Dodge Mason // Mystery Boy

25

Don't make me regret this

—

I arrive at the door and take a moment before I knock to collect myself. I let out a sigh and knock gently. A few beats pass and Dayna opens the door for me.

"Hi Dayna!"

"Oh my Gosh, I've missed you Delilah!"

"I've missed you too," I respond sweetly. She invites me in and I sit on the couch. She arranges herself adjacent to me and sighs.

"I know," she starts.

"What?" I ask confused.

"That you and Dodge haven't been talking. He won't say anything but I'm not dumb. You haven't been around and he's been dead silent lately."

"Oh."

"That party... Are you okay?"

"Yeah I'm doing better," I speak softer now. "I'm still recovering but overall I'm okay. Is Dodge okay?"

"Yeah," she says looking down. I'm not sure how to fill this silence. Dayna breaks it, "He's not the same ya know? When you're around. When you're not around. He likes you. I don't see him like this. It's nice. I don't know what happened but I like seeing him like that."

"I like him too," I admit shyly.

"Then don't let him push you away, Delilah," she reaches for my hand. "Please." I meet her eyes unsure of what to do. I'm so confused and I'm scared and vulnerable. The front door handle begins to jiggle and I can hear the keys on the other side. The door opens and it's Dodge. He looks at us and processes before closing the door behind him, locking it, and walking away to his room. I look back at Dayna.

She nods her head towards the hall. "Like I said, I don't know what happened, but he's stubborn. Don't let him lock you out." I look down a bit before mustering up the courage to stand. "I'll be on the porch," Dayna reassures. I take a deep breath and walk to his door. My feet feel heavy and my hands feel tingly. I know I like a mystery but this is getting out of hand. Am I really ready for this? The door opens. I suppose I've already knocked. I'm met with his eyes peering into mine. Those eyes.

"Can I come in? and talk?"

He doesn't say anything. He simply opens the door wider and steps aside letting me in. I walk in and sit on the edge of his bed. He takes his desk chair and drags it across from me and sits.

"What are you doing here?" he asks plainly. It wasn't rude. It wasn't loving. It wasn't the same.

"Dayna invited me," I match his tone.

"Well what are you doing here?" He asks referring to his room and talking to him.

"I haven't seen you since the house." For some reason I can only bring myself to respond with short answers as if my vocal cords would give in if I spoke any more.

"I've been busy, Doll."

"Don't 'Doll' me right now," I say getting annoyed. "I haven't seen you since the Graybill house and my mind has been running laps about you. I wonder if you're okay or if you even care if I'm okay. Who the hell you even are or as a matter of fact, why you're here as a transfer your senior year! None of this shit makes sense, Dodge and it's driving me crazy because I'm falling in love with someone who I might not even fucking know!"

I'm left standing over a still seated Dodge, catching my breath from telling him off. He stands slowly to meet me and I take a small step back as to not back down. He takes my hand and though I'm resistant, I let him. He pulls me in and hugs me burying my face into his chest. His hand is in my hair rubbing the back of my head while his chin rests on my crown. I close my eyes and let myself melt into him. He smells of the sun and leftover cologne after being outside.

I separate from the hug and we sit together on the bed.

"I can't tell you everything yet," he says calmly.

"What are you hiding from me?" I almost beg.

"I just need you to trust me for right now, Delilah." He moves my hair behind my ear. "Look I don't 'fall in love'. I don't do this kind of thing. But with you I can't help it." I can hear the trembling in his voice. "Please just trust me?"

I look at him. He looks so small. He looks like the boy I've been smiling about. The boy I just cannot get enough of.

"Okay," I say softly.

"Okay?" he asks relieved.

"Okay," I reiterate. "Dodge," I start.

"Yes?" he responds sweetly.

"Don't make me regret this," I plead.

"I would never," he says before bringing me into a passionate kiss. I kiss back.

a/n: yall I ain't never written smut but imma try for this next chapter so hype me up.