The Flowered Dress

Hey everyone. This is my new story, "The Flowered Dress". It takes place during World War two. As in most stories that first chapter is pretty boring, just getting to know people and stuff. It will get better though, I promise and I hope that you will continue reading and supporting me. The first chapter is kind of short but I hope that you will enjoy it, comment, vote, and share.

Thanks so much!  

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     'Romance stories are always dull and drab', thought Connie Ortego thought as she was sitting in Clearwater, South Carolina's small movie theatre on January 26, 1942 for the first time in her life. Sure there had been TV's and such and she always watched the news, but she had never seen a movie in a real movie theatre, if you could even count the two room building as a movie theatre. She glanced over at Blake. His head was drooping and his eyes were slowly shutting. So he liked this movie as much as she did. That was good because maybe he wouldn't want to go on a date with her again. She sighed and glanced down, this time her gaze rested on Blakes sweaty hand that was holding tightly to her own. 'How am I supposed to get out of here without him knowing?' she thought. How had she even gotten mixed up with Blake. Oh, right, he was one of her students brothers at the middle school in town. She didn't want him to hate her and ruin the only chance she had at making friends in this small Southern town.

      Connie slowly and carefully began to pull her hand out from the sweaty palm of Blakes. He started to stir but when she finally pulled her hand free, he seemed to still be asleep. That was until she went to stand up.

      "Where you goin'?" he asked her grabbing her hand and pulling her onto his lap. Luckily they were the only two people in the theatre.

     "I was going to the bathroom," she said calmly trying to wriggle from his grasp.

     "You ain't goin' anywhere until this here movie is over," he said, his southern accent strong.

     "You are not in charge in me and to be honest, I'm having a real shitty time." She stood up again. "So I'm leaving," Connie said. She grabbed her purse, hoping that he wouldn't follow her or try and grab her again, and she stormed out.

     Stepping out of the theatre onto the cold, damp, deserted streets was actually difficult for Connie. She didn't understand why. Coming from a bustling city like New York to this small town should've been an easy transition. Right? However, it wasn't. Connie threw the hood of her worn, light blue coat over her head and clutched her handbag tighter. Even for January, it was warmer in Clearwater, nothing like New York's weather and a light jacket was all she needed. No lights were shining on the street, except for a few dim, blinking neon lights cast by the movie theatre sign. She was praying to God that Blake wouldn't come out of the theatre and do something violating to her. She had heard of things like that happening before, but she had never experienced it first hand, and she didn't want to. She closed her eyes, letting the rain hit her face. Then she started to walk.

     The lights flickered behind Connie as she walked down the poorly lit street. She clutched her bag even tighter and she hoped that she would get home safely. As she was turning the corner she glanced behind her and happened to she a figure ducking into an alley. Were they following her? What did they want? If they were following her, why? Connie started to pick up her pace, hoping to make it home before he caught up to her. She had a vile taste in her mouth and she quickly swallowed, trying to get rid of it. It didn't go away though. She felt dizzy so she had to stop and close her eyes. When she reopened her eyes the pressure in her head hadn't gone away and she felt like she was going to fall. Her knees went out from under her and right before she crashed to the ground she felt a hand wrap around her waist. She was pulled up, spun around, and pushed into a hard brick wall. She then felt cold, cracked lips crush against her own and the smell of booze engulfed her. For one tiny second she couldn't breathe and then the lips retreated and she was left, sitting on the sidewalk, upset, dizzy, and tired.