Drella! Drella!

I walked out of my class and walked right into Mike. He laughed and wrapped his arm around my shoulders and started to lead me along the hallway. "Where's your hot friend?" he asked me. I frowned up at him, making me laugh.
"She had Math."
"Did you ask her yet?"
"No. I didn't know how."
"Christ, Vic. You're asking her over not proposing. What's the big deal?"
"What if she says no?"
"You're her only friend. Why would she do that?"
"I don't know." I shrugged.
"And she's your friend. Like a real person who's your friend and isn't being paid to be friends with you. A friend who likes you and makes you all happy."
"Anyway," I coughed. "Are you riding with us?"
"I've got a detention."
"Again?" I groaned.
"Afraid so." He laughed and veered away from me.
I put my head down and kept walking. I was heading for the doors. It's like they wait for me to be alone. I tried to walk faster but there's only so fast I can go without running. Besides, it's not like I wasn't used to it.
"Hey Fuentes!" I heard Kurt yell. Don't look. Don't stop walking. Just get outside.
Then I felt someone take my hand. I looked down and saw Drella's hand in mine. She was making me feel that thing again. That thing that made me think why she's still hanging around with me. By now she must know that no one likes me.
"Hey." Drella said, just as I looked up at her and smiled.
"Hi Drella." I replied.
She kept her hand in mine and we went outside. "Why do they pick on you?" She asked. I chewed on the inside of my cheek and tried to think things over. Why do they pick on me?
"I don't know," I shrugged. "I like different music and I dress different. And I don't have any friends," I added and laughed under my breath, too quiet for her to hear.
"You do," Drella told me.
"I don't," I countered.
"You have me," she said. "I'm your friend," she added, making me smile.
"Thanks," I said. If I don't do it now I'll just keep putting it off. "Um . . . Drella?"
"Yes?"
"Do you want to come to my house?" I asked. Say yes. Say yes.
"Okay," She nodded.
"Do you need to ask your mom?"
"No, she isn't back until ten again tonight,"
"Oh, how come?" I asked. She never does talk about her mom. I took Drella over to my car.
"She's a doctor at the hospital. She works long shifts," she explained. I nodded and we got into the car. "What music do you have?" Drella asked as I started driving.
"You probably won't like it," I said anxiously, keeping my eyes on the road.
"Stop being silly," Drella teased. She opened the glove box and searched through my CD's.
"What do you think?" I asked.
"You like Blink?" She seemed excited. Or horrified. I can't tell which.
"Yeah," I smiled in relief. She took the disk out and put it in the player. The first track started and Drella turned it up. It was Dumpweed. "I didn't think you'd like this kind of music." I muttered.
"How come?"
"I don't know," I shrugged.
"Have you ever met them?" she asked.
"No," I shook my head. "I'd love to though,"
"I met Mark. He was so cool,"
"Really? Was it in New York?" I asked excitedly.
"Yeah. One day I'll take you,"she said and I frowned. Of course.
"I'll never get to go," I said and wished I never.
"One day you'll get to go everywhere," Drella told me.
"Promise?" I asked. I turned to look at her. Really look at her.
"I swear," she smiled wide and held her pinky finger out to me. I smiled and turned down my street. I parked up onto my driveway and turned to look at Drella. Her pinky finger was still in the air. I wrapped my pinky around hers, making her laugh.
"This is my house," I said. I got out of the car and saw Drella look up. I went ahead of her.
"You live close to school," Drella said.
"I know. But I love my car so much, I just have to drive it," I replied.
"Come give me a tour of your room," she urged. I opened up the house and walked inside. I went into the kitchen where I knew my mama would be. I saw her putting away groceries away.
"Hi Mom," I said and walked over. She put the bags down and I kissed her cheek.
"Who's this?" Mom asked.
"Drella. She's a friend from school," I explained.
"I don't remember Vic talking about you," she told Drella and I internally groaned.
"I just moved here from New York City. I've only been here a week," Drella said.
"It's lovely to meet you," she smiled.
"You too,"
"Ella es muy bonita," Mom told me. Could she be anymore embarrassing? Ella es muy bonita. I want to cringe.
"We're going to go to my room," I rushed. I led Drella upstairs and we went to my room. I suddenly felt anxious. What if she hates my room?
"You play?" Drella asked, nodding my to guitar.
"Yeah, I'm probably no good though," I said.
"Bet you are," she nudged me. "I like your room," Drella said.
"Thanks," I replied. Drella went over to my couch and sat down.
"What did your mom mean?" she asked. I knew this was coming.
"About what?" I asked and sat down too.
"When she spoke to you in Spanish,"
"Oh, she said you're pretty," I said, hoping I wasn't blushing.
"Really?" she smiled wide. "I expected her to be more Mexican,"
"Why?" I laughed and shook my head.
"I don't know,"
"How's your first week been?" I suddenly asked. Good I hope.
"I've found the most awesome person in San Diego,"
"Frankie?" I teased.
"Not Frankie," she snorted and rolled her eyes. "You should come to my house this weekend," Drella suddenly said.
"Really?" I asked excitedly.
"Yeah. But I'm making you take me home tonight because I have no idea where I am," she admitted, making me laugh.
"Sure," I nodded.
"My mom is working all weekend too,"
"Okay," I nodded. "What about your dad?" I asked.
"He's in New York,"
"Sorry," I muttered. Now I've done it.
"It's cool," She said. I just hope she wasn't lying. I took on a deep breath. She's sad now, I can do this. I can make her feel better. Just do it, Vic. I took Drella's hand and she looked up at me. I gave her a smile and squeezed her hand gently to comfort her.
"How come you left New York?" I asked.
"Don't you have a theory," she looked at me, scrunching her face up.
"I don't listen to rumours," I told her.
"I burnt down a building,"
"What? Like set fire to it?"
"I was smoking with some friends. They all left but I wasn't finished. I threw my butt down and walked away. It wasn't out properly and the building caught fire. I was the last one seen there so I got blamed for it," a Drella explained.
"That sucks," I muttered,
"It's okay. I think I like it here," she said. "Can I ask you something?" Drella added.
"Go ahead," I urged.
"Why don't you have any friends, Vic? You're such a nice guy and so funny and sweet. I want you to be my best friend,"
"I don't know," I muttered. Why is it I have no friends? "I used to be friends with these two twins and their cousin. But the whole family moved states. After that people just started picking on me," I tried to explain.
"Why don't you fight back when they're mean to you? It's not like you couldn't take them on,"
"You sound like Mike," I sighed.
"Mike's right," Drella said. Maybe they are. Maybe they're not.
"He's really happy that we're friends you know," I told her.
"Good, because I'm not going anywhere, Fuentes," Drella told me warmly.
"Thanks Drella," I said and smiled. I finally have someone.

Notes

Hey! What did you think? Anything you'd like written in? xo