I'll be honest - I don't recall quite what month it is. I reviewed previous chapters last night, but foolishly, I didn't date any of them. Buuut according to my notes from way back when, the Curtis parents passed in February, and I don't think too much time has passed since then, so we're going to assume it's early March and go from there!
Also, I don't remember if I addressed this, but one reader asks why I decided on Steve as Eileen's boyfriend - simply for the fact that I love Tom Cruise, making me bias towards Steve, and he doesn't get a lot of love (at least he hasn't in the past, not sure if that's changed).
Also also, I changed my name!
Mr Barnes sets his phone onto the receiver, allowing his eyes to scan the class – most students sit hunched over their assignment or passing notes to their friends. It's a struggle to focus on my own work, though, each time the phone rings, I get anxious. And this time, when Mr Barnes settles on me, I nearly piss my pants.
I chew nervously on my bottom lip. "Eileen," he calls. I sit up a bit straighter, my heart pounds against my chest. "It was the office, gather your things because your dad is here to pick you up." I swallow hard, nodding my head and collecting my items.
And after being told I have permission to leave from the secretary, I head out, struggling to maintain my composure while my mind runs a mile a minute – Dad never pulls me out of school; in fact, I don't remember the last time he had. And I feel nauseous, coming to the conclusion that something serious has happened – once that thought presents itself, that's the only thing I dwell on.
I wander out to the student parking lot, not really wanting to walk across the school to the front entrance. I'm stuck in this cloud of paranoia that I barely hear the chitchatting around me, barely missing the parking barrier as well. "Dollface," someone calls. I snap from my thoughts, glancing up and meeting Steve's gaze, and my heart sinks when I see his face. "You okay? Looks like you've seen a ghost or somethin'." He comments. I head for my boyfriend, overcome with mass emotions.
"Dad pulled me out of school," I answer. I run my fingers through my hair, breathing deeply. "I don't… Steve, I'm scared. He never pulls me out of school. What if something's wrong?" He grins, setting his hands on my shoulders.
"Relax, Eileen," he chuckles. "It was me. I needed to get ya out of school, so I pretended to be your dad. Can't believe it actually worked." Steve finishes under his breath. I groan loudly, pushing against his chest. He takes it lightly and grabs my wrists. Steve wears a grin on his face.
"I hate you," I deadpan. "I really honestly hate you. You scared me!"
"No, you don't," he smirks. "Ya tell me all the time ya love me. It's okay, Doll. I love me too."
I brush off his stupid comment, fixating my attention on the gash across his cheek. "Did your dad get ahold of you?" I ask, reaching out. Steve swats at my hand and answers with a shake of his head. "What happened?"
"Beat the shit out of James Carrigan." He confesses, he brushes it off, acting as though it's not a big deal, with a shrug of his shoulders, but I can't believe it. Although I'm thrilled, I feel angry, hurt, annoyed that he went behind my back when I begged him not to.
"Steve Randle, this better be a prank." I answer. But he shakes his head.
"Nope. He shouldn't be a problem no more. Hopefully he don't bother you for the next week. I got kicked out for a couple days."
"You promised you wouldn't do anything!" He groans loudly, unamused that I'm making a big deal out of this. "Steve, you got suspended for fighting over something stupid!" He tilts his head, gazing down at me with an incredulous look spread across his face.
"Something stupid?" Steve asks slowly. I nod my head, crossing my arms over my chest. "Eileen, it ain't stupid. He's fucking harassing you and shit, and you're my girl. Of course I ain't going to let this go down without a fight. Of course I'm going to put that little motherfucker in his place cause you're my girl. I ain't about to let him continue getting away with it."
"But now you're suspended because of me." I argue.
"I don't care," he fires back. "It ain't the first time, it's ain't the last. But this time, I had an actual reason, and you're actin' like I did it 'cause I felt like it!" I'm not entirely sure why I'm upset. Maybe because I don't like fighting? I don't think I'm worth getting suspended for? I don't think it was worth it? And while I'm upset with him, I'm also pleased – happy that I have a boyfriend who loves me and cares about me enough to do such a thing.
I step forward, wrapping my arms around his waist, hugging him tightly. "I'm sorry. I love you, Steve." He relaxes against me and holds me close. Steve strokes my hair, sighing softly.
"Love you too, Dollface."
XxXxXxX
His boss clocks out at 5:00. Shortly after his departure, I head in, planning on spending the rest of the evening with him before heading to his house for the night. I'm excited. I've been to his house only once, and the fact this his dad isn't supposed to be home makes it more exciting.
Soda stands at the counter, sipping on a Coke. He spots me right away, and immediately, a grin stretches across his face. "Well, well, well, if it ain't Miss Eileen," he teases. "Can I help ya with anything? Tank a gas? Bottle of Coke? Our stud of a mechanic?" I burst out laughing at the last option. But I decide to play along.
I force a pout. "Oh, the gorgeous cashier isn't an option?" I tease. Soda pretends to think it over. After a moment or two, he shakes his head, laughing.
"Sorry, Darling, you're real cute, but I don't think our mechanic will like me takin' you out too much," he throws me a wink. "But feel free to grab something to drink. It's on the house." I thank him, not entirely sure if I want to take him up on his offer.
I remain where I am instead.
"Steve's out in the garage, fixin' up a car," Soda explains. "He shouldn't be too long. Ya need him for something?" I shake my head, leaning against the front counter.
"Nope, I'm here to hang out. I'm heading home with Steve, so if you want me, I'm going to stay until you guys close up from the night." Soda thinks it over. He seems to be in a great mood, and after everything that's happened recently, I'm glad. Soda, along with his brothers, deserves nothing but happiness.
"Guess we could keep ya," he ponders. "But I might have to put you to work. Don't need no slackers 'round here." Soda offers a nod of his head, but his comment gets me thinking.
"But isn't that illegal? I can't work." He starts laughing loudly.
"It was a joke. I ain't puttin' ya to work," Soda grins. "If you want to head out to the garage, I won't tell no one." He winks. I laugh softly and thank him before heading off to find my boyfriend.
"Steven," I singsong, wandering through the door. He walks out from behind a beat-up truck, his hands and face covered in grease. "Hello, My Darling, I stuffed my bag into your truck because it was unlocked."
"That's fine," he answers, pulling the dirty rag from his shoulder. He wipes his hands on it and bends his head to kiss me. Steve pulls back and still wiping his hands, he heads for the shop with me tagging behind. "We got a real cute girl to keep us company, Sodie." Steve teases. I feel a blush creeping onto my face earning a chuckle from his best friend.
"Real cute," he laughs. "I offered her a drink, but she didn't want nothin'."
"Give her time, that'll change. She's real good 'bout changing her mind. Think we can close up shop a little early tonight?" Soda glances out at the parking lot – it's completely dead. I've never seen the area in general so empty.
"Probably. I ain't itchin' to hang around until ten if it don't get busy," he thinks it over before sighing softly. "Probably should stay open, though, could really use the money." Steve tenses up, and instead of answering, he wanders off, probably to grab a drink. "I heard your boy got suspended fightin' for your honor." Soda smirks, but I shake my head.
"I wish he wouldn't have," I admit. "I appreciate it, but I don't think it's going to make a difference, honestly." Soda's smile falls, his eyebrows knit together in confusion. "I mean, this boy seems really into me, and I don't think getting his ass kicked is going to change that. Steve isn't in the class I have with him, so I'm still a target."
"Don't think anyone can be that stupid, do you?" I shrug my shoulders.
"One of his rings caught Steve's face. I hope it doesn't scar, but it looks pretty deep. He obviously fought back, and I guess I have a feeling it's not going to stop that easily." Soda thinks it over.
"If ya need help, I'm sure the boys will help take care of him. Ol' Dally will show 'im who's boss 'cause he's real fond of fighting." I shake my head frantically.
"Dallas scares me," I admit. "I'd like to avoid him as much as I can if that's possible." Soda laughs loudly, catching Steve's attention when he returns, a bottle of Pepsi in hand. He pops open the top.
"Ooh, Stevie, Eileen's right. That kid got you real good." But Steve starts to smirk.
"If you think that's bad, you should see him." He beams, but I'm not sure if he's telling the truth of being his usual cocky self. Even after dating him for this long, it's still hard for me to tell.
"Go, Steve, go."
XxXxXxX
Steve buys a pint of ice cream for us much to my pleasure. Well, steal, bought, it doesn't matter how he had acquired the ice cream, all that matters is that we're spending the night together snacking on the little piece of heaven. Or maybe I'm hogging it. Fine details aren't important.
I sit between his legs, settling against his chest, snacking on the chocolate desert. Steve covers us with his comforter, he holds me close, and I've never felt so happy. "I wish we could have had our little sleepover at your place," he admits. "You don't deserve to be stuck in this shithole."
"Don't be so down, Pal. I'm having a wonderful time."
"And I thought we were gonna share the ice cream." I sit up, scooping some onto the spoon. I twist around and offer the bite to him. But he shakes his head.
"I thought you wanted some."
"Don't want none," he admits. "Just wanted to give you hard time." I groan internally; externally, I shrug my shoulders and drive the spoon into my own mouth. Steve chuckles softly, but something seems off.
"What's wrong?" I ask, swallowing the melted cream.
"Nothin', just tired."
I climb off his bed, spoon sticking from my mouth. "I'm going to put this in the freezer," I share, picking the lid from the table alongside his bed. I force it onto the container and head for the kitchen. I expect Steve to follow, but I'm not upset when he doesn't.
I drop the spoon into the sink and pivot on the ball of my foot. I head for the freezer, pulling open the door, and sticking the half-full pint in. Right as I shut the door, I hear his front door squeak open. My heart skips a beat, startled from the sudden noise in the dead of silence – I expect it to be one of his gang members. But it's not, and I feel my heart sink to my stomach, my blood run cold when I realize who it is.
"Steven, get your ass out here now!"
I have ideas for what can happen in April, but seeing how there were deaths not too long ago, I think I'm going to find a small subplot to mess around with before jumping into that. I hope this was at least a little enjoyable - my apologies for the fact it's not my best. But either way, I'd love to hear from you as long as you don't flame, haha :-)
