Outside

Part 1

   Dakota Simpson.. 14 years of age... hardly leaves her house for she is homeschooled and only leaves for church and to go to the store. She wasn't religious but her parents believed she was and forced her to go with them every Sunday. She didn't mind though for it was an excuse to get out of the house. She took every opportunity she had to leave. Dakota had one friend whom she barely saw or talked to but she was still her best friend.  Dakota never had a phone but she did have the laptop she snuck onto while she did her school work. She had many friends online but knew they wouldn't last. They shared secrets together and made many jokes and made Dakota feel somewhat happy and not as alone as she really was. You might ask yourself, why doesn't she go to public school? Well.. that's a good question. She doesn't really know why her parents refuse to let her go, nor let her have a cell phone. She's been kept from the outside world all her life because her parents feared it was too harsh for her. She knew she was safe behind the walls of her house but was she really happy? No. She was often depressed and numb feeling screaming out for freedom. But this all changed when she turned 15.

     On the morning of her 15th birthday, she was woken up by her best friend, who had spent the night for once, who was singing old throw back songs. Dakota laughed at her weird friend missing this feeling of happiness. They went downstairs to watch a movie, which they soon got bored of, and they went and asked her mother if they can go to the park down the road. Knowing her mom would most likely say no, she still went ahead and asked. Surprisingly she had said yes. So Dakota and her friend set out for the park.

*2 hours later*

     When they had gotten back, the smell of pancakes and bacon filled the noses of the girls. Walking into the kitchen curiously she saw her mom making breakfast for a change. She laughed at the sight slightly and went into the living room and watched some tv. Later that evening when all her family was home she opened up her gifts. She got the usual makeup and books and jewelry.. but there was something else. She got a phone.. her very first phone. She was excited and happy about it. She got it all set up and put her social media on there and began chatting up with her online friends. She also started talking to some of the local kids too who she never met or talked to. 

   Dakota met a boy online a couple years back, they been dating secretly online for over a year and were madly in love. They had their future all planned out and knew exactly what she wanted. She was finally happy, everything was perfect. Change started happening too with Dakota, and her boyfriend started to notice. They began fighting a lot almost breaking up every time it was tearing her apart. 

   A few weeks into having a phone Dakota met this boy named Andrew through some online friends. They had a few things in common and were always jokingly flirting with each other and she didn't think it was serious at first. The boy knew very well she had a boyfriend and he was fine with that until he found out how he treated her. He gave her some advice to leave him, he knew her boyfriend was only hurting her. Dakota and that boy grew very close. He knew every detail there is about her. She trusted him and knew he had her back so she was planning on breaking up with her boyfriend. 

   A week before New Year's, a boy named Thomas, who Dakota recognized, asked to follow her on Instagram. She accepted the request and followed him back. Almost instantly, he messaged her saying he recognized her from somewhere. That's when she realized where he was from... He was an ex of a girl who goes to her church. Dakota always had a thing for him but didn't think the feeling was mutual. She replied back saying they went to church together for awhile. Thomas and Dakota began talking non stop since then, asking each other random questions, both getting butterflies, tiniest bit of flirting. She knew what she had to do. 

   The next day she broke things off with her boyfriend, after over a year.. She was free from arguments and stress. She felt happy but deep down was sad about her decision but knew it was for the best. Knowing she had someone to lean on and help her through this rough time, she went to Andrew and he made her feel better. Things between them started to heat up after a few days, he confessed that he liked her and wanted her to be his. She also confessed she liked him and wanted to be his but she didn't know quite yet if she was ready for a relationship yet, so they put it on hold; also because Andrew didn't like the thought of long distance. They still kept on flirting growing deeper and deeper toward each other until one finally said "I love you". Dakota didn't know how it would turn out but found herself falling in love with Andrew so she said it back. They were perfect for one another, making jokes and sharing common interests, Andrew even changed her for the better. But Thomas was still in the picture for she knew her and Andrew wouldn't be happening anytime soon. 

   Day before New Year's Eve, Thomas asked Dakota if he can come over to hang out. She freaked for she never had a guy come over nor hung out with one. She shyly asked her mom, knowing she'd say no, but to Dakotas surprise she said yes. Dakota was screaming with joy and nervous as can be.  She tidied up the house and took a shower making sure she looked presentable. Thomas came over and they sat down together in the living room on a love seat, her parents across from them watching a football game. Her parents asked Thomas questions and talking with him, more than Dakota was, she was a shy and awkward person at first. One thing she will never forgive her father about is that he showed Thomas her baby pictures and all the old cringy pictures of her while she was going through her "awkward phase". She wanted to die right then and there wishing it was over and she thought the boy would leave and never come back, never saying another word to her. But, he did come back. When it was his time to leave, they hugged for what felt like forever.. Dakota felt safe and warm in his arms. She knew they would have something.. and soon.