SOME WOULD SAY ARVIN AND DAWN WERE THE STAR-CROSS LOVERS OF COAL CREEK. Others would tell you they were just friends who seemed to have a little more going on behind closed doors. Arvin and Dawn didn't know what their relationship was. They just knew the feelings for each other were strong, and were definitely not overlooked.

Right before Christmas, both teenagers were riding home in Arvin's rusted car listening to the radio. They had spent the day looking at shop windows in the nearest city, knowing they couldn't afford anything in them, but it felt typical for the two just to be together gazing at a life that looked hopeful.

Dawn was in a dress that was her mother's from when she was her age. The fabric complement her and she looked absolutely breathtaking. Arvin was also a sight for sore eyes. He had on his best-collared shirt; earlier he told Dawn he'd wear it just for her for their outing. He also liked how giddy he felt when she called him handsome for the fifteenth time.

He liked the feeling of her hand was in his and the way her eyes scanned the downtown area in awe. What he didn't know, her eyes caught sight of a young couple walking arm and arm pushing a baby carriage. They were no older than Arvin and Dawn. The woman was dressed to the nines with pearls, and the man had on a suit that must have cost as much as she made at the dinner she worked at in the last few months. The way they were dressed wasn't the most crucial thing to Dawn. It was the fact she was jealous of the sight of the loving looks they gave the child.

Dawn would say she was over her parent's deaths, and she wasn't lying about this. It was the fact that she missed the feeling of having someone that knew her more than she knew herself.

Arvin noticed the change in the demeanor of the girl his eyes trailed to the family making him feel almost guilty knowing she was still grieving in her own way over the deaths of her parents. The thought of her looking at the man and woman with envy and hopefulness at the same time made him hope someday she would be at peace with how her life turned out.

She would have a white picket fence in her yard that surrounded a two story home in the suburbs of some town that was the best buy on the block. He could see her smiling down at some tiny child with a toy in their hand asking her to help them with something with the words mommy being the first thing that escapes their mouth.

This thought haunted Arvin throughout their visit and seemed to hit him harder now that it was just them and the asphalt Arvin's tires glided on when traveling back to Coal Creek. The curly haired boy was itching to say something that needed to clear the air on their short-lived relationship. No one knew they were together. Even though the rumors spread like wildfire, the two never announced to anyone they were a couple. It's been a couple of months. Even though their kiss, or kisses, was still something Arvin was trying to fathom they haven't given it the proper attention it needed.

The happiness they gave one another was nothing short of extraordinary. These feelings the teenagers reciprocated for one another was something that is hard for a human mind to comprehend.

Looking over at the girl with loose waves in her hair pinned out of her face, he smiled to himself. She was singing along to the sound of Connie Smith's, Once A Day. She laughed as she sang along to the lyrics that had a sadder meaning than its upbeat strums. Arvin loved this side of Dawn because it was rare for one to see.

"How are you so beautiful?" He looked over at her for a moment making her laughter as she propped her feet up on the dash twiddling with the ribbon in her hands.

She hummed in amusement at the boy to her right, "Beauty isn't always a good thing AR."

He scoffed at the statement. It was so presumptuous of her to think so lowly of being a sight that left anyone speechless. "Fuck it is. You are gorgeous Dawn Harper."

Blush rushed to her cheeks from the words and tone the boy used when talking to her. "Not when being fetching to the eye comes to disappointment and the bane of my existence. Beauty is a curse more than a gift, and to think being a woman was bad enough."

"Fine then, your fuckin' disgusting." His comment made her turn beet red. She didn't know whether feel confused or laugh. "You are the biggest bitch I know."

Her eyes widened at Arvin's suggestive words. This was his way of making her feel better? He can fuck off for all she cared. "You don't have to drag me like a fucking corpse Arvin. A simple accord would have subsided our altercation."

"Sorry," he shifted his hands on the steering wheel. "Why do you use big words? I know I'm a dumbass, but I'd rather think about your sentence rather than some fancy fucking words."

Dawn rolled her eyes, "Oh, okay, let me just limit my ever growing vocabulary just for you AR. Maybe then that hot head of yours won't have to have as much time to inflate with anger."

Arvin didn't say anything after that he just let the conversation sizzle out. The only noise that could be heard was front the soft sounds of the radio and the sound of the tires rolling across the highway. Arvin was still itching to ask her. He glanced over at her for a brief moment seeing her side profile as she gazed at the passing scenery of back roads West Virginia.

"What're we doin' Dawn?"

She looked back at him perplexed, "Going back home, obviously. Didn't think the last conversation we had dumbed you down that much."

"No," he stated firmly turning his head slightly to connect his eyes with hers. "What's this thing we have? It's not a fucking friendship and you're not my girl." He turned back to the road with his jaw clenched.

"We don't have to be anything."

"Yeah," he gripped the wheel tighter, "What if I do want us to be something?"

She let out a sigh tossing her head over looking at him. The glow of the sun radiated off her face making her dark blue eyes look like a shimmering body of water. Arvin was able to glance over at her to take notice of her features but not for long looking back in front of him. "Didn't think you had such a soft spot for such a bitch?"

She notice him loosen his grip and his body relaxed at her joke. He laughed, but was a little annoyed she didn't answer his questions.

There was a silence tat fell among the teenaged that seemed to cry out for one to break it. The rest of the car ride consisted of them not saying anything between each other leaving an unfamiliar feeling neither has experienced through out their friendship.

Minutes felt like hours as they inches closer to the Ward residents. Arvin didn't really like the idea of having to drop Dawn off and her not talking to him for a good two weeks. She was scared of confrontation of a lasting relationship and he knew that when it came to Dawn he felt like he was sometimes walking on eggshells.

Arvin had assumed this was because of what happened to her in the last three years. He knew he would stick with her through the thick and thin at the end of the day.

He had only met her father once and it was a brief period after they moved to Coal Creek. Pauline had asked him to come over to repair her car that had a transmission problem that she couldn't figure out.

The sun was blistering down on him on the hot summer day. He was happy there was a light breeze that swept through the trees he felt ever so often as he continued to work on the old truck.

A creak could be heard from the back screen door opening and out comes Dawn in some green shorts and a yellow floral blouse. Her waves tided back with a scarf. She had an ice cold glass of water in hand that had condensation building up on the transparent cup.

The pair became aquatinted rather quickly after they interacted a couple of times at the services their grandmothers would bring them to. Arvin found the dreaded church visits a little more inviting, and suddenly making him feel something when she walked up to him with a smile, "Grandma told me that you probably parched, so I should bring you glass."

"Your Grandmother is a smart woman." He put down the rag he was using and whipped his brow before grabbing the glass from Dawn.

"I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree," she said bluntly.

He smiled finally taking the glass, "Is there anything you aren't? Has a pretty face and a beautiful voice. Now you're also smart."

Dawn froze when he took it from her hand their fingers brushed making the girl glanced down quickly pulling her hand back look up at him. The sound of the glass hitting the ground made her jump back. She gave him an insecure smile, but this time her eyes begging for tears to slip out of them. "Sorry." She paused for a moment looking down at the glass, "I, uh, I'll go get something to clean it up, and another glass."

Before Arvin could wrap his mind about the sudden change in behavior for Dawn she was already walking quickly up the steps to the porch. He was about to chase after her when he heard a voice from be hind him.

"Need any help?"

He looked over at the where the sound was coming from  that was followed by a car door slamming that he didn't hear because he was too focused on the girl walking away from him. The dark haired boy looked over at a man who was tall and built. His arms where crossed and his face was stern with sun glasses covering his eyes and a hate that shaded the top half of his face.

"N- No sir, I can handle it."

He walked closer taking off his hat examining the vehicle, "It's the transmission again isn't it?"

"Yes sir," Arvin managed to stutter out again.

Jonathan walked over the broken glass as if he noticed but didn't bother and studied the open engine of the dated car. Arvin stood next to him awkwardly not knowing what to do. "She hasn't had an episode in a while."

The boy furrowed his eyebrows not sure what he was talking about, "I'm lost sir."

He sighed looking over at Arvin, "Dawn."

Arvin was left more confused than before.

"Look, son, we all have our faults, and Dawn isn't perfect. What did you expect? She is amazing and I couldn't be more proud of her. But we all have moments where we are at our low. She likes you enough to befriend you which is something she had trouble with in Tennessee." He paused for a moment, "Promise me you'll be there for her, because I damn sure promise you she would drop everything for you if you need help."

He was speechless, "Of course."

"Good, because if your hurt my little girl I will murder you."

"You don't have to worry about that sir we aren't even-"

The screen door opened again, "I have a clothe and another glass." She rushed closer to the pair while rambling on, "I really didn't. mean to Arvin. I have so much on my mind at the moment with the move and going to a new school. I really don't know why came over me. I promise I d-"

"Dad, when did you get back," She looked in between the two.

"Not too long ago," He smiled. "Arvin just asked me to help him when I got her."

Nodding her eyes shifted from Arvin to her father, "If I knew you were here I would have brought you something."

"You didn't have to bring me another one it's okay Dawn." He still took the glass carefully out of her hand along with the clothe she brought out, "I can clean it up."

She light up and stood up taller as if a dumbbell was lifted off her shoulders. Her eyes locked with his and she could help but have the same feeling from that thanksgiving night a few months ago.

Her father cleared his throat making the two quickly snap back to Earth. "I'm sorry but don't you need to be getting back to work, son?"

"Yes sir."

"Maybe we'll let you stay for dinner," He joked walking over to Dawn placing his and on her shoulder leading her away from Arvin.

"He joking you can stay if you want," She managed to say before she was lead back to the house glancing back at him. She paused at the screen door waiting for an answer.

"Sounds good," Arvin agreed. His eyes drifted towards Jonathan Ward giving him a curt nod before he went back to the car.

Arvin's mind drifted to that day as they sat in front of the Dawn's house. The silence seemed to last a while, but Dawn was the one to break it first, "I decided not to go to college."

He was thrown off by her comment. The girl had dreamed of getting away and achieving more in life than receiving a few extra tips when she was wearing her uniform that was a size too small. "Dawn, you're parents..."

"Wouldn't have want me to spend the money. Tennessee Tech would only cover half of the tuition and if I want to go I would have time to only study and save for what I haven't paid for. West Virginia would be the same."

He looked at her, "Dawn, you better not have fucking stayed because of me. You shouldn't be making up excuses on why you shouldn't go. You deserve so much more than-"

She cut him off mid sentence kissing him softly. Arvin's mind raced with the thought of her sweet lips against his. She was so gentle and genuine with this kiss unlike the one they shared a couple months before. She seemed to have an affect on him that made his name sound like a made up word. His brain scrambled to form coherent thoughts and was pulled into a trance.

"You are more Arvin," she said as she pulled away from him. She looked down, "but I don't want you thinking you are holding me back. I've thought about it for a while. Even before my father died."

He lifted her chin light as his finger tips brushed against her skin. He was able to see her bright blue galaxy eyes that seemed to have so many stories that were anticipating to be written behind them.

"I-" He hesitated but she cut him off with another kiss.

She let her hand still linger on his cheek, "You don't have to say it."

He grabbed her hand placing it on his chest holding it close, "But you deserve to hear it. I love you. I don't care if we aren't dating officially yet but I think you should damn well know how I feel."

She laughed, "'I love you' is supposed to come after the first date we haven't even been on one."

"What do you call today then," He asked.

"An outing with my best friend," She said hoping it would stir a reaction in Arvin. She loved it when he would get annoyed. She quickly put her last comment off though realizing it wasn't right to say that. "Spending the day with someone who makes me so happy I can't find the words to describe him."

"You really know how to take my breath away," He smiled.

"I'm not making soft am I," She smirked asking him while she leaned in closer. "I love-"

He paused while he was leaning in for another kiss looking past her, and he widened his eyes trining forward looking through his windshield. She backed away blinking a couple times before turning around to see her grand mother crossing her arms... while smiling. Dawn thought it was her smiling.

"She just opened the door, I don't think she saw anything," He mumbled.

Dawn nodded grabbing his hand giving it a squeeze before slipping out of the car. He gave her a smile before taking off.

-1966-

A couple months have past and the two managed to keep their relationship on the down low. It was nearing the end of their senior year. The beginning of March and the bell of the door opened in the general store and Dawn came in smiling brightly at at the three of them. "Sorry I'm so late. The market had some fresh strawberries on sell and I thought I would give my Grandmas pie recipe a try. She's right behind me I think she went to get some eggs."

Emma walked over to the girl in the yellow sundress greeting her with a hug taking her hand leading her to the shelves of meat, "Nonsense, dear, I'm so glad you were able to make it."

She lead the girl to the font of the story as Dawn caught a glance of Arvin giving him a shy smile. "Hey AR," she whispered before looking at the different options of meat that were displayed.

"Everyone says they like the way I do them, but I," Emma motioned towards the chicken livers.

Arvin cut his Grandmother off with a laugh, "Well, just get him a big steak then."

The older woman nervously shook her head, "You know I can't afford anything like that." Emma held on to Dawns hand softly again out of nervous habit. "What do you think?"

"I know what ever you make it will be delicious," She reassured placing a hand on the women's arm lovingly.

"She's right, Grandma, quit worryin' about it. He's just a preacher. Anyway, everyone says ain't no one doesn't like you, you know that. So chicken livers it is."

Emma chuckled at her grandsons comment. The boy behind the counter grabbed the tray of the red mush and bagged it up for them.

The three of them left the store with the older woman gushing about how excited she was for the new preacher coming. Dawn could help but feel the excitement radiating off her. Pauline shortly joined them as they walked to Arvin's rusted Chevy with the sound of old hymnals seeping through Arvin's speakers per the older ladies request.

Dawn volunteered to sit in the back with her grandmother holding the supplies they bought in town for the dishes they planned to make for the new preacher. The two women gushed about being able to not have to struggle through the same repeated sermons.

Their conversation lasted through the preparation of their dishes and even had Lenora pitching into the conversation with the three of them practicing how they would introduce herself.

While she prepared her mouth watering chicken livers she repeated, "It's nice to meet you." Many times throughout the day.

Lenora chimed in a few times, "Nice to meet you, Reverend." Giggling with Dawn at the unfamiliar phrase as she would jokingly say it deeper some times cracking eggs and mixing the batter for the fried food.

Pauline sat at the table rolling out the dow to her famous strawberry pie as she also repeated the phrase with the other two.

Dawn managed to slip out on the porch for just a minute to where Arvin was leaning against a wooden stub that held the overhead up. She smiled at him smoothing the yellow fabric of her down before leaning against the railing by him.

"They are just about to drive me damn crazy repeating that," He said blowing another puff of smoke out of his mouth trying to act annoyed at the women inside.

She laughed at him taking the cigarette from his hand letting it out and she gently placed her hand on his arm, "You're just mad you can't sample anything."

Arvin smirked, "Maybe you can save me a piece for next time."

Dawn leaned in closer, "I like how you assume there's a next time."

Arvin lowered his cigarette letting his hand relax at his side. His face softer and had his eyes flickered down to her lips watching Dawn inch closer to him.

The girl felt the his free hand make its way up to her cheek turning her head slightly. She placed her hand on his arm wishing he would just lean forward.

"Dawn."

Dawn and Arvin pulled away from each other quickly hearing the screen door open. Lucky for the two teens Pauline was looking down at her index card with the recipe on it unfazed from the red that was washing over her granddaughter's face. 

The girl pressed her lips together humming.

"I can't remember if it was the strawberry pie or the Caroline's fruit pie."

A wave of brief sadness fluttered her, but she quickly shook it off feeling Arvin place his hand on the small of her back, "I think we should stick with strawberry. It doesn't feel right for Mom's pie being served to a new preacher."

Pauline looked up just as Arvin moved his hand away from Dawn. The older women adjusted her reading glasses not noticing thing, "That seems like the right thing to do. You coming back inside?"

"Yeah I just had to ask Arvin about...how I am going to play for the choir at church."

The older women's face lit up, "Isn't it just a wonderful."

"Couldn't be more proud of her," Arvin said smiling down at her.

The next day the four of them headed to the welcoming of the new preacher. Everyone in the clergy was there excited to make conversation with the new preacher. The line was out the door with everyone in queue waiting to show what they had brought for the man to try.

When it came to Pauline and Dawn Ward's turn to present their pie he seemed to perk up a little more. The interaction was short, but Preacher Teagardin wasn't only excited about the pie.

After that Arvin was a couple of people behind the two watching the interaction making a mental not to find her later, and find her he did:

"Hey, how goes it," Dawn smiled up at Arvin as he walked up to her and a girl from school she was talking to.

He gives a tight lipped smile to the girl next to down then turns to her, "Can I ask you something? Alone?"

Dawn nodded bidding a goodbye to the girl she was talking to grabbing Arvin's arm inconspicuously leading him toward the doors of the church out fo of the center of the over crowded room. "Is everything alright?"

He searched her eyes trying to downplay the feeling he had about th man that stood a few feet away from him that he didn't have the guts to say it around all these people. Arvin nodded, "Yeah, I just wanted know how he took on your pie. I know worked hard on it."

Dawn laughed wondering why the boy who seemed to act like he could care less about anyone's opinion much less the new preachers asking if he thought highly of her grandmother's dessert. "I really don't know. He hasn't tried it, I know his face lit up when he saw me holding it."

Another feeling of uncertainty started to grow throughout Arvin with his conscious telling him it wasn't just the pie but he pushed the thought back knowing his feelings towards her shouldn't be affected by a sweet, savory, strawberry pie.

Now with all of them standing and watching the preacher make a plate of goods brought but the church Arvin's suspicions grew more.

"Friends..." The tall man cleared his throat before opening his mouth giving a sermon that had been stirring up inside of him since he sampled half of the congregations gifts, "there's no doubt we're all humble people gathered here."

Everyone replied back with a few amen listening intently onto what the young man had to say next.

"Y'all have been awful nice to me and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the welcome," Preston Teagardin said holding his hand closer to his heart making a few people melt at his words a few low whistles came from the crowd.

He held up his hand to stop them, "But friends." He walked over to Emma's dish pointing to it. Dawn could feel Arvin tense up with his arms crossed. "The poor soul. that brung in them chicken livers on that beat-up plate..."

Preston paused looking back at the group in front of him, "let's just say I'm inspired to preach on it for a minute before we eat."

Dawn placed her hand on Arvin's arm but he shook it off as the man in front of them continued, "Sure, some of us are better off than others. "

"And I see, plenty of white meat and red meat laid out on this table." The jackass motioned behind him. before having the nerve to look back at them, "And I suspect that the folks that carried them platters in eat mighty good sometimes."

"But poor people, got to bring what they can afford. So them organs," He pointed at them again walking over to the table, "is a sign to me. Telling me that I should, as the new preacher of this church, sacrifice myself."

Emma started to turn away in embarrassment and Arvin grabbed her reassuring her as he confused to walk towards her dish. "So that y'all can have a share of the good meat tonight. And that's what I'm going to do, friends."

He picked up the organs turning towards the audience, "I'm going to eat these organs. 'Cause I model myself on the good Lord Jesus whenever he gives me the chance. And today... he's blessed me with another opportunity to follow in his footsteps."

Everyone but the five of them chimed in an America.

Emma rushed out quickly followed by everyone else not wanting to stay for the rest of the events They all slipped into Arvin's car.

"Now, don't you worry about that pus-gutted blowhard," Arvin reassured Emma. "I bet he ain't got two nickels to rub together."

His grandmother slumped down in the seat turning way from her window, "I never been so embarrassed in all my life. I could've crawled right under the table."

Arvin hit the searing wheel before grabbing the door handle, "All right, I'm gonna go talk to him."

"No, Arvin," Emma protested.

Dawn talked over her grabbing his sleeve, "Arvin he's not worth it."

He looked down at her head and back to her shaking it off and leaned back in his seat with his arms crossed. Emma shook her head, "None of that. He sure ain't the preacher I was hoping for."

"Been praying for a good one and I know God doesn't make mistakes." Pauline stated, "This was one mistake."

"Grandma, Pauline, that ain't no preacher." Arvin grumbled, "He's as bad as they got on the damn radio. Heck, I bet he just wanted them chicken livers all for his own self. That's why he did that. You see the way he was gobbling them down."

"You shouldn't talk like that, Arvin," Lenora defended. "Preacher Teagardin wouldn't be here if the Lord hadn't sent him."

He hoped that Pauline and Lenora were right. That all that prying they did wasn't in vain. He just knew that he need to pay mine to him and have his suspensions after that day. He glanced in rear view at Dawn and she gave him a reassuring nod before they took off not knowing what was to come the next few months.

a/n: hello friends *insert cowboy happy face* college is so fun filled with assignments that i haven't found time to write this story, or any of my stories. hopefully i won't be as slammed as i have been and be able to finish this book.

i hope you enjoyed it and know it is not edited. after all the parts are published i will be editing the parts. anyways love all of you and see you next time.