Opposites attract - Dally Winston

Chapter 46:

"I know you do" was Soda's response.

"The whole gang knows you do" he adds.

I give him a confused look thinking that I was doing a good job of hiding it, but clearly I wasn't.

"We all see the way you look at him. The way you smile and laugh with him. And tonight; when you saved his life just proved it."

"I think the only one who didn't know it was you" he adds giving me a soft smile.

I take a deep inhale and return the smile back to Soda, "come on. Let's go get some rest" he says walking over to me and intertwining our hands.

I hesitate to go, "what if there is another problem?" I ask panicked, "Darry will be here with Two soon" Soda said pulling me lightly forward.

I take one last look at Dally and then turn to walk away with Soda.

***

I couldn't eat. 

I couldn't drink.

I couldn't do anything but sit on the couch, my head in my hand thinking about Dally; thinking about how I almost lost him.

I was crying and I didn't even notice till I felt the hot tear land on my wrist.

"Gracie.." I hear from right in front of me.

I don't even look up, I already know who it is.

"I'm scared" I whisper.

I feel the couch cave in beside me and an arm wrap around my shoulders pulling me closer into a warm figure.

We stay like that for a moment not talking, my head still in my hands as I tremble and cry.

There was a deep breath before Soda spoke, "I know, I am too" he says while rubbing his hands up and down my arm.

"Did you read the note that I found in the garbage?" I ask taking a look from the cave I have burrowed myself into.

He shakes his head no, "you were shaking too much" he says.

"H- He went out looking for... he wanted to die, Soda, and I wasn't there for him" I tell him my voice on the verge of breaking.

"None of us were Gracie. How were we supposed to know Dally was looking to get himself shot? None of us were there for him, but we can't blame ourselves because how could we have possibly known?" he tells me trying to find my eyes.

I give in and let him look in my cloudy eyes, "but I could've asked to see if he was ok. I could've prevented this" I tell him mentally punching myself in the face for being so selfish; only thinking about my hurt.

"He did break your heart Gracie" Soda says not letting go of me.

"Yeah, but I was to busy wallowing in self pity that I didn't even think about how Dallas would be feeling. I should've tried harder to get him back instead of giving up so easily" I say feeling the guilt wash over me like a tsunami.

"I'm not an expert on emotions or anything, but I'm pretty sure the only reason Dally chose Sylvia because of you is-" I cut him off, "because he's blinded, she's got a blindfold wrapped tightly around his eyes so he can't see what he's getting himself into" I hiss in anger.

"Is because he was scared" he tells me in a calm voice; completely opposite of mine.

I look at him confused narrowing my eyes at him.

"He was scared to open himself up with someone else, he was scared of opening up to you" he adds never breaking eye contact.

Those blue orbits were starting to calm me, but also making me bloom with confusion.