Mixtape of Their Favorite Band

Dallas’s Perspective

Flashback

I had a beer bottle clutched in my clammy hand, gripping its neck tightly. I was walking out of some guy’s house, where tonight’s party had been held.

“Well if it ain’t Dallas Fras-whore.” my former-best friend, Evanna, called.

“And there’s Easy Evanna.” I spat back.

“Get back here, bitch. Say that to my fuckin’ face.” she slurred.

Before I saw what she was doing, she was pushing me into the pool. She, who knew that I couldn’t swim. I saw people in movies hold their noses before jumping into a pool, so I did that as I fell into the water.

I flopped my arms as I mistakenly drew in a big breath through my mouth as I was submerged beneath the icy blue Hell. I coughed, but that only let in more water.

--

I was screaming and drenched in sweat while someone held me. I couldn’t see, I could barely hear anything over my own screaming. I lashed out, trying to get rid of whoever had a hold on me.

“Get off me!” I screamed.

“Shit!” I heard Zack say. My vision finally adjusted and I saw Zack, gripping his jaw. Had I done that?

“Zack, oh my God, I’m so sorry, let me get you some ice.” I whispered, getting up. I shook out some ice cubes from the ice tray and put them in a plastic bag, then wrapped that in a rag.

“Here.” I told him and he held the bundle to his face.

“Are you bleeding?” I asked.

He shook his head.

“Dallas, what happened?” he asked.

“Did I hit you on the head too?” I asked back.

“You’re avoiding the question. That’s what worries me.”

I sighed.

“Go lay down. I’ll come in and tell you everything.” He nodded and left. I sat down to collect myself then went in.

I held him close, gripping the hand that wasn’t holding the ice.

“Two years ago, my ex-best friend tried to drown me. It was one of the scariest things I've ever experienced. I thought, by switching schools, surrounding myself with new people, it’d just disappear. But I’m still dealing with it. I almost died, I mean...” I explained.

“Dallas, I’m so sorry. I’m sorry you went through that. Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked.

“I guess...it seemed kinda minor to everyone else, but I did almost die.” I told him.

“Well, I’m here for you, okay?” he told me, kissing my cheek and combing gently through my hair with his fingers.

“Hey Zack?” I asked.

“What, babe?” he asked.

“I think I do want to live with you.” I told him.

“That’s great. What made you change your mind?” he asked.

“I just love it here, I mean, your house is wonderful.” I gushed. He laughed and poked my nose.

“Well, whatever the reason, I’m happy if you are.” he told me.

“I am.” I smiled.

He hummed to me a little bit and I drifted off to sleep as he switched of the light and gently maneuvered us so that we were laying down.

--

The next morning was Zack's birthday, so I woke up early to cook him breakfast in bed. I brought him the tray and set it down on the end of the bed. I went over and kissed him gently on the lips and his eyes fluttered open.

"Morning, birthday boy." I smiled.

"I almost forgot!" He said, his hazel eyes lighting up.

"Well, good thing I remembered because there's a party later," I told him.

"I love you so much." Zack grinned, kissing me.

We had a nice, quiet party with the band and crew and Adelaide, Lisa, and Cassadee. Zack had a great time and held my hand the entire night.

--

Spring break ended right as Adelaide got better, but it wasn’t really worth being back in school since we only had a month left and nobody was sweating their grades since college was a done deal for most people.

I, however, was sitting across from my mother at the kitchen table from my childhood, sipping tea as she eyed me nervously.

“So, what’s going on?” she asked.

“I..uh, was thinking of not going to UT Dallas...” I said nervously, picking at my cuticles, a habit from my late childhood and earlier teenage years that I reverted back to in times like this.

“What would you do instead?” she asked.

“Um, I was going to go on tour with Zack in the summer, and then come back to live with him. Maybe make some money.” I told her.

“But what about your education?” she asked.

“I’d go the next year. It’s fine. I’m okay, Mom. I just need a break from school.” I replied.

“And your expenses?”

“I’d use the money I make from work. If I need to, I’ll get money from Zack.” I told her.

She sighed.

“Well, I can’t stop you. Go ahead.” she told me and I nodded with a smile. Things were definitely looking up.

Notes

Title: Stay Together for the Kids, Blink-182

Dallas

wow, sorry. i had this written right after the last one, but i was putting off posting it oops