Snapshot // Sodapop and Dallas

Chapter 15

I got in the car with Dallas and after a quick little last wave, we were off. It was quiet for a little while. I couldn't stop thinking about Sandy and how kind she was. I began to think that maybe she was better for Sodapop than I ever would be. But then again, no amount of alcohol could ever make me cheat on Soda.

"So what went down with you and blondie?" Dally asked.

"She kinda apologized to me," I admitted. He raised his eyebrows and glanced at me.

"Damn. Didn't see that coming," he chuckled and I did too. I didn't see it coming either. "So you okay with everything?"

"What do you mean?" I questioned.

"I mean where's your head at, Henna? How you feel about everything?"

I bit my lip and thought about his questions and how I would answer them. At this point, I was unsure. I was unsure about everything. "I don't know, Dal," I responded. "I love him. I know I love him. But I don't know if he loves me anymore or what," I looked down at my feet and felt Dally look at me.

"Hey," He said and gently put a hand on my thigh. "It'll be okay, Hendrix. I promise." I looked at Dallas and he looked at me. I felt my face burn slightly and I wanted to ignore it but this time I didn't. I just looked at him. For the first time I noticed just how sexy he was. It was only a moment. A glance of eye contact that made me see Dally in a way I hadn't. And then it was gone, all except the feeling in my stomach.

A few minutes went by and we just listened to music. I looked out the window as I watched the Now Leaving Tulsa sign disappear behind us. I glanced at Dally. He didn't look mean. If I hadn't ever met him I wouldn't assume he was as cold as he was. Or pretended to be. His dark hair fell carelessly and his fair skin balance out the darkness in his hair and brown eyes. He had a sweet smile, but when he wanted to, it looked almost terrifying.

"Tell me something," I commanded.

"Like what?" He smirked.

"Something you've never told anyone," I said. I wanted to know him. Every inch and every thought. Something inside me craved to know him. I was intrigued by him and his view on life. It was so different than mine. I loved the ocean, capturing pictures, and traveling. Dallas Winston, well he didn't seem like he loved anything.

"Alright," he started. "I was pretty damn smart when I was in school. I liked learning and I liked reading. My favorite book was A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway," I grinned from ear to ear learning this about Dally. Picturing him at 13 with a book in his hand and a smile on his face was incredible. "Oh," he chuckled at himself. "I had glasses, man." I laughed as well.

"You were a nerd!" I exclaimed. He rolled his eyes. "You never told the gang about this?"

"Nah, I think they suspect that I was a lot different. That's why I'm so fond of Ponyboy and Johnny, man. I just want them to stay like that. I don't want them to get mean like me, man." I could hear the sincerity in his voice. He cared for them. No. He loved them. He really loved them.

We talked for a hours about our pasts. I told him about surfing and the incredible feeling you get when you're out alone with the waves. He told me about New York, and about prison.

"You ready to stop to eat? I'm starved." I nodded in agreement. I was real hungry too, just hadn't realized it until now. We pulled into the parking lot for a small diner called Ellie's. We walked in and sat ourselves like the chalk board told us to. And we began looking at the menu. I caught Dally looking at me as I read my options. I glanced up and he just grinned at me.

"What?" I asked laughing.

"You're pretty," He responded. I rolled my eyes sarcastically. "You are." He said still smiling at me.

"I'm not pretty," I argued quietly.

"You're beautiful," He said. I finally broke out into a full smile, which made him smile too.

"Stop it, Dallas Winston," I commanded and he jokingly put his hands up in defeat.

"Yes ma'am."

"Why are you so good to me?" I asked.

"I'm not good to you," he argued in the same quiet tone I used earlier.

"You're great," I said mimicking his tone as well. He grinned at me. He found me offaly entertaining. I was partly joking but at the same time I was serious. "Dally," I said regaining his attention. "Why are you so different with me?" I asked.

"I don't know," he answered. "You're like nobody I've ever met Hendrix Grace." He grinned at me again and this time it drove me crazy. I'm not sure what it was, what I was feeling or what the hell I was thinking. But Dallas Winston was not who I thought he was. He was much, much more extraordinary than anyone could ever fathom.