Don't call me doll

Chapter 19:

"What do you want?"

She crossed her arms over her abdomen and shivered a bit from the cold wind that blew around them. The sunset's golden and red light shone across Riff's face, making it difficult for Dalia to try and ignore his perfectly highlighted features in the lighting. He noticed her arms shivering and immediately removed his thin blue overshirt. It was a short sleeve, but it was the only thing he had.

Riff placed it around her shoulders, making her giggle. It didn't help with the chill in the air at all. He chuckled awkwardly, and rubbed the back of his neck nervously.

"Just to apologize."

"For what?"

"The boys..." Riff murmured, Dalia nodded and was now very uncomfortable. Her shoulders dropped and her face fell a bit. He sighed, and looked to the side trying to avoid her eyes and think of what to say that could possibly make up for what she experienced.

"Dalia...I shoulda done something different. If I could, I woulda thrown the boys across town the moment that they even talked to you inappropriately. I am so sorry that I failed you, Dalia I just want to-"

He was cut off by Dalia throwing her arms around his neck and pressing her face into his chest allowing tears to pour from her eyes. Riff paused, but then immediately held her close and placed a kiss onto her head. He ran his fingers through her long black hair. Trying to calm the girls who was now sobbing and clutching the straps of his tank top in fists.

It pained him, the feeling of her nails digging at his shoulder and her tears drenching the chest area of his shirt until it was see through. He opened his mouth to try and say something to comfort her, but could only pause and place another kiss on her head. Stroking her hair, she had now stopped sobbing and was making crying sounds without any tears falling from her eyes.

"I love you...doll." Riff whispered, his face was down by her ear. No one else in New York was meant to hear those three words that sent hundreds of butterflies through her body. She looked up at him and the tears seemed to melt away. Dalia now pressed a gentle loving kiss against his lips, he returned it.

"I love you too." She whispered against his lips, he smiled and pressed another gentle yet passionate kiss on her. Riff cupped her face in his hands as they pulled apart and stared at each other. The sun was barely lighting their faces now, and the moon was high above them with stars sparkling around it.

"Let's run away."

"What?" Riff chuckled, at her random and sudden suggestion. She turned away from him, but grabbed his hand and guided him to be behind her now at the railing of the fire escape.

"Let's run away! Maria told me how she and Tony wanted to soon! We can join them! All run away together!" She smiled, staring out at the darkened city. Riff chuckled but wrapped his arms around her shoulders from behind and smiled at the idea. The woman he loved, and the man who was basically his brother.

That was a dream.

"But Dalia...I got a rumble." He said, she groaned and turned to face him with a disappointed and annoyed look. Riff already knew that the Jets were headed in a direction he didn't like, and that he wanted to leave soon. But he also knew he had to get them through the rumble with the Sharks that upcoming Saturday.

He owed them that much.

"Leave them...it's not worth it." Dalia whispered, hugging him again and resting her head against his chest. He sighed, placing his chin on the top of her head with a sad smile.

"I know. But these guys have been my family for as long as I can remember. I have to at least lead them through this."

Dalia thought for a moment but sighed and nodded against him, knowing that he was right. That was the least he could do, even if she didn't think they deserved even that. Riff placed a kiss on her head, making her smile softly.

"Sunday Morning. You, Maria, Tony, and I take the first train out of this dump." Riff promised, rubbing her back gently, she tightened her grip around his torso. Needing him to hold her, needing him to make everything else disappear.

"2 days..."

A/N: Hey y'all! Thanks to everyone who reads, comments, follows, or votes on this book! It has gotten so much support; it means a lot! We're at 4.4k reads and almost 100 votes! 

Also, extra special thanks to anyone who has gone and checked out my second book Invisible Freaks! 

It's all gonna be ok.