diamond //sweet pea//

//five//

Dallas was exhausted, but it was reassuring that neither Mikey nor Aiden made an appearance. She didn't know if they were preparing for another go later tonight, but she refused to find out. If she had to stay out all night, she was going to find a way to do just that.

Classes passed by quick. Too quick. If only she could stay, hang around, anything to avoid the wrath of two, possibly three if Bryce was lurking around, high as a kite morons. The bell rang signaling the end of the school day and despite her troubles, Dallas was pleased that she had finished an entire day of school. It was another step on the way out of hell. Get the grades, get the scholarship for anywhere, and get the hell out of dodge. Far away from the Ghoulies, Malachai, the south side and most importantly Jingle Jangle.

Dallas trotted down the steps of the school, pleasantly surprised to see Sweet Pea leaning up against the hood of her car. She shook her head and looked down unable to hide her smile. She held her books tightly to her chest, glad to see a friendly face.

"What are you doing?" she asked, giggle escaping her mouth. She almost caught him smiling at her, but he quickly returned to his natural state of brooding bad boy. "I said later at your place," she laughed. Sweet Pea didn't know how she could still laugh in such a godawful place, covered in those godawful marks.

"It is later, and that's exactly where we're going," he said, scanning the crowd for something. In a perfect world, he'd be able to pick out the person who had destroyed his tiny friend, but it wasn't gonna be that easy. Especially is she wasn't going to give in to him.

"Oh are we?" she asked approaching him, getting close to him. She closed the space between them so they were almost pressed against each other. She had to look up at him, a grin revealing dimples. He cocked an eyebrow at her and she lost herself to a fit of giggles. He closed the gap indefinitely and pulled her into him. She found that it was a nice place to be.

When he finally let go she tossed him her keys. His jaw dropped as he made sure she knew what she was doing.

"What? Can't handle her?" she teased. He narrowed his eyes before jumping into the front seat.

"Me? Please," he scoffed revving the engine. He tore out of the parking lot sending the few things Dallas had in the back seat, flying.

"Easy there Tiger," Dallas purred, a dangerous feeling creeping into her chest. She watched him and swore she could detect what could almost count as a smile. "Hey, aren't your friends gonna wonder where you went?" she asked still watching him.

"It's fine-" he took a second to look at her, "-I've got a good excuse."

She drew in a breath and turned her attention to the road. They drove the rest of the way in a comfortable silence, only the faint beat of a Metallica song playing on the radio. It didn't take long, thanks to Sweet Pea driving weel over the limit, to reach their destination.

Dallas made her way up the steps, following behind  Sweets who pushed open the door with his shoulder when it jammed. She found herself on the same couch as before, sitting next to the same boy as before.

"So you gonna tell me now?" he asked, not looking at her. Dallas

"There's something you should know," she muttered. He turned his gaze and was met with glossed over blue eyes. "If you hate me after, I- uh I get it."

"Just tell me, Dal,"

"My brother, he-  uh," she began.

"He did this?"

"What? No, no. My brother, I think you may have heard of him." She watched him. She was terrified that as soon as she admitted her brother held the title of King of the Ghoulies, he'd kick her out. And she'd have to go back home.