That night would forever replay in your mind like a broken record.
The sky was filled with stars, and under a large tree, sat Daniela with her head in your lap, pointing out the random shapes the stars made. You were both barely seventeen and shared dreams of becoming big in the entertainment industry. Daniela had talent. You recognized from the day you both became friends. But apart from talent, she was kind and humble; traits that were rarely seen in someone as popular as Daniela. And somewhere along the line, you fell hard for her, with hopes she fell harder.
The signs she showed didn't tell you otherwise, or maybe that's just how it was in a friendship.
“Can you believe we're gonna finish high school in a few days? No more late afternoon cheer leading practice.” She giggled, her voice holding a hint of sadness. “I wish it wasn't over. But hey, at least I have you.”
Her words made warmth spread throughout your chest. Then she sat up and faced you. “So, are you excited for prom? Oh my god! Mom found this stunning blue dress I have to show you this weekend!”
The most awaited event for all seniors.
You hadn't really thought about the outfit. All that was on your mind was asking this Latina- who had been through thick and thin with you, to prom.
Your hands were shaking with nerves and she frowned, before taking hold of them. “Hey, you can tell me anything. What's wrong?”
Her intense and concerned stare was not doing you any justice but it was better to say it now.
“Daniela…I…I really like you.”
She smiled, caressing your cheek. “I like you too silly! Aren't we best friends? Actually I love you so much!”
You closed your eyes, fighting back a sob and a laugh because out of all things, Daniela was very oblivious when it comes to things. “Daniela…not like that…” you whispered, “I like you romantically and was wondering if you'd like to go to prom with me.”
Daniela froze and immediately pulled back, putting some space and her reaction made it worse. “I-Wait yn that's…that's so unexpected.”
She nervously began fiddling with her fingers, and when she met your eyes, she saw the tears building up. “Yn I'm so sorry… but I'm going with Nicolas and I really really like him,” she whispered, “I only see you as my best friend. Please don't let this change anything between us! I don't want to lose you!”
You swallowed the lump in your throat and held her hands. “You know what? It'll pass. It's just a stupid crush anyways. And I'm glad Nicolas asked you out. You've been talking about him non-stop.”
Even as you babbled away, Daniela stayed quiet because a part of her wasn't sure what she felt for you. It was definitely love. But was it platonic or romantic?
After a while, you took her home in silence, not even bothering to walk her to her door as you drove off in a hurry to go home and ugly cry into your pillow.
The next morning, you sent Daniela a text, knowing she would most likely worry. You told her you'd be okay and just needed some time to be by yourself. As much as she wanted to reply and protest, she knew you needed it, so she left it as that.
Prom night arrived and the situation had blown over. At least on Daniela's end. Nicolas had come to pick her up and Daniela's mom took pictures of them. Prom was the best night of her life, well, almost the best. She kept checking her phone and the door, hoping you'd text or walk through at any moment. By the time she arrived home, you hadn't contacted her. She sent multiple messages, all which went to deliver.
At least she had the guy of her dreams now, since Nicolas had asked her to be his girlfriend. A week had gone by, Daniela was out with Nicolas when you came over to their house. Ana opened the door and smiled widely. “¡Hola pequeño!” She greeted you enthusiastically.
You smiled, though it quite didn't reach your eyes. “Is Daniela home? I need to talk to her.”
Ana's smile dropped a little, “No she's out with Nicolas right now, is everything okay?”
“No, Ms. Llorente, it's not.”
She led you into the living room and you took a seat. “I came to say goodbye to her. But she's not here.”
“What's wrong?” Ana asked, sitting next to you. Even though you had a mom, she was like a second one to you. Always giving you equal treatment with Daniela.
“I'll be going away to Slovakia. My grandmother's sick and my family and I are moving there to take care of her.”
Ana nodded understandingly, placing a comforting hand on your shoulder. “Let me call Daniela and tell her to come home. Maybe they're done with their date.”
“Yn you're leaving. You'll still keep in contact right? With Daniela? Or even with me?”
You shrugged, not giving a definite answer because you were using this as an opportunity to forget her. After all, being in love with someone won't vanish in a couple months. “I have to go. We'll be leaving for the airport soon.”
Ana got up and hugged you tightly, feeling the tears spring to her eyes. “Mantente segura mi amor,” she smiled through tears, “Make sure to eat and take good care of your grandma.”
You nodded, and wiped her eyes. “Do me a favor please. Don't tell Daniela I stopped by.”
Ana knew it would be difficult keeping it from her daughter but she also valued you like one so she promised not to tell her. “You love her, don't you?”
You froze, and nodded your head in shame. “I'm sorry for everything, yn. You would've made a great lover for her.”
“Yeah well, it is what it is.”
A car horn honked in front of the gates and you stood up, giving her one last hug before heading into your parents’ car. Your mom poked her head out and shouted to Ana, “Take good care of my Daniela!!”
Ana smiled and waved, nodding because the words were stuck in her throat.
When Daniela came home, she was smiling ear to ear, bringing home bags of goodies and other things. She greeted her mom and went to her room, immediately texting Nicolas, not before checking your messages. You still hadn't replied to her texts.
A few weeks in and Daniela had reached her limit. She woke up early and walked to your house a few streets over. But as she arrived, she saw a sign in front of the yard, a padlock on the gates.
Her entire world became a blur as she raced home in a hurry. The doors slammed open, making Ana jump. “MOM!! YN'S SELLING HER HOUSE!!”
Ana acted surprised, putting down her spatula. But her surprise faded when she saw Daniela beginning to panic, flailing her arms, looking around like a lost child. “Mom, she sold it! Where did she go?! Why didn't she call or text?! Or say goodbye!! Mom, she hates me!! Mama!!!”
Ana caught Daniela as she collapsed into her arms, hugging her mom tightly and sobbing. Ana took hours trying to comfort Daniela and eventually Daniela fell asleep like a baby.
Your sudden disappearance had Daniela spiraling for a few months. She practically rotted in bed until Nicolas and her mom decided to do something about it. So Nicolas would go over every day, chatting with her, listening as she vented everything. Of course, she didn't tell him about the confession part because part of her still wanted a memory to keep between you two, even if it was the downfall of the friendship. Her mom would teach her new dance moves everyday, listen to her sing and perform.
By the age of nineteen, she had broken up with Nicolas because he cheated and she still didn't forget you. The hurt was there, the pain and sadness a reminder of what she lost. She blamed herself and the thing that hurt most was that you never called or texted. Not even once and every night, she would scroll through text messages, old photos, and other things that had you in them. Eventually, auditions opened up for an idol academy. Daniela obviously auditioned, because it was an opportunity to finally make her dreams come through. When she made it in, her family celebrated by throwing a small party.
But once the party reached a climax, she walked into her room, her face a mix of excitement and sadness. She closed the door to her room and sat on the bed, typing messages after messages. She kept your number and used your chat as her personal diary. Giving you updates, venting, all in hopes of you replying. Yet you never replied. And it should've crushed her. But she didn't wanna delete your number. Because if she did, then she'd have nothing left of you.
Two years had gone by, Daniela worked her butt off in dream academy and finally debuted in the group. To say she was happy was an understatement. When her name was called, she wanted to pass out but the joy and excitement kept her awake.
At the end of the announcement, she embraced the other five of the girls she would now be sharing a life with. At home, she laid in her bed and stared at your photo. “I made it, yn,” she whispered, “I hope you see me on TV and feel proud of me. I hope you made it too.”
And somewhere in New York, you had just finished wrapping up shooting for your first ever movie when your mom called. “Yn!! Daniela made it in the group!!”
“Really? That's amazing, mom!”
“I know right? She worked so hard but I'm so pissed at how HARD they had to work.”
You hummed along as you went back to the trailer. After chatting for a while, your mom hung up and you threw the phone down on the couch.
If only Daniela could see how far you've made it too.
Both of you worked hard to make your dreams come through, but you weren't there for each other when it happened.
And maybe, just maybe, this was the chance to meet each other again.
Two years had passed since that day. Both you and KATSEYE were recognized faces in the industry and everywhere you went, you saw their face and they saw yours. It was honestly surreal, knowing one minute you and Daniela were seventeen years old and dreaming of becoming artists and the next, you both were famous icons in the entertainment industry.
The car pulled up in front of the hotel you were staying in. Marlon and Adéla stepped out and rushed in before they could be seen by anyone. You were sitting on the bed, reading through the lines of your next upcoming movie when they burst through the door. “Enough of the reading nerd! Get up and get ready! We're going out!” Adéla plopped right on top of your pages while Marlon plopped on the other side.
“Guys come on. I want to read through my lines.”
“Yeah yeah we get it. But you need to have some fun bro. Your movie promotion literally just ended and you're already jumping into the next? What happened to not overworking yourself?”
You rolled your eyes at Marlon's words even though they were practically true. Scream 5 movie promotion had just ended yesterday and you were already booked and bust. “Even if we go out, where would we even go?”
“Okay! I got three tickets to LE SSERAFIM's concert this afternoon right here in New York.”
You instantly shot up, gripping onto Adéla's shoulders. LE SSERAFIM had become your favorite group and it was shocking even to yourself that KATSEYE wasn't on the list.
“Are you fucking with me?!”
“Girl no! Now get your ass up and get ready.”
While you took a shower, Marlon was picking out your outfit. You took some time to get ready and the three of you made your way to the venue. Many people had started piling in but Adéla had VIP tickets which meant you'd be in a secluded area watching the concert. Marlon got some drinks and snacks and brought them over.
Within the blink of an eye the concert started and you were absolutely mesmerized by the movements of the members, your eyes glued to them with a child-like expression.
And while you were too engrossed, Adéla was greeting the members of KATSEYE who were also here, attending the concert. Marlon nudged you, breaking your intense focus. “Isn't that KATSEYE?”
KATSEYE. The name made you tense up and you hid next to Marlon. Thankfully his height made it hard for you to find. But unbeknownst to you, a certain Latina had already spotted you but she didn't say anything. She stood next to her members, her eyes cast down and welling up with tears.
Halfway through the concert, you left to find a washroom and bumped into someone carrying snacks. “Oh fuck! I'm so sorry-” the woman looked up and made you jump back. Daniela was on the floor, soda soaking through her shirt. She sat up and nervously brushed her skirt. “Let me buy your-” “Cut the crap.”
Now she finally had you cornered and you cornered and there was absolutely no escape.
Before you could protest, Daniela gripped your arm tightly and dragged you in the parking lot, shoving you in her red carpet before locking the door. “Daniela, what are you doing? Let me out.”
She shook her head, her grip on her arm tightening, like she was afraid of letting you go again. She wasn't going to endure years of loneliness again. “Four years…” she whispered, almost like she couldn't believe you were real. “Four years ago you left me without saying goodbye. What did I ever do to you? Hmm?” Her voice was shaky with pent up emotions.
You couldn't reply, instead, you looked down at her hand gripping yours. “Look at me, yn. Why didn't you say goodbye? Why didn't you keep in contact? I was worried my ass off for years!!! Do you understand how lonely I felt?! How much I cried for you at night?!” With each word her voice rose, tears spilling over. The air suddenly became suffocating and you sat there quietly, listening as she poured her frustrations out. “I wanted you to be there. To sit in the crowd during final announcements. I wanted to hear you say you're proud of me… I needed you and you weren't there…”
“My grandmother got sick, Daniela. In Slovakia. So my family and I moved to take care of her. She passed away two years ago.”
“Oh…why didn't you tell me? I'm so sorry for your loss,” her grip has loosened just a fraction, and now her hand was resting on your shoulders, before slowly moving to cup your face.
“I came by your place the day I left. You weren't home. But your mom was and I told her. She said you were on a date with Nicolas.”
Daniela stiffened because the memory of her catching the boy she was so in love with kissing another girl was fresh in her mind. “You guys broke up huh?”
“Yeah. He cheated. It's fine now. I was stupid then. I didn't know what I had…until I lost it.”
You nodded, admiring how much she had grown both physically and as a person. Her natural curls were loose around her shoulders, and her eyes were brighter. “I'm sorry for leaving Daniela. But I wanted to get a fresh start but also had to take care of my grandma. I wanted to get over you,” you admitted the last part quietly but she heard, and she softened.
You looked down. Have you really gotten over her? These past few years you didn't really feel any bit of sadness from the rejection, but now, being face to face with her, her hands on your face, everything came rushing back in like a flood. “I saw your face on a billboard out of the city,” you smiled, taking her hands off your face.
Daniela felt sad, and hurt, but didn't say anything. Her hands dropped limply to her side and she nodded. “Y-yeah. Yeah we're trending. I saw your movie too. I didn't know you had a thing for thriller,” she teased, her tone suddenly turning light and for a moment, everything felt normal, but it really wasn't. You knew nothing would be the same now. Neither of you are the same seventeen year old you were back then. “Yeah, it's my first major role. I enjoyed it, you know?”
“We both are enjoying what we do. It's nice to see you again.”
She was quiet for a moment until she suddenly hugged you. You froze for a while, then reciprocated the hug, melting in her arms. “Don't leave me again. Please.”
She noticed how quiet you were, how your hug was hesitant. “Can we exchange numbers?”
You nodded and gave her your number while she did the same.
Your friendship was fragile, it wasn't as tight knitted as it was back then.
Because some stories don't get a second chance-they get rewritten.
Taglist: @meganswhxre @visionsoffutile @bloodredpeach @wtfisthisnoclueman @mayzini @eyekonic18 @kikilezbo @sheep-the-dog @firstclassjaylee @romanoffsrequiem @gabsrevival @ctrlamira @idontwannabeable @x-d4cvalentine-x @randomperson868 @danielasleftpinkytoe0471 @persephvnes-elysivm @rainstormb @aoeiurgnmddk @pizzachicken @dallssi @lararajjs @insomniacdanni @trintrillakilla @xiiaann @ijustlovemaths @chosoprettygirl @sporty-girl-457 @av4nzini @zephyyrrr @billiepiperstrapon @meiyokstarr @guitarfrek @pepeplatypus24 @cazeeee @gustyblankets @gayforher @scarly07 @meganlvr @andyyyyy14 @everygayhere @indigo491 @pplanetmarss @elienoir @hurriedlyworthyblight @sneakybananabox @misteechix @awkwardtoafault @bandaidss320 @zeraaaat