The 100 Writing Prompt Challenge

Chapter 9: Poor

Dalton stared at the cross walk signal in front of him waiting for it to change from a hand to a person. Of course there just had to be a female specimen fumbling with her items.

His eyes couldn't help but look to the side.

Dalton peered over Hana's wallet as she abruptly closed it when she felt him looking. It wasn't like she was poor or anything – granted she had five cents in her wallet but that didn't mean anything!

She had insisted on buying something for Dalton after he bought her frozen yogurts much to his dismay and annoyance.

"For god sakes Hana, I don't fucking need it!"

But after much pestering and persistence from the other side, she managed to get him to agree. His stoic character hadn't bother Hana much and she was beginning to get used to his indifference towards everything.

Still, Hana didn't really know what she liked about him – or if she liked him at all. Maybe it was because he was the only boy she talked to, maybe she needed more data on boys.

"Hana..." He began to speak and Hana instantly became ten times more defensive then she wanted to be. She could never be cool in front of Dalton – he'd always called her bullshit.

"I'M NOT POOR, I SWEAR!"

He raised his eyebrow, clearly unamused at her frantic disposition, "we don't have to go, you know. Tutor starts in an hour or so we can just be there early." Dalton didn't really care about getting treated or not, in fact he rather Hana calm down more than anything.

Dalton wasn't sure if he really wanted to go, Ethan's grin and Connor's constant teasing about them as a couple annoyed Dalton. He knew that Hana would freak out if she knew, she freaked out about almost everything – which Dalton couldn't understand. Still, he knew she would be completely embarrassed and probably stop talking to Dalton, so he instinctively pretended not to know.

Dalton particularly didn't care about being shipped with Hana as a couple.

However, Dalton was sure that Hana would avoid the shit out of him, simply out of loyalty.

It'd probably go along the lines of,

"You have to correct them Dalton! YOU LIKE SAM! WE CAN'T CAUSE MISTUDERSTANDING!"

Or,

"Urgh...you're so nonchalant about everything...FINE I'LL STOP TALKING TO YOU."

Dalton shivered at the thought. Sure he liked Sam, but that had nothing to do with Hana. If he said that, she'd probably cry. So he decided to avoid all that hassle by not mentioning it.

He turned to the girl who was distraught, "Never mind, let's go somewhere. I'll pay this time."

Hana instantly shook her head and Dalton wondered what would make her happy, she seemed particularly happy when he told her stories of his life but that was about it. He always saw her laughing with Knight and Aiden, not so much him.

Sam was the same too.

He had pretty much accepted the fact that Sam wouldn't love him, he was inferior to Knight in every way. He was poorer than Knight and his looks didn't compete. However, Dalton was never concerned about things like that, superficial points never bothered him. Still, seeing Hana laugh so much with the two made him wonder why she kept talking to him.

He knew Sam loved Knight, but wasn't sure if Hana knew.

Today she was wearing the clip he bought for her as she sighed in defeat while mumbling a thousand apologies.

"I swear...I have money. I think I just gave it to my mom to fix our house...I don't even know."

"It's fine, Hana." He said nonchalantly.

She sighed, "you're paying for me twice! I can't believe it. You should be paying for Sam...or ask her out on a date."

He stared at Hana and shrugged, "I don't really care about that, if I don't date her it's not a big problem."

Hana looked at him flabbergasted, "what are you saying! You deserve to be happy! You're a good guy, Dalton!"

Hana often surprised Dalton with her words, often leading to her embarrassment after realizing she said something totally out of character.

He paused and turned to view her cherry face, "if you're going to say it, don't get all embarrassed." Hana looked up to Dalton and her eyes widened as he covered his face with his arms, "you're gonna make it hard for me."

Hana couldn't help but begin to laugh as Dalton noted that she had finally laughed.

"Whaaa, I think I saw something rare. An embarrassed Dalton! That's so cool!" Hana spoke as her mouth widened into a smile.

They continued to walk to who knows where as there meaningless chatter took over.

"Yeah, yeah. Don't get used to it."

"I want to see it again!"

"No way."

"I think Sam would find it irresistible you know!"

"Don't care."

"Knight might be the most popular guy in town but you could beat him, you know that!?"

"Should you really insult a guy you talk too?"

"What? I don't really talk to Knight, he's too much of a prince charming, I'm never good with those people. I just kind of awkwardly laugh."

"Is that so?"

"Of course! Talking to a grouchy, unemotional guy like yourself suits me more anyways."

"...."

"N-Not in t-that way of course!"

"Right. Where are we going to eat anyways? I have to treat Ms. Poor anyways."

"Hey! I'm not poor! Are you laughing at me right now? Dalton!"