We're Outsiders Too {Complete}

{Part Thirty Five ~ Heather's POV}

It'd been a few days since I'd spoken to Dallas and everyday seemed harder than the last. I'd always tried to stay independent but Dallas came in, knocked every one of my walls down, and then left me with the rubble. It was my fault though and I knew it. What did I expect to happen?
Atleast I had one thing going for me, I was officially Anne's mother. She deserved atleast one parent and I'm set on making up for the fact that there's only one by doing everything I can for her.
I was thinking about the rumors I'd heard at work, Ponyboy and Johnny had supposedly made a run for Texas, when I heard a quiet knock on the door. I wiped the flour from my hands and went to the door. I opened it just as the person behind it turned to leave.
He froze at the creak of the door, slowly turning around.
A lump formed in my throat and my voice was a whisper, "Dal?"
He looked down with an expression that seemed guilty, but that was impossible, "Hey, doll."
I bit my lip, already regretting what I was about to say, "Can I help you with something? You can crash here."
He smiled, again I must have misdiagnosed his emtions because he seemed hopeful.
He followed me to the kitchen and took a seat at the bar. He seemed nervous but I must have been out of it if I really thought Dallas Winston felt any of the things I thought he did tonight.
He sighed, "I'm sorry. I don't know what I was thinking the other night but I wanted to make it right before I left."
The apology meant next to nothing as I took in the rest of his words, "You're leaving?" I hated myself for only managing a whisper.
He looked at me almost shyly, "Yeah, I got some friends I need to meet up with."
I bit my lip again and looked down, trying to mask my disappointment.
He sighed, "Don't give me that look, doll."
I looked up, finding my voice, "You're going to Johnny and Pony, right?"
He contemplated answering before giving a slight nod.
I sighed, "Don't get into too much trouble Dal."
Suddenly his arms were around my shoulders and he was pulling me into his chest, "I promise I'll be careful."
I nodded as my eyes became wet.
I felt his chest move as he took a deep breath, "Don't cry for me, Heather. I'm not worth your tears."
I pulled back and shook my head, "But I'm going to anyways because-" I stopped myself before I said anything that I'd surely regret later.
He drew his eyebrows together, "Because what?"
I shook my head and he asked again but a little louder.
I looked up, "I can't believe this."
Dallas made a face that conveyed he had an idea of what I was going to say but didn't believe it.
"Just drop it, Dallas!" I said loudly, my anger at myself building up.
He looked at me with a determined expression, "What were you going to say?"
I swallowed and closed my eyes, not believing what I was about to admit, "Because I'm in love with you, Dallas." My voice was much quieter this time.
My eyes still shut and hands clutching the edge of the counter, I expected to hear the door open and close in a matter of seconds but was taken aback when instead I felt fingers brush underneath my chin.
I looked up to see Dallas with an intense glint in his eye and and a determined look across his features. Before I could question his actions, he pulled me to him, our lips meeting and quickly moving in sync. This kiss could only be described as hungry compared to our other kisses which seemed like lust compared to the love I felt from him right now. After a few minutes he pulled back and rested his forehead on mine, "I promise to come back to you, doll."
I looked up at him through my eyelashes, "I'll hold you to that promise."
He sighed and stepped back. When I realized he was leaving, I used every ounce of courage I had to spit out my next words, "Stay the night? I want to hold you a little bit longer before you leave town."
He gave a small but genuine smile as he nodded.