Dorian's plan...
Dorian didn't know what the others had in mind, but he'd made his plan to make things right between him and Becky.
There she is, hiding behind that tree trunk, thinking he hadn't seen her. The girl could be silly beyond belief sometimes. He barely contained his laughter as he pulled up by the curb and got out of the van.
"Ah, ha!" he said, sneaking around the tree. "Got you!"
"Dorian!" she gasped, startling before blushingly guiltily. "What are you doing?"
"I might ask you the same question," he smirked, crossing his arms, leaning casually up against the tree. "Why are you hiding from me?"
"I am not hiding," she lied, averting her eyes from him.
"Don't lie to me," he quirked a smile, bending to her level. "I saw you deke behind this tree when you spotted my van following you." He couldn't help but chuckle at her guilty expression. "Never mind that now. It's cold out, let me drive you home."
"I don't need you to drive me home!" she stated, looking furtively from his friendly face to the puffy collar of his fleece lined bomber jacket. "I don't mind walking, and I'm quite used to the cold."
"Nonsense..." he laughed, taking her hand and literally dragging her towards the van. "Go on, Becky, get in before someone thinks I'm abducting you," he chuckled heartily as he hoisted her up into the passenger seat and shut the door.
Becky sat fuming as Dorian got in beside her and started up the van. "Just who do you think are?" she challenged, reluctantly buckling herself in.
"Your housemate? Your friend?" he said as he drove along.
"I don't have any friends," she said, looking out the window, seeing him drive right on past their home. "Hey?"
"Don't be ridiculous," Dorian said, patting her on the knee. "You have us, and you have me. Even though we haven't been very good at showing it sometimes, you must know we do care about you."
"All you all care about are yourselves," she said with a frown. "Now tell me where we're going or pull over and let me out!"
"Relax, Becky, I thought you'd like to come pick out a Christmas tree with me." He let her jab go for now. He wasn't looking for an argument, just to spend some time with her, away from the others.
"A Christmas tree?" she repeated, suddenly realizing just how far into December it was. In her melancholy state as of late, she hadn't even noticed. How odd, given that she'd always loved Christmastime. Then again with all that had happened lately, it shouldn't surprise her.
"Yeah, what do you think?" he asked, glancing sideways at her.
"What kind of tree, and where will we put it?" she asked, slowly coming around.
"Well, I don't know, a regular one?" he chuckled. As far as he was concerned, a Christmas tree was a Christmas tree. "We usually put it in the living room by the old fireplace."
"Oh... that sounds like a nice place to put it, but won't it get in the way of the television?"
"Ah, we'll make it work. Besides, it doesn't have to be a big tree."
"No, I suppose not." she shrugged as he pulled into the grocery store parking lot.
"Oh, of course," she said, seeing the burlap covered trees out front. "I was afraid we were going to have to go cut one down."
"Uh... no. I'm not quite that adventurous. Besides, that would require spending a lot of time outdoors. If you haven't noticed, I don't much like being cold," he said as hopped out of the van. "Come along, girlie."
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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