CHAPTER TWENTY-THREEE

"Daniel". Bella called out to him once they sited him by a stall of teenagers selling handmade headbands

"Oh hey Bella". He called out back before quickly purchasing what he wanted and hid it in the brown paper bag given to him

"She's never called out to me with so much enthusiasm". Nick mumbled with a sigh

"You know, possibly the reason you haven't gotten her is because you try too hard". Raph whispered to him "try to be a little withdrawn" he smirked

"You think so?". Nick asked unsure

"I know so. I got her after all". Raph grinned gesturing to Stella who had also joined the girls along with Dora

"That's my sister you're talking about". Steve smacked Raph's head behind

"I'm just speaking the truth. No need to get violent". Raph rolled his eyes "you can ask Stella. It's a fact and she knows it".

"What were you getting?". Bella asked Daniel once they got him

"Just something". He smiled

"At a hand band store?". She raised a brow but he just shrugged

"Hey everyone". He greeted them and they replied while Nick grumbled his reply. He raises a brow at him but didn't comment

"So you girls ready? Everyone's waiting". He asked gesturing to Violet and Dora earning him raised brows from both

"Everyone?". Violet asked

"Oppps". He chuckled nervously. "You know mums and dads"

"Mums and dads?". Dora questioned

"Okay can we go already? Enough with the questions. It's getting late". He groaned

"You guys planned something right". Dora's asked widened in glee

"You brought your car right?". He asked ignoring her question

"Durr, of course". She rolled her eyes

"Good! The keys". He stretched his hand with his palm wide open

"What? Why?". She asked

"To drive durr". He rolled his eyes

"Didn't you drive yours"

"Why would I? How would I have taken you both back".

"You don't have no act as our bodyguards"

"But I want to. I won't take chances again. Now the keys''. He said gesturing to his outstretched hand

Everyone except Tristan, Dora and Violet raised a brow at his words

"Again?". Nick blurted out "what happened before"

"Nothing". Dora said in a monotone before grudgingly dropping her keys in his hands

"Good girl. Now let's go. Bye guys and girls". He waved at the others as he walked away to give the girls time to say their goodbyes

"So.. I'll see you on Monday?". Tristan asked

"Yh. I guess". Dora smiled nodding

"See you all on Monday. Bye!". Violet called out to them

"Bye everyone. Bye Tristan". Dora said before walking off with Violet

"Ohh, Trist has a special goodbye". Raph teased and the others snickered except Tristan who rolled his eyes

"Dora!". He called out to her

"Yes?". She turned around confused

"I'll leave". Violet nodded at her and left to met Daniel

"Why did you-". She began as he got to her only to shut up as he leaned down and sealed their lips together. She was shocked for a moment before she recovered and kissed him back with the same enthusiasm, all the while smiling

"I love you". He whispered after they broke the kiss and placed their forehead together. Her eyes widened at his confession before she suddenly went shy and avoided his gaze

"I love you too". She whispered

"I know". He grinned making her eyes widen again as she blushed profusely

"How?"

"Do you feel it?". He asked, placing her hands on his chest where his heart is beating fast

She nodded shyly. She could feel his frantic heart beat. And it felt nice knowing it's for her 'mine'. A voice growled in her thoughts making her smile

"I felt it, the first time we met".

"In the class?"

"No in the garden". He whispered in her ear making a shiver run down her spine.

"Garden?". She made a confused face making him chuckle

"You're cute". He chuckled "you should go. Bye, I love you". He pecked her lips before smiling and nudging her

Still confused she nodded and left towards her brother and Violet who seemed to be in a heated discussion but stopped the moment they noticed her.

"What's wrong?". She asked

"Nothing. Let's go". Violet gave a smile pulling her away. She could tell it was forced and she wanted to produce but decided against it. Besides what Tristan still told her was in her mind. 'Garden'

"Violet, have you seen Tristan anywhere before we met in college?". She asked Violet, some minutes after they've entered the car and Daniel had began driving

"No, I don't think so. Why?". Violet asked confused

"Nothing. Don't mind me". She smiled waving the topic off and began talking about something else till they got to her house

*****

"We are here". Daniel announced as they got to their destination "you both go inside while I pack the car well". He added waiting for them to get down

"Good luck". He waved giving them a creepy smile earning his a pair of perfectly raised brows but he just shrugged and turned his attention back to the car

"Is he high on something?". Dora asked chuckling but Violet only shrugged

"Are you alright?". Dora asked concerned

"Yh. Let's just go inside". She smiled and they both walked towards the front porch

"You don't have your keys with you?". Violet asked amused when Dora had rang the doorbell instead

"It's with my car key. Yours?".

"Left it at home". Violet shrugged

"Why's no one answering". Dora scrunched her face

"Hey why aren't you girls going in". Daniel asked from behind them few feet away

"My Key's with you and no one's answering". She answered

"Oh. Here". He threw the keys which she caught with ease

"We're home!!". Dora yelled after both she and Violet entered the house

"Daniel?". Dora asked Daniel who was behind them and about to come inside

"Yh". He asked

"Where's everyone?"

"No one's there?". He asked coming in

"Yes"

"I'll just go check the garden then". He said going towards the back door

"I'll get some water. Want some?". Dora asked Violet as she placed her purse and the gift on the sofa beside Violet

"Sure thanks". Violet smiled

Dora returned the smile and left the kitchen, stretching her body on the way as she hummed some lyrics

"Here you go". Dora returned and handed Violet a new medium sized bottle water

"Thanks". Violet nodded taking it

"I'm a bit tired today. It was so fun, we need to do that again". Dora said as she unscrewed the bottle cap "wow can't believe I was this parched". She muttered after gulping more than half the bottle

"Same here". Violet sighed satisfied after also gulping than some water

"So you and Tristan huh?". She wiggled her brows at Dora

"Oh shut up"

"So, you two like a couple now". She grinned tickling Dora's side

"Violet". Dora whined with a giggle as she tried escaping

"Come on ju-". Violet was saying only to be interrupted by sudden call of them both which alarmed them