Strangers At First Sight

What is This Feeling...

Liberty was awoken by her obnoxious alarm clock. She checked the clock and grunted. She fell back and hit her head on her soft pillow. She found herself thinking back to last night; the ice cream, the art gallery, and talking to Dallas while they drove home in the truck. Her phone vibrated and so Liberty finally got out of her warm and cozy bed. She checked her phone, it was an unknown number. The text read...

Good morning, Libby! 

Liberty smiled once she read it and texted back.

Morning Dallas -Liberty

How did you know it was me? -Dallas

Yesterday night you said good night Libby; my dad is the only other person that calls me that, but I have his number saved in my phone. So, I took a guess! -Liberty

Well your very smart -Dallas

Seconds later he sent another message saying...

See you at school! -Dallas

Liberty got ready in about fifteen to twenty minutes. She ran downstairs with her bag and books in her arms. Liberty grabbed a bowl and made instant oatmeal before she went out the door into the cold weather. She put her things in her basket and rode off to school in her red bike. "Hey Liberty!" Dallas chirped as Liberty entered the school. "How did you get my number?" Liberty asked adjusting her bag on her shoulder. "a true stalker never tells!" Dallas replied with a goofy smile plastered on his face. "Oh so you're a stalker now, and by the way that's only for a magician!" Liberty replied walking down the hall towards Liberty's locker. "ohh well..." His voice trailed off. "No, but seriously how did you get it?" Liberty asked putting in the combination to her Locker. "Phone book! Dallas said popping the 'b' as he leaned against some lockers; he definitely looked like a jock with his leather jacket and all. "Wow, now was that so hard?" Liberty giggled. "It was top secret!" Dallas said to Liberty as he waved to some of his friends across the hall. 

The first bell rang signaling that class was about to start in five minutes. "What's your first class?" Dallas asked. "It's psychology with Mrs. Anderson." Liberty said as students began to fill the small hallways.  "I'll walk you to class!" Dallas gave a smile. "No, it's okay I can manage." Liberty said politely. "I don't mind." Dallas said walking in the direction of Liberty's class. Liberty hugged her books and stayed put. "Dallas, seriously go to class before your late. I've managed before I met you, I will be fine!" Liberty gave Dallas a sincere smile.  "Okay. See you later." Dallas said walking off in the opposite direction of Liberty. They both looked back at each other when neither of them were looking. 

Liberty walked to class alone and Dallas met up with some of his buddies in the hall, on the way to his math class. Liberty went to her usual desk in the corner of the room, she took out her sketch pad, and began to draw meanwhile Dallas chatted to the students and friends in his math class. 

***

"Liberty come and sit with us!" Dallas waved Liberty over to his lunch table where Jake and Courtney were sat. Liberty looked hesitant but gave in. "Hi." Liberty said shyly sitting next to Dallas. "Hey Liberty, I love your sweater where did you get it, I've never seen it before?" Courtney asked. "I'm not sure it's quite old." Liberty played with her food. "Oh Liberty I want you to meet..." Dallas started. "Lindsey and Shawn, yeah I know who they are." Liberty said not looking up. "Nice to meet you, I guess." Lindsey said in a judgmental tone. "Umm, I'm going to go, Dallas." Liberty said standing up with her tray in her hand. "Why so soon?" Dallas asked. "I'm going to go into the art room and finish my painting, it's due today." Liberty said with red cheeks from embarrassment. "Oh okay, will I'll see you later?" Dallas asked but Liberty just ran off. She threw her tray in the trash and ran into the art room. It wasn't a total lie she did have an art project due tomorrow, but she finished it a week earlier.  

Liberty sat in front of her canvas and grabbed her supplies out her bag, as she held in her tears. The only person in the art room was a freshman girl named Judy; she was packing her things up. Liberty had never talked to her, Judy was always busy doing her work or reading a book. She always wore some huge glasses, wore grandma sweaters, and had her hair in a braid over her shoulder. The door opened and in came Dallas, Liberty quickly wiped away her tears and tried to hide behind her canvas. "Oh hey Judy!" Dallas gave Judy a smile, she returned the smile with a mouthful of braces. Judy grabbed her bag and quietly exited. Dallas made his way over to Liberty and stood over her shoulder watching her finish a painting of a beautiful and realistically detailed waterfall. 

"You really are friends with everyone." Liberty spoke. Dallas pulled up a chair next to Liberty. "and your a great artist" Dallas said not taking his eyes off of Liberty's painting. "Thanks." Liberty said softly. "What happened back there?" Dallas looked at Liberty. "Nothing." She shrugged and continued to paint. "Liberty look me in the eyes and tell me what's wrong." Dallas said sternly. Liberty turned and faced Dallas staring into his bright green eyes. "I just..." Liberty thought for a second and sighed. "I don't want popularity Dallas, I can't explain it...I'm happy being alone." "No one is happy being alone." Dallas said. "They are if they don't feel comfortable around people." Liberty said. "Are you comfortable around me?" Dallas put his hand over Liberty's soft hand. It was almost like time stopped and they were the only people on Earth. The bell rang and Liberty finally released her breath she didn't even notice she was holding. 

"Hey sweetie!" Liberty's dad said as she stepped through the door. "Hey dad." Liberty said a little bumped as she hugged her father. "What's wrong kiddo?" He asked. "Dallas Sandoval that's what." Liberty fell onto the couch. "Who? Oh the kid that returned your wallet." He said. "Yes, him. He is just ugh, I don't know and I have this feeling and every time I see him my face just light's up and he makes my day a whole lot better, but I feel like he doesn't tell me anything about himself, and he is legit friends with EVERYONE." Liberty ranted. "My baby girl has a crush!!" Liberty's dad said. "I do not." Liberty stood up abruptly and crossed her arms over her chest. "Your in denial!" Her dad said. "Whatever." Liberty rolled her eyes.

"What am I suppose to do about him not telling me anything." Liberty asked her father as they drove to a local burger joint for dinner. "That's simple just ask him questions, guys will tell you everything you just have to ask and listen." Her dad responded. "Hmm." Liberty mumbled. Once they arrived they ordered some burgers and fries. "Dad do you ever just miss mom?" Liberty asked. "All the time." He said eating a fry. "What do you miss most about her?" Liberty asked. "Her cooking!" He joked around. Liberty realized that they rarely cook, they normally order fast food or just eat out. "You should invite Dallas over on Friday so I can meet him" Liberty's dad said changing the subject. "Okay I think I will!" She responded with a small smile on her face. Later that night Liberty texted Dallas...

My dad would love to meet you, can you come over Friday? -Liberty

So you've been talking to your dad about me?! ;) -Dallas

Oh no what have I've done! I just made your ego grow even bigger! -Liberty

haha sure I'll be there! -Dallas