Danny's POV
We finally make it to the planes. It took us longer than expected due to the fact we had to avoid the bullets of the low flyin' 37's. Joey was the first to get his plane started. Naturally, he took off first while Rafe and I continued to run through the final checks of our own planes. Joey, however, didn't get too far before the Japs came out of nowhere. I watched in shock as we all heard his frantic screams before the plane finally blew up. I still had my eyes fixed on what was remained of Joey's burnin' plane when I heard Rafe callin' my name from his own plane. We made eye contact then he yelled,
"Danny, we gotta get these birds in the air!"
"Alright, let's get goin'!" I yelled in response. We both revved the engines of the planes and quickly pulled out of the hangar. My heart was in my throat as I sent the plane hurtling down the short runway. I looked to my right to see Rafe right alongside me. As I took off, I couldn't help but think of only one thing. Well, more like one person. Carrie.
Flashback Carrie's POV
I stared at myself in the mirror. I couldn't believe it. I finally got myself a date. His name was Nick McDonald, and he was gorgeous, to say the least. Honestly, I am a little shocked he even asked me out.
It's not that I'm not pretty, but I just never imagined a guy like Nick taking an interest in someone as confident and un-ladylike as me. He usually went for the tall, tan, green-eyed pretty cheerleaders at school. But, no. He asked ME out.
I am pulled from my thoughts by a familiar voice. I turn my head towards the door to my bedroom where I see Danny standing there lookin' rather.... grim. However, his eyes light up ever so slightly as I looked in his direction.
"Wow, Carrie. You-you, look.... beautiful." He gasped. My cheeks blushed a slight pink at his compliment. It only took me three hours to get ready, but I finally managed. I was wearing a red dress that belonged to my mother. I had also spent extensive amounts of time on my cosmetics and hair which were both slightly imperfect for my liking, but it would have to do.
"Thanks, Danny." I beamed. He was wearing a smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. Odd. There was a loud knock that snapped us out of our dream-like daze. I wonder how long I had been staring at him? I swept past him and ran downstairs to find Rafe about to open the door. Wait, why the hell are both of my friends just hanging out at my house? Before I could stop him, Rafe pulled open the door. Standing in the doorway was a very smug-looking Nick.
When I reached the door, I noticed Rafe was giving Nick a death glare. It was no secret that Rafe despised Nick. It was also quite obvious that those negative feelings were well reciprocated.
"McDonald," Rafe grunted.
"McCawley," Nick smugly replied. I break the growing tension as I turn to Rafe.
"Why are you and Danny here? I'm a big girl, ya know?" I giggled.
"Well, we're just seein' ya off. Just because you're a 'big girl' doesn't mean Danny and I can't see ya off." Rafe retorted. He never once took his eyes off Nick, even while he was addressin' me. I turn my gaze towards Nick and offer him a warm smile before I place my arm in his. I turn to face Rafe, but this time Danny's there too. Danny looks tense as he sees me standing with Nick, but I couldn't help but notice a glint in his eye. Was that... jealousy?
"Well, we'll be off now. Tell my daddy I'll be back to give him his meds." I call as Nick and I run off down my front porch and towards the dirt road where his Daddy's old pickup truck sat waiting. After getting myself situated, I looked out the window and smiled at my two best friends. However, something felt... off. Don't get me wrong, I am more than happy to be going on a date with a handsome guy, but I just wish it was a certain brown-eyed farm boy takin' me instead. I pushed the thoughts out of my head and focused on having the night of my life.
Time Skip
Nick and I had just finished dinner at a small diner in town. We mainly just talked about Nick. I have never felt more annoyed or inclined to leave. I couldn't help but have my thoughts wander to what it would be like to have Danny take me out rather than this arrogant, smug, no-good, insecure little boy. However, I managed to make it through dinner.
We hop back into his truck and Nick takes one of the many backroads in town. One I'm a little too familiar with due to Rafe's many stories of "hangin' out with girls." Nick parks his truck under a large oak tree and turned to me. My heartbeat started to speed up as I made eye contact with him.
"What are we doin' here?" I asked with a nervous half-assed smile. Nick smirks at me and starts to lean in closer.
"I think you know..." He whispers in my ear. My eyes grow wide as he attempts to kiss me. I awkwardly dodge his kiss and place my hand on his chest.
"Woah, what are you doin'?" I ask shakily.
"C'mon, darlin'. Just relax." He says as he leans in once again. I try to dodge his kiss again, but this time, he blocks my escape. As his lips touch mine, I attempt to push him off. He then grabs both of my wrists.
"Stop it. Get off of me!" I squeal. Nick continues to kiss my neck. I managed to get one of my hands free and hit Nick as hard as I could. He immediately pulled back, holding his eye from where I apparently hit him.
"You bitch!" He yells. I was shaking with fear. I couldn't move. I couldn't even think. I see Nick's face turn from shock to fury in a moment. He immediately throws a punch towards me, which I surprisingly dodge. However, his other hand reaches for my throat. He pins me against the door and I can't breathe. I begin to scream as loud as I can. This only made him clamp his hand over my mouth. My vision begins to grow black. Somehow, I knee him in his stomach. He lets me go and I quickly escape. I don't remember how I got there, but the next thing I know, I'm standin' in front of Danny's.
Flashback in Danny's POV
I hear a knock on the door. I slowly creep out of the kitchen and through the living room. Dad had already passed out from his usual drinkin'. I swing open the door and there stood Carrie. My heart dropped when I saw the makeup runnin' down her face. I pulled her inside and I wrapped my arms around her as tightly as I could. She sobbed into my shirt. I just stood there and held her. I didn't know what to say or do, so I just held her. Eventually, I managed to get her to my bedroom where she could get some rest. I didn't ask her what happened, but I could tell by the bruises on her neck and wrists, somethin' bad happened. I ran over to Rafe's house and got him to come over to talk.
"Wait, did she tell ya what happened?" Rafe whispered. We were sittin' out on the front porch steps.
"No. I didn't ask." I replied. I couldn't help but feel guilty about lettin' Carrie go on that date with that jackass. I was lookin' down at my hands as the guilt and rage began to fester.
"You know what we gotta do, right?" Rafe asked. I turned to him and nodded.
"I'll get the truck. You go make sure she's still asleep." Rafe ordered as he left. I quickly walked inside and found Carrie still sound asleep in my bed. I gently walked over and moved a strand of her hair which showed the bruisin' around her neck. I could feel my heart shatter again. I looked away and gritted my teeth before stormin' out of my room and out the front door where Rafe was standin' with his Dad's old pickup.
"Let's go get this son-of-a-bitch," I growl before I hop in the truck.
