Off the Rails

Chapter Five

Dakota
"Nuh uh!" I was bent over laughing in Drake's car on the way to school the next morning.

"I'm not kidding," Drake grinned as he drove. "Liam and I seriously did that in front of the whole school last year— in our boxers." He was trying so hard not to laugh.

"That's literally insane," I smiled. "I can't believe you guys still showed your faces after that,"

He shrugged, smiling. "Somehow we weren't hated for it. But I'm pretty sure the principle did not approve."

I just chuckled. "Geez, Sommers. You have an adventurous, fun side behind all that sexy confidence and seriousness."

He just looked at me and grinned.

We had just come from breakfast at my house. My mom behaved very nicely, asking Drake about the diner and school and local town events. We didn't eat anything big, since my mother's cooking had obviously not improved in three days. But we had cereal and coffee. Drake was very polite and I'm sure absolutely won my mom over.

She'll probably be asking when he's gonna be my boyfriend for the next two months, I thought to myself with a small smile.

"So, I think my mom is officially head of heels for you," I said to fill the silence.

"Really?" he asked, but he knew it was true. People liking him went along with that whole persona he had going on.

With his old blue jeans, flannels and sweaters, and friendly good looks, he looked like a confident Abercrombie model, but had a small town vibe to him. Something that screamed that he was hardworking and had good roots.

Over and over again, I told myself I couldn't find that attractive anymore. We were just friends. That's what he wanted, no matter how irritated I was by his very sudden change of heart. But when I was spending that much time with him, and truly getting to know him, I found nothing to hate about Drake Sommers. So it was very difficult to find him unattractive.

I guess I would just have to settle for controlling my impulses.

"It must be part of that whole owning it thing you claimed to have yesterday," I said, focusing back on the conversation and ignoring Drake's soft cologne. "You know, when you acted like you were the shit and your good looks could get you a job in NYC. Apparently it all makes you very likable."

He chuckled. "Maybe I went a little overboard. Think I was just trying to impress you."

I looked at him and smiled.

"Oh, by the way," he said like he suddenly remembered something. "Were you reading A Tale of Two Cities?"

"Attempting to," I replied. "Why?"

"I think you dropped it in here or something," Drake opened the center console and pulled out the book. He handed it to me.

"Oh, yeah. That's mine. Thank you," I said, taking the book and putting it back in my bag.

"You're welcome. I gotta say, I tried to read it a bit last night. You know, see what kinda books you're in to, and it was a very difficult first few pages." He pulled into the school parking lot as he spoke. It was still wet and slightly raining that day.

"The word choice can be a little tricky," I agreed. "But FYI, that isn't the kinda book I'm in to. I was trying to get out of my comfort zone a little with it. Not my usual read."

"What is your usual read?" He asked.

"Usually some current young adult books. The cliche teenage ones with the female protagonists who kick ass are always a good read. Those ones usually catch my eye."