GILDED, daniel larusso x reader

9 | a test of patience

We don't speak for the rest of the period, but there's no need. The shift in the air is enough. I know that with one test score, one moment of shared triumph, things have changed. Not a lot, but enough. I don't hate him anymore. And I'm pretty sure he doesn't hate me either.

This is good.

This is really good.

The bell rings, and I gather my things, the weight of my textbooks in my hands grounding me back to reality. A's and B's, a boyfriend who isn't completely terrible, and track season creeping ever closer. I can live with that.

The bell rings, and I flash a quick grin at Daniel before slipping out of the classroom. The familiar rush of post-class excitement fills me—until I spot Ali in the hall. I make my way toward her, my steps light, already feeling the weight of the good news I'm about to share. We've got math together, so we head that way.

"Hey, Y/N!" Ali greets me, her smile immediately catching my attention. She notices the shift in my mood—because, let's be real, I'm practically glowing. "Uh oh, what'd Daniel get on the test?" she asks, eyes narrowing slightly, already bracing for the verdict.

I flash her my brightest grin. "Your boyfriend got an A-!" I practically beam, expecting her to mirror my mood, but instead, her smile falters, the edges of it fading just a touch. It's subtle, but I catch it.

"He's not my boyfriend," she corrects, the words quiet, but there's an underlying tension there. I immediately sense something's off.

"What?" I tilt my head, confused by her shift in tone.

"We just liked each other," Ali says, her voice low, careful. And then I realize—there's something more here, something she's not telling me. I've been so caught up in my own whirlwind with Daniel that I haven't stopped to check in on my best friend, really check in.

"What's going on? You guys were just at Golf 'n Stuff last week." My words spill out, my confusion laced with concern. I glance over at Johnny, but he's in his usual bubble of Cobra Kai energy, ignoring everyone around him. We walk past, Ali's expression falling even further. "Did—did Johnny do something?"

Ali shakes her head, but there's a heaviness in her sigh, a quiet sadness. "No... it's not that. It's just... I don't think he likes me anymore. And, honestly, I don't think I like him anymore either."

My eyebrows shoot up in disbelief. "What?—Impossible! That guy is literally head over heels for you. Ever since you two met, he's had eyes only for you." I'm still caught in the sheer absurdity of it all. Ali scoffs, but there's something in the way she does it that cuts through me, like I'm missing a piece of the puzzle.

"What's it matter to you, anyway?" she snaps, the words sharp, and I blink, taken aback by her sudden bite. My brows furrow at the change in her tone—this isn't typical Ali. But before I can respond, she softens. "Sorry. It's just... I think there's someone else. I wish I knew who, though."

I can't help but chuckle at the thought of some other girl actually being interested in Daniel. The sheer humor of it makes me snort. "Please. Another girl? 99% of the school thinks he's weird. Who could possibly be that girl? I don't even see him hanging out with any girls."

Ali frowns, her shoulders sagging. "It doesn't matter. I don't like him anymore," she mutters, but the pain in her voice lingers.

I stop walking and turn to face her, placing a hand gently on her shoulder. "I'm sorry I haven't been there for you more, Ali. I feel like I've been so wrapped up in my own stuff that I haven't been a good friend." I mean it, all of it.

She softens, her lips curling into a small, appreciative smile. "It's fine. And you're right. We need to talk more. So, how's it going with Jeremy?" she asks, steering the conversation back to safer waters. We've reached the math classroom now, so we slide into the back row, unpacking our things.

I shrug, the casual motion masking a little bit of uncertainty. "Fine. I mean—I'm sure you've heard about his party."

"Yep," Ali says, her voice teasing. "I'm going."

"Yeah, tell me why he basically told me he wanted to...," I glance around, lowering my voice dramatically, "have sex in his room at the party," I whisper, leaning in to make sure no one else hears. The gossip feels like it's flying off my tongue like something scandalous, but really, I'm just trying to gauge Ali's reaction.

Ali's eyes widen in surprise, her jaw dropping for effect. "Gag me with a spoon. Are you serious?" Her expression morphs into one of equal parts concern and disgust, and I can't help but laugh at how over-the-top she's being.

"Yes, I'm so serious!" I confirm, my tone a mix of incredulity and amusement.

Ali narrows her eyes at me, taking in the gravity of the situation. "Well... are you gonna?"

My eyes go wide, and I slap her arm, which earns me a dramatic "Ow!" from her. "Are you kidding? It's only been a few weeks—almost a month! I'm not that kind of girl."

She shakes her head, clearly disapproving. "The audacity," she mutters under her breath, and I can't help but agree with her. I'm starting to think Jeremy's idea of "relationship progression" might be a little warped.

Just as we finish up our little gossip session, the math teacher strides into the room, all business. "Alright, quiet down," she says, and the classroom quiets almost instantly, the tension breaking.

Ali and I settle into our seats, shifting gears into full-on student mode. The rest of the class drags on in a haze of numbers and equations, but my mind's still whirring with everything that's been happening.

I look over at Ali, who seems a little lighter now, and I silently promise myself I'll make more time for my best friend. After all, she's been there through every high and low—and I owe her the same.