king and queen

eleven

Alexa's POV

It was a nice warm night, to my surprise. The walk there was about twenty minutes so I might as well start up some conversation.

"So, how have ya been these past few years? From what I heard, nobody's really seen ya around."

"Man, leaving New York was the best decision I could have ever made. It sucks here."

So he did leave the state.

I wanted to know where he went, but I didn't wanna be too nosy.

"Yeah, I get that. City life ain't for everyone. Sometimes a getaway is necessary."

"You seem to like it here pretty well." He said.

I grabbed a cigarette out of my bag and lit it up real quick. He gave me a look of confusion. Like he was shocked I'd ever touch one of these. "Want one?" I asked.

"Nah, I got some of my own."

I grinned a bit as I puffed out some smoke. I went back to his original point. "To be fair, I've only ever known New York. I've got cousins out of state, but they only ever came up here."

"Where they from?"

"Tennessee. I only see 'em maybe once a year at most. Ever since my mom died it's been less frequent." It was kinda silent after that. Maybe not the best time. I guess I just figured since he already knew about her, might as well talk about her. Carry on her name a bit.

"Tennessee?" He asked.

"Mhmm."

"So you got some country in ya."

"Yeah, maybe a little." I said with a laugh. "You seem to have some too. Your friend, Johnny, he's got a decent country accent."

"Yeah, I've been hiding out in the country, I guess."

"Where at?"

"Oklahoma."

"Really? Thought maybe you was gonna say Texas. Get it... 'cause your name is Dallas." I laughed at my humor.

"Haha. Never heard that one before."

"I'm just messin' with ya. Is it good down there? Must be a bit harder to stay out a trouble." I said with a grin. I think he was warming up to me.

"Yeah, I guess. Although, I never have heard of a ten year old getting arrested down there." That managed to make him crack a grin.

"Well, to be fair, you're the only person I know, even from here, that got arrested before puberty."

He playfully rolled his eyes. "Yeah. And someone was sooo traumatized they had to go to the principle about it."

I laughed. "What? Are you talking about me?"

"Who else would I be referring to?"

"Dallas, I never went to him. He came to me. And he went to a few other people too. He felt obligated to call us all down to make sure we were okay. It's not typically normal for a police squad to bust into an elementary school to arrest someone. Let alone a student. He called down me and the two other girls at our table since they all shoved us away."

"Really?" He asked. He sounded shocked by that.

"Yeah. I was only called down right away because my mom had just past and they figured my dad would be looking for extra money and searching ways to sue the school. Y'know, like emotional damage, I guess? But Britney and Samantha were called down too."

"Wow. I had no idea."

"You really thought I went down on my own to bitch and complain about how terrible that experience was for me? Man, it was the most interesting thing I've seen in my life at that point. Still might be to this day. I didn't need to go barging into your own problems like that."

"Well, you had a problem with me in kindergarten." He said. He sounded cocky. Like he had a point.

"What?" I asked, still with a laugh. "Dallas, I've never had a problem with you. And certainly not in kindergarten."

"Yeah, ya did. We were working on our coloring sheets and you came over and talked about my terribly fruit drawing."

I thought for a moment. "Oh my, gosh! I remember that! I wasn't saying it was terrible. I was just tryna help. The assignment was to draw a realistic fruit bowl. Like the one you'd see on a kitchen counter. And you were drawing your oranges in purple and your bananas blue. You ever wonder you got a nice big "X" instead of a check mark on your paper?"

"No..." He muttered. "That was really the assignment?"

"Yeah." I said with a giggle. "I wasn't criticizing you in any way. Just trying to be a help." I said with a smile.

"Well, shoot. Guess you're right."

I laughed off our conversation. Can't believe he was holding petty grudges like that.

Dallas' POV

Oh, man.

Fuck fuck fuck!

Was I actually wrong about her all this time?

For over a decade I believed she was just some smart-ass, stuck up, entitled, bitch.

But she's actually really really really nice.

My, God! No wonder everyone likes her! She's a nice person!

I didn't even know that was a thing!

I spent less than a day with her and she managed to turn around every negative thought I had about her.

Man, if she knew what I was saying to Pony and Johnny, she'd be devastated.

Not like she'd ever find out. Johnny wouldn't ever say anything to her. And unless Ponyboy shows up outta nowhere, she'll never know.

She'd be crushed.

I gotta stop thinking about that.

She'll never find out.

She seemed to think I was being sarcastic when I complained about the things she's done and laughed it off. Hopefully she doesn't think too hard about it.

Shoot.

Now we aren't talking.

It's an awkward silence between us.

OF COURSE SHE'S GONNA THINK ABOUT IT!

SHE'S A GIRL!

I may not be a female, but from what I know they tend to overthink everything down to the last detail. 

I gotta say something.

Change the topic.

"So... how's the weather today?"