A Glimpse of Us • Sodapop Curtis

Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ ｆｏｒｔｙ-ｓｅｖｅｎ

Tori

      The walk to the drive in was quiet -- for me at least. The boys had no trouble in making conversation and spouting jokes with each other. But I trailed behind, not the least bit interested in what they had to say. I was much more interested in the rock that I continued to kick down the street.

      To say the honest truth, I was invisioning the rock to be Chris. I wanted nothing more than to wipe that stupid smile off his face. His ego trip was even worse than Dally's and I didn't even know that was possible.

      I groaned once I realized that I had to crawl under the gate -- it was nice because I didn't have to pay money but I was feeling especially lazy right now. And for some reason, I was the only one that got fox tails stuck in my clothes and it was a pain pulling them all out or not even finding out about them until they poked me.

      Dallas held out his hand to help me up once I pulled myself underneath but I ignored it and pushed myself up, which earned an eye roll and scoff from him. I could have said something smart to him like I usually do but decided against it. I was being petty because he wouldn't let me have another cigarette. The boys smoked them all day everyday, but once I wanted to do it, it was a problem.

       I walked ahead of the three eager not only to see my brother but also Soda. Those two were about the only ones that helped my mind to escape the torture that it put itself through.

But, I soon heard steps on my trail, catching up to me and I already knew who it was. There didn't go a day when Winston didn't have something to say to me.

      "You seem miles away kid," Dallas spoke, slouching down to my level. I got a whiff of his cologne and though it was a nice scent, it was nothing compared to Soda's.

       I side eyed him, "I'm just tired, Dal." I think that was the only excuse that I had these days, but it wasn't a total lie. So, I was only like a half-liar. If that was even a thing.

      Dallas hummed as he stretched back up and stuffed his hands in his pockets, "I doubt it's just from work."

     My eyebrow raised, "What do you mean?"

     Dally's head tilted, but his usual smirk was wiped clean off his face. He had such a serious face -- it was so unusual to see him like that.

      I hugged my own arms as he stared down at me. It wasn't a chilly night, but the breeze was enough to nip at my skin and give me goosebumps and Dally's cold stare didn't make me feel any warmer.

       "I heard about the whole party incident," Dally huffed, "I also heard about Toni not wanting you to see Eric anymore."

      Of course Toni would blab about everything to Dallas. He tells Winston everything. I wouldn't even be surprised if he told him what time he wakes up in the morning and what time he goes to bed.

        "And?" I sarcastically answered. I had no idea what he was getting at, but I didn't like him prying into my business, especially because I knew it didn't take long for him to put two and two together considering his history.

      If there was a wrench to be thrown in my plans, it would be Dallas Winston, I have no doubt about that.

        Dally snickered, but it didn't seem like one that fit a happy moment, it was very sarcastic, almost like he couldn't wait to get something off of his chest.

       "And you're still seeing him?"

      My body tensed at his words before shifting uncomfortably from foot to foot. I had to come up with a lie quick, but if Dally knew that, he had to have seen us together somehow and how was I going to get out of this one?