Daniel's POV
Three and a half years later.
“Open your textbooks on page 58; today we're going to be learning about market research.”
I heard my business class groan for the fifth time this week, and I internally scoff. If they don't like business, why did they pick it?
“Stop your groaning and do what I say,” I told them, a bit irritated.
They whined for a few minutes before actually opening their books.
"Ok, can someone tell me the difference between field research and desk research?” I asked the class.
As usual, no one put their hand up except for Linda.
“Anyone besides Linda?” I asked.
“Just pick me,” Linda replied.
“Go on, Linda.”
“Field research is gathering information straight from the marketplace, while desk research is analysing information that has already been gathered,” she answered.
"Yes, well done." I wrote it on the whiteboard: “Make sure to know the difference between them as we will be having a test at the end of the chapter.”
That seemed to make everyone shut up and listen for the entire duration of class.
**
I checked the time: 9:27 when I'm teaching. I swear, time goes by so slowly.
I looked up to see if my students were doing the work I provided for them; fortunately, they were, and for the first time in forever, it was quiet.
Then I hear two students snickering. I pretend to not hear them and push my nose further into the book I'm reading. I don't get paid enough to give a fuck.
“Mr. Larusso, Billy, and David aren't doing their work,” Linda complained.
Linda is one of my best students; she always participates and is a straight A student, but sometimes she can be annoying, and an example of that is right now.
“Really?” I asked in faux shock.
"Yeah, they're using their phones.”
“Shut up, you snitch,” Billy growled.
"Yeah, you're a bitch,” sneered David.
“Hey! That language is not tolerated in my classroom. Billy, David, step outside. I'll deal with you later.”
"Whatever,” they murmur, rolling their eyes.
“Wait first, I need your phones.”
“No fair,” David whined.
“Yeah, no fair,” Billy agreed.
“Hand them over.”
They scoffed, gave me their phones, and went outside, with David slamming the door on his way out.
“Class, continue your work; this will only take a few minutes,” I told them as I made my way out.
And you guessed it, the minute I walked out, chaos erupted in the class.
I shook my head. This is going to be a long day.
**
Thank God it was finally lunch. I don't think I could handle anymore classes with my bunch.
I walked into the staffroom and saw basically everyone except for my boyfriend. That's weird because he's normally the first one here.
"Whatever,” I thought, maybe he had to go with one of his students or something.
I sat down at the table with the guys, and when they saw me, they immediately went quiet.
“Hi guys!” I greeted them.
"Hi,” they murmured back.
“What were you guys talking about?” I asked them.
"Nothing" “The Declaration of Independence” Dutch and Bobby said it at the same time, making the others cringe.
“What? You're talking about nothing and the Declaration of Independence? That doesn't even make sense.”
“Really? I didn't know that,” Tommy answered sarcastically, shaking his head.
“What's up with you guys?” I asked.
“Nothing; nothing's up,” Jimmy responded, laughing nervously.
“I'm going to go.”
I made my way towards the girls; maybe they could tell me what was going on.
“Hi”
"Oh, hi Daniel, how have you been?” Ali asks me.
“I've been good,” I replied.
There was an awkward silence for a bit until I decided to speak up.
"Um, do you guys know what's wrong with the guys? They're acting weird.”
"Yeah,” Amanda starts. “It's because—” she goes to say, but Jessica puts a hand over her mouth.
“It's because they're high.”
“Oh really?” I questioned, “They don't seem high.”
"Well, they are, so just ignore them.”
“Um ok”
I sat down at the table and asked, “Another question.”
“Yeah?” Jessica says, waiting for me to continue, her hand still covering Amanda's mouth.
“Where's Johnny? I mean, he's normally the first one here, but he's nowhere to be found. I saw him this morning, so I assume he's still in the school, but I can't find him.”
“I don't know where he is sorry,” Jessica stated.
"Yeah, same; I'm sure he'll pop up somewhere,” Ali said, Amanda nodding her head in agreement.
"Yeah, I'm sure you're right.”
**
It was finally the end of the day, and I was so happy to leave the school, especially because today is Johnny and I’s four-year anniversary.
I let my class go out early, so when the bell rang, I made my way towards Johnny's last class. I had to step out of the way as his students were practically running out of the door, but once they were gone, I walked into the classroom.
"Hi,” I cooed, smirking.
“Hey sunshine,” Johnny says, and even after all these years, that nickname still managed to make me swoon.
“Are you ready for our date?” I ask him.
“Yeah, I am,” he says in a soothing voice that gave me chills.
“Let's go,” I beam, taking him by the arm and pulling him towards the exit.
He laughs, “Wait, I need to get something. I'll be a few minutes.”
I was confused, but I nodded nonetheless.
"Ok, I'll be outside.”
A couple of minutes later, Johnny comes out of the school. I tried to see if he had something in his hands or if there was a bump in his pocket, but to my shock, I couldn't see anything.
I shook my head. "Whatever, it's probably not important anyway,” I thought.
“Shall we go, sunshine?”
I put my arm through his. "Yes, let's go.”
**
Johnny drove us to Golf n' Stuff first; we got out of the car, and I dragged him to the rides section.
“Let's go on this one,” I would say, and of course Johnny would agree.
He wouldn't admit it, but he was terrified of heights and would scream every time we skyrocketed down.
“You know you don't have to go on the roller coasters?” I told him.
“I know, but I want to ride with you,” he clarified, and I was absolutely smitten.
How'd I become the luckiest man in the world, huh? Thank the heavens for giving me such a great guy that I can call mine and only mine.
I know what you're thinking. I know our first encounter was, um, quite interesting, but I wouldn't change it for the world if it meant I got the man in the end.
Johnny shook me out of my thoughts. "Um, sunshine, are you alright? Did I break you?”
I gave him a quick peck on the cheek. "No, I was just thinking.”
He smirked. "Thinking, huh? Thinking about what?”
I began to blush, and I covered my face in embarrassment. “I was just thinking about all the stuff we can do here.”
“Yeah? Not about us?” Johnny asked, pulling my hands away from my face.
“Shut up,” I spluttered, smiling.
Then Johnny gave me one of those really precious looks, and I burst, “I was just thinking about us and, y'know, the future and stuff.”
“The future and stuff?”
"Yeah, like where we're going to end up in like five years.”
"Oh, I see,” Johnny said, hands to his chin in a thinking motion.
“Stop making fun of me!” I practically yelled.
“I'm not; chill out, sunshine,” Johnny reassured.
“Right. Let's go play mini-golf.”
We went over to the mini-golf section and picked our clubs, with Johnny going out of his way to get me the tiniest club ever. I don't get what his deal is; we're basically the same height. He's like two inches taller, and he makes fun of me for it all the time.
We played a couple of rounds, and it ended in a tie. I'm not going to lie. I might have cheated maybe once or twice, but it's only because Johnny is so much better at golf than me, which is so weird because a few months ago I was beating him every day. Did he take private golf lessons or something?
“How are you so good at this?” I asked.
“A magician never reveals their secrets.”
“That doesn't even make sense,” I grumbled.
He shakes his head and chuckles while rolling his eyes and scoffing.
We make our way to the photo booth, and like our first "date,” I sit on Johnny's lap. Obviously, it's not as awkward as it was all those years ago, but it's still cute.
In the first picture, we settled on simple smiles; in the second picture, we made our best silly faces; in the third picture, we did a love heart with our fingers; and the last one was of us kissing.
When we got the pictures, we laughed. I gave it to Johnny, and he gave me a confused look.
“I got the pictures last year for our anniversary; it's only fair that you get them this year.”
He gave me a hug and smiled.
“You're the best, y'know that?”
“How can I be the best when you're right here?” I asked, making him laugh again.
“Should we go to the diner now?”
“Of course”
We got back in Johnny's car and sped off.
**
When we reached the diner, Johnny immediately got out of the car and leaped over the other side to open my door.
“Such a gentleman,” I purred. “I'm flattered”
“Only the best for you.”
We entered the diner, and we're seated.
A few minutes later, a waitress came up to us.
“Do you guys know what you want to order?” She asks.
"Yeah, I'll have mac and cheese,” I tell her.
“And I'll have some chips and a hamburger,” Johnny answers.
"Perfect, coming right up,” she states, walking away.
“You always order the same thing,” I say to Johnny.
“Yeah? Because it's good.”
I roll my eyes. I guess he's right.
It takes about twenty-five minutes for our food to come out, and of course it was delicious. We made small talk about our students and school in general, and it was all in all a great time.
Johnny paid for the check as usual, and when we reached the end of the date, I tried to walk to the car, but I was stopped by Johnny.
“There's a beach nearby. Do you want to take a stroll for a few minutes?” he asked me.
“I would love to.”
We went to the beach, Johnny and I hand in hand walking alongside each other.
“I love you so much, you know that, right?” Johnny.
“Of course I do, and I love you so much too.”
I could feel Johnny looking at me. I turned my face so I could look him in the eye, but he looked away, his eyes focused on the ocean.
“I don't think you know what I mean,” he mumbled.
I was super confused. What was he talking about?
“I don't; can you explain it to me?” I asked him.
“I mean, I threatened you before I had the chance to really get to know you, but I always knew that you would hold a special place in my heart, and of course I was right, Daniel. You have no idea of the effect you have on me; you keep me smiling on days I think it's impossible to and warm on my cold ones. Hell, you even helped me pay for my mom's chemotherapy when she had cancer. You've changed me emotionally and sexually, and the years we've spent together have only strengthened my feelings for you, and I-I want to spend the rest of my life with you,” Johnny rambles, tears in his eyes.
“Johnny…”
“Daniel Victor Larusso, I know we've had our ups and downs, but I know I can get through anything with you by my side. Will you make me the happiest man in the world and be my husband?” Johnny smiles, crying down on one knee with a ring in his hand.
I was crying now too, and I chuckled a little at the call back from the time Johnny asked me to be his boyfriend.
“How did you even afford the ring?” I asked.
“I saved up, and I'm getting a new job, but that's not important right now.”
“Of course I'll marry you, Johnny,” I tell him, and he slides the ring on my finger. He gets up and pulls me into a hug, lifting me so my feet are off the ground.
He puts me down and gives me a kiss. I'll never get used to the feeling of his warm, soft lips on mine. He bit my lower lip. I gasped and could feel him smile as he slid his tongue into my mouth.
We pulled away, smiling and crying, my head on his chest, just listening to his heartbeat.
“I can't wait to call you my husband, “Daniel Lawrence.” It's got a nice ring to it.”
“How do you know that I won't keep my last name?” I retorted.
“Because Johnny Larusso doesn't sound as good as Daniel Lawrence, and you know it.”
I finally know what's going to happen to me in five years. I'm going to be living my best life doing the job I love alongside the man I love and maybe having kids? Scratch that definitely having kids.
I rolled my eyes and laughed, pulling him towards the car. “Come on, we have a wedding to plan.”
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Author's Note!
Hello, my Luvs. I hope you enjoyed the first chapter of the second book, which is over 2000 words long. My gosh, I'm working overtime. Anyway, what do you all think? You wanted a second book, and I delivered, so stay tuned for the next chapter. What music should be played at the wedding? I don't have set days because I'm so disorganised, but that's okay. Again, I hope you enjoyed the chapter and have a wonderful rest of the week!
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