"Are you fucking kidding me!"

An angry groan escaped my lips as I turned on my side and held a pillow over my ears in an attempt to tune out the muffled fight next door.

"Jesus christ, woman, just get out!"

"No! I can't believe you let that bitch move into my room, and now you're breaking up with me!"

I sat up in the bed, leaning my back against the metal frame as I listened to the argument. The two voices sounded very familiar.

"Look, Sylvia, this sounds like a personal problem, so why don't you just leave and figure it out yourself." That was definitely Dallas, and I'm definitely the 'bitch' Sylvia was talking about.

"I'm not going anywhere without an explanation from you!" Sylvia stomped on the ground.

"I don't owe you anything!" Dallas shouted back at her.

I sighed as I pushed myself out of bed. Now that I'm wide awake, there's no chance of me falling back asleep. I shuffled on the wooden floors over to the dresser in front of the bed, opening it, and pulling out random pieces of clothing. I changed out of the clothes I wore yesterday and threw on a pair of black, oversized jeans and a white t-shirt. I found a black and white plaid flannel, so I decided to put that on over my shirt.

I made my way over to the bedside table and grabbed my backpack, hanging off my right shoulder. I stepped into my combat boots and rolled up the ends of my jeans three times before going into the bathroom
and looking in the mirror. I brushed my long, brown locks so that my hair was perfectly straight and unknotted. 'Good enough,' I thought.

As I walked back over to the bed one last time and grabbed my red switchblade from under the pillow, I heard that the fight between Dallas and Sylvia still going strong next door.

"It's not my fault you're a two-timing whore!" Dallas spat. I heard a loud, dramatic gasp from Sylvia before she slapped him on the face.

My jaw dropped as I spoke to myself, "That's gotta hurt." I had to cover my mouth with my hands to drown out the growing laughter that I couldn't contain.

I walked over to the window, still chucking softly as I continued to listen in on the fight. I pushed the worn curtains to the side and opened the window. My head popped out of the opening as I looked left and right for something to climb down on. Luckily, there was a thick, metal pipe that was connected to the side of the building. I climbed out of the window and grabbed onto the rusted pole, sliding down slowly and carefully.

I would've went out through my own door, but I really wasn't in the mood to get caught up in Dallas and Sylvia's drama. I had a feeling that if she saw me leaving, she'd want to fight and I'm not in the mood for a fight. It's not that I can't take Sylvia on, because believe me, I would totally kick her ass, but I haven't had my coffee yet and everyone knows not to mess with a girl in the morning. Sylvia would've ended up seriously injured and in the hospital. That would mean that I broke, not only one, but two laws.

When I got relatively close to the ground, I hopped off the pipe and landed hard on my feet. I brushed off my shirt and jeans, then pulled the straps of my backpack, tightening it around my shoulders. I began walking towards the sidewalk next to the road as I made my usual trek to the Dingo for my morning coffee.

»»——⍟——««

The small, silver bell above the glass door of the Dingo rung softly, signaling to the waiters and waitresses that they had a new customer. I walked into the black and white checkered diner and made my way over to my usual place at the counter. Before I took a seat on the baby blue stool, a voice called me over. "Hey, Diana!"

I glanced over my shoulder to see Sandy wave me over, with Evie right next to her. I smiled at the two and walked over to their booth, sitting on the side opposite of them. "Hey, guys," I greeted happily. It had been a few days since we hung out.

"How are you?" Sandy asked, her voice cheery and excited.

I nodded and shrugged. "Pretty good, I guess. How about you guys?"

"I'm alright." Evie had a playful smirk across her face as she elbowed Sandy. "This ones been dragging me everywhere, so I can third wheel her and Soda."

I chuckled at that, while Sandy shook her head and crossed her arms. "Well, at least Steve's there, too."

"It's honestly torture for both of us," Evie remarked.

While we were talking, a waiter approached our table and took everyone's orders before walking off and preparing the food and drinks.

"So, do you have any plans for today," Sandy asked.

"No, not really," I replied with a shrug.

"Great!" Sandy exclaimed. I gave her a confused look and waited for her to continue. "Evie and I are going to Sinatra's Shoes after breakfast for the grand opening! They're giving away free Go-Go Boots to the first fifty people!" She grinned and clapped excitedly.

"They've got every color, too," Evie added with an impressed smirk. I chuckled at that.

"What are Go-Go Boots?" I asked.

Sandy gasped and placed her hands over her chest. "They're only the newest and coolest shoes out there!"

Evie nodded. "It's true. Nancy Sinatra wore them during some Brit commercial and everyone's been obsessed since."

"It's almost as cool as the time Twiggy had a pixie-cut on Vogue Magazines," Sandy stated.

"Almost," Evie agreed with a curt nod.

"So, are you in?" Sandy asked with a wide grin. Evie had the same excited expression on her face as well.

I thought about it for a moment.. I don't really care much for 'popular trends' or fashion in general, but I also don't have anything better to do today. I shrugged, 'oh what the hell.'

"Yeah, I'm in," I said nonchalantly.

Sandy clapped again. "Oh, this is going to be so much fun!"

»»——⍟——««

"This is so not fun," I said through gritted teeth and a shiver.

Sandy, Evie, and I are currently standing outside of Sinatra's Shoes and waiting in a very long line of girls. We had left after breakfast at the Dingo, Sandy saying how we would be guaranteed a pair of boots if we got here early. Little did I know, she left out the part of exactly how early we would be. "Why didn't anyone tell me this would be an all nighter?" I exclaimed.

"I'm sorry, I kinda just forgot," Sandy said apologetically.

Evie rubbed her hands together in attempt to warm herself up. "I'm freezing my ass off!" She groaned.

"God, I hate winter," I said with an eye roll.

"Diana, it's only fall," Sandy said.

Evie nodded in agreement. "Yeah, if you think this is bad, just wait for winter."

"I'm miserable," I groaned.

"Don't worry! Reinforcements are on their way," Sandy said in a cheery voice.

"Reinforcements?" Evie and I questioned in unison.

As if on cue, Sodapop, Steve, and Dally were spotted walking towards us from the back of the line carrying coats and coffees.

"Soda!" Sandy exclaimed happily.

Sodapop waved at Evie and I before turning back to his girlfriend and hugging her. "Hey, baby," he said with a smile.

Steve and I waved at each other, and then he turned to Evie, the two of them having their own conversation.

"Dallas Winston," I said, gaining the man's attention.

His eyes met mine as he walked closer, a smirk present on his face. "Diana.. what did you say your last name was?"

"I didn't," I remarked.

He chuckled lowly and nodded. "I didn't peg you to be the type of girl, who cares about 'fashion'."

I gasped dramatically and placed my hands over my heart. "Are you kiddin'! I just love waiting in a long line for a pair of boots in the middle of the night surrounded by a bunch of prissy soc girls." I turned to the angry girl next to me, who I was previously talking to earlier in the night. "No offense, Mary."

Dallas stifled a laugh as he said, "Maybe this will make your experience even better." He held out a coat and a cup of coffee for me.

I looked at him hesitantly, but took the items anyway. Of course, I went for the coffee first. "How.. thoughtful," I said.

"Not really," Dallas shrugged. "It was Sodapop's idea."

"So why are you here?" I asked a little too bluntly.

"I got nothin' better to do," he remarked.

"Mhm," I hummed in response, not fully believing what he was saying. I pulled my backpack over to my side and unzipped a pocket, reaching into my bag and pulling out a pack of cigarettes. I held the cigarette between my lips as I said, "You got a light?"

Dallas nodded and took out a small, silver lighter. He flipped the flame on and lit my cigarette. I took a quick drag of the stick before blowing out the smoke in his face, mimicking what he did at the Drive-In.

He rolled his eyes and smirked. "You got a spare cancer stick?"

I chuckled at the nickname and shook my head, no. "This is my last one."

"That's fine," he said as he took the cigarette out of my mouth and took a drag himself.

"You're a piece of work," I grumbled.

He smirked smugly and passed the cigarette back. "I could say the same about you, doll."

"What's goin' on between you and Sylvia?" I asked.

Dallas scoffed, "What's it to you?"

"Well, usually I mind my own business, but when you idiots woke me up this morning I think that gives me the right to ask questions," I replied with sly smirk.

Dallas glared at me harshly. "I don't have to tell you anything."

I shrugged. "You're right, you don't, but from what I've gathered.. Sylvia is a bitch, who cheated on you while you were in jail, and she's pissed because you broke up with her," I finished with a smile.

Dallas rolled his eyes. "Are you done yet?"

I thought for a moment before shaking my head. "Oh, one more thing, Buck kicked her out and I stole her room. Now, I'm done."

"For someone that says they 'usually mind their own business,' you're real nosy," Dallas stated matter-of-factly.

"Is it nosy or is it observant?" I teased.

"It's nosy."

"Is it nosy or is it mindful?"

"It's nosy."

"Is it nosy or is it-"

"God, would ya just shut up already!" Dallas snapped. "It's still nosy, alright?"

A small smile crept onto my face as I tried to hold in my laughter, but quickly failed. As I laughed at his outburst, he sent me burning glare that didn't affect me at all. "Ya know, you're just too easy!" I exclaimed, my laughter slowly dying down.

"Yeah, and you're too childish and annoying," Dallas retorted angrily.

I placed a hand on his shoulder with a fake frown across my lips. "Awe, did I hurt your feelings?"

Dallas scoffed and pushed my arm away harshly. "No," he grumbled.

I put my hands up in surrender, my expression turning soft as I gave him a small smile. "Okay, calm down. It was just a joke."

Dallas' eyes darkened as he looked into mine. He pointed a finger at me accusingly. "Just stay out of my business and we won't have a problem," he spat. My eyebrows creased at his sudden change in mood, but before I could say anything he walked away.

I shot daggers with my eyes at his retreating figure. "Jeez, what's his problem," I said to myself. 

"Dally's always like that," Sodapop spoke up. I turned to join the rest of the group that I had almost forgotten about.

"I'm surprised you got him to talk to you," Steve said with a shrug. "He usually just mopes around in silence."

I chuckled at that as I said, "Yeah, that seems accurate."

After a few more laughs shared between the group, Sodapop and Steve said they had to leave. I didn't blame them, it must've been some time early in the morning, and if I could, I would've left too. My eyes were growing heavy and my feet were starting to ache from standing for so many hours. The long line of girls would shorten every hours because some socs were giving up on the wait. I mentioned to Sandy and Evie that I could just steel the shoes for them another time, but Sandy said "We can't give up now! What would Twiggy and Nancy think?"

I shrugged absently and told her, "They would think we put in a good effort, and deserve our 'beauty sleep'."

Sandy just shook her head, while Evie listened and laughed. Not long after that we all took a seat on the cold, cement ground, deciding that we were going to take shifts sleeping.

»»——⍟——««

"Diana, wake up!" Sandy exclaimed as she shook me awake.

With my eyes still closed, I put my hand up, halting her and saying, "Okay, okay, I'm awake." I stood up slowly and looked down the line of girls at the front of the store, which is now opened.

Sandy beamed with excitement, while Evie just had a big smile on her face. I was happy too, but mostly just to go back to Buck's and get an actual sleep.

The line moved relatively fast, and before we knew it, we were standing inside the small store just a few people away from the counter. Sinatra's Shoes was an extremely elegant shop. The floors were made of shiny, white marble, while the walls were painted a girly shade of lavender. There were multiple shelves stacked with varying types of shoes like heels, boots, sneakers, sandals, and more. Mirrors were placed in every corner of the room, along with a fancy, plush seat right in front. If this store wasn't having some kind of deal, girls like Sandy, Evie, and I wouldn't be able to afford anything, let alone be able to even step foot in a shop like this. I felt so out of place in the tiny shoe store because I was completely surrounded by preppy soc girls. Even the employees were too nice and fancy for my liking.

Soon enough, I was greeted by a middle aged women, who was working behind the glass counter. She sent me a kind smile as she said, "Hello, and welcome to the grand opening of Sinatra's Shoes. I'm assuming you're here for the Go-Go Boots?"

"Yeah," I said with a curt nod.

"Great! Now, what size and color would you like?" She asked politely.

I thought for a brief moment before shrugging. "You got anything in black?" The lady nodded so I continued, "Okay, I'll take that in a seven and a half then."

"Perfect! You can go take a seat over there, and I'll have someone bring them right to you," she said, waving me away.

I stepped out of line, joining Sandy and Evie on a soft, plush chair in a corner of the room. They were in front of me in the line, so they had already gotten their boots and were trying them on. Sandy picked out a pair of soft pink boots that seemed to suit her blonde hair and bubbly personality, while Evie had chosen a pair of navy blue boots that complimented her tan skin tone nicely.

As I sat down, an employee walked out from the room behind the counter with a large, creme box. She made her way over to me and handed me the box, walking elsewhere to assist another girl. I opened the box and removed the wrapping paper hastily, revealing a pair of glistening, black boots. I quickly kicked off my combat boots and slid on the Go-Go Boots.

As I stood up carefully in the heeled shoes, I walked over to the mirror and stared at the boots in awe.

"So, do you like them?" Sandy asked happily.

I replaced my look with a bored expression and a shrug. "Yeah, they're cool or whatever."

Evie chuckled and rolled her eyes. "She likes them."

Sandy clapped and joined me in front of the mirror, Evie appearing by my side as well. "Fine," I gave in. "I like 'em."

The three of us burst into laughter while we admired our new boots, and although I'll never admit it out loud, today was actually a pretty good day.