Love Or Hate

Chapter 20

"What do I do?" Daniela asked Melissa. They both sat on the swing sets at the park later that Monday afternoon. “Well, I really don’t know what to say Daniela,” Melissa replied. “but I’m kinda envious of you.” “Why? I rather not be in this situation.” Daniela sighed. “It’s because you have two boys fighting over you. That means something.” Melissa answered. “Like what?” Daniela asked. “Well I guess it means that you really can attract boys.” Melissa explained. “But I don’t to be in this situation. Even, what do Louis and Felix see in me?" Daniela inquired. "Well, I'm not sure 'cause I'm not a boy, but maybe it's your personality or look." Melissa examined Daniela. Daniela sighed. "I guess."
"Next week is the state test right?" Daniela asked, now wanting to change the subject. "Yup, you ready for it?" Melissa asked. "Yeah, I don't think it'll be that hard." Daniela said with confidence. "Do you know who is gonna be in the same testing room as you?" Melissa asked as she started to twist around on the swing. "Um Joan, Nina, Louis, Rick and more but I can't name them all." she listed out. "How about you?" Melissa thought for a moment. "I'm pretty sure Alexia, Zane, Hana and I'm not sure who else." Melissa laughed. Daniela smiled, "You don't have to memorize them." "Ha, I know." Melissa replied.
"Too bad we aren't gonna be in the same room together." Daniela said disappointingly. "Yeah, but it makes sense. Our last names are nowhere near each other." Melissa sighed. Daniela laughed, "Yes, your last name being Sanders and mine being Luis, nowhere near each other." "I like some people's last names, like yours I like." Melissa told Daniela. "Yup now that I think about it. For example, Louis Lucas, Felix Hernandez, Frank Diaz. Also, Hana Stiller, Allison Denton, Alexia Tamer, Brooke Med, Paula Cub, Joan Li and more." "Yes." Melissa replied.
Daniela sighed, "I guess I just have to be strong and deal with these things myself." Melissa shook her head, "Maybe not by yourself, but with help from others. I'll be here to help and Frank, Allison, or Alexia could help you." "Yeah you're right. I've got you guys," Daniela smiled. She quickly hopped off the swing. Melissa hopped off too. "Thanks for being a great friend Melissa," Daniela thanked. "What are best friends for?" Melissa laughed. Daniela smiled brightly and laughed as well. "Just pray that everything will go well," Melissa told Daniela. "I will," Daniela assured her. They both soon began to walk away from the park.
The next day, Daniela looked for Felix during lunch. Daniela soon found him talking to Ginger as he entered the cafeteria. Daniela quickly rushed towards him. Felix smiled happily when he saw Daniela come over to him. "Hey Daniela," Ginger greeted. "Hi Ginger," Daniela greeted back. "You mind if I steal Felix for a bit?" Daniela asked. "Why are you asking? He is your boyfriend. Take him," Ginger smiled. "Thanks," Daniela thanked then grabbed Felix's hand and brought him out into the hallway.
"Hello beautiful," Felix smiled as they finally settled into a spot in the hallway. Daniela blushed at his greeting. "Hey Felix," she said shyly. "What do you need me for? Unless you just wanted to spend some time with me?" Felix asked sweetly. Daniela blushed harder. Then she shook her head. "No that's not why I pulled you out so suddenly," Daniela told him. "Then what is it?" he asked. Daniela sighed, "Yesterday Louis -" "Did he do something to you? He didn't touch you, now did he?" Felix cut off Daniela. "No, just let me tell you," Daniela started. "He told me that he was still really likes me," Daniela tried to avoid eye contact.
Before Daniela took Felix to the hallway, Louis watched the both of them closely and carefully from his own table. Frank noticed Louis staring at Felix and Daniela. When Daniela pulled Felix out into the hallway, Louis flinched. Frank smiled. "You gonna go check it out?" Frank asked. "Yes. I guess I will," Louis said. He got up and started to walk to the door leading to the hallway. "Watch her! And don't show yourself to soon!" Frank shouted to Louis. Louis held out a thumbs up and stood at the door, watching and hearing Felix and Daniela's conversation.
Felix's eyebrow twitched. Daniela looked up at him and she watched as his face got red with anger. "I . . uh . . wanted to tell you before anything else happened," Daniela managed to say as she tried to hide away her fear. "Why does this have to happen?" Felix mumbled. "What?" Daniela asked. Felix reached his arms out to each side of Daniela and moved closer to her. Daniela afraid, backed away. Then, she could feel her body touch the wall. Felix's hands touched the wall and his arms blocked Daniela's way from getting away.
Felix looked down at Daniela, she looked up at him. He stared straight into her eyes. Daniela tried to avoid the eye contact. "You still like him, don't you?" Felix asked. "Eh . . I . . ah . ," Daniela stuttered. "So you do," Felix sighed. "I should've known," Felix's face downcast. He moved his arms away and backed up. Daniela sighed deeply. "The truth is Felix, I like both you and Louis I guess," Daniela confessed, "But I still don't understand my own feelings."
"So that's how it is."
Daniela and Felix looked at the door to where the voice came from. Louis walked closer to the both of them. "Louis?" asked Daniela surprised. "Arg!" Felix quickly blocked Daniela. Louis smirked when Felix blocked Daniela completely with his arms and body. "Don't worry. I won't do anything to her. Not yet," Louis assured Felix. Felix turned and looked at Daniela. Daniela blushed uncontrollably at what Louis had said. Felix bit his lip and faced Louis again. "Uh Louis, how much of our conversation did you hear?" Daniela asked. "Um just about all of it," Louis replied. "Oh," Daniela whispered. "It's a good thing I was listening or than I wouldn't have known that Dani still had feelings for me still," Louis smiled. "The problem is that she likes you as well, how are supposed to resolve this?" Louis added disappointingly.
"I know. I get Daniela and you can back off," Felix said coldly. "I had her first you know. What makes you think you can have her?" Louis inquired. "You had her first, yet you broke up with her. Also, I'm dating her right now," Felix replied.  "How the hell are we supposed to resolve this whole situation?" Louis repeated angrily. Felix turned back to Louis. "How about we let Daniela choose what we should do?" Felix suggested. Louis and Felix looked at Daniela. Daniela wasn't sure what to say. "Um maybe . . uh . . . you guys should -" "You both are going to take her out on a date." Daniela was cut off. The three of them looked towards the door.
Frank stood, leaning against the wall. He started walking towards Daniela. Daniela watched as he came closer and closer to her. When Frank was next to her, he moved Felix away from her. "Frank?" Louis said confused. "You guys should give her some space and sometime to think. You two should think about her for a change, not just yourselves. Don't you see the fear in her eyes?" Frank asked in a serious tone. "Louis I told you to watch her not put pressure on her." Frank added. He looked straight at Louis, right into his eyes. Louis looked away, shamelessly. "Frank why did you come here anyways?" Louis asked. "Why would I leave her with two guys like you? I can trust you Louis, but I leave you alone for too long and things can get out of hand." Frank replied.
Louis opened his mouth, "I-" "What was that suggestion you made Frank?" Felix spoke up. Frank looked at Felix. "You both are going to take her out on a date. And it's not a suggestion it's what you two are going to do." Frank replied. Felix smirked, "So I guess this is gonna be how it goes. After the state test is over, I will take her out on a date, then Louis will take her out on a date. Whomever treats her the best, gives her the best time, and confesses how much they love her, wins." Daniela's eyes widened. "Looks like you read my mind." smiled Frank. Louis sighed. "Seems like an okay plan. What do you think Dani?" Louis asked. Daniela's heart was beating fast. "I guess I'm alright with this." Daniela answered depressingly. Her head hung down as she stared blankly at the floor.
Her stomach rumbled loudly. Everyone looked at each other. They laughed. Daniela blushed. She clenched her lunchbox that was in her hand. "I think I'll go now." Daniela slowly walked back into the lunchroom. Louis, Felix and Frank watched as she left. "Two dates in one weekend, how am I supposed to explain this to Melissa?" sighed Daniela quietly. She made it to her table and sat down. "Daniela! How's it going? What took you so long?" Alexia asked. "I was with Felix." Daniela said as she took out her lunch. “Aw Daniela.” Alexia nudged Daniela with her elbow. “Yeah.” sighed Daniela and she took a bite out of her sandwich.
*             *              *              *
        “Ugh!” Daniela moaned loudly on the bus. Melissa patted her on the back. “It’s alright. Look on the bright side what if everything goes well?” Daniela’s eyes widened, “What do you mean what if? So that means everything will go terribly? I don’t want that!” Daniela yelled. “Shh, quiet down.” Melissa told Daniela. “You prayed didn’t you, like I told you.” Melissa asked her. “Yes, I definitely did.” Daniela replied. “Well then God did this for a reason. There was a reason why this is happening. Don’t you think? He is trying to show you something. God always has his reasons.” Melissa smiled. Daniela thought for a moment then slowly smiled. “I guess you’re right. I just gotta believe.” Daniela smiled brightly.
        Melissa hugged Daniela tightly. “You’re my best friend. I wish the best for you. I’ll pray everyday for you.” she held tightly on Daniela’s hand. “And I want you to know that everything will go fine and God will always be there. Always remember that.” “I will always.” Daniela smiled sweetly.