The Stranger

Chapter 20.

a•part
adverb
of two or more people or things seperated by a distance; at a specified distance from each other in time or space.

* * * * * * * *

"You're so lucky bitch!" Lettie growled at me. I scoffed at her minor threat while jolting my head back. "You're the lucky one!" I said with a smirk. "Dazie Ann! Outside – NOW!" My mom screamed, while grabbing her belongings. My mom brushed past me and Darnell, who still had his arms wrapped tightly around my waist. I removed his hands from my waist gently and grabbed my purse; stomping out of the restaurant. I'm pretty sure there was steam coming from my ears. "That's exactly why I dipped." I heard Tray mumble, followed by a couple of giggles.

The perfect world that I envisioned in my daydreams, were quickly crashing down. "Mom!" I yelled. She was miles away from me as she continued to speed walk to her Volkswagen. "Dazie! Wait up!" I heard from behind me. I stopped in my tracks as I turned around to see Darnell jogging lightly towards me. In the mist of my imperfect world, he suddenly made everything perfect again. I blinked slowly as a slight smile curved upon my lips.

I started to create a movie within my mind. My favorite song: when the party's over by Billie Eilish played in my head as Darnell approached me. You only have one life to live.. Be bold. I dropped my purse as I walked towards Darnell. "Are you okay?" He asked with concern in his voice. "Never better." I replied, as I wrapped my arms around his neck. He followed my lead and lifted me up gently from the ground as my feet dangled in the air. I planted my lips against his roughly and we kissed for what felt like hours.

"You're crazy." He whispered as we parted. "You're crazier." I whispered back. He chuckled as he placed me placed back to reality. "Where's your mom?" He asked as he browsed the parking lot. I shrugged as I kept my eyes on him. "Who cares? She hates me right now." "She definitely doesn't hate you. I know she'll want you home though." He said. I closed my eyes as I lowered my head. "You're right." I said lowly. "Do you mind if I take you home, Dazie?" He asked as he lifted my chin with his thumb. My cheeks instantly flushed a bright red. "No, I don't mind." I replied. "Good." He smiled back at me.

He walked past me as he knelt down and picked up my purse. "Can't forget about this, babygirl." He said as he handed me my purse. "You're right." I said. "C'mon." He said lowly, nodding his head towards the parking lot. I bit my lower lip and I now followed his lead. After a 3 minute walk, we approached his 1996 Nissan 300ZX coated in the color white. "This is me." He said as he chirped his car alarm. "Niiicee." I said as I ran my finger tips on the outside of his car. "It's something light, yanno?" He said chuckling.

The inside of his car was surprisingly neat and smelled of Little Tree's Royal Pine. There wasn't a spec of dirt in his car; no burger king cups nor water bottles laying around. "I see you keep your car clean." I said with a giggle. "I see that's something you ain't use to." He said. "What's that supposed to mean?" I asked glaring at him. "You ain't use to a nigga like me." He replied with a wink. At that moment, all I could do was rest my case and tilt my head back against the head rest.

After he drove a couple of blocks away from the restaurant, I entered my address into the GPS of his phone. "Any song suggestions?" He asked while quickly making eye contact with me. "Hmm." I said while sucking in my cheeks. "It's that deep?" He asked. "Yes!" I replied with a giggle. "I have to pick the perfect song for this moment." I continued. "Ah, so we're having a moment?" He asked in a flirty tone. "Are we?" I asked as I tilted my head towards his direction. "Is that a trick question?" He responded. "Why would it be a trick question?" "Well, if I say no then I'm the bad guy. But if I say yes.. then I'm moving too fast." He replied while meeting my gaze momentarily before eyeing the road again.