Chapter 2
Seated in the cafeteria, I tear off the stale crusts from my peanut butter sandwich. But I don’t have much of an appetite.
My behind is sore from Uncle Leon’s beating yesterday. His cruelty is getting worse. And there’s nothing I can do about it.
I don’t want to be here.
But I have nowhere else to go.
I wonder if things will get better, but as I see the triple thReats enter, I know this is as good as it gets.
I immediately avoid eye contact, sinking into myself and wishing to be invisible. After yesterday, I never want to interact with them ever again.
“They let anyone in here,” Rebecca mocks, clearly referring to me.
My peers giggle.
I’m about to leave, but Dandy sits across from me and grabs my hand to stop me. Instantly, I feel relieved.
Rebecca turns up her lip, and her group changes direction and sits elsewhere. It seems she’s not that brave when I have someone on my side.
I let out a sigh of relief. I don’t want a repeat performance of yesterday.
Dandy calms me, then blurts out, “Eww, what are you eating?”
And this is why I like Dandy. What you see is what you get.
He slides his lunch tray between us. “Here, we can share.”
I am extremely touched by his generosity. But I don’t want to make a fuss in case he thinks I’m weird.
He opens his carton of milk and offers it to me. I feel bad, but he makes it clear he won’t take no for an answer. And his lunch looks far more appetizing than mine.
“Sorry I left so suddenly last night,” I say, taking a sip of milk.
Dandy takes a bite of a french fry. “Honestly, I should be apologizing to you for making you ride with my brother.”
I almost choke on my milk. “He was fine. Nice, actually.”
Dandy stops chewing and arches a brow. “Nice? I think you’ve mistaken my brother for someone else.”
Dandy makes me smile. I don’t ever remember smiling this much.
He sees me sitting askew.
I attempt to shift, but it’s too late. “What happened? Why are you sitting funny?”
My cheeks heat, and I cast my eyes downward, ashamed.
Any other person may press, or excuse themselves, never to return. But Dandy does nothing of the sort.
He splits his cheeseburger and gives me half. “Wanna have a sleepover?”
Of course I do. But I won’t be able. My aunt and uncle would never allow it. Dandy senses my apprehension.
“My mom can call your aunt and uncle. She can be persuasive when she wants to be, and I’m in the mood for Dirty Dancing.”
I press my lips together, puzzled. “I don’t know how to dance.”
Dandy laughs, but it isn’t at my expense. “After tonight, you’ll know how.”
Who am I to argue?
Dandy was right. His mother is incredibly persuasive when she wants to be. Not only am I staying the night but I’m actually staying the weekend. This is incredible—I’ve never had someone ask me for a sleepover, and my family has never actually allowed me to do something fun.
There’s a catch, and I’ll undoubtedly have to repent for my fun when I get home, but it’s worth it because I’m having a blast.
When Dandy and I got home from school, I was touched beyond words to find his mom had gone to the shop and bought me a few things. I didn’t have a change of clothes, so Mrs. Rivers got me everything I needed.
I can’t remember the last time I had something new. I’ve made do with everything I brought with me when I moved.
So this was truly special.
Mrs. Rivers cooked the best mac and cheese, which we ate in the tree house. Once we were done, Dandy set up the projector, and I was finally introduced to Dirty Dancing, which is actually a movie.
I’d feel silly for my earlier comment, but nothing mattered except watching Baby and Johnny Castle fall in love and express that love through dance.
I felt free viewing it. My aunt and uncle never let me watch this in their house, so it felt almost scandalous to be here seeing something they would have deemed sacrilegious.
This is the best weekend ever. And it’s only just begun.
“This is my favorite part!” Dandy jumps up from his sleeping bag to get into position.
It’s the third time we’ve watched it back-to-back, but I don’t mind. I mute my laughter behind my palm, watching him mimic every move Johnny does. He curls his finger at me, hinting it’s my turn to join him.
I shake my head, but Dandy yanks me up, and before I know it, we’re dancing in his tree house without a care in the world. I don’t know the steps, but it doesn’t matter. Dandy is the lead, twirling me around and dipping me while singing the infamous song.
Dancing in his tree house is the most fun I’ve had in…forever.
Watching a movie via a projector onto the tree house wall feels like we’re actually there. We dance and laugh for the entire scene, and when the credits roll, Dandy dips me dramatically.
“One more time?” he asks, lifting me back up.
“Is that even a question?”
Dandy smiles, and before I know what he’s doing, he hugs me. “You’re my bestest friend, Hallie Holiday. Promise me we’ll leave this town together and be best friends forever.”
I hug him tight, pressing my cheek into his shoulder. “I promise.”
And I mean it.
We break apart, and Dandy sets up the projector, ready for round four.
“I need to use the bathroom.”
Dandy nods. “My house is yours. Can you bring in some snacks? Mom has left some on the counter for us.”
It’s a surreal yet wonderful feeling to be so welcomed. To feel like I belong.
I carefully climb the stairs and make my way across the yard toward the house. The lawns are tidy and well-maintained. Dandy has mentioned his father only once. Apparently, it’s a sore spot for him, and like he did with me today, I won’t press unless he wants to share more.
He sensed something was wrong at my aunt and uncle’s, so he invited me over to offer a safe space without asking questions. It’s the first time I’ve had somewhere to go where I feel wanted and not judged.
If experiencing what I did with Rebecca was to find Dandy, then I would happily do it again and again because I can’t see my life without Dandy in it.
I use the bathroom, and once I wash my hands, I make my way into the kitchen.
I see the snacks on the counter like Dandy said.
Grabbing what I can carry, with hands full, I turn around and yelp, dropping everything to the floor because Kit Rivers stands in front of the open fridge, his silver rings rapping against the door.
I was so comfortable that I didn’t hear him.
“Sorry, Cupcake,” he says casually, reaching for a can of Coke.
And again, with the nickname. But I don’t mind. I’ve never had a nickname before.
“It’s fine, this is your house.” I kneel to pick up what I dropped, and Kit unexpectedly does the same.
I want to ask him why he took the blame for me yesterday, but I also don’t want to hear the reason. If he feels sorry for me, then I would never be able to face him again.
So I remain silent.
He hands me a bag of chips. “Glad Dandy has a friend.”
The way he speaks, it’s apparent Dandy doesn’t have many of them. But that’s okay with me.
“Thanks for dropping me off yesterday.” I wish I had the guts to say more.
He nods, not making a big deal about it.
The conversation ends, and I stand to leave, but he adds, “If you ever need help or want something, just ask. You’re good for Dandy, and I’ll do whatever it takes to keep him happy.”
There’s a double meaning to his words, and I wonder if maybe it has something to do with their father.
But I simply smile and walk back to the tree house, aware that meeting the Rivers brothers will change my life forever.