To Be Loved? A Dallas Winston Love Story

Chapter One. Only The Beginning

I never dreamed about success. I worked for it.” —Estée Lauder

I fidgeted with the rings that laid on my fingers. One I knew was from my father and the other from whom I'm supposed to be meeting.

There he walked in, he searched through the diner until he laid his eyes on mine. 

I slightly grinned and he slid into the booth next to me “Hello, Nova” he smiled and took a sip of the milkshake i previously ordered. He furrowed his eyebrows once he saw my ringless hand. I understood what he meant. I can read anyone and everyone, so i do, i can tell when people lie and when they are angered or saddened, especially when they're confused.

I took out my other hand “Did something to my hand earlier” i said signaling to how my ring switched hands. “Do I even want to know?” i laughed lightly at his question “maybe?” I shrugged and took a sip of my milkshake. 

“Listen” he leaned in closer from across the booth and wanted me to do the same so I did. He spoke quietly “Bob, he started a rumble. This saturday. It's not a normal rumble, it's bad. I think almost every soc is getting involved. I hate it when you go but” he sighed “the greasers are outnumbered. By a longshot, im talking 5 on 1” 

I thought for a moment “I can get Chloe to help out.” He had a look of sadness on his face but brushed it off. Him, Chloe, and I were all best friends but labels got to Chloe's head and she pushed micheal away.

His perfect smile appeared on his lush pink lips. We were talking about whatever when I saw a group of boys walk in. Darrel was the first to enter and he sent a friendly smile to the hostess, followed by sodapop who was too caught up in his conversation to do more than send one of his movie star smiles to the hostess, followed by ponyboy who had his nose in a book. Last but in no way least, Dallas walked in. Dallas was impossible to read and I could never tell how he would act. He acted one way one day and another the next. 

I wondered why Dallas tagged along, he didn't seem like one to enjoy a meal with anyone. Not even the gang, even if it meant a free meal. But In walked my answer. Johnny. He was one strange boy, he was a difficult one to read, amazing at concealing emotions. But underneath any smile. Was pain. Nothing but pain was all I felt from him. Just pain radiating from his warm smiles. Emptiness radiating from his dark brown eyes, a color so dark it's almost black. One might say it is.

“Your staring” I turned back to micheal my eyes still grazing the six boys “I'm just curious” I responded with a hint of wonder in my eyes as they landed on Dallas and found their way to his christopher. Why does he wear it so often? I asked myself. Maybe it's to remember someone, his mother maybe? But also might be from a sibling, he hates his father so thats not a option.

I looked back to michael and struck up a conversation. “How is your family doing?” I asked as I took a fry from the plate that was now in front of him. “My sister is having trouble with her boyfriend again” “Bob? That waste of space?” he nodded and I sighed. 

“Do you have an umbrella?” I asked after the conversation died out. “At my house, why do you wonder?” i sighed before answering “My mom is having her asshol boyfriend over and for one i don't feel like listening to them screwing all night long and once she falls asleep he's a creeper” he gave me a warm smile before responding exactly how i knew he would “You could always stay at mine? Or the Curtis house?” “no, your parents hate me” “they don't hate you..” “Yea, Yea they do” “why not the curtis’ then?” “because i never talk to them and that would be weird if i showed up one day” he shrugged and finished off his shake.

The waiter came and i sighed when i saw how much money i had in my pocket “i got it” michael said and i tried to stop him but he insisted so i smiled and said “go raibh maith agat(thank you).” he responded “i gcónaí” he wasn't fluent in irish but he tried.
 
We stood up and we walked to his car. Once I sat in the passenger seat he started his drive and turned the radio up loud, with the windows rolled down and the wind blowing through our hair.