Falling

Chapter Eighteen

Cat P.O.V.

"Wait, so you're telling me. If The Winter Soldier busted the windshield out right now. Your first reaction would not be to be concerned but would be 'Dawson, meet my boyfriend, Bucky. Bucky, meet my future boyfriend, Dawson,' I must say that is mildly concerning," Dawson says while trying not to laugh. We've been discussing Marvel for the entire drive home after I noticed Dawson had a marvel playlist on his Spotify and my first reaction was to bombarded him with questions. So far we've been stuck on Sergeant James Buchaan Barnes for the past five minutes and before that was about Steve's ending. Which we both decided was not right and he would never leave Bucky. "It's a very valid response," I say laughing and Dawson shakes his head, "Whatever helps you sleep at night, princess," he says while glancing at me as he pulls into my driveway. I feel my cheeks heat up and I look at him, "Why do you call me that," I ask and tilt my head. "You look like a princess, that's enough reason for me," he says looking back at me. After a minute of nothing but silence he speaks again, "You called me your future boyfriend," I furrow my brows and look at him, "Is that a problem," I ask and he shakes his head, "No, no of course not. However, I was wondering. Would you like to be my girlfriend," he says nervously, his eyes looking away from mine. I stare at him for a minute, in shock before nodding, "Yes, I would like to be your girlfriend," I say honestly and reach across the center console to grab his hand. "Even though I'm not The Winter Soldier," he says with a raised eyebrow, "We all must settle sometimes," I say with a dramatic sigh causing Dawson to laugh. "Well, I suppose I should be happy you decided to settle for me," "You're not so bad," I say with a gentle smile. "Oh man, aren't you just sweet," he retorts jokingly. I roll my eyes at him as his left hand raises to settle on my cheek. Out of some kind of instentic I lean into his gentle touch, his eyes flicker to my lips from my eyes before leaning in. Our lips connect in a gentle kiss, most people describe it as lighting when they kiss someone, but I feel it in my stomach like butterflies, a swarm of them. Dawson's light spice and mint scent overwhelm me. His hand stays on my cheek and his teeth nip at my bottom lip as he pulls away from me. My pout makes Dawson lean back to kiss my lips once again. "I should get back," Dawson whispers and I nod, "Okay."

I slowly get out of the car but turn around, "I'll see you tomorrow," "I'll see you tomorrow, princess," he winks. Dawson doesn't back out of the driveway till I open the door and smile at him again. "Ah good you're back," mum says while walking out of the kitchen, "Is that boy of yours coming over tomorrow," she asks. "Yeah, he is with his twin brother and his brother's girlfriend," I explain and mum nods before heading to watch whatever is on the TV.

_*_

Christmas was a lot more fun than I imagined. Asher and his siblings came for a few days before taking off back to L.A.. Dawson, Dallas, and Dallas's girlfriend Brooklyn came over and we watched Hallmark Christmas movies, much to Dallas's dismay, though I did notice how we preferred to watch Brooklyn watch the movies with a smile on his face rather than watching the movie himself. I know sometimes girls feel insecure over their boyfriend's best friend being a girl, but Brooklyn seems so in love and infatuated with Dallas, plus she's super sweet that I can't help but to like her.

Dawson P.O.V.

"Dude, stop being such a bitch," Dallas complains after I kill him for the 10th time (yes I've been counting) while playing the military science fiction game, Halo. "You're the one that can't shoot," I say and continue to stare at the screen. Dallas mocks me before once again setting out on his mission to kill me, in-game of course, "I swear to all things holy if you kill me," I kill him, "Oh, that's it," he declares before putting his controller down and tackling me to the floor. I try to throw him off me, but let's face it, Dallas is stronger than me. Not that I'd ever tell him that, his ego is big enough. "What in God's green earth are you two doing," mom asks as she walks down the steps dressed to the nines for some late Christmas party at dad's work. "Dawson won't stop killing me," Dallas whines and jumps off me. "In my defense, he could've just looked at my screen," "That's cheating," "It's called an advantage," "Is that how you kept killing me," Dallas exclaims. "No, I'm just good at the game,"-I explain while standing up- "Unlike some people," Dallas glares and lunges at me but mom's voice stops him, "Both of you quit it. You're almost eighteen yet you act like you're five." Dallas and I both mutter apologies, "I can't hear you," mom says in a sing-songy voice. "We're sorry," we say in unison, earning a nod from mom. "Good. Now, please don't kill each other while we're gone. We'll be back no later than 10." We say our goodbyes then mom and dad are out the door. I scratch at my forearms and Dallas swats me. "Stop that," he scolds and I put my hands back by my sides. "How are they," Dallas asks once we sit back down on the couch. "I don't want to talk about it," I say and Dallas nods and we go back to playing out video games.

Something I've always admired about Dallas is his ability to care so deeply about his family and friends. One phone call or text and he's in the car. I'll never be able to thank him for keeping my secret and somehow being able to stitch my cuts back together, I'm still not sure where he learned to do that nor do I think I want to know. Now, I have Cat, which is absolutely wild. I've known this girl all of what two weeks? And somehow she's my girlfriend. What if I fuck this up? What if I forget to reply to her text fast enough and she ignores me for two days? What if I don't answer her call and the next thing I see is her with another guy? What if I fuck this relationship up the same way I did with Madison? I know she was toxic I know she didn't treat me right. But, I could've been better to her, bought her more flowers, gifts, choco-"Oh for the love of God, what is going on in your head," Dallas asks after he's killed me for the 5th time (Yes I've been counting). "What if I fuck up," I whisper and Dallas looks at me confused, "Fuck up what?" "Fuck up with Cat. What if I don't answer her calls fast enough, or reply to her texts fast enough, or I don't give her enough things," I say now pacing back and forth in front of the TV. "What if I don't give her enough compliments? what if-" "Dude calm down," Dallas says. "How can I calm down," I ask panicked and Dallas sighs. "I don't know Cat all that well but I don't think she'll leave you just because you don't respond to her texts or calls fast enough or if you don't shower her with presents or compliments. Now, take some deep breaths," Dallas says and I try to do as he says. "You're gonna work yourself into a frenzy man," "I know, I know," I sigh and look at Dallas. "I think I'm just gonna head to bed, try to sleep it off," "Alright, but if you need me. Come get me," "You sound like mom," I say as I walk up the stairs, "Night Idiot." "Night Jerk."

That night as I fall asleep a million "What if's?" run through my brain of all the ways Cat and I might not work out. But, what if, for once, it goes right.