Burning Down the House by Allie Gail

puppy dogs.”
    “Sarcasm again?”
    “You catch on fast, grasshopper.”
    Then did you set that fire? Were you responsible for their deaths? Those were the nagging questions I didn’t have the nerve to voice. Mainly because I wasn’t sure I wanted to hear what he might reveal. Deep down, I couldn’t make myself believe he’d do something so vicious…but I didn’t want to give him the opportunity to prove me wrong.
    “Why didn’t you get along?”
    “Oh, you know…the usual. I wanted to stay out all night raping and pillaging and they disapproved.”
    “I think you have the monopoly on this sarcasm thing,” I informed him.
    “You have a pretty good handle on it yourself.” The steeliness in his eyes softened a bit.
    “Would you prefer we change the subject?”
    “Yes. I think that would be a good idea.”
    “Okay. ” What to ask, what to ask… “Are you trying for a football scholarship?”
    “No. Academic.”
    Well, he was just full of surprises, wasn’t he? “Where are you looking to go?”
    “FSU.”
    “Frostburg? Really - me, too!” It wasn’t as much of a coincidence as it sounds. Frostburg State University was a choice based on convenience - it’s a ten minute drive from here so I’d be able to attend college while continuing to reside with my dad. Did that mean Rob had the same intention? “What are you planning to major in?”
    “Computer science.”
    Another shocker. “Wow. I never would have pictured you in that field.”
    “What about you?”
    “Elementary education.”
    “Sounds about right.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “I dunno…you just seem good with kids is all. Peyton really likes you.”
    I smiled at his mention of the scrappy little girl. She seemed to like him too, from what I could tell. “Peyton likes cold ravioli. What does she know?”
    “Kids are perceptive. It’s a trait people seem to lose as they get older. The ability to scratch the surface enough to uncover a person’s true character. Or maybe it’s just that they see only what they want to see.” He sighed, and there was a distant kind of sadness in his voice as he added, “You never really know anyone, Sara. Remember that.”
    “You talk as if you know this from experience.”
    “A person can learn a lot in a very short time.” He held my gaze for a moment before abruptly jumping to his feet. “So! Do we have any marinara for those cheese sticks?”
    We sat in the kitchen together talking that night for over an hour. Neither of us touched on any more deep topics, opting instead to keep things light. Mostly talk about school and football and the upcoming homecoming festivities. But in that brief time we shared more words than had ever passed between us. Maybe he hadn’t let me in yet, but he’d opened the door. And I could sense a shift. It was gradual, and it was subtle.
    But it was there.

 
    8

    Riley called me Saturday afternoon while I was stripped down to my boyshorts and bra in the dressing room of a local boutique. He wanted to find out what color dress I was wearing, saying he’d like to make sure the colors in his tie matched. I couldn’t be sure if he was actually that thoughtful or his mother had put him up to it. Probably the latter.
    The dress I ended up buying was one Dana picked out, and as soon as I tried it on I knew it was The One. It was a short and flouncy cocktail dress in a deep, dark purple. The straps were beaded with sparkling rhinestones, along with a strip of beading around the cinched waist. And the sweetheart neckline was cut to show just the right amount of cleavage. Dana proclaimed it to be jaw-droppingly sexy. I swore to her I’d never doubt her fashion sense again. The shoes we chose were silver platform sandals to match the beading, and deciding to opt for simplicity, the only jewelry I bought was a pair of dangly rhinestone teardrop earrings that went perfectly with the ensemble. I already had a white gold tennis bracelet I could wear.
    I helped Dana