twelve

—SATURDAY

i wake up surrounded in my warm blankets, hair all over my face.

i sigh and sit up, tossing the covers off of me. once my feet land on the cold ground, i groan as i stretch.

i think about getting dressed and making my bed, but decide to do it later.

i open my door and walk out to the kitchen to see what darry has made for breakfast.

"morning, anna banana" soda says as he takes a seat at the dining table.

i smile at him, moving my hair out of my eyes "mornin" i say to my other brothers as well.

i see that darry has made french toast and bacon. i go and sit myself at the table with soda and pony.

pony's busy reading his book, seems to be nearly done.

"i'm gonna go back and return my book today," he says as he averts his gaze from it, looking at me.

i shrug my shoulders "alright, i haven't really been reading mine so you might as well return it while you're there" i say, grabbing a napkin from the napkin-holder in the middle of the table.

"you don't wanna come along?" he asks.

"nah, i don't really feel like it today, sorry kid"

darry comes out with the plates of food, setting them on the table. he then takes a seat and we begin to eat.

before i can finish, the phone rings. i get up from my seat and answer it.

"hello?"

"hey, is this annalise curtis?" a boy asks from across the line.

"uh— yes," i say awkwardly, leaning against the wall.

"great, it's devin, from the bar last night" he says. right..i had forgotten about that.

"anyway," he clears his throat "i was wondering if i could take you out tonight?"

i raise my eyebrows in surprise "like..a date?" i whisper, turning my back to the boys.

he laughs "yeah, a date."

i smile widely "yes, absolutely. what time?" i ask as i think about him, wondering what he will look like in normal lighting.

"well, i have work tonight, so if it's alright with you, maybe in like 2 hours? i know it's sudden but-"

i cut him off "yes, yes that's great" i say excitedly.

"who is it?" darry asks from the table.

"alright, great, meet at the diner?" he asks.

"yes, sounds like a plan" i say and hang up.

i walk back over to the table with red cheeks, the boys staring at me, waiting to know who it was.

i sit down, "it was a boy named devin, i met him at bucks the other night.." i say.

"a boy?" darrel asks.

"yes, darrel, a boy" i reply bluntly.

i finish my food and then take it to the kitchen, washing off my plate. "i've got to get ready, i'm meeting him in two hours."

i speed walk to my bedroom and make my bed. i then pick out an outfit.

a little emerald green dress, nothing too fancy, more of an out wear. i lay it on my bed, and then get my flats out.

lastly, i put my lace black bra and underwear set on top.

i hop in the shower, taking a quick one. after i finish, i go back to my bedroom and apply lotion.

after, i put everything on, other than my shoes, and then pick out some jewelry.

before i put it on, i begin playing my new fleetwood mac vinyl dallas had gotten for me.

i then put the gold necklace around my neck, following with small gold hoop earrings.

i sit at my vanity, humming along to the music as it plays, doing my makeup.

not wanting anything too crazy, i just do concealer, powder, eyeliner and mascara with some clear lipgloss. oh, and highlighter; can't forget that.

i quickly brush my hair and then style my curtain bangs. i then put my shoes on and walk out my door.

all three of the boys look at me with surprise.

i stand there awkwardly, fiddling with my mothers ring on my finger.

darry sighs "you look beautiful" he says as he pats my shoulder.

"took ya long enough," pony says as he passes me, walking into my room and grabbing my book from the library.

"i'll be back soon" he says and leaves.

"well, soda could you drive me? to the diner?" i ask as i walk over to him. it took me about an hour and a half to get ready.

he nods and grabs the keys, walking out the door. "stay safe! don't do anything stupid, otherwise i'll skin the kid!" darry shouts as we leave. i wave goodbye.

i hop in our old car, soda does the same. he starts it, and we drive off.

"so, who's this kid?" he asks.

"devin," i say "is a boy i met at the bar last night. dallas had dared me to dance with him, and i did."

"that's it? you don't know him?"

"well, no. that's the point of dates, isn't it? get to know people?"

"sheesh, i guess" soda says as turn the corner. "what's he look like?"

"he has blonde floppy hair, he's real tall, probably as tall as darry. he was just wearing all black when i met him" i say.

he pulls into the parking lot and let's me out. i say goodbye and thank him.

i walk in and scan the room, not seeing him. i seat myself in one of the empty booths. there's not many people here at this time.

"welcome, hun. can i get ya anything?" the older women asks from across the room.

"not yet, thanks. i'm waiting for someone" i say with a smile.

within a few minutes, a tall blonde boy walks in with a bouquet of flowers in his hand.

he's wearing a white t-shirt, a black leather jacket and black pants, along with black shoes and a silver chain.

he notices the room and then walks over to me, with a smile. his hair is still floppy, he doesn't grease it, just like dallas.

i get up quickly, going in for a hug when he makes his way over.

once we pull away, he looks me up and down "god, you look absolutely stunning" he says as he takes a seat, motioning for me to do the same.

my cheeks heat up, and i laugh trying to hide it the best i can "thank you, you look dashing yourself" i say.

he hands the flowers to me over the table "these are for you, of course."

i glance at his fingers as he hands them to me, the same rings on from last night. "they're beautiful, thank you" i say as i sniff them.

"beautiful flowers for a beautiful girl" he says with a wink. the waitress then finally comes over with menus once she sees my plus one has arrived.