Don't Leave Me Hanging

Gifts

For the past couple weeks Dan and I have been talking back and forth, face timing at least once a week and texting almost every day. Of course, he always has the more interesting story since he was on tour, but it only made me want to listen more.

"Oh, hey, Kyle said to check the post office because he got you a few things for your birthday," Dan mentioned.

I smiled, stepping into my car and starting it up, "That's sweet, tell him I say thanks!" I said, waiting for Dan to reply before ending our call.

Before heading home from work, I did stop my the post office and checked to see if I had anything. To my surprise, a large box was waiting for me, I smiled before taking it out back to my car and driving back home.

Once I stepped into the flat, I was greeted with another surprise. A large bouquet of flowers lying on the kitchen table. Frowning, I slowly set my things down and checked for a note on them, but there was nothing, "Ashleigh, are these flowers yours?" I called, hoping for a response.

It wasn't long before I heard her tell me no, and that she didn't know who sent them, "Huh," I said softly, picking them up and my box and heading off to my room.

I sat down on the floor, grabbing the scissors and opening up the box. The first things on top were a couple of vinyl I really wanted, including Banks, The 1975, The Griswolds, and a couple more of my favorite bands. Then came a large box with just CK wrote on the top of it in sleek lettering. The second I saw it, I immediately knew who it was from. Dan had seen me scrolling through Calvin Klein's website, adding random shit to my cart which I saved, leaving me with the only guess was that Dan sneaked onto my computer and ordered it all.

I pulled the box out and set it down for later because I found a couple more pieces of vinyl, one of them is Other People's Heartache part two, which he knew was my favorite. I couldn't help but smile, taking it out and flipping it over to see a little note Dan left;

Killed a few people to get this one xo

I chuckled at that, setting it aside and finding Wild World sitting at the bottom of the box, another little note written;

Heard about this new band, thought you might like them

I couldn't help but roll my eyes at that, taking it out before picking up my phone and phoning Kyle. I knew that Dan had gotten all this for me, but I saw no harm in messing with him.

"Hey, Kyle, can you do me a favor?" I asked once he picked up.

"Uh, okay?" He replied, a bit confused.

I quickly explained what Dan had done before pitching my idea in, "If he asks if I ever got the package say that it was lost in the mail or something, just mess with him."

Kyle laughed, "I like your thinking, you've got my word."

~~~

In a couple days time, I got a Skype call from Dan, "Hey! How are you?" I asked when he answered.

"Alright," He said before quickly asking mentioning that Kyle told him I didn't get anything in the mail.

I nodded, setting my pen down, "Yeah, I told Kyle to call and he said that it was lost," I said, chuckling a bit.

"Shit," Dan said, running a hand through his hair. He seemed to get pretty mad, going on and on about how 'Kyle' took a really long time getting those gifts and how he really wanted to see you get them.

I waited until he stopped rambling before mentioning it, "Oh, yeah, by the way, I really like the vinyls."

His eyes immediately lit up, a grin coming to his lips, "You got them?!"

I laughed, grabbing the computer and showing him the box in my room, "Nice job trying to hide it."

Dan laughed, "Did you like them?" He asked, "I was really worried about the clothes because I wasn't too sure about the colors because, damn, there's a lot of color options. But I asked Ashleigh and she helped me an-"

"Dan, they're perfect, thank you," I said, grinning from ear to ear. "You honestly didn't have to buy all this."

He waved a hand at me dismissively, "Yes I did, I wanted to make sure you had something for your birthday and Christmas. And since I don't know if we'll see each other for Christmas," Dan said a bit more softly.

I rolled my eyes at him before assuring him that there's a thing called, calling, even though we both know it's better to see each other in person. Dan and I kept talking until it was at two in the morning, both of us working on something while we talked.

By the time we said goodbye, I was able to finish filling out my entry form for a horse show in St. Louis that was in a couple of weeks. I thought it wasn't too bad of an idea since the horses could use some exposure to the American circuit, despite Dan's protests who keeps saying I'm going to get hurt. But what's the worst that could happen?

~~~

Happy (late) Christmas! Hope you guys had a good one and I hope you guys have a happy New Year (honestly, can't wait, 2016 was shit)!

- Lots of love, Vanina