The day had turned to the next, and at school Allie avoided any situation for where she would just happen to run into Dustin. She was acting like she was in a movie where every corner she turned he would be going the direct opposite, they would cross paths but never see each other. As Allie walked down the long crowded hallway to her last period art class, she aimlessly watched her feet move one by one, then as she looked up she saw the one face that used to make her heart skip a beat. Now looking at him, he made her want to run and hide.
In order to avoid eye contact or any kind of contact, Allie walked faster as she caught up to the kid that was walking in front of her. He was alone so she figured she'll use him for a distraction. She threw her arms around the kid's shoulders like they were best friends or something.
Allie: Hey buddy, how's it going?
Just from the sound of her voice, Dustin turned his head to where he heard Allie and became confused; why does she have her arm around some random freshman?
Dustin felt like he should say something to Allie, but then he heard her laugh hysterically as if she was actually having a real conversation with this random guy.
Allie: Oh my god, you are so funny!
Allie let out a pathetic attempt of a laugh as Dustin walked passed her. Dustin turned his head back to Allie one last time as he still wondered what she was up to.
Once Allie knew that Dustin's staring eyes weren't on her anymore, she looked behind her just to make sure he wasn't in sight. Allie brought her arm back to the side of her body as she looked at the kid who stared freakishly at her like she just escaped from the lonely bin, sometimes Allie felt like she was going crazy.
Allie: Thanks, you've been a great help! Bye.
Allie patted the kid on the shoulder that she once had her arm around, then she skittishly ran into her art classroom. All the while thinking that she had just made that kids year, he was probably off telling all his friends about his encounter with a senior girl, well that is if he has any friends.
As Allie sat down at her art stool, she had to catch her own breath because she was breathing so heavily from What? Embarrassment? Craziness? Allie asked herself as she let out a deep sigh and let her worthless backpack fall to the ground.
Almost like clockwork while Allie caught her own breath again, Dustin came walking in the room and exchanged words with the art teacher like he has so many times before. This time around it was different having Dustin stand in the room of her art class, it was boarder line weird and uncomfortable. It's not like he's going to rape you right here, right now, Allie told herself as she looked down to her beaver drawing that seemed to be getting worse every day, in order to avoid confrontation with Dustin.
To Allie's dismay, Dustin started walking toward the back of the art room to where she sat in her stool looking contently at her beaver drawing. Dustin was surprised that Allie didn't lift her head up like she always seemed to do when he came around.
Allie: Michelle, what color do you think I should use next?
Allie looked to Michelle sitting kiddy corner to her on her left, as she motioned to her colored pencils that were scattered around her beaver drawing. Michelle just looked at Allie with a look of disgust as if to say don't talk to me, then she looked over to Dustin with a look of an obsessed little girl in love.
Dustin only seemed to be looking at Allie, whom didn't even give him the time of day. It was as if she wasn't even acknowledging he was standing there in front of her, he was puzzled by the fact because she never acted like that before.
Dustin: Allie, hey?
Dustin lifted his right hand as he tried placing it on Allie's to get her attention, but Allie just put her hands quickly in her lap. She finally now looked to Dustin with a surprised almost shocked look on her face.
Allie: Oh hey, totally didn't see you there. I was just so busy talking to Michelle.
Pathetic attempt, Allie told herself as she pretended like she just noticed Dustin standing next to her for the first time ever.
Dustin: Can I talk to you about something?
Dustin's voice was slightly serious, which made Allie nervous. It wasn't the giddy kind of nervous, it was the kind that almost made her fear for her life.
Allie: Whatever is it about?
Allie knew that she wasn't playing it off cool, she knew that it was obvious that she was not acting like herself. She figured that it wasn't working because Dustin looked to her with a look of confusion and a hint of disappointment.
Dustin: Can we go somewhere without so many people around?
I don't want to go anywhere with you, where I don't have a witnesses, Allie said to herself as she looked down to her beaver drawing. It sparked an excuse in her head.
Allie: Sorry, I can't leave my beaver unattended.
She's doing it again, Dustin thought to himself because of Allie's unusually weird behavior. Dustin let out a sigh as he spoke with a low sounding voice.
Dustin: Umm... last night after you taught my douchebag uncle a lesson...
Allie couldn't help but smirk at the fact that Dustin was practically honoring her behavior that she displayed last night at his uncle Tobey. It was a different story when her mother had got her alone that night at home.
As soon as the smirk came, Allie put her hand over her mouth, hoping that Dustin didn't just see it. She didn't want him to know that she was actually interested or entertained by anything that he was saying to her.
Dustin: Then, after you went downstairs, you were acting weird around me and you're even doing it now, so if you have a problem with me, you can tell me?
Allie looked up into Dustin's beautiful blue ocean eyes, she had to admit even though he was a potential sex offender, he did have beautiful eyes. With that, she kept her voice low as she talked back to Dustin.
Allie: Yeah, I guess I do have a problem.
Dustin: What did I do?
Allie: It was a story I heard.
Dustin knew exactly who the culprit was and became frustrated, but tried hiding it as he spoke to Allie.
Dustin: Nicole told you didn't she? What is it about this time?
Allie looked around her table and saw that everyone's eye were tuned into Allie and Dustin's conversation. Allie decided it was time to side with Dustin's beginning requests, because she also had questions to ask him, but not with everyone looking at them.
Allie: Umm... how about you come with me to sharpen my colored pencils.
Dustin shook his head in agreement as Allie gathered her colored pencils together and walked to the front of the room over to the pencil sharpener nailed to the wall. Allie put her brown colored pencil in the sharpener first, then she loudly wheeled the handle around so people in the room wouldn't hear hers and Dustin's conversation. Allie looked to Dustin with scarce eyes, almost as if she was afraid to tell him what she knows about him.
Allie: Nicole told me about why your family moved here, the real reason about your teacher.
Dustin suddenly became squeamish as he tried touching Allie on the arm for her understanding, but Allie cringed and pulled away. Dustin knew exactly what Allie was thinking, but he didn't want her to be the one to think any less of him.
Dustin: Allie, don't believe everything Nicole tells you, she doesn't even know the truth.
Allie stopped sharpening her colored pencil as she narrowed her eyes at Dustin thinking, why would Nicole lie to me?
Allie: What do you mean?
Suddenly, as if to break up the conversation, Dustin heard the voice of the art teacher. Once he turned around he saw the teacher with the projector wheeled in front of her.
Teacher: *jokingly* Now I see the real reason you come in here, you just want to flirt with Allie.
Allie: *nervously* What? No...
As soon as she awkwardly spoke, Allie suddenly forgot what gravity was good for. She dropped every single colored pencil that she had in her hand onto the floor, making it sound like a thousand needles dropping in a quiet hallway. She scrambled to pick them up, and became red in the face as she was doing so. Why are you acting like this? Allie asked herself as she began to shake out of embarrassment.
Dustin dropped a knee to the floor, and attempted to help Allie pick up her colored pencils. She barked at him harshly that she didn't need his help. He disappointingly got back up to his feet as he felt his stomach sink a little bit by the way that Allie shuffled away from him like she was afraid of him.
Dustin so desperately wanted to run up to Allie and embrace her so she would understand everything, but he knew that this was not the right place to do so. Instead, he just wheeled the projector in front of him and walked out of the door giving Allie one last look, but she wouldn't look up from her drawing.
When he was gone, Allie dropped her head in her hands. She wanted to pull her hair out because of how awkward and stupid she acted during that whole encounter with Dustin. She wished that she could act normal around him, but she knew that she never could because just when she thought that he was turning a new leaf, she had to find out something to prove her all wrong.
**********
After Lola had dropped Allie off at her house after school just like every day before, Allie found herself spread along the living room floor with her homework all around her. Books, papers, and pencils were scattered all along the living room floor with her cell phone buried somewhere underneath it all. To blow her concentration, Allie suddenly heard a knock at the front door.
Lori: Allie can you get that?
Allie heard her mother's muffled yelling voice come from upstairs. As Allie answered she slightly yelled "yeah," knowing that her mother would most likely hear her.
Allie walked up the stairs from the living room and over to her front door. As Allie opened the odd colored front door to her house, she felt like her stomach just fell out of her butt when she looked to whom was standing on the concrete front porch of her house.
Allie: What are you doing here?
Even before Dustin could speak a word out of his propped opened mouth, Allie quickly slipped on her shoes as she extended her arm and pushed Dustin just a bit from the front door. She pushed him so that she could make room for herself to stand on the concrete porch and close the door behind her.
From the not-so-gentle push, Dustin's foot caught the edge of the porch step, so he just decided to step off the porch. He was starting to get the point of why Allie had pushed him, as she folded her arms and looked down at him while she stood a few inches taller than him.
Dustin: I take it we have to talk outside?
Allie made a face and shook her head as if to say yes, she decided to do that instead of using words to answered Dustin's question.
Dustin: Why?
Allie looked behind her at her now closed front door, then back to Dustin.
Allie: Because if my mom saw you, she would start to awkwardly make small-talk, then you would never be able to go, trust me.
Allie laughed a little to herself letting Dustin know that she really didn't mean anything but the truth by her choice of words. All it did was spark an idea in Dustin's head.
Dustin: Well then, why don't we go somewhere? I have some things to explain to you.
Dustin gave Allie a little grin hoping that it would be all that he needed to convince her, but all Allie thought was; I don't want to go anywhere with you.
Allie: What's there to explain, you're a creep and I fell for your charm.
A grin slid across Dustin's face, Allie began to regret ever opening her mouth.
Dustin: You fell for me?
Allie unfolded her arms and slapped them to her side as she rolled her eyes and let out a sigh of regret towards Dustin.
Allie: Beside the point.
Allie suddenly got seriously disgusted; it disturbed Dustin because he didn't exactly know what to make of it.
Allie: But, why would I go anywhere with you after I heard a story about how you sexually assaulted a grown woman?
Dustin's face became saddened almost pained, Allie noticed.
Dustin: That's what I need to explain to you, you only heard what Nicole told you.
Again, Allie thought: why would my new friend, key word friend, lie to me, it just didn't make sense to her.
Allie: What? Is Nicole wrong about something?
Dustin: Yes, Allie please?
Dustin's beautiful blue ocean eyes stared up into Allie's with so much plead in them. Allie couldn't help but cave, not only because of his beautiful eyes, but because she wanted to get to the bottom of this.
Allie: Fine, only so you'll wipe that stupid look off your face.
It was a beautiful face, Allie thought but she still looked at Dustin like she was disgusted, it was a part of her act. As Allie turned towards her closed front door, Dustin let a little smirk slide across his face because he was happy that Allie had agreed to go.
When Allie opened her front door, she peaked her head inside the door, half expecting to see her mother on the other side of the door trying to listen like she was known to do. Thankfully, Allie didn't see her in sight so she used her yelling voice to reach her mother.
Allie: Mom, Lola is at the door. Can I hang out for a little bit?
Allie heard her mother's muffled yelling voice once again come from somewhere upstairs as she answered. Where is she and what is she doing anyways? Allie thought as she finished yelling to her mother.
Lori: Yes, but be back by eleven, it's a school night.
Allie: Ok, love you, bye.
Allie yelled back to her mother feeling like a robot saying that phrase, because every time she walked out the door that's what she said.
Closing the door behind her, Allie walked off the concrete porch and looked to Dustin with a questionable look.
Allie: Ok Casanova, where are we going?
Dustin: Just a drive.
Dustin reassured her as he walked to his car parked on the side of the road. Allie followed, feeling a little queasy to herself. She wasn't sure if it was because he might be a potential rapist, or because that grin on his face was his meal ticket.
As Dustin hopped inside the driver's seat of his car, Allie slowly climbed into the passenger seat because she was too busy looking with her naked eyes at Dustin's black Jeep Wrangler. It was as if she was remembering something about it.
Allie: Isn't this the car you almost hit me with?
Allie looked to Dustin whom had a big grin on his face, but Allie wasn't amused at all.
Dustin: Yes it is.
Allie: Don't get any ideas.
Allie wagged her right index finger in Dustin's face as she climbed into the passenger seat. Once in and buckled, Dustin started the engine and put the car into drive so he could head on his way to the place that he had in mind for him and Allie to talk privately.
As Dustin put his Wrangler into park, Allie looked to the place he had just driven to. It was a beach that seemed to be private or disserted, and away from the outside world. Instead of feeling like this is the place where he could kill her and no one would know, she looked to it as if recognizing it.
Allie: I love this beach; I used to come here all the time when I was little.
Dustin: Yeah, I saw it on the drive the day I moved here.
Dustin said as he looked admiringly to the beach, Allie looked over at him with an expression as if to say I don't believe you.
Allie: You actually found something beautiful when you were in a pissed off mood?
Dustin looked over to Allie as if he was offended by her statement, but Allie just kept the same type of look on her face as before.
Dustin: I wasn't pissed off on my drive here.
Allie: Oh yeah? Then why did you freak out on a complete stranger that you almost hit with your car? You had to be pissed about something?
Allie's face suddenly became softer as if trying to understand Dustin in some way. Dustin couldn't help but do the same.
Dustin: Ok, maybe I was, but you'd be pissed too if you were me.
Allie: Yes, now tell me why Nicole is so wrong about you.
Allie said to Dustin jokingly after remembering what they actually came here for. Dustin turned his body sideways in his seat to give Allie his full attention, and when he did he looked to Allie with a serious look in his eyes.
Dustin: First, tell me what Nicole told you.
Allie's voice suddenly became low and squeamish as if she didn't want to tell Dustin what she knows.
Allie: She said you were charged with sexually assaulting your English teacher.
Dustin: That does have something to do with it.
Allie's eyes suddenly widened as she grabbed the door handle tightly with her now shaking hand and began to breathe rapidly as if frighten. She thought that she had agreed to come here with Dustin so he could prove her wrong about what Nicole had said about him, but that didn't seem to be the case. He wasn't denying anything, and that made him guilty in Allie's eyes.
Allie: Oh my god, I'm in a car with a rapist?
Dustin: No you're not, because I'm not a rapist.
Dustin laughed a little to himself as he spoke almost like it was a joke, but to Allie it wasn't. She looked back over to Dustin with a hint of fear still in her eyes.
Allie: Then what are you?
Dustin: Promise to listen and not say a word?
Dustin spoke so sincerely to Allie, but she didn't know if she should believe him just yet so like every situation she's been in, she brought humor into her words.
Allie: Well... I do love to talk but I'll try, so go ahead.
Dustin took a deep breath almost like he was nervous to start confessing everything to Allie, it made Allie start to believe him without him even saying anything yet.
Dustin: Last year, junior year, at my school in Nebraska I started failing my English class and it surprised me because I'm usually good in that class, but my teacher Ms. Thomas said that I should stay after school to get her help to raise my grade, and even when I stayed after I was still failing her class...
Suddenly, a realization popped into Allie's head and before she even realized it she started to say it out loud, it was automatic.
Allie: She was failing you on purpose? *apologetically* Sorry I couldn't help myself.
Dustin wasn't mad at all for the interruption because in a way he kind of like it, hearing her voice, but he just hoped that Allie couldn't sense that.
Dustin: Yeah I realize that now, but I didn't then.
When Allie looked to Dustin as he spoke, she notice how his face began to tighten while he spoke his next words. It was almost like he was out for revenge or something.
Dustin: And, I should've know better when she asked me to come over to her house so she could tutor me. When I got there, she made it seem like all we were going to do was work for her class, but then she forced herself on me whether I liked it or not. She tried kissing me, and her hands were everywhere...
Allie suddenly became worried at what Dustin was going to say next. She was on the edge of her seat just hoping that Dustin wasn't the type of person to build her excitement, then let her down with some lame ending.
Allie: What did you do?
Dustin: I got out and ran like hell. Then, the next thing I know the cops are showing up at my house charging me with sexual assault.
Allie: So... you're English teacher told the police that you're the one that forced yourself on her?
Dustin: Yeah because I rejected her, and for the longest time the cops were on my ass because they couldn't prove me right.
A smile slid across Dustin's face suddenly as if his next words were going to prove his point that he was trying to make.
Dustin: Until... they took a look at the major drop in my grade and the work that I did in her class. My teacher never showed me my test or worksheet scores, she just said that I needed to be tutored, but it turns out that she hide all my work and just gave me a failing grade.
Allie: Then, the police charged her?
Dustin: Yes, for withholding information and forcing herself on a minor because I was only seventeen then.
Dustin smiled with satisfaction so Allie began to smile along with him, but then thought of how this conversation all started.
Allie: Then, how come Nicole says that you were the one that did it?
Allie felt as if she was raining on Dustin's parade after she asked her question because she saw the smile on his face wipe away hastily and he became serious like again.
Dustin: Because she refuses to believe me.
Dustin began thinking to himself about what he just said because Allie didn't say anything back. He felt himself become a little frightened and squeamish while wondering if Allie thought the same as Nicole.
Dustin: *Riffling for something in his back seat* Here, if you don't believe me either I have proof.
Allie: Dustin, I never said that I didn't believe you.
Allie trusts her heart when she is told things and it's telling her that this story that Dustin has told her isn't false, otherwise why would he go through some much trouble. Maybe that was his plan all along? Allie quickly shook that deluded thought out of her mind.
Dustin: Still... I want you to see this.
Dustin said as he was still searching for something on the floor of his car in the back seat. He pulled what looked like a shoebox from behind the seat and set it in Allie's lap, it was heavier than Allie expected.
As Allie opened the lid to the shoebox, she began to search through it. She found endless amounts of worksheets and tests that all had Dustin's name on it. Allie couldn't help but like looking at Dustin's handwriting because it wasn't messy like other guys. After a moment of weakness, she told herself to snap out of her admiration because Dustin was looking straight at her.
Allie: Dustin, shouldn't the police have this for evidence?
Dustin: Yeah, they did.
Allie suddenly dropped the papers she had in her hands back into the shoebox as she looked up to Dustin with a disapproving glare in her eyes. Dustin laughed to himself.
Allie: Dustin, please tell me you didn't?
Dustin: I didn't steal it; they gave it to me after they didn't need it for the case anymore.
Allie: Why don't you show Nicole this? She'll have to believe you.
Dustin: She doesn't take the time to listen to me, she has this image of me wired in her brain and I'm just done trying to fight her.
Again, Allie felt horrible for even bringing it up because of the saddened look on Dustin's face; she was starting to hate that face.
Allie: What about your parents? What do they have to say about all this?
Dustin: My mom doesn't care what I did and what really happened. She'd just rather not talk about it, and my dad...
Allie: Your dad doesn't talk.
Allie interrupted with a laugh, to her surprise Dustin began to laugh too and spoke with an agreeable tone.
Dustin: Exactly.
Allie: It seems like your family doesn't like talking about the hard things, only the easy.
Dustin: Yeah, but the hard things are what makes a family stronger.
Allie: Yeah, like my mom and I talk about my dad's death all the time.
As the image of her father came across her mind, Allie began to smile. Dustin looked at her with remorse as if something was said that shouldn't have been, but Allie wasn't offended by it.
Dustin: Yeah, I heard about your dad having cancer. I'm sorry... You don't have to tell me about it if you don't want to.
Dustin tried saying as sincerely as he could, Allie could tell that he was trying to do so; she appreciated it.
Allie: I don't mind talking about it. Every year on my dad's birthday we go to his favorite restaurant and just talk about all our favorite memories that we had with him. Lola and her family even come with.
Dustin became curious of why that was, he was beginning to like the turn in this conversation. He could see how Allie's face seemed to light up as she talked about her father.
Dustin: Really?
Allie: Yeah, because Lola's dad was my dad's best friend.
Dustin: See, that's what a family should be.
Allie and Dustin just smiled at each other not exactly knowing what to say anymore, then a curious thought came across Allie's mind and she figured she would ask it before she lost her nerve.
Allie: So... I have to ask. Out of all the people in this world, why did you have to prove your story right to me?
Dustin: Because I didn't want the only person that talks to me like I'm not some outcast, to hate me.
Dustin spoke with confidence and a smile on his face. Allie loved that smile and suddenly became nervous and thought of the only way to play if off cool.
Allie: I wouldn't hate you; I would just think you're a creep.
Dustin: And now you know, so you don't have to think that.
Allie: Well... I didn't say that.
Allie and Dustin both began to laugh in a melody that hummed perfectly together. They really began to laugh because they were both nervous, but wouldn't dare let the other one know it.
Dustin: See that's the way I mean, you talk to me like that.
Allie: Well then, I'll talk more often.
Allie tried saying as seductively as she possibly could, but then became serious with her next choice of words.
Allie: Even though you told me this, Nicole told me that you're off limits.
Dustin: She said that?
Dustin became disappointed with not only himself, but with his sister and hoped that Allie didn't listen to her. She obviously didn't listen, because then she wouldn't have agreed to come here.
Allie: Yeah the other night. She's my new friend, and even though she's completely wrong about you, you're still her brother. I'm pretty sure the friend and brother thing is unchartered territory. *under her breathe and rambling* Although, I wouldn't know for sure because I've never had a brother...
Dustin couldn't help but laugh to himself at how cute Allie was when she began to ramble and got lost in her own logic.
Dustin: Then, we don't have to tell her.
Dustin was hoping by saying that he wasn't crossing the line. To his surprise, Allie started to speak with agreement in her voice.
Allie: It will be our little secret.
Allie smiled at Dustin mischievously, which made Dustin turn away smiling nervously. As he did, he noticed the time on the radio clock in his car.
Dustin: It's getting late I should get you home.
As much as Allie didn't want this night to be over, she had to admit it was getting late because the sun wasn't even out anymore. Dustin regretted even bringing up the lateness of the hour, but he knew that if he didn't get Allie home now her mother would probably worry, so he started the engine of his Jeep.
Once back to Allie's house, Dustin let the engine idle on the side of the road in front of her house. He and Allie just sat there in the seat both wanting to say something but not knowing how to, so Dustin broke the ice with the first thing that crossed his mind.
Dustin: Thank you for coming.
Allie: *jokingly* What? Did you think that I wouldn't?
Dustin looked down to the floor of his car as if he was embarrassed or something along those lines.
Dustin: Well I was hoping, but wasn't too sure if you actually would.
Allie: Well I did, and thank you because now I don't think you're a creep anymore.
Dustin grinned to himself and felt the embarrassment in his body fade away.
Dustin: Good. So, I'll see you at school tomorrow?
Allie: *smirking* Yeah, I'll be the girl that's not acting weird around you anymore.
As Allie opened the passenger door of the Jeep and climbed out, she gave Dustin one last friendly smile before she closed the door behind her. Dustin felt a flutter in his stomach as he watched Allie walk toward her house. He was sort of glad that Allie didn't turn back around to see how he was so mesmerized by the way that he watched her walk into her house. He also stayed to know that she was safe and sound. When he saw the front door close and the porch light turn off, he knew that it was ok for him to head to his own house.
Once inside, Allie tightly shut the door behind her with her back as she just stood there in her doorway thinking about what had happened this evening. She began to smile, but with a smile that she didn't quite recognize. Suddenly startled and taken out of her trance, Allie heard the sound of her mother's voice. Her mother was standing in the kitchen looking at what seemed to be bills that had come in the mail.
Lori: Who dropped you off, I didn't recognize the car?
Lie, Allie screamed to herself in her mind and began to think of a legit lie she could say to her mom.
Allie: Oh ummm... Lola's uncle was over and offered to give me a ride so Lola didn't have to.
After Allie finished her lie, she prayed to God that it was believable enough. She was then relieved when she saw the delighted smile slid across her mom's face.
Lori: That was nice of him.
Allie: Yeah it was, well I'm going to get ready for bed.
More like get away from you, Allie said to herself, but kept the smile on her face so her mother wouldn't sense that anything was wrong.
Lori: Ok goodnight.
Allie: Goodnight.
Allie walked out of the kitchen and to the stairs that went down to her room. As she was finally away from her mother, that same smile she had while in the doorway slid across her face.