Nox
The week went by much the same. Alex stayed until the wee hours of the morning. Mostly hanging with Max on the living room couch half falling asleep while Max downed caffeine and played video games. Max slept most days while we were gone so he was wide awake at night. And Alex didn’t want to leave him alone. Alex grabbed a few showers in the morning in the bathroom upstairs and I got a decent view of his backside which made my mouth water. Alex would walk me to school and walk me home. We’d hold hands, but the stolen kisses seemed to stop. I wondered if I was bad at kissing or if it was something else. I tried not to let my anxiety show when I was with Alex but I knew it had to show up because I felt a mess almost anytime I saw him. He probably wasn’t kissing me because I was too needy. I tried to reign it all in and Drew commended me for my efforts but he said it was stressing me out.
Alex ate dinner with us every night. He even had breakfast with us most mornings. And by Friday morning he and Max were pretty much part of the family. Everyone was at ease, there was no hidden comments of what’s he doing here. Or why was he still here. Even Ryan harassed Max like he did me. He didn’t care who he annoyed.
We were all sitting at the table eating breakfast before school – something I hadn’t done in ages. Max sighed, “I guess I won’t get to see your Dad playing tonight. You are still going aren’t you Alex?”
“I wasn’t planning on it.”
My dad chimed in, “I don’t see a reason why you can’t go Max. Walking is easier, and it’d be good to get out, maybe you can go back to school on Monday if you can survive an afternoon sitting in the cafe.”
“I don’t know Mr. Durante, the doctor’s haven’t said I’m well enough.”
Ryan laughed, “I’d be jonesing to get outta this house. All this suffocating. We can all go.”
“That’s not necessary Ry, Nox can go with Alex and Max as an extra hand. He’s probably jonesing as you say to get out of the house after school.”
Max looked at Alex and grinned, “Can we go?” He sounded very happy and chipper. He never seemed to let anything get him down.
“Yeah I guess, if Nox wants to.” Alex said.
“I can go.” I replied, “But I have to get to school early. Since I can’t help after school, I need to help finish up the last of the decorations for next week’s game.”
I got up from the table and was out the door before anyone could say anything. At least I had thought so. “You don’t want to walk with us?”
I looked over at Alex and smiled, “You don’t need to go in early. It’s the only time I have to do this. You can walk with Drew.”
“You avoiding me?” Alex asked as he pulled on his shoes in the front door.
“No.”
“Cause that’s what it seems like to me.”
I shrugged, “I did something wrong to make you pull back, I’m just alleviating some of that for you.”
“What makes you think that?” He grabbed his bag and started walking with me.
“You don’t have to come with me.” I said but I started walking too. “I… you haven’t tried to kiss me all week.”
Alex chuckled, “It’s not because I don’t want to pretty boy.” He took my hand and brought it to his lips and kissed it softly before they both fell between us again. “I figured it was safer that way. We both get a little worked up and I don’t want to ruin things or have your Dad catch us.”
“Are you sure that’s all?”
Alex nodded, “Absolutely.” He pulled me off into behind the corner of someone’s house and pressed me up against the wall and pressed his body against mine. He kissed me hard and I moaned. I hadn’t meant to so loudly but Alex was chuckling under his breath as his mouth met mine. His tongue caressed my lip and I opened to let him in and my knees buckled with the sensation. Alex caught me and pressed me harder against the wall, one hand at my hips and the other pressed against the wall near my head.
By the time Alex pulled away I was throughly kissed and he was chuckling at me, “So easy pretty boy.” I blushed but I didn’t hid my eyes from Alex. I liked him – a lot. And my body reacted to him so easily so it wasn’t a lie and it was nothing to be ashamed of. “Come on, let’s go decorate for Homecoming.”
Alex grabbed my hand and we started walking towards the school. I was grateful it was still early, but there was a nagging feeling that something was about to hit the fan and I wasn’t going to like it at all.
We walked into the gym which was bustling with other kids doing the same thing. Even Alex helped a little, though he mostly just sat by me and watched as I drew or painted the letters for the large signs. They needed time to dry before the game, and drawing took more time than the actual painting. Mia oversaw everything even as a freshman she was still bossy. And the funny thing was no one seemed to even notice that she took over.
Sasha came up to me with a bright smile, “What did your Dad say?” There wasn’t even a hi or how are you?
I shrugged. “He said I can’t go. Grounded all that. He wasn’t happy that I had even asked.”
“You didn’t ask him did you?”
Alex laughed, “He did. I was standing right there and even tried Mr. Durante into letting him go.”
I gave Alex a side long glance but he didn’t even seem to notice. Why was he getting involved in this. “Besides, he’s stuck taking care of Max. Since Lucy isn’t exactly reliable and you know Ryan has to go being on the football team and all.”
Sasha nodded, “I hadn’t thought about that.” She sighed and frowned, “I guess I’ll have to go with Gary.”
“Nothing wrong with Gary.” I said.
“He’s not you.” Sasha said walking away from us.
When she was far enough away and we were alone I looked at Alex, “Why did you lie for me?”
“It wasn’t a complete lie. I asked your Dad to let you go. And I have been right there with you when you’ve mentioned home coming before and he just glares at you like you should know you aren’t going.”
I shrugged, “If she catches us both in a lie.”
Alex smirked, “They’ll just blame it all on me.”
The Mind of Nox 