Dream On Fire (Dallas Winston)

Chapter 4

When Friday came, I was nervous but also excited at the same time. It had been ages since I had gone out with a boy and I felt the butterflies. I put curlers in my hair the night before and picked out a nice outfit. When sun began to set, I slipped on my shoes and stuffed my money in my bra. Soda gave me an uneasy look when I came out of my room. "A skirt?" I looked down at my outfit, "what's wrong with it?"

Soda shook his head and buttoned his flannel, "never knew you as the type to wear skirts." His suspicion was growing but I shrugged and played it off. "I wanted to feel fancy." Soda nodded and didn't peep another word about it. I walked to the movies which was several blocks away, I was grateful I wore comfortable shoes. The movie lights lit up the street, and I looked all around for Bob, spotting him at the ticket booth. I smiled and slowly approached. When our eyes met, the butterflies began to flutter again, seeing him then felt different. I didn't get the same feeling I got when I saw him the night of the party or when I ran into him at the diner. I felt shy, and suddenly insecure. Was my outfit not enough? His shoes probably costed more than everything I was wearing combined. "You look beautiful." He complimented, all the troubling thoughts went away.

"Thank you." I smiled. He bought tickets to some Paul Newman movie I didn't bother remembering the name. Bob was a gentleman, he held the door, bought me popcorn, and when the lights went out, he put his arm around my shoulders. I watched him more than I watched the movie. I watched the crinkles form at his eyes  when he laughed at a funny scene and the way he didn't bother hiding his emotions as his eyes went glossy at the sad parts. Bob was real, and guilt washed over me for judging him as long as I did. Some times he would look over at me, and our eyes would meet. He probably wondered why I was so focused on him and not the movie, I had become so infatuated with him. There was one time where our eyes locked for what seemed like eternity, and I thought he was going to kiss me. But he never did. When the movie was over he invited me to go grab a milkshake through a drive through. Sitting in his car, I felt glamorous. I had never been in anything so expensive before. The car he drove was Darry's dream car, a freshly painted blue mustang. I suddenly felt a wash of sadness through my body. He came from so much...and I came from nothing. Our classes hated each other, how were we ever going to work? Then I felt angry, thinking this guy no older than me was driving this nice car, when my brother worked every night to support three kids and himself and had no chance at a car like that. It wasn't his fault. He came from where he came from, and I came from where I came from. Bob pulled me out of my trance.

"Did you like the movie?" He asked gazing at me with a smile. I nodded but then spoke up. "It was pretty good." My response was short, he furrowed his brows. "Is something wrong, Stella?" I thought for a minute, but shook my head, "nothing that matters."

"If it's bothering you then it matters."

I gave him a reassuring smile, "I'm just tired is all."

When we pulled into Dairy Queen, we both ordered a strawberry milkshake. I had learned that that was his favorite, which was also mine. We talked for hours in that parking lot, I forgot how good it felt to laugh so much. When the night came to an end, it was late. Nearly three in the morning. I couldn't believe how much time flew, I felt like it wasn't enough time. I didn't want the night to end, even if it meant staying in the Dairy Queen parking lot and talking to him until sunrise. He dropped me off a few houses down, in case any of my brothers were looking through the window. I was sad that it was the end, school started soon and I wasn't sure if things were going to go back to how they were: being invisible to him.

"This is the part where we say goodnight," he softly smiled. I'll admit, Bob was a little corny...but I found it sweet. I pulled him in for a hug and wished him a goodnight. He didn't kiss me like I expected, but a part of me was glad he was talking things slow. It proved he wasn't just in it for one thing.

When I got back inside all the lights were off. I slipped my shoes off at the door and tip toed to my room.

"You didn't listen." I nearly jumped out of my skin. Dally stood next to my door. I couldn't see him, but I was sure he was unhappy, and I could smell the alcohol from his breath. I ignored him and opened my door. He followed me in.

"What Dal?" I spat. "Get out."

"I told you to call off that date." He spoke again, slurring his words slightly. I paid no attention to him and began taking my jewlry off. I was angry at Dally. He was good at playing mind game. The whole time I was out with Bob, I didn't think about him once. It felt so liberating.

"He's a dead man."

"If you touch him I swear to god, Dally."

Dally walked closer to me, our chests were only inches apart. "You swear to god what?"

"Who was that girl?" I changed the subject.

"You met her, didn't you?"

I turned away from him, knowing there was no point in even bothering. I enjoyed the simplexity of being with Bob. Simple yet complex. But when I'm faced with Dally, there's nothing besides complexity.

"You let a dirty Soc take you out before you let me, huh?" He placed his hands on my hips. I pulled away from him. "You're not gonna keep playin with me Dal." I sighed. "You'd think better to play with one of your friends sisters." I muttered pulling out a change of clothes from my dresser.

"Who said I was playin?"Dally asked taking a seat on my bed. I didn't answer his question and stared for a few seconds before he spoke again, "did you fuck him?"

"What?"

Dally leaned back on his hands, waiting for my answer. Though Bob and I didn't even kiss, it wasn't any of Dally's business. A part of me wanted to believe he was a little jealous, but I knew better. It was all just a game to him.

"Get out." I demanded. Dally was finding amusement in getting under my skin. My face was beat red and he grinned. "You didn't even touch him." I rolled my eyes and placed my hands on my hips. "Don't make me beg, Stella." His voice was teasing, Dally knew he didn't beg.

"Why would I go out with you dally? You come in my room, make me feel some type of way and then show up with another girl." I didn't hide the hurt in my voice. "You win, or whatever. Just let me be." I sighed and crawled into the bed. I ignored Dally the rest of the night. I'd be lying if I said I got any sleep that night. I pretended to be asleep anytime Dal would say my name, or nudge me. I didn't bother waking up when he crawled out of bed and slipped out of the room. I was so fascinated in Dally, everything about him was different, but I had no interest in playing his games.