Gabriella

It’s Monday, my professor is already being an ass and we aren’t even three months into the school year. I sat on the cold seat of the bus and let out a sigh of relief that I was heading home. The woman next to me offered me a bottle of soda. Taking the bottle, I handed her a ten-dollar bill. She refused, but I still handed it to her. When my stop came, I stood and smiled at her. Lyla and my mother both texted me telling me they were going to be at the mall for a few hours, looking for things. I texted back saying that I’d be okay without them bringing me anything back.

Mom: Honey, we can bring you something if you want

Me: I’m okay

Lyla: Tell Dylan when he gets home! He’s with a client right now, so I can’t text him. Don’t bother him with John, okay? Today’s been a long day for him.

Me: Yep, I know.

I unlocked the door and there Dylan was, on the couch, scrolling through his phone. I walked by him and went to my room. Without another thought, my bag emptied onto my desk, my windows flew open and my Spotify shuffled my favorite playlist. John would come over in an hour, so I have to get all of my work done and fit some studying in there somewhere. My sister went to a college and told me not to. However, I’m not too good at following directions. I would not only be doing something different from her but also, why should I listen to her?

~Don’t Change - Why Don’t We~

My foot tapped to the beat as my hand moved my pencil wherever it needed to go. I softly hummed and closed my eyes, the breeze stinging my face. Maybe this isn’t too bad. Professor Collins isn’t really to blame but I still get pissed off about the fact he won’t chill out about me falling behind a little. I spun in my chair to see Dylan standing at the doorway; arms crossed while he leaned into the doorway.

“Hey, how was it today?” He asked, clearing his throat.

“Fine”

“Do you need help? You look a little stressed.”

“I’m fine, okay?” I stood and put my things away. My heavy bag is thumping into the closet. The bristles of the cold, purple, light hair brush pulled through my hair. Dylan said nothing else. Instead, he just stood there and looked at an old picture of Lyla and me when we were kids. I sprayed perfume on my neck and wrists.

“You were so young when we met. I remember you two were always together when I came over. He chuckled. My legs carried me over and I took the picture off of the wall and set it face down. We used to be like that. Now? She wishes I was dead I bet. I landed back into my chair and sighed. He came over and crouched in front of me. “What’s wrong?” He has never looked at me like this. Swiftly turning my head, I answered with ‘nothing.’ His fingers touched my face to make me look at him. “Tell me.” My mind was racing a mile a minute. I didn't know what was going on.

“You’re doing it now. Of all people. You. Stop treating me like a kid. I’m not one! You don’t have to be this nice, caring, brother-in-law to me. Lyla won’t care or notice. You don’t even have to talk to me. Stop babying me. Just. . .” a tear rolled down my cheek, and I looked at him. Regret. He is regretful. At this moment, I regret. He wiped away the tears and leaned close to me. His breath stung my lips as we both sat there waiting for something to happen. I hoped that someone would walk through the front door so I wouldn’t have to let him know how I feel. “Dylan. I. . .” Before I could do anything more, his lips were softly pressing against mine. A pulse in my entire body shook me. I shouldn’t be doing this. We shouldn’t be doing this. I ever so slightly kissed him back.A car door outside closed, making me jump. I shut the windows, tugging the blinds closed. John’s car sat in the driveway as music blasted through his windows. “Keep your mouth shut and say nothing to anyone.” I walked by him and ran to the door the second I left the room. When I opened the door, John pulled me into a hug and pulled me outside, the door slammed behind him. As he shook me around, I could smell his strong cologne. When he let me go, he rambled about how he missed me in class ever since Professor Collins moved us apart from each other. John. He’s amazing.

We’ve known each other for as long as I can remember. We had a bunch of classes together so I was at his house or he was at mine working on homework together. I remember when he asked me who the hell made the idea of calculus. I found my best friend. We actually realized we had much more in common than we thought throughout the years. On the very last prom, he went with his girlfriend Kelsey. They were super cute together. I went alone and didn’t think too hard about it. There were guys trying to dance with Kelsey all night since someone had pulled John into so many games of Soda Pong (the teachers’ version of beer pong). Kelsey would get rid of them by telling them I was free and then I would get trampled. My dress hugged my body all night. Black cloak, as the store called the color. It took me forever to make it but I ended up creating two dresses and one suit. I made the sleeves from lace, making me fall in love. The back was also lace, along with the collar. The three of us matched. We all wore lace covered black outfits to be ‘The Three Goths’. Our favorite show to watch together is called Our Gothic Romance. The three of us fell in love with it. Of course, it had nothing to do with romance, but the show was still amazing. John and I stopped watching the show when he and Kelsey broke up.

John spun me around, opening the door. We stepped inside to see Dylan on the couch, watching TV. John waved to say hi, and they got into a conversation. I sighed and waited for them to be done. Dylan stood and walked over to the kitchen, motioning for me to follow him. He pulled a can of coca cola from the fridge as I grabbed a glass from the cabinet, beginning to pour it out. Just when I thought I was free, he spoke.

“What happened?” He asked, tapping the counter with his finger.

“Like I know? Can we just talk about this a different time?” I rolled my eyes and took the cup from him.

“Okay, well, I don’t that I’m the asshole for asking what happened. I know I started it and everything, but you definitely”

“Stop. We’ll talk about it after.” I sighed, walking away. I make a joke to John, trying to not seem suspicious. He took the soda for me and we headed into my room. I didn’t sit in my chair.

★

The red glare of my alarm clock messed with my vision. 12:01 A.M. I quickly stood, stretched, and headed out my door. Calm. The house never said like this for long. Mom would leave in two hours and then Dylan. Then Lyla would drop me off at campus. The faucet ran and shut off quickly once my fingers felt the cool metal. My ringtone chimed from my room and I scurried back, closing my door. I curled under my blankets, filling in the password to open my phone screen.

Dylan: Are you awake?

Me: I don’t know, am I?

I laughed, bending my knees, waiting for a response.

Dylan: Well. . .We need to talk. Not over the phone.

Me: I get out around 1 because of exams. What about you?

Dylan: I get out early. Holiday.

Me: Okay, well then?

Dylan: Yes

Me: Milkshakes or no deal.

Dylan: Deal! Sleep well.

Me: You too

What in the hell am I doing? This is bad. This is wrong. I should tell him I didn’t mean to kiss him back, and it was on instinct. Right?