When the two hour drive came to an end, Dustin parked his Wrangler in the driveway with all three -- Dustin, Lola and Nicole -- just looking at Allie who somehow still slept soundlessly on her pillow. She's been out for like an hour, Dustin thought to himself.
Nobody was saying anything, they were just silently thinking, so Lola decided to break the ice because she desperately wanted to get home.
Lola: Should we gently pick her up and put her in my car so I can drive her home?
Dustin felt himself become a little disappointed after Lola made her gesture, because he knew that with it he and Allie would just have to go their separate ways almost like nothing ever happened this weekend. Dustin didn't like the sound of that, so he suggested his brilliant plan. On the outside, he made it seem like it was nothing that could affect him at all, almost like he was just being nice or friendly.
Dustin: I can drive her home; let her sleep a little longer.
Lola knew that Dustin was just trying to be nice, she honestly had nothing against the guy except for what Nicole has mentioned to her and Allie, but she almost wanted to just shake Allie awake and not let her friend be anywhere near Dustin. She knew it wouldn't be very ladylike -- just like her mother says -- to do that, so she just let it be.
Before Lola got out of the car or even responded, she touched her friend on the head in order to say goodbye. Allie tried with all her might not to smile and blow her sleeping cover.
Lola: Ok, thanks.
Dustin gave Lola a warm smile as if to say you're welcome; Lola didn't know how to read Dustin. She knows what Nicole tells her, but she see's different from him, he's more on the normal gentlemen side than what Nicole made him out to be. Lola just shrugged it off as she and Nicole got themselves out of the backseat.
Once she was out, Lola began to stretch her back feeling the knot that formed when she was seated. When Nicole had opened the trunk door to Dustin's Wrangler, Lola walked back there to grab her stuff while Nicole did the same.
Lola: Thanks Nicole for inviting me, I had fun this weekend.
Lola smiled warmly to Nicole knowing that she really did mean it, she didn't have to try and convince Nicole this time; but even though Nicole smiled back warmly.
Nicole: Me too. You and Allie for sure have to come next time.
As Lola spoke her name, she looked through the window at her friend still sleeping on her pillow then back to Nicole, not exactly paying any mind that she and Nicole were still standing behind Dustin's car so he had to stay put.
Lola: I'm sure if Allie were awake, she would also have to say yes.
Lola wasn't entirely sure of her or her friend, but she'd like to think so. Just like the good friend that she was, Lola made the gesture to hug Nicole goodbye, even though Nicole may have her moments of bitchiness? Insanity? Whatever it was, Lola knew that she was a friend no matter what or how she acted.
Before walking to her blue car that she was so happy to see where she left it Saturday morning and without anything wrong to it -she was worried to leave it- Lola gave Nicole a smile saying Goodbye. Lola got into her car, threw her duffle bag into the backseat, then went driving off to her home. Finally, Lola cheered to herself.
When Lola was out of sight, Nicole turned back to Dustin's car and walked up to his opened driver's side window with a sour look on her face. She's back, Dustin said to himself.
Dustin: Tell Mom and Dad I'm driving Allie home.
Nicole: Ok, and Dustin try not to rape my friend. I really wouldn't want her scarred for life.
Dustin's hands was placed on the steer wheeling and he felt it grip tight around it, so hard that his knuckles were turning white. Dustin could never understand why his sister always had to remind him of that day, and be well... a bitch.
Dustin: Believe me, it's tempting.
Dustin's said with a sour smirk on his face while Nicole just snarled at him before walking away and into the house. Dustin put his car into reverse once Nicole walked away, then started to drive a sleeping Allie home all the while telling himself to calm down; he was where he wanted to be right now with Allie. Even though she was sleeping, it was 10 times better than being in the sight of his sister.
Once Allie knew she and Dustin were out of sight of his house, she decided that it was time for her acting performance to come to an end. Ever so suddenly, Allie popped her head back up and had a look of disgust on her face. Dustin just looked to Allie with his mouth wide open as if shocked to find her awake.
Allie: What a bitch!
Dustin: You little faker! You were just pretending to sleep so I would drive you home?
Allie sheepishly smiled at Dustin as she talked in the cutest tone of voice that Dustin has ever heard. He already felt himself going crazy for her.
Allie: Maybe.
When Dustin pulled up to Allie's house and put his car into park on the side of the road just like he's already done so many times before, he felt a feeling of sadness and disappointment come sweeping over him. Allie and Dustin just sat there in Dustin's car with nothing but the low sound of music in the background. Allie couldn't take the silence anymore more, just like she couldn't take her own thoughts anymore, so she began to mention the elephant in the car.
Allie: So I got to ask, what is this?
Allie nervously asked as she looked at Dustin. Dustin just grinned as if he had the best joke ever, key word as if being presented here.
Dustin: A car.
Dumb answer, Allie said to herself as she looked to Dustin with a playfully annoyed expression on her face. Dustin knew what Allie was referring to, so he suddenly became serious in order to answer her correctly.
Dustin: Well, I would like to go public with you...
Before Dustin could finish his sentence, Allie cut him off with a laugh. A beautiful laugh, is what Dustin thought of it.
Allie: Dustin, you sound like a movie star.
Dustin: Maybe I am.
Dustin tried saying seductively, but Allie just playfully rolled her eyes and shook her head at him.
Dustin: Allie, I want you to be my girlfriend.
It sounded so formal when Dustin said the word, Allie kind of like it. Instead of giving him a rightful answer, Allie became playful.
Allie: Just on the down low right?
Allie felt like a rapper or someone saying that. Dustin just looked nervously at Allie thinking that he just offended her. Great, he thought.
Dustin: Ummm... I don't know how you want me to answer that.
We're going to have to work on your sarcasm, Allie thought to herself of a now nervous Dustin.
Allie: You can say yes, because I'm saying yes too.
Neither Allie nor Dustin wanted it to be this way, but they knew that even if they sat Nicole down like adults and told her, she would be anything but pleased and they would be anything but together. So they just had to accept that this is the way that it has to be, for now they hoped.
Dustin: I don't like this but it's just...
Allie: Nicole.
Allie finished Dustin's sentence. Even hearing that his sister is the reason for this secrecy didn't make it any easier or Dustin any happier, nor did it do the same for Allie.
Dustin: Yeah...
Allie: We can just sneak around.
Allie said trying to lighten the mood, which she succeeded at because Dustin gave her a seductive grin.
Dustin: That sounds kind of hot.
Allie let out a playful sigh of disgust as she just rolled her eyes and shook her head once again at Dustin, then put her hand on Dustin's shoulder and gave him a push. A love push that is.
Allie: Shut up you weirdo.
Allie started to grab for the door handle to open it, but then stopped as she felt the touch of Dustin's hand on hers that still laid on the seat cushion.
Dustin: Stay here while I get your bag for you.
Allie: Oh what a gentlemen. But didn't you hear, chivalry is dead.
Dustin: It's not with me.
Just like he had at the track, Dustin winked at Allie, again making her go gaga over him. Dustin got himself out of the driver's seat, while against his wishes Allie got herself out of the car and followed him to the back of the car. When Allie had approached Dustin, he noticed that she had her pillow that she once used as a shield in order to hold his hand in the car, held in her arms that were folded across her chest.
Allie: *as Dustin hands over her bag* Thank you.
Allie didn't know what else to say or what else to do, so she just unfolded her arms and grabbed her duffle bag from Dustin's hands. As Allie tried to turn and walk toward her house, she again felt the touch of Dustin's hand on hers. Whenever he did that, chills ran all the way up Allie's spine to her head making her dizzy.
Dustin: Are you forgetting something?
Dustin said with a smile in his voice and on his face, Allie knew exactly what that smile was. Everything that she had in her hands -duffle bag and pillow- she dropped on the ground not exactly caring where it landed, then she threw her arms around Dustin. Unlike the first time they kissed, she placed her hands on his back, feeling his back muscles through his shirt. Again, it was like heaven to Allie when not only she was kissing Dustin but he was kissing her back, it was a beautiful rhythm happening between the two of them.
When Allie and Dustin had released from their kiss, Allie took one last look at Dustin before she even gave a thought to going inside her house. Before Allie even had the chance, Dustin picked her stuff up from the ground for her and gave her one last look in the eyes before she started to walk away. Allie walked slowly toward her house with her duffle bag and pillow in hand, because everything in her so desperately wanted to stay with him.
Making sure Allie made it inside her house safely, Dustin watched her walk away. He got into his car and drove away once he saw the front door close.
Allie had to admit that Dustin was right, this was kind of hot; this little rendezvous was something that she never expected to like. It was like she was in a movie, like Romeo and Juliet but with a modern day twist and without out the tragic fate of killing themselves in the end. The Tale of Allie and Dustin, star-crossed lovers, Allie creatively thought to herself of a movie title for hers and Dustin's life and love.
**********
Usually after having a long relaxing weekend then going back to school on Monday, Allie hated it; she would sometimes wake up and literally say UGH! Mondays. But not this Monday, it was completely different because this Monday Allie was going to see her BOYFRIEND, it's just that no one knew about it. Allie had no control of her mind today, all her private thoughts revolved around Dustin whether she liked it or not.
As Allie walked obliviously down the hall to her last hour art class like she did every school day before, she thought her mind was playing tricks on her when she heard the sound of Dustin's voice. While walking to his last hour class, Dustin saw the most gorgeous creature ever made by God walking in front of him; Allie, so he smoothly approached her from the side. *All About You- Hilary Duff*
Dustin: Hello.
Its wasn't a trick or even a dream, well maybe a little bit of a dream, Allie was actually seeing Dustin standing next to her. Soon Allie came to realize We're in school, nobody can know, so she looked at Dustin almost puzzled.
Allie: You do know that we're in public.
Allie said just like Dustin said last night in the car, then to lighten the mood she playfully nudge him on the arm.
Dustin: What am I not allowed to say hi to a friend of my sister's?
Dustin said almost seductively, Allie had thought. Allie started to consider what Dustin had said, it was the truth. Just because she was friends with Nicole, it didn't mean that she couldn't "talk" to her brother.
Allie: If anyone asks, we're talking about Nicole.
Dustin: Exactly.
Instead of walking into her art class, Allie walked past the door and stopped at the row of lockers posted on the wall. When she had walked past the art door, she saw that little ninth grader in her art class that's a total freak and in love with her boyfriend, Michelle. Back off bitch he's my man, Allie wanted to scream in her face but resisted herself from doing so.
Where Allie and Dustin stood leaning up against the lockers, Allie was facing forward toward the door of her art class and Dustin was standing in front of her with his back to the door and to Michelle. Allie couldn't help but notice Michelle freakishly staring and glaring at her, Allie felt herself becoming worried but then remembered, she's just a ninth grader, so she began to relax inside.
Allie: *through her teeth* Ok Dustin don't look, but that weird ninth grader in my art class is staring directly at us.
Allie quickly looked back at Michelle then to Dustin, against Allie's wishes Dustin turned around to look at Michelle. Now she knows we're talking about her, Allie horribly thought to herself.
Allie: Dustin, I told you not to look.
As if to mortify Allie even more, Dustin began to wave his hand at Michelle with a devious grin across his face. Allie slapped her hand over her face and said in her head, yup totally mortified. Allie grabbed Dustin's hand from the air and placed it to his side, she held her hand on his so he wouldn't get the urge to start waving again.
As soon as Dustin began waving at Michelle, she stopped and froze, feeling as if she was going to poop her pants so she turned from Dustin's direction. It wasn't like she had any friends around her to turn and talk to so she just stood there looking away.
Hopefully she got the point, Dustin thought with a laugh as he watched Michelle nervously look away from him. When he turned to look back at Allie, she just looked at him and shook her head. Allie playfully thought, you're unbelievable.
Allie: I can't believe you just did that.
Dustin: Oh, expect the unexpected with me.
Allie: I guess I'm going to have to.
Allie said with a laugh, then as if to ruin her whole entire life, yes I'm dramatic Allie thought, the school bell started to ring which meant that she and Dustin had to go their separate ways. UGH! It's going to be so long until I can see him again, Allie stressed to herself.
Before Dustin walked away, he so desperately wanted to kiss her long and hard, but he knew he couldn't do that without everybody -and he mean's everybody- in the hallway giving them a curious stare. Dustin just squeezed Allie's right hand with his left, a love squeeze, then walked off to his classroom just down the hallway. Allie knowingly smiled to herself then walked toward her own classroom.
The ninth grader Michelle saw Allie walking down the hall toward the art door. Before Allie even approached, Michelle ran herself into the classroom and sat down on her stool all before Allie even walked into the room. It was like she was just waiting for Allie's presence to come walking in.
At the stool of her art table, Allie sat down with a melting heart thinking of Dustin while she carelessly let her backpack fall to the floor. The ninth grader that is totally in obsession with Dustin, Michelle, sat at her stool where she sat everyday kiddy-corner to Allie's left, and just glared at a happy stricken Allie.
Michelle: So, are you and Dustin like dating now?
Busted, Allie thought to herself as she shot her head up with such force that she thought she was going to get whiplash or a broken neck, and looked at Michelle with raised eyebrows as if she was surprised she would even have thought that. Michelle's face was serious after she had asked her question, so Allie thought of the only thing she could do or say to play it cool.
To save herself, she just hysterically started to laugh. It reminded her of that time she used that random freshman guy in the hallway to avoid Dustin when she thought he was a rapist. Dustin, Allie thought, that's what gets her in trouble every day in this art class by this same creepy girl. While Allie hysterically laughed to herself, Michelle just kept her composure while looking at Allie with a know-it-all type of look; almost like Nicole's bitch look.
Allie: Oh, you were serious?
Michelle: Yeah, because I saw him grab your hand.
Damn it, Allie thought to herself. She guessed to an observer, it would look like what it really was. Just like everything she said out loud about Dustin, she told herself to lie; but with what can she say now?
Allie: Yeah, because he was just giving me something to give to my friend, his sister Nicole.
Really? Allie really? How lame can you be? Allie angrily said to herself. Obviously it didn't work, Allie didn't even believe it herself, because Michelle still had that curious defensive look on her face. It was like it was always branded on her face, Allie thought.
Michelle: Why can't he give it to her himself, because like you said she's his sister.
Allie felt herself becoming defensive, it was like this freshman was never going to let this go until she got to the bottom of it all. But, Allie would never let her or anyone do that, because they had no right to know.
Allie: Yeah, girl you have no idea what you're talking about so stop asking me questions.
There! Take that! Allie said proudly to herself. But, like a mosquito that you can't swat away and kill, Michelle opened her big loud mouth -key word: loud-.
Michelle: I have a name.
Allie: Yeah, don't care.
Allie felt like a bitch saying that, but she didn't exactly care at this point. As Allie finished her bitch comeback, she got up from her stool and grabbed her beaver drawing from the cabinet that she kept it safely in every day. Time to get some actual art work done because it's the whole purpose of the class, Allie figured.
While sitting silently in his own class, Dustin saw out of the corner of his eye that Junior was coming over to his desk. Great, what does he want, tell mine and Allie's secret? Dustin hopefully thought wasn't true to himself.
When Junior had approached Dustin, he sat down in the empty seat next to him and looked at him as if he had a devious plan up his sleeve.
Junior: Hey Dustin.
Dustin: Hey Junior?
Dustin said as if it was a question rather than a statement, then thought stop looking at me like that. Junior was looking at Dustin the same way he was looking at him and Allie that morning at the buffet table, after he saw them kissing on the camper step. What were you doing up so early? Dustin remembered thinking when Junior had said he saw them.
Junior: So I was wondering... since I know about you and Allie.
Dustin began looking around the room nervously just to see if anyone was looking or listening to what Junior had just said, thankfully no one did or was. Still, Dustin kept his voice low as he spoke back to Junior and kind of crouched himself over his desk. He invited for Junior to do the same, so it would just be them two in the private conversation.
Dustin: Yeah, man don't say that so loud.
Junior: Sorry, but I was thinking maybe since I know, you could help me get with your sister.
Junior said shyly to Dustin, but all that was shown on Dustin's face was a shock of disgust. What the hell is wrong with you? Dustin felt like screaming out loud, but restrained himself not only because it would guarantee him some weird looks from his classmates; but he felt an upset almost queasy feeling in his stomach at the thought of someone actually wanting to be with his sister. Why would anyone want to do that to themselves?
Dustin: You like my sister?
Junior: Yeah.
Junior said with a smile on his face while he dreamt of Nicole. Dustin's facial expression didn't change from what it was at before, he hoped that soon this feeling would stop.
Dustin: But why?
Junior: Because she's beautiful, funny and...
Junior began to state of Nicole dreamingly, Dustin couldn't take this anymore; somebody actually had fallen for his sister. Why? How? He wondered again.
Before Junior could say anything more that was mushy gushy and disgusting, Dustin interrupt him.
Dustin: A Bitch!
Junior was pulled out of his dream like state and looked at Dustin as if to say come on, be nice. It was a look that Allie gave Dustin every time he said something mean about his sister.
Junior: Anyways... I can't explain why I like her, I just can't help it.
Dustin knew that Junior wasn't kidding, he couldn't possibly imagine why he would want to be serious, but he knew what it was like to fall for somebody unexpectedly. So, he decided to lighten himself up and push back the queasy feeling he still felt in the pit of his stomach.
Dustin: Well, if you want to get with my sister; which kind of makes me sick.
Dustin couldn't help himself from saying that and when he did, he acted as if he was going to barf so he held his finger over his mouth before he began speaking again. He couldn't blame himself for doing so, he was at least trying.
Dustin: Don't come to me. I don't know anything like that, go to Allie that's more of her department.
Dustin looked over to Junior sitting next to him and he had a look on his face as if he was trapped in his own thought of consideration.
Junior: Ok, then I'll talk to her tomorrow.
With sudden silence between the two, it gave Dustin time to think of the possibility of Junior and Nicole dating. A scary though came to his mind, he almost began to freak out to himself inside about what could happen.
Dustin: So... let's say my sister does go out with you, are you still going to keep mine and Allie's secret from her?
Junior: Yeah, I promised, didn't I?
Junior said with a smile; he was sneakier than Dustin had thought, he had to give him more credit.
Dustin: Really? You would keep a secret like that from your girlfriend?
Dustin knew that Junior would enjoy the word girlfriend, and sure enough he did because a giddy smile slide across his face. He soon wiped that smile away and put a warm friendly smile back on.
Junior: Hey, that's what friends do.
Dustin never considered Junior to be his friend, but once he said the word, he took it into consideration and found it true. Because of that realization, he returned a warm friendly smile to Junior.
Dustin: Thanks.
As Junior got up from the chair, he patted Dustin on the back just like guys do -as Allie would say- then when he started to walk away, he turned back with his mouth in an "O" formation as if there was something else to say. What now? Dustin asked himself.
Junior: Oh and I have a message from my brother, you know the auto shop in town?
Dustin: Yeah, right down the street from the school.
Once he thought of the auto shop, Dustin pictured it in his mind. He remembered how whenever he passed it, he always wanted to go in there and check it out. To himself, he always said that's what I'm going to do with my life, be a mechanic and/or own an auto shop.
Junior: Yeah that one, go there after school.
Dustin: Ok, why?
Junior: Because my brother works there and he said there's a job opening.
Dustin's face went from questionable to slightly happy as he felt himself perk up in his chair. Dustin never thought of himself as the type of guy that would perk until now.
Dustin: Your brother is giving me a job?
Junior: Well, only if his boss says so.
Junior said with a smile as if he just made the greatest joke ever. Dustin started to feel very pleased with himself; my life is good. I've got a beautiful and funny girl, and now I might be getting a job so then I can take that beautiful and funny girl out, Dustin taught happily to himself.