Chapter 2 First Love

• Chapter-2 First Love
• Fortunately, the queue moved fast, and before Danica knew it; she was standing in front of the counter lady.
• “One ho—”
• “Oh my god!” the thirty-year-old woman who was taking the orders squealed. She couldn't believe her eyes; it was like seeing a ghost in front of her eyes. “Is it really you, Danica?" She touched Danica's cold hand and gasped. "Oh my god. Wait, let me bring your favorite hot chocolate.”
• “Hi, Stacy.” Danica tried to force a polite smile on her face, trying to hide her nervousness. She didn't expect to meet one of her old neighbors at this place. “And yeah, it is really me.”
• Flashing her dimples, Stacy handed her the takeout drink. “How long will you be staying? Will you stay forever or—”
• “Are you done yet?” questioned an irritated customer. “Hurry up, please.”
• “Come over to my place tonight. I'll answer all your questions there,” Danica offered and grabbed her drink before moving out of the line in a hurry.
• Just as Danica was about to pull the door to leave the shop, she froze when she heard a familiar voice, “Guess who's at ChocoVivo Café with his best friend today?” Danica reluctantly turned around and looked at the handsome man, wearing a light brown shirt over his white tee with blue jeans. His blue eyes suddenly shifted from the camera to the woman's face who was looking at him. Just like her, his heart also skipped a beat. The only word that managed to slip through his mouth was her name. “Danica?”
• Her breath hitched. She tumbled a step at the unexpected encounter with her first crush. She couldn't believe how her heart jumped at the first sight of him. She thought she was over him—her crush on him was long gone. But little did she know that seeing him in front of her would awaken that fuzzy feeling in her chest. She was well aware that Troy Kingston had become a famous WhyNTuber. In fact, she took time out of her busy schedule to watch his daily videos every night.
• “Troy,” she managed to mumble, expecting a warm greeting from him. After all, Troy was a very kind, jovial person. Probably she wouldn't even mind if he pulled her in a tight bear hug like old times. What she didn't expect was for him to walk past her, making his way out of the shop without another word. He didn't even spare her a second glance.
• Danica stood there shocked at what just happened. She met her former best friend, and he just ignored her. Her instincts told her to run after him, but she didn't have that courage anymore. She didn't know what to say to him. Was he still angry because she had left three years ago without informing him?
• "Hazel, is this really you? I can't believe it. No long no see." Danica got startled at the sudden voice of Hernan, who was as charming as ever. He has always called her 'Hazel' ever since middle school.
• "Yeah, same. How's life?" Danica asked awkwardly.
• “Great. What about you?” he questioned back. He was really glad to see one of his best friends after such a long time.
• “Fine,” she lied, then bit her lip.
• “Are you back in town now?”
• “Yes.” She averted her eyes. She was in no state to talk to him at that moment. She just wanted to escape—like she had been doing for the past three years. “Aziel is alone in the cab, so I really have to go right now. See you later, Hernan,” she said before rushing out of the coffee shop.
• Just as she was getting in the cab outside the shop, her hazel eyes briefly met the familiar blue eyes she encountered just a few minutes ago. Troy was standing right near the café entrance.
• Even though she had known Troy for years, she couldn't decipher the strange look in his eyes. Without another thought, she closed the door and said to the cab driver, “Start the car.”
• Troy watched the cab leaving. He wanted to stop Danica, but he couldn't speak up as if his voice went missing. But given his confusing feelings, maybe it was better to let her leave. Right now, he was overwhelmed with unsure emotions.
• Undoubtedly, he was happy to see Danica. He also wanted to ask various questions. Troy didn't let anyone know, but he was very hurt when Danica left without a single word before. Then again, he could not think of anything else but wanting to know how she had been doing for the past years. Had she been well? She seemed to have lost weight since the last time he saw her.
• "What are you thinking, bro?" Hernan asked after placing a hand on his shoulder.
• Troy almost jumped out of his skin at the sudden contact and let out, "You scared me!"
• "Well, that was the intention," Hernan replied. "Guess who I met today?"
• "Danica?"
• "You met her?" Hernan was surprised that Troy wasn't already jumping in excitement. Troy simply nodded. "Anyways, what do you want to order?" Hernan asked absentmindedly as he was texting Trevor Bennett, their other best friend, and a model, about the arrival of Danica in town.
• "Hot chocolate," Troy replied with a small smile on his lips.
• Hernan stopped typing on his phone at his unexpected reply and placed his hand over Troy's forehead to check whether he was burning up or not. “You don't have a fever. Are you sure you want hot chocolate? That was Danica’s favori—wait,” he paused. “What did I miss while flirting with that handsome dude there? How come I didn't see you two interact?”
• Troy didn't bother to reply anymore and just looked in the direction Danica left, a brief smile tugging at the corner of his lips. Of course, he had every one of her favorites noted down in his head. After all, Danica Waylon was his first love.
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