Falling

Chapter Thirteen

TW// talk of self-harm

Dawson P.O.V.

When the doorbell goes off Cat goes to get up but Dallas stands and walks to the door. Cat looks at me and I look back, "Are you okay," I whisper and she nods, "Yeah, fine," "You're nervous around Dallas," I observe and Cat's eyes widen, "I d-don't know what you mean," She says nervously. "You seem nervous around Dallas," I say and she shrugs and looks away from me briefly. "Oh," she says right as Dallas walks back in carrying the bag of food and carrier with our drinks. Dallas begins to hand everyone their food and when he hands Cat hers, she looks from his face down to the food before quickly reaching out and taking it. Dallas glances at me with a raised brow but I shake my head. Instead of handing her any more food he just sets it all out on the coffee table and sits back in the chair, he was in earlier, "I've never had Chick-fil-a before," Cat says quietly and I look at her, "It's good trust me," I say and she nods before carefully opening her container of nuggets. We eat in silence other than that tv show she has playing. After we finish Dallas looks at Cat, "Can I get your opinion on something," he asks and Cat nods, "Sure," Dallas stands, walks to the couch, and sits next to Cat. She tenses slightly but Dallas doesn't seem to notice and if he does he doesn't comment. He pulls out his phone and opens to his gallery, "I wanted your opinion on what to get my girlfriend for Christmas," he explains and she raises a brow at him, "It's two days before Christmas, and why do you want my opinion? I don't even know her," Cat asks and Dallas shrugs, "I procrastinated okay, and I don't know you're a girl, maybe you have some idea," he says and I nod. "Show me," Dallas shows his phone to her, with different photos of necklaces. Cat points to a small golden heart, "Get that one with your initial," she says and Dallas looks at her, "You think so," he asks, and Cat nods. "Okay then," he says and smiles at her, "Thank you, Cat," Dallas says and both of our phones go off.

A little while later Dallas and mine's phone goes off. It's a text from our mom saying we need to get home for dinner, "It's our mom," I say looking at Cat who's already looking at me with a confused look, "Is everything okay," she asks and I nod, "Yeah she just wants us home for dinner," I explain and we all stand. "Our mom wanted to ask you over for lunch tomorrow but, she understands it's short notice and Christmas Eve," Dallas says looking at Cat. I narrow my eyes at him but he just smiles. "Oh, sure, I'd love to," she says nervously and looks at me, "I'll come pick you up tomorrow," I say and she nods. I give her a quick hug before we walk out the door, "Thank you for today," she says and we both nod, "Of course," I say and Dallas smiles at her as we get into the call and pull away, "We're gonna talk about it," Dallas says after a minute and I shake my head, "No we aren't," "Yes, we are," he says sternly and I sigh knowing I won't win this fight. "How'reyour wrists," he asks and I shrug, "They're fine," I say and Dallas sighs. "You know you can talk to me about this," he says and I nod, "I know," "I'm checking your wrists tonight," he says and I side-eye him, "You don't need to. I haven't done anything since that night," I say and Dallas shakes his head, "I'm checking or I'm telling mom," "You promised you wouldn't," I snap and Dallas looks at me, "I won't but I still need to make sure they're okay Daw," he says sincerely. I sigh and nod, "Fine," "Your girl seems nervous around me," he says after a minute and I silently thank him for not talking about that night anymore. "Yeah, she does. I'm not sure why though," I say honestly and pull up into the driveway. "Well, we both know mom will be excited to meet her and mom can calm anyone down," I say and Dallas agrees. We head inside and walk into the kitchen, "There you two are," mom says. "Cat is coming over for lunch tomorrow," I say and mom's eyes light up, "Oh, she is? How exciting, I can't wait to meet her," she says excitedly and hugs me. I hug back and she walks over to the oven and gets something out as dad walks in, "I hear your mothers excited voice what's happening," he asks and looks at me but before I can speak Dallas does for me, "Dawson's girlfriend is coming over tomorrow for lunch," he says and I shake my head, "She's not my girlfriend," I contradict and Dallas shakes his head, "Whatever," "Dallas leave him alone and come help me," mom says and Dallas nods, "Yes ma'am," he says walking over to mom.

"A girl hm," dad says looking at me. "Yes, dad, a girl," "Tell me about her," he says but mom yells, "Don't you dare tell him first, come sit down," we both laugh and walk over to the table to take our seats. "Now, tell me about this girl," mom says looking at me. "Her name is Cat, she just moved here from England, and she'll start at Savannah high after break," I say and everyone nods, "Anything else," mom asks. "Those are the basics mom, but please don't berate her with questions, she's shy," I say, "She is," Dallas says and mom nods, "I promise," she says and I smile at her.

After dinner, Dallas and I help mom clean everything and put it away then we help clean the house up so we don't have to in the morning. Mom excuses herself to the kitchen, probably to figure out what to make for lunch tomorrow, and dad heads to bed. Dallas gives me a knowing look and I sigh as we walk upstairs and into my bathroom. I roll up my sleeves to reveal the gauze Dallas put over my arms about a week ago. He carefully peels the gauze off and I look away from my arms, too ashamed to look at them, "They're gonna scar Daw," he says and I sigh, "I know," he puts my arms under the water and carefully washes them, "How are you," he asks and I shrug, "I'm okay," "Don't bullshit me, Dawson, not now," he says and I look at him, "I'm better," I say honestly and I nod while he covers my arms again. "Thank you," I say as I roll my sleeves down again, "Of course, you're my twin Dawson, there's nothing I wouldn't do for you," he says and I do something Dallas and I don't do often. I hug him. He hugs back. I let go of him and he looks at me, "You good," "Yeah I'm good," I say and he nods, "Now go call Brooklyn but please, don't tell her," I say and he walks to my door, "I promised I wouldn't tell anyone Dawson and you know I don't break promises," he says and I smirk, "Including the one about making Brooklyn your wife one day," "That was a swear but still stands, yes," he says and walks out of my room, closing the door.