"I don't care what we go see." I shifted my cell phone to the other ear. "It's up to you tonight. I picked the last three movies."
"Okay, we can decide when we get there," Dustin responded. "Be ready in half an hour."
Dustin and I had officially began seeing each other. We spent most nights watching movies together or studying. He had finally accepted that I wasn't some crazy psycho like Alicia, and for the first time in my life I was in a real relationship. It was still new, but it was amazing, and sometimes I wondered if I was dreaming.
I hung up and continued to get ready. "Dani, can I borrow these?" I held up her new wedge sandals.
"Yes, but only if you borrow this too." She pointed to the matching little black dress.
"I don't know..." I began. "You know I'm not really into dresses."
She stuck her tongue out at me. "Oh, will you just let your estrogen lead for once?"
My inner girly-girl was glaring at me. Apparently, she agreed with Dani. "Ugh, okay, but don't get used to it."
I let Dani dress me up like a Barbie. She took almost a half an hour to do my hair and makeup. "Hurry up. He's gonna be here soon."
"Oh, Dustin can wait." She sprayed my hair with hair spray. "I'm creating a masterpiece."
Dustin arrived just as Dani pronounced me ready. He grinned when he saw me. "You look beautiful."
I curtsied. "Why, thank you." I grabbed my purse and followed him out the door. "Don't wait up!" I called over my shoulder to Dani. She just smiled and waved.
The night was clear and warm, and I reached out and laced my arm through Dustin's. I was glad that I let Dani dress me up because I kind of felt like a princess out on the town with my prince. "It's a nice night, should we walk?" Dustin questioned.
"In these shoes?" I shot back. "No way!"
We headed towards his car and he opened the passenger door for me. "I had no idea you were such a gentleman," I teased him.
He took a deep, dramatic bow. "There's a lot about me that might surprise you."
I laughed and settled in my seat while he started the car. The multiplex was crowded when we arrived. "What should we see?" I mused, as we stared at the movie list.
"Something with a lot of blood and guts," he teased me.
"Most of them have already started." I looked at the times, dismayed. "We should have gotten here earlier. Maybe we should do something else."
He caught my eye and winked. "Come on."
We got back in the car and headed out of the parking lot. It took me a few minutes to realize we were heading towards The Bluff. "What are we doing?" I asked.
"Going on a date."
He pulled up and turned off his lights. The view overlooking The Bluff was breathtaking. The bright moon shimmered like a diamond on the water below.
Dustin pulled a blanket out of the trunk and spread it on the ground about ten feet from the cliff. He held his hand out to me. "Sit with me?"
I smiled and took his hand. We settled together on the blanket, his arm around my shoulders. "Did you ever think we would be sitting here, like this, a few weeks ago?" I looked in his eyes.
He laughed and shook his head. "No, I figured I would have run you off by now. I was a complete jerk."
I nodded, smiling at the memories. "I really wanted to knock you out like I did Anya. You were infuriating!"
He laced his fingers through mine. "I never imagined I'd be here with you. I was so wrapped up in my own crap, I couldn't see what was in front of me. I was worried that history would repeat itself, that Dani would get taken from me again. Instead, thanks to you, I got her back."
He leaned over and kissed me, his lips light and warm. I gazed into his eyes, feeling the familiar rush course through my body.
"Did you leave any boys heart broken when you moved here?" The corners of his mouth twitched with a smile.
I looked away, embarrassed. It's always fun to tell your new boyfriend that you have absolutely no real relationship experience. "No..."
He raised his eyebrows. "Want to elaborate?"
A flush spread on my cheeks. "I spent a lot of my energy on my studies and athletics. I didn't have a lot of time for boys."
"Are you going to dump me for your studies and athletics?" he teased.
"Actually, you're a good study partner and an even better sparring partner. I might keep you around for a while." I leaned in and met his lips with a gentle kiss, hoping I didn't sound too lame.
He kissed me back for a moment, then got up. "Just a second."
He walked to the car and opened the door. A second later, I heard the radio come on. Ed Sheeran was crooning about finding love, as Dustin walked back and held his hand out. "Dance with me?"
I let him pull me to my feet. The moon shone on his beautiful face and I felt like I was in a dream. I laid my head on his shoulder and swayed to the music. "I've never danced with a handsome boy under the moonlight," I whispered.
He tilted my face up to his. "I promise to show you all kinds of wonderful things, if you'll let me."
I cuddled back into him, letting the music fill me. His arms tightened around me, and I felt my heart explode with contentment. There wasn't anywhere else I wanted to be.
It seemed like hours before Dustin pulled away. "It's starting to get late. What do you say we get some ice cream, head back to the dorms, and watch a movie?"
"What about Dani?"
"We'll send her to my room with Shawn," he winked.
"Oh, you're bad," I grinned.
"Come on."
I picked the blanket up and followed him back to the car. We stopped by the store on the way home and grabbed two pints of chocolate ice cream. It was so normal, like we had been doing it forever, instead of only a few weeks. If this was romance, sign me up for the lifetime plan!
The parking lot was quiet when Dustin pulled into his spot. He opened the door for me and held out his hand. I put my hand in his and let him pull me up for a kiss.
"Well, look what we have here." A voice sounded behind us.
I whirled around to find Anya glaring at me. "God, don't you have anything better to do than stalk me?" I moved closer to Dustin.
Anya smiled a sick smile. "I think this will probably be the last time we meet." As she took a step in my direction, six other people came out from behind parked cars.
"Seriously? You can't take me yourself, so you bring other people to fight your battle?"
"Oh, they're not here to fight for me. They're just here to make sure the fight is fair."
"And what would you know about fair?" I slanted my eyes at her. I'd had enough of this girl.
She pulled something from behind her back, and as she stalked closer, I recognized my Harley Quinn baseball bat in her hands. "Hold him." She ordered, and two big men grabbed Dustin from behind. "What the hell?" He began struggling as they forced him to the ground.
"Make sure you face him this way. I want him to watch his little princess go down."
I realized that I was at a severe disadvantage in my tall wedge heels and little dress, but it didn't matter. I was going to have to make it work.
"Where did you get that?" I questioned, anger lacing my words. "You broke into my room?"
She stalked closer, still twirling my bat. Dustin reared up and punched one of the guys in the face, but before he could break free, two more descended on him. He continued to struggle, but the four men had him pinned.
"You sure look nice." Anya continued to advance. "Too bad you aren't dressed for a fight."
"I'm always dressed for a fight." I took my stance and waited for her to get within striking range.
Suddenly, someone grabbed me from behind. "Katie!" Dustin screamed.
I tried to pull free, but there were too many of them. Anya rushed at me, bat held high. I heard a splitting crunch as I felt the first strike land on the side of my face. I screamed and struggled again, as I heard Dustin yelling. The second blow came hard on the other side of my face. Pain exploded behind my eyes.
"Katie! No!" Dustin was thrashing wildly, trying to escape the strong arms forcing him to watch my demise. "Katie!"
The next blow knocked the lights out and everything went black.
Author's Note: Â Â Crazy!! Told you things were going to get interesting! Vote and comment below!! Luvs as always!! AMð