Deadly Nightshade, My Sweet Poison

Chapter Nine; Love Is Stupid

               Wednesday, it's finally Wednesday, and to be honest, I'm scared shitless. When Belladonna called me this morning I was so afraid she was canceling the date, but thankfully she just said she didn't need a ride anymore. That still added to my nerves though, I just had a really bad feeling about today. Maybe it's just the fact that I'm skipping the swim team meeting today? God I hope that's it. The only thing I had ever skipped before was school on Monday and luckily my parents have no idea. Wow, I sound like such a goody two-shoes, who am I kidding, I'm Mr. Goody Two-shoes! I'm pretty sure that's not what Belladonna wants though; she seems like the type who goes for bad asses! I guess I'll just have to show her I know how to misbehave; I'll show her that Monday was just the start. I'm so whipped, and I'm not even dating the girl! ‘Yet…’ My mind adds, causing a wide grin to spread across my head, right before I'm suddenly slapped in the head.

                "Your silent the entire ride and then suddenly start smiling like an idiot, that's not natural! What's up with you man? You didn't even notice when I put my shoes on the dash or when I started looking through your backpack, it's freaking me out!" Rowdy exclaims from the passenger seat, throwing his hands in the air.

                "I'm sorry bro; I guess there are just a lot of things on my mind." I tell him shrugging.

                "A lot of things, please, one thing's on your mind. It’s the only thing that's been on your mind for the last few weeks; Belladonna!" I can feel the blood rush to my cheeks and I groan in my head, I never blush.

                "So what if she is? Have you seen her, why wouldn't she be in my head?" I say trying to cover up for the blush.

                He raises an eyebrow at me and I move my eyes back to the road to avoid his stare. "Right, I'm calling bullshit on that. I know your skipping the meeting today to go on a date with her." As if sensing my shock he adds, "Belladonna told Lizzie and she mentioned it to me."

                "So what if I am?" I ask, trying to avoid his eyes studying me.

                "So what?  What's happening to you Dominic? This isn't like you, first you get stopped by the cops, next you skip school, and now you’re skipping a swim team meeting when you're the captain! I've even heard your grades are getting lower and you're always distracted! Don't you think that it's a little suspicious that Belladonna is at the root of it all? I still don't feel right around her, there's something so familiar about her! I even tried to talk to Lyne about her, and the always opinionated Lyne had nothing to say about her, she even changed the subject, she was scared to talk about Bella, scared!"

                "Rowdy just shut up about her! I agreed to give you a ride, not to sit in for a lecture, I really like her, alright? Are you happy now? Listen, you don't need to worry about me, and aren't you the one who's always telling me that I need to live a little? I can take care of myself; I always have been able to! That stuff just happens when you’re in lo-like, when you really, really like someone. Once we start dating I won't be this bad, and I feel like I'm so close to her saying yes! As for Lyne, you know she still has feelings for me and what you’re thinking of as fear is probably just jealousy and she can't find anything bad about her to say! Rowdy, I'm the one who looks out for you, so let's try and keep it that way?" I try ending on teasing note.

                He rolls his eyes at me, puts his Air Jordans back on my dash, and responds, "Fine, fine, whatever you say Dominic! I'm just saying before you tell her that you 'lo-like' her, to be careful with her."

                "Good," I eye his legs and quickly punch him giving him a dead leg, "feet off the dash!"

                Rolling his eyes at me again he says, "Fine, mom."