Take Back

Chapter Nine

*Tommy's POV*

Today is the day that Allyson and I have been planning for a couple days to just unwind and do senseless, random things completely unattached to anything that's been going on with anybody. I'm pretty excited for it, actually. I mean, one day to hang out and have fun for a change? What's not to love about that?! It makes me smile just thinking about it! I could barely sleep last night with all the excitement rushing through me about what's to come. I even bought Oreos for us to have (they're Allyson's favorite snack).

With all she's done for me and all she's been doing for me I really hope I can make it up to her somehow, or at least have her forgive me for being a drama queen sometimes and saying things I shouldn't... But that's exactly what we're getting away from today, for which I'm so thankful, so maybe it'll just come and go and it'll be as if none of these bad things ever happened. Just a day to forget and let go, right? Maybe I'm thinking about it too much— something that I always do. I keep telling myself to relax. Eventually it'll work.

I lazily do my hair, not really caring at all what I look like (I mean it's just Allyson, after all), and I put on sweatpants and a graphic tee with random designs on it. It's not like I'd have any name-brand clothes considering I bought 80% of it with measly allowance money and random small-paying jobs here and there. Though it doesn't deter my mood, and I'm still grinning when throw on some eyeliner and slide into my shoes, heading out the door with my Oreos and mp3 player.

Stan doesn't ask where I'm going and his kids merely give me strange looks as I walk out the door. Poor Mom is working on a Saturday trying to earn enough money to keep up with Stan's high demands. I think she's where I get my tolerance from, I ponder in my head as I turn down my street to Allyson's. She is going to meet me halfway or, really, whenever we cross paths. I put my headphones in and turn on a playlist containing no songs but upbeat and poppy ones. There is no need to have emotional lyrics toying around in my head when today is going to be free of stuff like that.

I keep up a light, happy pace and it's an unfamiliar feeling, but a good one at that. I think I could get used to it! I'm so energized and peppy that I feel like running. (Though I don't because I don't want to get all sweaty then cold because of the winter air.) And in no time I see Allyson coming up the other way, barely rounding the corner at the end of her street. Wow, I must've been going faster than I thought, I think to myself oddly. She grins and speeds up to give me a big hug.

"Are you ready for some fun?!" she giggles joyfully, spinning around with her arms spread out to her sides.

"I'm totally ready!" I agree, matching her animation effortlessly.

"Ooh, what's in the bag?" she asks eagerly, trying to grab it. I keep it away from her, telling her that she'll have to wait until we get back to her house. "Aw, fine. But it better be worth it!" I laugh and we continue on to her house.

We're there within a minute or to, and I find out that she got a late start which is why I met up with her on her street as opposed to the street that connects ours. No a big deal though.

"So what do you wanna do first?" she says, clapping her hands together. I smile endearingly at her enthusiasm.

"Don't you want to know what I brought first?" I say, raising an eyebrow and wiggling the bag. She nods her head and snatches the bag, tossing it to the ground to expose the cookies.

"OREOS!" she screams happily and I laugh hard. "Dude, you're the best!" she tells me then hugs me again.

"Now go get us some milk!" I command and she runs to the kitchen. I've never seen someone get so worked up over something so simple.