The Things We Long To Be

Chapter 6

After I pick up Dayton from the Orland's house I drive back home quickly. I look down at the dash of the car and then back at Dayton who is staring out the window, it's 7:30 we have a few hours to get settled in and close off our section of the house. If I'm lucky I can get Dayton a friend to stay with for the night. Our parents will come home after their nightly rounds of drinking and "business meetings" pissing and abusive as usual. I want Dayton as far away from that as possible. We get home and I swiftly toss Dayton's clothes into a suitcase before calling another one of his friends, I usually send him to a friend's house on these days. He knows why, it's too dangerous here and he's definitely it safe on these specific days. I end the call after discussing when he is going to get picked up and my phone buzzes with a text message, "Hey, it's the guy from the gym." It said. I roll my eyes and type my reply:  "And how'd you get my number?" He's obviously ready for a response because he promptly responds with: "The desk lady gave me it, I don't really know her name but she seems to really know you." Once again I roll my eyes before sending back a sharp, direct text, "Well what do you want?" I shut my phone off and grab Dayton's bag, beckoning for him to join me. Outside my senses are relieved by the wonderful aromas and sights of summer. I bask in the sun and let the scents fill my lungs, my phone buzzes once again and I groan pulling myself away from the paradise I was dreaming of. Picking up my phone I enter the password and click on messages, "I've got nothing better to do for the rest of the day so I was wondering if you wanted to get coffee or something." I blinked at the question wondering if I was being asked on a date or something. A date? No it's just a friendly gesture that's all. I think to myself before I respond, "Uh yeah sure, I have to wait for my little brother to get picked up but that would be cool." I felt a twinge of excitement flutter through my stomach but I shut it down quickly, I don't go out with "friends" a lot so this of course was exciting and nerve wracking for me. (Not to mention the fact that this boy was very good looking and slightly charming.) A car pull in the driveway and I walk Dayton over hugging him good bye and telling him to be good, god I'm just like a mother. He gets in and the car pulls away, I watch them until the car rounds the corner and veers out of sight. I turn and head back into the house throwing on some what nicer clothes and smacking on a small amount of the old mascara I own. I snatch my phone from the desk and send my address to the guy before asking him to pick me up. I slip on the nicest pair of shoes I own before gridding out the door. I sit on the porch enjoying the warm summer air until a dark sparkly green Ford F150 pulls into the driveway. I walk around to the passenger side, my fingers tracing the car in all of its beauty. It's gorgeous, how could anyone afford such a pretty truck? The way it dazzled in the sun's rays and sparkled wherever light hit it. Im in awe by the time I climb into the truck, it has heated seats, touchscreen, Bluetooth, and everything I could ever dream of in a truck. I have decided, that this is my dream car.
      "You like the truck?" The guy from the gym asked, seemingly nervous. I not in awe before loudly exclaiming,
       "How the fuck could you afford this thing? It has to be super expensive , something this beautiful? It's got to be worth a fortune!" He mumbled something under his breath before smiling and I shake my head. "Anyways where are we going?" I ask and his smile grows larger.
      "You'll see!" His dark, puppy dogs eyes glimmer in the sunlight and I can't help but get lost in them. I shake my head trying to distract myself from them, he laugh before holding out his hand, "Anthony, but my friends call me Tony." I take his hand and shake it firmly.
       "Nice to meet you Anthony." I let go of his hand and turn to face the front of the car. Buckling my seatbelt I trace my finger along the door handle and run my hands along every edge of the car. We pull to a stop and I look up to see an expensive looking cafe.
       "I couldn't possibly afford anything at a place like this, you saw my house!" I exclaim and he laughs.
       "I'm sorry but that place should be condemned." He's still smiling as he continues, "Anyways you aren't paying for anything, I've got you covered." His grin grows wider and wider when I try to protest but he shushes me and steps out of the car. I climb out and stumble after him, slightly pouting. As we approach the cafe the delicious smell of coffee fills my nose and I can't help but moan at such a smell, Anthony turns and laughs again.
     "I'm guessing you haven't smelled or had coffee in awhile." He says and I nod my head slightly embarrassed. He reaches the door and pulls it open for me, I walk in and the smell of coffee washes over me, I feel my shoulders relax as I breath in the strong scents. The woman at the counter looks at me, ready to take my order and I glance at the boards which are covered in chalk writing explaining drinks and breakfast foods you can get.
      "Um, can I get the White chocolate caramel cappuccino please?" I ask anxiously. I feel Anthony's stare on my back and turn to face him. I obviously didn't measure the distance between us very well because I ended up right up against him, the warmth of his body was calming and soothing, I wanted to stay that close to him forever but I hastily pulled away and waited for him to order. He was still staring at me after I back away and he gulped nervously before turning back to the lady at the counter and ordering. We got our coffees and sat down talking about everything that has ever happened in our lives, he lived a very good life and still went to high school. We talked more and more and I kept getting lost in his eyes, those damn puppy dog eyes...

A/N: Soo I decided to write this in honor of Valentine's day, I know it's not very romantic but it's still something and it's progress that's all that matters. Anyways, Happy Valentine's day! 🙂💓