Dakota Emmett Simmons

Leyla has tried to be nice most times. She has had her moods and temper but it had usually taken a trigger to get it out. This guy has been nicer to her then many of the people she has met in Ashton until now. She has smiled at him. “I’m sure of it because they don’t hand scholarships out like that.” Leyla has told him. She has been in the best schools because of her family but she has known it wasn’t easy to get a scholarship for sure. “I am too but I try to resist the candy as much as possible. “ She has laughed. “Six months ago. And you?” Leyla has asked. “Has it been easy for you to get settled?” She has asked curiously. “It seems. That’s good. At least it doesn’t get boring.” 

It had always been difficult for Dakota to talk to girls. He had assumed it had been because he had never had a female role model in his life. “Thank you! That’s nice of you to say.” He had smiled at her and he had honestly tried to believe it to be true as well. It had just not been like him to think of himself as being special. “I don’t try that. My candy craving is usually stronger than me and I give in. I’m the same with chips.” He had admitted. “I haven’t been here long either. “ Dakota had answered. “For the most part yes but I don’t know what to think anymore because of everything that’s happening. What about you?” He had nodded. “That’s true!”

“That sounds really nice.” Wren said before giving a small shrug, “I mean, I really like Daisy, she’s great. And it’s that I don’t like her mom, it’s just … weird.” she said with a small smile, “It’s weird to have someone else in my house that … wants to act like my mom. I know it’s been a long time, but I had a mom, and she was great. I don’t need a new one, especially not now that I’m an adult.” 

He had nodded at her but he had always thought everyone who had a big family had been lucky. “That’s great! You got a new sister and you dad is happy. I wish my dad would go on a date but he’s just engaged with his job. “ Dakota had laughed. “I’ve tried to convince him but he doesn’t listen.” He had added. “Did you talk to her about how you feel about it? It could help.” Dakota had suggested. 

Home had been avoided by her for the greatest part of her time. Her thoughts were centered on her instagram app, new pictures were added and comments read before she sat down on a bench. Her ears registered the sound of a guitar, her head was moved towards the direction where it came from. Estelle’s lips formed a smirk. “No, I’m just listening. Keep it going. It sounds nice!” Her compliment was sent to him. “What song is it?” 

Dakota hadn’t noticed he hadn’t been alone anymore until she had talked to him. He had been playing a new song he had started to write for his dad and wanted to surprise him for Christmas. It hadn’t been finished yet but he had been working on it for months. Dakota had felt nervous talking to her. He had smiled at her awkwardly. “I would but this is all I have so far. I’ve not finished it yet. I want to surprise my dad for Christmas with it. “ He had explained and had felt his cheeks turning red. “I just hope he’ll like it.” 

“I can’t decide whether I’m looking forward to Thanksgiving break or not.” Wren commented, “They give us so much work it’s barely a break at all, but my dad will still expect us all to be home and … I don’t know. It’s still weird to have my step-mom there now. I miss holidays where it was just me, my dad, and my brother.”

Dakota had always liked thanksgiving because he had gotten to spend time with his dad. “I enjoy it. At least my dad takes a little break and we usually spend the day together.” He had told the girl. “I would be happy to have a stepmom and maybe stepsiblings but my dad doesn’t think about dating. He’s just engaged with his work.” He had laughed. “I would like a bigger family. “ 

Presley pulled open the door to the theater and walked outside, turning around and pulling the key from her pocket to lock up the cinema. She didn’t mind closing but it was late and she felt like she’d wasted her entire weekend working. She could still smell the scent of popcorn on her from her earlier mishap of clumsily tripping over a bump in the carpet which resulted in not only spilling popcorn all over herself and the floor but a lobby full of customers staring at her in all of her humiliated glory. Her stomach rumbled and although the smell of popcorn made her nauseous she was hungry.

The pink haired girl shoved the keys into her pocket and walked down the road, stopping into the first small diner she came across- the problem with being fairly new somewhere is she still wasn’t sure where everything was but she’d had fairly good luck stumbling upon places. She sat down in a booth and grabbed a menu, scanning over it for a moment, her eyes locking to the person across from her. “What do you suggest?” she asked, unable to decide herself.

He hadn’t been at the cinema since he had moved here. Dakota had just been curious about the movies they played at the moment. He had been thinking about surprising his dad with cards because he had been working late all week and he had thought he deserved a break. Dakota had just looked over the posters when he had heard the girl. “I’m just checking the current movies. Can you recommend one? “ He had asked her curiously. 

 Verity smiled at him, “Me too, because trust me it could have gotten very awkward if you didn’t.” She chuckled at him. “It might be to you, but to me it meant a great deal. I don’t even know what I’d do if my tits fell out.” She laughed. “So is Dakota.” She smiled, “And thank you again!”

Dakora had smiled at her, he had already been awkward now. “I’m glad I could help. “ He had told her and had taken a step back. “Okay. You are welcome. I don’t think that’ll be a problem now. Your dress is closed again.” He had told her, surprised about her words. 

Leyla has been used to high standards because of her parents but she hasn’t needed them to survive. She has lived a lot simpler now and away from them and it worked well for her. The student hasn’t missed it and she liked her new life. The only thing she has missed were her friends. “You must be good, if you got a scholarship!” She has exclaimed. “I’ll stop you before you do! “ Leyla has promised him and walked to the stand with him to order the food. “This is the best I’ve had since I moved here.” She has told him. “They should do more events even if it’s only for the food.” 

He had been nervous but the girl had been nice and he had started to relax a bit now. Dakota had followed her and had shrugged at her question. He had never thought of himself as being better then others. But he had gotten the scholarship and it probably had meant she had a point. “I guess.” He had said awkwardly. “Please! Because I’m weak for sweets.” Dakota had told her, laughing. “When did you move here? I’m new here too. “ He had explained. “That’s true. I hope there will be more events soon. They had a gala recently. It seems they like events here.” 

 Verity could not help but smirk a little to herself at the others reaction, which was exactly the reaction she’d been hoping for at some point during the night. She turned back around to him, flashing a bright smile, “Thank you so much. You are a real life saver!” She told him, “I am Verity, what is your name?”

He had been very nervous but he had tried to be respectful and polite like his father had taught him. “You are welcome! I’m happy I could help.” Dakota had told her, smiling. “I wouldn’t say that. It’s just a zipper.” He had stuttered. “That’s a very nice name. I’m Dakota.” 

She has been lucky with her shape without needing a diet. But she has still tried to remain in a healthy life style. It has always been important to her. She has smiled and nodded at the guy. “Yes, I just started with my studies at ASU six month ago and it has been exciting but also a lot of work.” Leyla has admitted. “Are you from here?” She has asked curiously. “That’s true but I try to control myself a bit. “ Leyla has admitted. “Let’s get them! I’ve seen a stand here.” She has told him. 

He had tried to eat well but he had not been a cook and usually had gotten pizza or Chinese food if his dad wasn’t at home. Dakota had been a simple boy. He had not had high expectations on anything. He has been nervous to talk to her but it had been easy to talk about food. “That’s cool! I just started to study here too because I’ve gotten a scholarship. “ Dakota had told her. “Good idea. I’ll try to not overeat myself either.” He had chuckled. “Okay!” He had agreed and followed her to the stand. 

“Yeah, I am sure there is some sort of reasoning too. I just can’t for the life of me figure out what the connection might be.” Sam replied shaking his head at the other boy. “I mean at this point there’s got to be some sort of logic behind all of it.”

“They were are students. Do you think it’s coincidence? Someone collected them. We just need to find out why.” Dakota had told him. “There has to be. Maybe it has something to do with the thefts the shopowners complained about.” He had suggested. 

She has tried to live healthy and follow her diet because she has felt obligated to, becoming a doctor in the future. Leyla has always been known for her attitude with people but she has only shown it to who deserved it. She has been nice to this guy and he still seemed nervous. Leyla has been wondering why that was. “I guess so too. But don’t tell anyone. I’ll be a doctor and telling people to eat healthy. They can’t know I didn’t follow my own rules.” She has mentioned. “I’ll take fish and chips.” Leyla has decided and laughed. “Unhealthy as could be.” 

Dakota had never tried a diet and he had always been eating just about anything. He had never been picky. The only things he had not liked had been a couple of vegetables but if he had to he’d eat them too. Dakota had assumed it had been because he never had a mom to tell him to eat his greens. He had laughed at her words. “A doctor? That’s great! Even doctors can eat unhealthy sometimes. I don’t think you are the only one who does.” He had told her honestly. “Fish and Chips are great! Unhealthy usually tastes good at least.” Dakota had admitted, smiling. 

 Verity could not help but smirk a little to herself at the others reaction, which was exactly the reaction she’d been hoping for at some point during the night. She turned back around to him, flashing a bright smile, “Thank you so much. You are a real life saver!” She told him, “I am Verity, what is your name?”

He had been so nervous right now, he had almost forgotten to breath when he had zipped her up. Dakota had never been in this situation before. He had awkwardly smiled at her. “You’re very welcome. I wouldn’t go as far to call me that. But I’m glad I could help.” He had told her honestly and had been stuttering a bit. “Verity, that’s a beautiful name. I’m Dakota.” He had responded and had offered her his hand to be polite. 

“I mean that is either a good or a bad thing.” Sam replied with a small shrug. Who really knew what was going on around here in the first place. “I don’t think it is directly connected no. I think it’s more of an opportunity thing. They see someone along, and they take them.”

“I hope it’s a good thing.” Dakota had responded, shrugging. “I hope not. You think there is no reason why they took these kids at all? I believe there has to be a reason why they take them around the same age.” He had told him. “It can’t be coincidence.” 

Leyla has been glad she made it to the event. Even if she has been unsure if it was a good idea. She has been trying to avoid the public events for half a year because she has been busy with studies. Leyla has been careful also because of the missing students. She has decided to check how many people were attending the festival. Once she has gotten there, she saw a lot of them and has figured it was safe to stay. Also because it has been unlikely to run into her ex with all the people present. “We still have 24 hours. We can eat a little bit at a time. I hope it won’t be too bad. Where are you going to start?

Dakota had been trying some of the treats already. He had not been able to resist. But he had figured he needed solid food too. He had listened to her suggestion and had nodded at her. Dakota had always gotten nervous to talk to pretty girls and he had not been sure how to react. He had just given her a smile and had tried to focus on not tripping over his own feet. “I guess we can try a lot of food within 24 hours. I think I’ll start with the hotdogs, you can never eat too many of them.” He had chuckled at her. “Or do you want something else?” Dakota had asked her curiously. 

 Verity flashed him an innocent smile once more before she turned around to reveal the corset that was coming undone. “I am having a very uncomfortable wardrobe malfunction and could really use your help.” She said, looking back over at him over her shoulder. “Could you be a hero and help me zip this one back on?”

Dakota had never been in a situation like this and he had been wanting to help the girl but it had made him really nervous. He had gasped when she had revealed the corset and had tried not to stare at her. “I uh.. uh... okay. Yes.. I see.” Dakotas  hand had been shaking a bit but he had managed to close the zipper and had taken a step back when he was done. “Now you’re good.” He had told her and smiled at her awkwardly. 

“Then it sounds like you should be fine.” Sam replied with a small nod. He didn’t do much these days either, so he also wasn’t too worried about things. “Events around here seem to be cursed though. Like parties and such.” He said shaking his head. “Me too.”

“I should be. Noone would notice me because I haven’t met many people yet. “ He had tried to calm himself down. “Do you think the events have something to do with what happened to the missing students?” Dakota had asked him curiously.