Chapter 12
 
  "That's was some workout, huh?" asked Renee as she sat down on the bench
beside Danielle.
  "Yeah, it was.  I thought I was going to pass out.  Master Song worked us really
hard today," Dani replied.
 "Well at least we got that kata down."
 "Yeah," said Danielle a little distracted.
 "What's wrong?" asked Renee.
 "Nothing.  Everything´s... perfect."
 "Really what happened?"
 "Last night, while I was baby-sitting Crystal, she told me that Matt liked me."
 "Really, that's great!" cried Renee. " Now you two will finally get together."
 "That's not all he kissed me," said Danielle.
 "You go chica!"
 "There's only one thing that is keeping this from being totally perfect," said Dani.
 "What's that?" asked Renee.
 "Matt asking me out."
 "You've gotta point.  So...do you think he will?" asked Renee.
 "I hope so," Danielle replied hopefully.
 "He will," said Renee.
 "Thanks for some encouragement," said Dani.
 "Well I have to go home and write a paper on mi familia for Spanish class," said
Renee." ¡Adios y Buena Suerte!"
 "Bye and thanks.  I need a little good luck," said Dani.  After a couple of minutes,
Danielle collected her things and left the dojang.
 On the way home she thought about Matt. She really loved him.  He was nice,
funny, and cute.  She thought about when they first met.  She first saw him at school, he
was sitting alone at a table.  She went up to him and introduced herself, Renee, and
Randy.  Ever since that day in the cafeteria the four of them have been friends.  She
remembered how she taught him to skate and he taught her how to play  soccer.  They
were always together.  When she had started dating, she never thought that one day she
would be interested in Matt or that he would be in her.  It is funny how things do not turn
out the way they are planned.
  When she got home, she went straight to her room and got out her journal.  She
wrote  about every important event that ever happened to her.  She also wrote poetry and
lyrics to songs in her journal.  As she started writing and thinking about her friendship
with Matt and how it would change.  She knew that going out with him would make her a
target for racism.  But then she thought that would be something she would have to deal
with regardless who she dated.  She knew it would be hard, but she would have to be
strong and she would have to pray.  How would Matt deal with it?  She had never thought
of that.  He would suffer because of her.  Could she really put him through that?
Suddenly she was unsure about whether she wanted to go through with it.  She could not
stand Matt being hurt because of a bigot's illogical hate for her because she dated him.
She would have to think her decision over carefully, if she was given the chance.
 Meanwhile Matt was staring at the phone by his bed.  He was wondering if Dani
was home yet.  He wondered if she was thinking about him.  He decided to call her.  He
was nervous and he became increasingly nervous with each ring.  After the third ring,
Danielle picked up," Hello."
 "Hi, it's me."
 "Oh, hi.  What are you up to?"
 "Nothing much, just sitting around," Matt replied casually.
 "I was just sitting here reading some poems that I wrote," said Danielle.
 "Could I hear one?" asked Matt.  He had often wondered what Dani was thinking
when she closed her eyes or she zoned out into another world.
 "Are you sure you really want to hear one?"
 "Yes, I do."
 "Okay. Here's one of my favorites. It's called Two of Hearts," said Dani:
 
   In every life a little rain must fall,
   But you managed to stick with me through it all
   And for that I have to say thank you.
 
   There is no one quite like you,
   That fits just like a tennis shoe
   And is just as true blue.

   When drew upon that deck and came to you,
    I did not know what to do
   So I got to know you.
 
   After a while and some trials you're still here for me
   And we've become good friends you and me.

   As in closing I must say, " I think about you everyday"
   Hoping everything  is the same way.
   As I said before, In every life a little rain must fall,
   But you managed to stick with me through it all
   And for that I have to say thank you.

 "That was great.  Could I have a copy?" asked Matt.
 "Sure.  I could bring it to your house in about five minutes," Dani replied. "I have
it on disk."
 "Great.  Better yet bring it to the park," said Matt.
 "Why the park?"
 "I just thought you might want to do a little blading before the sun goes down."
 "Okay then, the park it is."
 "I will see you in five minutes," Matt replied. " Bye."
 "Bye".
 About an hour later Danielle and Matt were blading through the park and decided
to sit on a bench and rest. " I'm glad we were able to come out here this is fun," Dani said
as she looked around.
 "I glad you came too," said Matt taking her hand in his.
 Dani pulled her hands away and stood up. " I have been meaning to talk to you
about that."
 "I have too," Matt replied.
 "Me first." Dani said.  She sat down and looked into his eyes. "Matt I love you.  I
have...for quite some time.  I want to be your girlfriend, but...I know that I would cause a
lot of trouble for you.  So I think it's best that...we just be friends." Dani finished as tears
started to  form in her eyes.
 "What?" asked Matt in disbelief. " Why?"
 "I just told you please don't make me say it again," Dani begged as it started to
rain hard. " Oh the perfect end to the perfect day."
 "Dani, talk to me."
 "I can't handle this," said Dani as she backed away and  skated away in the rain.
 The rain was coming down so hard it was difficult to see.  So Dani headed for the
first shelter from the rain she came to, under the park bridge.  She decided to wait out the
rain until it was more visible outside.  Matt came a few minutes later.
 "Danielle, I don't understand you.  You make this great decision to save my
feelings and you don't bother to ask me.  Well I want to tell you something I love you.  I
want you to be my girlfriend.  I know it won't be easy, but I want to be with you anyway.
I think you should have let me decide whether I needed to be spared or not."
 "Matt...I'm sorry.  I thought..." said Dani.
 "You think too much," Matt interrupted.  Then he kissed her and held her close to
him. " Why are you shivering?"
 "I´m cold and I'm drenched," she answered. " That kiss, however, did warm me a
little."
 "I'm cold too, but we can't go anywhere till the rain lets up a little," said Matt.
 "I know, but I'm still cold and I look like a drowned rat."
 "Yeah you do," Matt said teasingly.
 "Matt!" exclaimed Dani.
 "I'm just kidding."
 "You better be."
 "I am.  Look the rain is letting up," said Matt.
 "It is?  Well I guess I better get home and get out of these wet clothes 'fore I catch
a cold."
 "Yeah I guess I better do the same."
 "Bye," said Dani as she started to skate towards her car.
 "Bye," said Matt. " Dani...Saturday.  My house. 3:00."
 "Okay.  The usual?"
 "Maybe.  I've a surprise for you."
 "Okay see you then."  Then Danielle left for her car.  She definitely had
something to look forward to.
 

© 1998 Devon Masterson. All Rights Reserved.