I know I started out with "it was a dark and stormy night" but that was just a bunch of crud. It kinda skips from first person point of view to third person POV so once again, pleez bear with. Sometimes we need an outsider's view, and then an insider's. I'm really into detail sumtimes so any action might be prolonged by description. Thnx for the great reviews. I had a lot of trouble deciding where to go with this story.

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Arielle was informed by a steward head that they would be approaching Tulsa in fifteen minutes. Almost immediately her heartbeat rose in excitement and anticipation. She enjoyed traveling to an extreme delight, but quickly stopped herself short in a bit of shame. She recalled her last encounter with Tulsa and her wariness and reflection brought down her mood. Jonathon had awoken at the voice of the steward even though he had tried to keep his voice to a whisper. He rubbed his eyes sleepily and asked the infamous question, "Are we there yet?" "Good morning sunshine," she replied with a touch of loving sarcasm. "We'll be there in about fifteen minutes." The evident spark in his eyes lit up his face and broadened his frequently present smile. To Arielle, he looked like an eager puppy. However, Arielle was sure that a lot of girls didn't see him that way.

Being on the baseball team, Johnny really worked out his arms and did a lot of running. Practices could be very exhausting. Over the past few months, he had also been going to the gym. To many a surprise so had Arielle. Jonathon built up his muscles working out in many areas. He had managed to build up a four pack though it hardly showed at first glance, or so I teased him anyways. The truth was that it showed through most of his tight shirts. He wanted to work out harder so he could a very impressive six pack. He mostly dressed casual, but on few occasions he tended to show off, but these were rare and recent occasions. It took a long time for Jonathon to move on from his abusive past and start making a brighter future, as corny as it sounded. Obviously it wasn't just something that you forgot after a few weeks. It was so wonderful to have his funny, exuberant personality shine through after all that had happened that we sometimes forgot he was still just a shy young guy by nature.

We had by this time gathered our carry-on luggage which included my purse, his backpack of literature and games to occupy us both on the train ride, and my bag containing one change of clothes for each of us to change into before we left the train. Johnny, in all his excitement, had changed over an hour ago "just to be sure." I on the other hand had completely forgotten in my musings.

I quickly made my way to the bathroom to change and get ready. My mother put a high opinion on what she looked like to others and made sure she looked presentable at all times while in public. It was no surprise I had to check myself twice before returning to my seat to make sure there were no evident creases in my blouse, what little makeup I had on was not smudged, and my hair was all in place. My hair is naturally wild. As an adolescent my hair was so frizzy my bangs were always frizzed out into a puffball. Thank goodness I learned what hairgel and hairspray were. The value of a ponytail never failed to rescue any bad hair dilemma. Today I would leave it down curly to my middle back with a headband leaving my face clear. I sucked in my stomach to check if I could seem thinner, just as a habit, but it turned out I couldn't suck it in too much. I guess I didn't need to. It couldn't be possible that my weight had changed too dramatically. See, here's the thing. I used to be fat. Really fat in my opinion. I remembered entering Junior High forty five pounds overweight. When I secretly enrolled in kickboxing lessons, I started to lose weight and gain a little muscle. Of course with the sparse diet of college life and hectic late night report writing, I had obviously lost more weight, but I still felt healthy.

I rushed out of the bathroom and headed to my seat with Jonathon giving me an "are you crazy" look. I didn't think I had taken that long. It was barely two minutes before the train jolted to a stop. Boy had I been mistaken. We stepped out of our private compartment and headed down to the unloading "dock." Jonathon practically skipping the whole way. We stepped down and went over to claim our baggage from the man unloading it. Johnny carried his two while I carried mine. A baggage boy helped to carry the other one that Jonathon and I had placed some of our other necessities. Now we had to locate a taxi to take us to the hotel. By the time we checked in it was 1:00 in the afternoon. We got settled, and I just flopped down onto the bed.

"What do you want to do now Jonathon?" He glared at me and I quickly corrected myself. "I mean Johnny." "Well, I dunno. Maybe we could go to this old Greaser hang out called the Dingo, but I think it's on the other side of town. Why did we have to stay here? It's on the opposite side of where my old friends live," he pouted. I bit the sides of my tongue like I usually do when I'm annoyed but kept my voice nonchalant. "That's right they're your OLD friends. According to the brochure we picked up back at that last stop, this is the best place in the city. And don't worry about it. I don't think you realize how small this town is. It probably won't take but half an hour to get from the west side to the east. Oh that reminds me. I have to go pick up the rental." With that we were off to Danny's Automobile Rental Service. After the proper registration and identification, I was handed the key to a brand new navy blue Chevrolet Chervil. Johnny just whistled as we got in. I have to admit it was a rather flashy car. Lots of teenagers would be happy to go for a spin in this baby.

"So where is this Dingo anywho?" "Turn right up here on Sutton and go straight for about three blocks." I suddenly remembered why I had been amused earlier at the mention of The Dingo. "Why do they call it the Dingo? I thought we were in Oklahoma, not the land own under. Ay mate?" I asked in my fluent Australian accent. I giggled a bit at my question. Johnny gave me a quizzical look and then just shook his head at my lame attempt at humor, but he laughed just the same. When we got there, Johnny had obviously forgotten much of the rivalry between the east and west side. I felt a little out of place in my lime green flowered traveling dress. It only came about two and inches above my knees, but compared to some of the girls hanging around, I felt like a nun. I ended up practically gawking at one couple who were in obvious need of a room, sheesh! When did they come up for air? Johnny had to snap me out of it and we continued inside. "We don't have to go in if you don't think it's safe or anything." "Don't worry about it Johnny. This trip is for you, and I'm not about to spoil your fun." He smiled and we walked into the Dingo not expecting much excitement.