14; call

Background color
Font
Font size
Line height

LOVE IS SOMETHING STRONG

The days dragged by dreadfully. It was routinely, I would walk to school rather than catch a ride from Steve, endure the lengthy classes and lonely lunches, then head back home to my room to be locked until the next morning. The most mundane living I'd ever experienced. I even found myself getting sick every time I looked at the colors of my walls, a warm blue, which after gazing at so aimlessly I wish I'd made a more mature color. The only person I could think to talk to at that point was Dallas, but he was locked away and there was no way I would be allowed to see him.

Sodapop and Two-bit were two others I considered joining at lunch, but they sat with Steve and I didn't want to put myself through that awkward experience, so i sat lonesome at a vacant circular table by the garbage. It smelt rancid but I figured it was better than the tension I'd have sitting next to my brother. I'd go to the library sometimes and read, since they had a copy of the book Mr. Hanson had given me. My father had taken it away in hopes that sitting with nothing to do in my room would straighten me out. Kind of his job, I found myself thinking when I gazed up at my ceilings with nothing else to do.

When he'd first found out after his day from work, Steve was waiting patiently in the kitchen to tell him. Hands locked and everything, he looked like an anxious mother. I sat on the sofa with my eyes rolled to the back of my head for an hour before my father came home clad in his police uniform, brow cocked wondering what all the tension was about. Steve dropped the news, my dad gave me a scornful look and grounded me without much hesitation. Then, he proceeded to take away my book that Mr. Hanson expected me to finish that Wednesday. All in all, other than the obligated grounding he didn't look too shaken up, maybe a little disappointed but I'm sure he'd gotten over in a few minutes time.

The first week locked up in my room, I'd finished my essay. I had some paper I scrounged from my brother and a pencil I'd discovered lying at the bottom of my desk. The tip was dull and I didn't have a sharpener, but then again, I didn't care all too much of what my english teacher thought of me. For all I cared, he could give me an F and I'd be content, because personally, I didn't have too much of an opinion on Romeo and Juliet.

So that's what I wrote about. Of course I'd taken into consideration Mr. Hanson's words on the topic, but they still didn't do me much good. In a brief synopsis I considered them immature and young, which is a fact, but never in love. Love is something strong, but I didn't think that's what they felt; maybe it was their impulsiveness that drove them to suicide, instead. But surely not love. Of course, my english teacher wouldn't agree, but then again he thought everything had a deeper meaning. Maybe he was right, maybe I just couldn't see it.

I'd finished the essay that friday, a week since leaving Dallas in jail. When I was writing he was all I could think about. Our impetuous acts, the foolish things I'd done because of the way it made me feel. Kind of like Romeo and Juliet, in a delinquent sort of way. I figured Steve was right and Dallas was bad news, but I wasn't sure if I wanted to end my rebellious escapade just yet. I was sort of enjoying it.

Without my brother's knowledge I'd snuck home the book Hanson gave me. Some Austen novel that I'd never read before, and I found it to be quite tedious but nonetheless enjoyable once I reached the end. It was tuesday and nearing the end, I wondered how I was going to sneak out to see Mr. Hanson the next day.

Shutting my book with thirty pages left, I slipped it under my bed sheets and scurried out of the room. My stomach was giving an alarming grumble and the last hundred pages of my book had been so engrossing I'd barely noticed the pain that formed. When I reached the bottom of the creaking stairs, I inwardly groaned seeing my brother propped against the wooden island, arms crossed over his chest.

"Dad say you could leave?" He tilted his head, clearly still angry at what had happened. Our father had given him clear instructions not to let me leave my room, and usually Steve didn't abide by his rules, but when it came to me he was strict. I didn't know if it was the bitterness of his heart, or deep down, he just really cared for me and wanted me to live the rest of my life like one of the west side socs.

"Are you offering food delivery directly to my room or are you suggesting I starve?" I asked with a hint of sardonicism, and obviously Steve caught on quick because he gave me a stern look.

"Make it quick." When his back was turned, I childishly mimicked his words. Opening the fridge, I peered inside while tapping my toe and taking my sweet time to pick a food. Steve clicked his tongue and hurried me up with his groans. Deciding on a sandwich, I took out the peanut butter and jam, then slathered it on either pieces of bread.

"Wise choice. What'dya do up there, anyway? Just sleep all day long? Don't hear you doin nothin'." Steve inquired, snatching the sandwich straight from my fingers. Furrowing my brows, I was quick to take it back but not before he'd left a large bite mark in the corner.

"I think of how much of a no-good piece of scum I've become recently, and ponder on how I could alter my character to fit your image." I took a bite from my sandwich then placed it down on my plate, swinging into the chair behind the bar, not caring if my brother yelled at me. I needed to eat while staring at something other than my sickening blue walls.

"You're hilarious, Holly." He flashed his teeth for no more than a second.

"Thank you Steve, really." I took a bite from my sandwich, refusing to meet his eye. With a mouth full of food, I continued speaking. "You're so kind, really."

Steve rolled his eyes to the ceiling and shoved his hands into his jean vest. Suddenly, before I could take another bite from my sandwich, the shrill phone rang out through the second floor and Steve hopped to answer it.

"Randle household," he greeted whoever was on the other line. I rolled my eyes as Steve crossed his feet, hitching his chin and resting the back of his head on the wooden walls. "Yes," he nodded and furrowed his brow. Then his eyes connected with mine and I frowned, slowly approaching his side.

"Actually, Holly's unable to speak right now. She's been grounded for-" Before Steve could finish, I grabbed the phone from his hands and swatted him when he tried to get it back.

"Yes, this is Holly," I greeted, my brow creased. I turned my back and faced the wall so Steve couldn't grab the phone.

"Holly!" An enthusiastic voice sounded on the other end, sort of muffled. It was sonorous and rumbling and I hadn't a clue of who it could be.

"That's me." I flashed a glance at an annoyed Steve. "Who may this be?"

"Daniel."

"Daniel... Daniel, DX, Daniel?"

"That's me," he repeated what I'd said. "Holly, is this a good time? I mean, I could call back..."

"No." I flashed a smile although he couldn't see me. "Now is perfect."

Steve clicked his tongue and walked away, leaning against the kitchen counter while staring impatiently.

"Good. Sorry I didn't called sooner, I've been caught up with things. Believe me, I wanted to."

"It's okay. I've been, uh, kinda caught up with things too, I guess." I answered, scratching my neck and suddenly getting nervous.

"Well it works out for both of us then." He chuckled deeply in an awkward sort of way. I grimaced and held the phone close to my ear. "Anyway... I've been thinking, wondering if you wanted to see a movie or something. If you can't, that's fine, I mean I heard you were grounded but-"

"It's fine. That'll work." I glanced quickly at Steve, hoping he couldn't hear the other end of the line.

"Great! Wednesday, maybe? Or would you prefer Friday?" He asked.

I hummed quietly then turned to the side, trying to muffle my voice. "Wednesday?"

"Okay, sure. I'll see you then. I can pick you up, if you want?"

"Umm..." I turned back to Steve to see him looking suspicious. "No that won't be necessary. Um, I'll see you at school tomorrow, meet me at my locker?"

There was a short pause before he answered. "Yeah. Sure. See you tomorrow, Holly."

"See you tomorrow." Before he could speak another word, I hung up the phone and went back to my spot at the counter. Steve approached the other side with slow steps and clasped his hands together.

"What's goin' on wednesday?" He asked.

"Meeting for lunch."

"Inside the school I hope." He bit his bottom lip.

"Yup." I answered, finishing the last bit of my sandwich and dropping the plate in the sink. "Lunch date in the library."

"Mhm." Steve nodded and turned around, going through the cabinets.

"Not gonna get mad at me for spending time with this guy?" I asked as I walked away, swiveling and leaning against the side wall. Steve glanced up and shot a quick smile.

"This guy doesn't walk around jumpin' people for kicks." He replied, flicking his tongue over his lip and going back to his search for food. I rolled my eyes and hitched my chin to the side.

"Yeah, alright. How can you be so sure?" Steve gave a vexed glance.

"You better shut your trap unless you want me to find out his criminal record." He replied, slamming one of the cabinet doors shut and unwrapping a chocolate bar. I cringed at he shoved it in his mouth almost whole.

"Okay. Whatever. Goodnight, Steve."

"Night, Holly," he called back as I turned the corner to the stairs.

I wasn't sure how I was going to sneak out the next day, but I knew that I could do it if I really tried. After all, if it weren't for Dallas practically tempting that guy to call the fuzz that night, we could have gotten away. It really wasn't all that hard. But I thought maybe Dallas wanted to get caught, and that's why we gotten in trouble. I wasn't too sure. But I had the stealth, and surely, I had the brains to outsmart my brother.

You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net