing him to chuckle.