April 3rd, 1994. 1:03 P.M.

I pressed the text books closer to my chest, shoving my way past people. I am already late for class, and these people are too, yet they decide to go slower. I hurried to take over them, ignoring the hurls of abuse being yelled at me. These type of people at my school live in middle class suburban households, who never swear in front of their parents. Unlike me, I've grown up hearing these words used in everyday life, it didn't sting when they called me those names.

I flee outside to the courtyard in front of the school, it was a short cut to the science building. In the corner of my eye sight, I caught a glimpse of a familiar red car. I halt in place, turning to see Dallas in my surprise, I still had two hours left of school and had no idea why he was here. My head told me to go to class and ignore him after the fight this morning, but I found myself marching directly over to him.

I stopped in front of him, with every intention to rip his head off instead all that would come out of my mouth was, "Leave. Now." I demanded, swiftly turning around to leave. He throws a hand on my shoulder, forcing me back, "No goddamn it. Why are we on the rocks, kid?"

I scoffed, shifting my eyes. Like he wouldn't know. "You abused me over the damn phone this morning." He looked taken back by my words, then his expression softened, "I'm sorry." He said, so very quiet that I could barely hear from the mixture of his sharpened voice, "I know I went psycho over the phone. But you have to understand, I don't want to about Avery." He added.

All I wanted to do was reach out to him and tell him he can trust me, "Dally." I tried. "Please." He strained his voice. I nod steadily and respected his wishes. His face said enough, the pain was evidence that this was a serious matter and that I'd have to wait to hear his side. I can't stop wondering or feeling curious about her; it's been years and he still hasn't been able to get over this mystery girl or even talk to anyone about it. 

He drives me home two hours early from school. I didn't have the energy to go back inside class, it was already half over anyway. A match lit up in his mind as soon as I stepped outside the car, "Wait!" he remembers, "Party tonight. I'll pick you up at seven." I close the door. "Who's party?" I said, not knowing who was having one on a school night. "Tim's." he replied. Ah. Tim, I thought to myself. Another one of his dangerous friends that I barely knew.