The following day, I was allowed to catch up on my school life. I walked down the halls, spotting my locker a few steps from where I stood. I quickly beeline for it, fumbling with my bag and at the same time pulling out books to place them in their rightful place.

I grabbed the notebooks I needed for my current class and slammed the locker shut before resuming a steady walking pace. I passed many groups of children socializing when they were supposed to be on their way to class. Delinquents as usual.

"Hey!" I heard someone shout above the chatter. I only turned a bit, not sure if the shout was meant for me. What I saw, had me regretting that the noise had even gained my attention. It was Louise bounding my way like a wild beast, urging me to walk faster, knowing that I was no match for her. 

So I did what I thought was best. 

I walked faster.

"Hey, Sam! I know you can hear me!" she yelled again, pushing through the crowd in the hall. I kept looking over my shoulder, calculating the distance between me and her, trying to widen the gap. I didn't turn my head back in time to avoid crashing into a soft yet firm being.

"Samantha?" the deep familiar voice sounded delighted yet confused. I slowly peeked up at Dale, displaying a shy smile. "Where were you yesterday?" I tensed, not sure how to answer him.

"Um, I was sick." I tried my best to sound convincing. He didn't seem to buy it, but he let it go nonetheless. 

"Well then, welcome back," he smiled brightly. "We have class," he continued, pulling me through the maze of students. I swiftly glanced back, catching the sight of a furious Louise as she stood still, leaning against a locker with her eyes dark as ever. I quickly turned back to the front, afraid of whatever threatening message she'd send me. "I've been meaning to ask you," Dale spoke, interrupting the frightening images that were beginning to slip into my mind.

"Ask me what?" I inquired once he didn't finish the sentence. I looked up at him, surprised at the mere fact that he was nervous. Dale, being nervous? It never would have crossed my mind that he had those kinds of feelings.

"I-I, uh, do you want to go see a movie?" he eventually blurted. My eyes widened at his request. I immediately froze, staring at him in awe, my heart thumping faster than it was before. "I-I mean, we don't have to, if you don't want to," he stammered, running a shaky hand through his coal-black hair. I let out an unstable laugh, my eyes unable to focus on his. Why was I even reacting like this? He didn't ask, hey Sam, wanna have sex? 

"It's not that... It's just..." Paige, I thought, but I didn't say that out loud. She hadn't even called to find out why I'd missed school yesterday, which was so unlike her. Something was wrong.

"It won't be a date," he pleaded. "I promise." I narrowed my eyes pretending to consider it for a while.

"You promise?" I repeated.

"I promise," he confirmed. Maybe Paige wouldn't slice off my head for this.

***

"With who?" Gabriel asked, following me into the kitchen. He was so cute when he was curious, but he seemed a bit bothered all the same. Over the few days I'd been staying with them, he'd become sort of my consultant.

"Does it matter?" I sighed, turning to face him with a playful scowl. "I can take care of myself, and it's not a date."

"Not a date? It could be anything then." I groaned as his smart remarks, earning a smirk from him. "With who?" he asked again. I figured it was no use not telling him. Besides, what harm would it cause?

"With Dale." By then, all the light had faded from his eyes, replaced by a phlegmatic look.

"Oh," he simply said, pulling up a stool to droop over. I frowned but shrugged it off, taking a jacket along with me before I approached the front door.

"I'll see you later Gabriel," I called as I walked out. "And it's not a date."

"Hmm," he responded, not even bothering to return the goodbye. I walked into the cold front, my converse crunching on the hard dirt beneath, smiling once I made out the figure of Dale, leaning against a tree by which a white car was parked.

"I didn't know you were good friends with the Alpha... and his son," he commented, grinning ear to ear. I shrugged, returning the smile. "Ready to go?" I nodded in response and got into the passenger seat, enjoying the comfort of the leather.

Soon, we arrived at the movies, bought our tickets, and our snacks before entering a dark theater room. I quietly munched on my popcorn, savoring the buttery taste it left in my mouth. Dale picked seats that were not too far in front, nor too far behind. 

"What movie is this?" I asked when I didn't recognize the cast. 

"I really don't know," he replied, frowning at the big screen. "I think we went into the wrong room." I began to chuckle, and eventually, the chuckles turned into laughter, with Dale joining along. I felt placid when I was near him, and it was something I was beginning to get used to. He abruptly turned to face me, laughing as he desperately tried to hold it.

I stared at his dark eyes, wondering how his features fit him so perfectly. They gave him a mysterious aura, and also a dangerous feel. I found myself leaning in, without being to control it. I must have looked confused in his eyes, but he stayed put, eyes analyzing my every move.

It wasn't until I was merely inches away from him, that I tried to regain control over my body, but it was too late. My lips had already made contact with his enticing ones. What was meant to be a peck, escalated into a full and long heated kiss, where tongues were battling for dominance, and hands were gripping at each others hair, pulling us closer even though there was no more space present.

After a few minutes, I pulled away for me to be able to catch my breath, panting lightly, still staring into his eyes.

"Dale?" I croaked, my throat dry.

"Yeah?" he replied huskily.

"You promised this wouldn't be a date."

***

And LMFAO! What did Dale do? *Gasps* Anyways, hope you're loving this thingy I just wrote. Message me anytime you like! I'm always ready for a conversation with a stranger. Don't forget to comment and vote!

Taja D'amore.