House of Goths

Chapter 37

The two of them walked silently side by side, looking like a most unlikely pair. The people they passed couldn't help but stare at Dorian's eccentric steampunk style of dress, goggles over his floppy mohawk, combat boots on his feet, visible tattoos creeping up his neck.

Becky couldn't exactly blame them for looking. He was quite striking. He wasn't as beautiful as Crispin or as handsome as Kelley. His features were more rugged and manlier for lack of a better word, but he had a sweet nature that reflected easily in his steely blue eyes. His obvious attractiveness was not lost on Becky, or the pretty checkout girl wearing a Santa hat.

"How about this one?" Becky asked, pointing at a particular tree.

"Hmm... a little too big," Dorian winced. "Ah, ha, here we go." He pulled up a smaller tree and stood it up next to Becky. "Just about your height, perfect. Won't take up much room at all," he said with a grin.

"Dorian, stop trying to make me laugh," Becky said, unsuccessfully suppressing a giggle.

"Oh, but I live for making pretty girls laugh."

At his words, Becky turned pensive. He could literally see the wheels turning in her mind. His job wasn't done here yet.

"Now then, Becky, need anything else while we're out?" he asked, having just placed the tree in the van.

"No."

"Come on, a coffee or a hot chocolate perhaps?"

"I don't know... where?"

"Well, we could go to the Second Cup, across the street."

"If you want to." What was he all about? Why was Dorian being so friendly all of a sudden? She couldn't help but be suspicious.

"Oh, wow, a little enthusiasm would be nice," he said stiffly, looking quite dejected. Zipping his coat up higher, he turned and walked towards the street.

Oops, she must have offended him, she realized, biting her bottom lip. She couldn't help but feel bad for hurting his feelings. Of all of her housemates, he'd always been so even tempered and good natured. It obviously took a lot to upset him, and she had done just that. She could tell that she had by his posture and the way he was avoiding looking at her.

"Come along, we have a green light," Dorian stated, digging his hands into his pockets while taking purposeful steps as they crossed the street.

Oh, what was the point? He frowned as he walked. She obviously didn't want to hang out with him. Not that he could blame her. He hadn't exactly been there for her as of late. Still, he was going to try his best to get through to her.

"What would you like?" he asked, holding the door for her.

"Hot chocolate, please." She automatically reached for her satchel.

"Hey, it's on me. Go grab a table, would you?"

"Are you sure?"

"I wouldn't have offered otherwise," he said, playfully tugging her knit hat off her head.

Becky found a table by the window. She waited and watched as snowflakes started to fall from the sky. It was a pretty sight yet she couldn't but shiver at the thought of the long cold winter ahead. Especially given the mood around the house.

"There you go, Becky," Dorian said, placing two hot beverages down on the small table.

"Thank you," she said, noticing him glancing out the window at the grocery store, towards the girl in the Santa hat specifically. "You should go talk to her."

"What? Who?" Dorian said, snapping out of his thoughts.

"You know who I mean." Becky raised an eyebrow at him and smiled when he practically blushed. "The girl with the Santa hat. I saw you making eyes at her."

"Don't be silly, besides what would be the point? I don't think I'm exactly her type," Dorian said, almost sheepishly.

"How do you even know that without at least talking to her?"

"Look at me, look at her. Come on, Becky. What are the chances?"

"Are you saying that you only date Goth girls?" she asked with a pensive frown.

"It's not that I prefer Goth girls, it's just that Goth girls aren't as judgemental when it comes to me."

"I don't think any less of you because of how you look."

"Yeah, well, you're a special kind of girl." He focused his attention solely on Becky. "Kell's lucky to have you. In fact, we all are."

"Oh, please, don't even go there. Besides, I don't feel very special," she said, staring at her cup of frothy hot chocolate.

"You are special. We're practically family. We hang out together, watch tele, read the flyers on Saturday mornings."

"Yeah, well, I used to enjoy all that before I realized how you all truly felt about me. I'm nothing more than a nuisance, a distraction. I thought you were my friends, but we're not really friends, are we?" She shuffled awkwardly in her seat, averting her eyes from him. "Dorian, I don't feel comfortable talking to you about this."

"Becky, of course, we're friends. I am your friend."

"Then why... how..." she stopped, unable to form the words.

"Speak to me, sweet baby," he pleaded, reaching across the table for her hand.

"I don't feel I can be myself around you all anymore," she said, wiping away a stray tear. "I'm so confused. I'm at a complete loss as to where I stand with you."

"Listen, all you have to know, is that you are wanted, you are loved and you are respected. Speaking for myself, I can promise you that I think very highly of you and I like the way you are. I want you to be you. Please, don't think that you have to change a thing about yourself. You're the sweetest, cutest little housemate...."

"But that's just it!" she interrupted him. "I... I don't want you to find me cute. The last thing I want is to lead you or the others on in that way."

"In what way?" he asked, squeezing her hand.

"You know..."

"Becky, don't insult my intelligence," he said, having heard enough. "I may find you attractive, and yes, if you must know, I would jump at the chance to have a girl like you, but I also know that we are just friends. No matter how much flirting goes on in the house, I can promise you that nothing will ever happen between us. That's because I am your friend first. Besides, I know where your heart lies.

"All right, Dorian," she said with a reluctant smile. He could be quite persistent with those big blue eyes. Dorian was quite the contradiction at times. Outwardly, he looked tough and almost mean. On the inside, he was just a big playful puppy. Even now, with his ruggedly handsome face all contorted and pleading sincerity, he was impossible to resist. "I believe you, and I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings."

"No apology necessary. I'm just glad that we've cleared the air between us. Seriously, I've missed your smile, your laughter around the house. It's been quieter than a crypt this last little while.

"Sweet Dorian." She turned her hand into his and gave his fingers a reassuring squeeze. "Thank you for this."

"Never mind all that. Just finish up your hot chocolate before it gets cold."

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To be continued...

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House of Goths Copyright © 2014 by Maria Bernard ISBN: 978-0-9938067-3-5

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