Cinnamon & Rubies // The Outsiders

ten

The pounding in Caroline's head was not being helped by the bang, bang, banging on the roof above her. She sighed, setting her book off to the side. There was no possible way for her to be able to read that right now with the headache that was mounting in her temples. Pinching the bridge of her nose, the auburn haired woman inhaled sharply and then dropped her hands, standing.

Men shouted outside as they hauled things up and down ladders onto her roof. The storm had ripped off a good chunk of roof that they put the majority of their funds towards fixing. She was incredibly grateful when Darry gave her the information for the company he works for and they gave her a discount for "being friends with one of our best guys", as stated by the owner.

Noticing that it was nearing noon, Caroline headed to the kitchen and began to make lunch. If the portions were bigger than normal, she didn't notice. Whipping up a batch of her sweet tea, she simply ignored the tiny voice in her head telling her that there was definitely a reason for her sudden interest in making so much food.

The banging slowed and then stopped all together and footsteps pounded their way down the ladders, voices floating around the yard. She peeked out one of the kitchen windows and saw the man she was looking for sitting under a tree, his eyes closed and his dark hair tousled, the grease he usually applies missing today. Gathering two plates, some glasses, and her pitcher, Caroline walked out and stopped just short of him.

"Afternoon," she greeted, voice soft. His pale blue-green eyes opened and a tiny smile lifted the edges of his lips. She took that as a sign to take a seat next to him, silently offering one of the plates. Darry raised an eyebrow at her but accepted it with a thankful nod.

"You didn't need to do this," he commented.

Caroline shrugged. "You didn't need to help me out with this."

He gave her a stern look and shook his head. "I'll always help. Is that sweet tea?"

"I'm from Texas, it's my specialty," she teased, pushing the pitcher closer to him.

"Texas, huh?"

Caroline hesitated, pushing her cinnamon curls out of her face and tucking the strands behind her ear. His icy blue eyes watched her carefully, seeing the confliction in her eyes.

"Houston," she finally replied. "We moved here my sophomore year."

"I remember. You was in my English class."

A soft smile graced her face and she gave him a curious look. "I tested out of the sophomore level. How'd you remember that?"

"You sat in the back of class, your head in a book. Ain't no one learned your name until the teacher called on ya."

"Didn't think some jock like you would know 'bout little ol' me," she snickered, bumping her shoulder against his. His grin brightened slightly and he teasing pushed her back, careful not to push her too hard.

"You spoke maybe one word when we was in class," he teased. "Always got your head in the clouds, dreamin' up somethin' or 'nother."

Caroline threw her head back and laughed, shaking her head. "Still got a better grade than you, mister."

"Well, by golly, you'd be damn right about that."

They talked about their high school memories until someone called for Darry, gesturing towards her roof. He sighed and shook his head, standing up and holding his hand out for her to take. Caroline graciously took hold of his calloused grip and lifted herself off the ground, stumbling slightly and falling into his broad chest.

"For someone who wears roller skates, you sure are clumsy," he hummed.

"Darrel Curtis, was that a joke?" she accused, extracting herself from his grip and planting her hands on her hips.

"And if it was?"

"No more sweet tea for you."

"Now that's just unfair."

"What was that?" she called, grabbing the plates, glasses, and pitcher. She began to walk backwards towards her house, grinning at him. "You need to get back to work!"

Darry shook his head in amusement and secured his toolbelt on, watching as she disappeared into the house. There was just something about Caroline Montgomery that drew him to her. There were just two problems: he didn't have the space for a relationship and she was too good for him anyways.