I'm Fine

Chapter Fifteen - Dalton

February

There I was, just standing outside her door, terrified. I can't believe that Ava Grace wanted to partner with me for this silly student council project. There were so many other people in the room to pair up with, but she chose me.

Does this mean anything? Shut up stupid, no it doesn't. It's just a coincidence.

She kept insisting on meeting at my place, but I just kept telling her that my folks don't like visitors. I didn't lie, they don't like people coming over, but they aren't my folks no matter how much they want to pretend to be.

Finally, she caved and said it was fine to come to her place. I don't know why she was so afraid to have me come over.

Was she too scared to have me at her house? Does she think I'll steal from them? Just because I took some equipment from the science room last year doesn't mean I intended to make it a habit.

That stupid heist was for Lonny anyway. I still don't know what he did with that stuff, but I took the fall. Wait...did I even knock?

I reached out and finally knocked on the door. Adrenaline spiked as I heard movement on the other side. What was I going to say to Ava Grace? How could I have a full-on conversation with her when I always got lost in her eyes? What if she sees me gawking and gets creeped out?

Suddenly the door swung open. A tall, dark-haired man stood firmly in the doorway. Suspicion was in his eyes, so I finally spoke up.

"Hello, sir. Is Ava Grace here?" I asked sheepishly. He paused for a second as he seemed to be analyzing me.

"She may be, who's asking?" He demanded.

"My name is Dalton." It felt like my words came across shaky.

"Dalton." He repeated as he studied my name while I awkwardly waited. "Oh, Dalton from the student council?"

"Yes, sir," was all I could think to reply.

"And what project are you guys working on again?" He continued to study me, which was making me feel more uneasy the longer I stood here.

"We are creating a drive for some kind of charity," I responded. I would love to sit here and play fifty questions with her dad, but I also would like to finish this conversation and just talk to his beautiful daughter.

"DAD!" I heard from down the hallway. It must have been an embarrassed Ava Grace, also feeling the awkwardness of this never-ending conversation.

"I see. Ava Grace is down the hall and to the left. I will be just in the living room right around the corner." He stated as he stepped to the side.

"Thank you, sir." I said as I slid past him. He seemed like he had a pleasant side to him, but I could also sense his I'm-her-dad-don't-mess-with-her vibe.

I quietly walked down the hall and stopped at the first door on the left. Hoping so badly this was her door, I paused and knocked on the already cracked door.

There was movement on the other side of the door before it was swung open by the scarlet queen herself. Just as I was being pulled into her eyes again, her father rounded the corner.

"Ava Grace, you know the rules." He demanded. She rolled her eyes before he got into view.

"Of course, dad." She stated before turning her attention to me. "Come on in, let's get to work."

Her dad didn't move from the door right away. If anything, he didn't leave until we were both seated on the floor and had pulled out our notebooks. She stopped pulling out her notes and gave him a go-away look before he finally took the hint and retreated down the hall. I listened as the footsteps on the hardwood floor echoed away from her room.