A Change Of Heart

10

October 8th, 1967

10:05 a.m.

"Lovejoy, you wanna skip creative writing with me today?"

Setting the books in my hand on the messy shelf in the shared locker, my eyebrows raised as I turned to look at my blonde friend.

"No, do you wanna come to creative writing class with me today?"

He narrowed his eyes, shaking his head and let out a breath of disgust, "no, I'm going to the arcade."

"Tom!" I shouted, grabbing onto the sleeve of his shirt before he could wander off, "you're coming with me today."

"Why?"

"Because I had to kiss you and I'm tired of trying to avoid Danny, so get your shit and let's go."

"What do I get outta this deal?"

"I'll give you all the quarters you want to play the games at the stupid arcade."

"Really?" His bright eyes glistening with satisfaction at the proposition, a smile creeping onto his features while he grabbed his things. Laughing at him, I nodded, blushing when he winked at me before we made our way down the hall.

Taking seats next to each other in the very back, he scooted closer and threw an arm around my shoulder. Raising an eyebrow in confusion, I glanced up at him, blue eyes sparkling when he nodded over towards the door. Looking over in that direction I spotted Danny, laughing I became immediately thankful that Tom had come to class today. Danny's eyes narrowed slightly at the sight of Tom, rushing over to sit across from us at the table.

Tom sat still, his unfaltering icy blue gaze directed right at Danny, whose brown eyes staring directly back at Tom.

"Good morning, Luna..."

"Good morning, Danny." I greeted, biting nervously on my lower lip, Tom's and Danny's gazes still locked firmly on each other.

"Do you have the notes from yesterday, sweetheart?"

"Tommy, there were no notes, we wrote short stories."

"Yeah, y'know if you'd actually show up for class once in a while your girlfriend wouldn't have to inform you every single minute of the day of what went on in class." Danny seethed, his eyes still locked on Tom who's flat lips were now drawn into a tight straight line.

"Why don't you just fuck off and leave us alone?" Tom nearly shouted, his slow voice now being elevated catching the others attention, making them turn in their seats to watch the fight between the two boys.

"Why don't you watch that mouth of yours or I'll punch your teeth in?"

"You wanna go?" Tom stood, leaning forward now towards the brown haired jock.

"I'll kill you."

"I can't wait."

"Tommy, knock it off." I whimpered, childishly pulling on his shirt sleeve. I couldn't handle this, we both knew Danny could kick his ass twice so why he was pushing so hard for it I couldn't understand. He glanced down at me for a second, giving my shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

"Monday, at four behind the school." Danny pressed, his dark eyes giving me the once over before flickering back up to Tom's stormy blue ones.

"What happens when I kick your ass?"

"I'll leave you alone for the rest of the year and -"

"And Luna too, leave her alone too." Tom interjected, sitting back down in his chair and throwing his arm across my shoulders as the bell rang.

"It's a deal, but I'm still gonna punch those dorky looking teeth of yours outta your mouth." Danny grinned, turning to face the chalkboard as the bell rang.

"Tom..." I hissed, resisting the urge to reach up and smack the back of his head.

"What?"

"Are you insane? He's three times your size and -" he shushed me, his blue eyes glimmering in the sunlight that filtered through the rooms windows.

"It'll all work out, you'll see."

"What'd you mean?"

"We'll talk at lunch." He nodded, winking before pulling out his notebook and a pen to begin writing out a story. I watched over his shoulder, even though he hated to be hovered over. The way he wrote had always fascinated me, skipping an outline and getting right to the meat and bones of what he thought.

"Luna, knock it off." He chuckled, elbowing me back onto my side of the table.

"Fine..." I murmured, flipping my notebook open and beginning to jot down ideas. My stomach churning with excitement for my date with Mike tomorrow, and a tinge of nervousness for Tom on Monday.

///

4:09 p.m.

"Ben, please try and talk him out of it." I pleaded, looking over my shoulder to make sure Tom wasn't coming yet. I had to tell someone about this fight that was rapidly approaching. I knew Tom was scared, but he'd never let on that he was. He masked his emotions so well it was scary sometimes, he could be ready to cry and still have a perfectly calm demeanor.

"Luna, I'm not getting into this."

"Ben, please."

"No, absolutely not - look Mike is here, and Tom needs another quarter." Ben pointed, making me look over my shoulder to Tom who was still focused on the arcade game in front of him, but reaching back for another quarter. His eyes never once leaving the game in front of him as he did so.

Sighing, I went to give Tom another quarter. He grinned, sliding it into the slot to continue his game, so focused it was almost like he was in a trance.

"Tommy..."

No reply, his blue eyes still locked contentedly on the game. I was beginning to question if he had even heard me, rolling my eyes I looked over by the door to see Ben and Mike.

"Mike is here." I tried, quickly becoming annoyed at Tom ignoring me. Rolling my eyes at the blonde boy next to me, I smiled when my eyes met Mike's dark ones. Waving over at him, I reached into my pocket to retrieve another quarter to put into Tom's outstretched hand.

"Tommy, will you please talk to me? Just for a second."

"About what?"

"I don't want you to come to school Monday."

Narrowing his eyes he turned to look at me over his shoulder, "I have to, I'm meeting Danny and kicking his ass."

"Tom, you can't possibly."

"I know he's bigger but if I swipe the legs and -"

"Tom, I just don't want you to get hurt. You scare me when you do stuff like this." I admitted, a slight blush creeping up onto my cheeks as his eyes softened and he began to blush as well.

"It'll be ok." He murmured, pulling me into a quick hug before nodding over towards Mike, who stood staring at us.

"Why don't you give me the quarters and you go hang out with your boyfriend?"

"You're trying to get rid of me."

"I am not, I'd never get rid of you." He chuckled, pushing my shoulder gently.

"Whatever, here..." I paused, digging into my pocket to pull out all the quarters I had left before heading off towards Mike.

"Oh, Luna!" Tom shouted, a goofy grin plastered across his face as he turned to look at me.

"What?"

"T-thanks, for the quarters."

"Of course." I grinned, turning on my heel to head for Ben and Mike.

A/N: Hope this was ok and you guys have a great weekend! Please leave a vote or comment, I love to hear what you guys think. 🙏🏼💝