It was Saturday afternoon, three weeks since Y/N had met Lenora's mother, four since the incident with Gene and his goons. Time had travelled fast, Y/N becoming well acquainted with the Russell family. She and Lenora had become inseparable. Y/N didn't talk to Arvin a whole lot, it stayed the same between them. The stares, the smirks, the occasional shared cigarette. Y/N was currently at the Russell's house, her mother thinking she was out with Sherry and the other girls whilst her father had left for Knockemstiff a day prior.
Y/N and Lenora were on the front porch of the house, talking and drinking some lemonade they had made earlier, waiting for the muffins they had made to cook. Arvin had just pulled into the drive, seeing Y/N and Lenora on the porch, chatting. He smirked and got out of his car, denim jacket over his shoulder as he threw his cigarette on the ground, stepping on it to put it out. Y/N saw his car pull in and subconsciously crossed her legs as Arvin walked up to the girls.
'Hey, Arvin.' Lenora greeted her brother. 'Arvin.' Y/N offered a small smile. 'You ain't gonna mind if I have some of that lemonade? It's real hot out.' Arvin asked the girls, looking at Y/N more than Lenora. 'Sure, here.' Y/N handed him her glass and watched as he chugged it down, droplets running down his chin and neck, trailing along his collarbones. Only now had she realised he was only in a simple white singlet, arms on full display. Her breath hitched as he wiped his mouth with his hand and gave her the cup back all while keeping eye contact with her. Lenora watched the whole ordeal and smiled to herself, knowing what was going on. She was in no way mad, in fact, she was happy. All things going well, Y/N would end up her sister-in-law. Plus, she wanted Arvin to be happy and she knew Y/N could do that.
A timer rang loudly, snapping the two out of their trance. 'Oo! Goodie! The muffins should be ready!' Lenora laughed and dragged Y/N with her to the kitchen. She grabbed the muffins out and placed them on the counter to cool down. The girls walked back outside and sat back down. Arvin had gone to his room and Emma was out the back with Uncle Earskell tending to the garden.
'Soo, you and Arvin?' Lenora asked, a smirk tugging at her lips. Y/N's head whipped to the side and she stared, eyes wide at her best friend. 'I'm sorry, I-', Y/N was cut off by Lenora. 'Don't apologise! If anythin, I'm happy for y'all. And If y'all work out, I got me a new sister!' Lenora laughed. Y/N's cheeks went bright at Lenora's words. She nudged her playfully as if it to tell her to be quiet. 'Lenora! Arvin might hear! And I know he ain't gon forget about it!' Y/N hushed, not wanting Arvin to know what the two were talking about.
Unfortunately for Y/N, Arvin had heard part of the girls conversation as he stood in the kitchen, drinking some beer. The girls were sat right outside the window and it had been left open slightly for the breeze. Arvin hadn't heard anything more than Y/N telling Lenora off for something. She didn't want him knowing something and he wanted to know what it was so he walked back on to the porch, still in the same singlet and looked at the girls.
'What are you two talkin bout?' He asked, leaning against the railing. Y/N gave Lenora a look, making sure she didn't tell the truth. 'Oh, well there's a new preacher at church tomorrow and we were wonderin what to bring for him.' Y/N lied, cheeks tinted pink as Arvin's eyes narrowed slightly, not buying into her lie. 'Yeah, ma is thinking of makin some chicken livers! She makes the best darn ones in the county! Ain't that right Arvin?' Lenora asked. 'Sure does.' He answered, gazing at Y/N occasionally. 'What were your folks thinkin of bringin, Y/N?' Lenora asked. 'Mama will probably be all fancy and get a steak or somethin, but it ain't matter. Food's food.' She shrugged her shoulders. Arvin saw that flutter of darkness in her eyes as she mentioned her mother. She was hiding something most definitely but he still couldn't figure it out.
'My daddy ain't too happy with mama right now, so it might be just us 'morrow mornin.' Y/N said looking over to Lenora. Arvin took note of her body language. She was tense and had her hands fiddling in her lap. 'You're comin tomorrow?' Lenora asked. Y/N hadn't been to church in a couple of months much to her parents' dismay. She had been dragged out to it occasionally but they had given up on forcing their daughter out the door. However, no matter how hard she tried, Y/N could not get her way out of tomorrow's service. 'Yeah, my mama wants me to meet the new preacher. And she ain't gonna be too happy if I don't wear that new dress out soon either.' Y/N explained. Lenora nodded her head in realisation.
'What bout you, Arvin? Are you coming?' Y/N asked, looking over to the boy who was now smoking a cigarette with a beer perched on the railing. 'Don't have any choice if it's the new fella. Grandma's gon need help.' He said. Y/N was excited to see Arvin dressed up and with his hat finally taken off for longer than a few seconds. Arvin was just as excited to see Y/N in that new dress she was talking about. Her all dressed up in her sunday best, singing along to whatever gospel they were forced to.
'Right, well it's gettin late and my mama's at home by herself tonight so I don't wanna be havin her worry too much. I better get goin, I'll see y'all tomorrow.' Y/N smiled, hugging Lenora. 'I'll take ya.' Arvin said and Y/N obliged, climbing into the passenger seat. 'How come your daddy's mad?' Arvin asked quietly, hint of worry in his voice as his truck rolled along the rough asphalt. 'My mama's been goin out at night and he thinks she's been cheatin on him.' Y/N said, not worrying about the truth with Arvin. He hummed in response, unsure of what to say. 'Arvin?' She asked quietly, looking down in her lap. He hummed, signalling for her to continue. 'Do you ever feel trapped inside that lil house? Or so alone you ain't know what to do?' She asked, feeling her nerves building. Was she really about to tell Arvin, a boy she barely knew, everything wrong with her family? 'Yeah. It ain't nice, not one bit.' He answered truthfully. Her nerves eased, knowing that he understood.
A few moments of silence passed before Y/N piped up. 'My mama and daddy don't love each other anymore. Mama spends all of daddy's money, daddy goes off to his other lady and they're always yelling and fighting. Sometimes I just wanna run away to nowhere.' Y/N said quietly, unsure of why she trusted Arvin so much despite knowing so little about him. Arvin felt his heart ache at her words, understanding how she felt all too well. 'You know, when my mama died, my daddy ain't said a single word till the day he shot himself. I ain't never wanted to run away more than then.' Arvin said, letting the younger girl past his walls slowly. She looked at Arvin, eyebrows furrowing in sorrow. She didn't say anything for the rest of the car ride and Arvin knew she didn't need to. That's just how it was.
YOU ARE READING
that damn dress
Fanficarvin russell was always seen as an outsider in coal creek, his family consisted of himself, uncle earskell, his grandmother and 'sister' lenora. always bullied and beaten up, arvin knew he had to be careful with his timing. y/n l/n. she was no str...
