Catch Me If I Fall

by Daniele Lanzarotta

  “Well, I have some bad news about the weekend. I have to work. I know, it sucks, but I can come see you on Monday after class.”

  “Okay,” I try to look like it is really okay, but we are both bummed about it.

  He then tells me about a fraternity party that Kyle is trying to drag him to this weekend, and insists that he isn’t going. I know Kyle. He will go. And a part of me is glad that he will be out having fun; doing something other than work and school, but another part of me, is very insecure.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Days come and go, and mom was right. It’s not the same without him here. I know that I need to find a way to see him. This is the longest we’ve been without seeing each other and it feels like every time, it gets longer and longer. On Saturday, I can’t take it anymore. I call Sebastian.

  “Hey. I have a question.”

  “Okay. Hi to you too.”

  “Sorry. Hi. Do you have a curfew?” I ask.

  “Not exactly, but I’m always home anyway. Why?” he asks.

  “Would you take me to see Alec? I can give you gas money. I just… I have to see him.”

  “I assume your parents are not okay with this?” he asks.

  “No. Alec has to work all day. The only time I can see him is at night.”

  “Jeez, Skylar. Your parents like me, you know? I really don’t want to change that.”

  “I will take the blame. Look, if it makes you feel better, I will tell them we are going to a party together and ask if they can extend my curfew.”

  There is a long pause.

  “I haven’t known you long, Skylar, but I know you well enough to say that this is not like you. Have you ever lied to them in your entire life?”

  “It’s not a lie. We are going to a party,” At this point, I’m desperate. I have to see him.

  He sighs. “Is it really worth the trouble you are going to get into? Not to mention that even if they extend your curfew, it will likely not be enough, AND I have a driving curfew. Don’t forget that.”

  I don’t say anything. After what feels like forever, he continues, “You are going to find a way to do this with or without me, aren’t you?” he asks.

  “Yes.”

  “Fine. I will take you.”

  I know he is not happy, but I can deal with that for now. I hang up before he can change his mind.

  I call Kyle next and ask if it would be okay if I go to this party to surprise Alec. He is quiet for a while. Then he finally says, “How are you going to get here? And do your parents know?”

  “I have my ways,” I say, “and not exactly.”

  “Skylar,” says Kyle. “Please tell your parents the truth. Don’t make a mess out of this. Besides, who is going to bring you here?”

  “A friend,” I say.

  “Are you talking about the guy who gives you a ride home from school?”

  I figured Alec would’ve told him. Once I don’t say anything, he says, “How old is he? Sixteen? He won’t make it back before the driving curfew and definitely not before your curfew.”

  “Kyle.” I stop him. “I’m going to see Alec. I have to see him.”

  The line goes silent.

  “Kyle?”

  “I’m here,” He takes a deep breath. “Look. James is in town visiting his parents. I will get him to pick you up and bring you up here. And I will drive you back after, okay?”

  “Thank you,” I say.

  “Don’t thank me. I’m not happy about it, and you will still be breaking curfew, so be ready to deal with that.”

  He is mad, which is not like him at all. Like with Sebastian, I get off the phone before he changes his mind.

  They were both right. I know that the moment I go talk to mom and dad. I’m a nervous wreck and I can’t lie.

  “What is it?” Mom asks.

  “I—”

  She looks at dad and he looks at me. “Is this one of those girl talks I need to leave the room for?”

  I sigh. “No.”

  ‘Here goes nothing…’ I think to myself, but I quickly change my mind. There is no way dad would let me go to a college party. It takes almost three hours to get there and three hours to get back, and Kyle said the party doesn’t start until nine.

  “What is it?” asks dad.

  I shake my head. “Nothing. Never mind…”

  “Skylar,” says dad. “Just tell us.”

  I sigh. “I was wondering if I could go to a party with Sebastian. But it doesn’t start until nine. And I was wondering if I can—”

  “Extend your curfew?” he asks.

  I nod.

  “Okay,” he says. “Midnight, as long as one of his parents drive you home. He isn’t supposed to drive past eleven.”

  “Thank you,” I say, but I feel awful. I know I won’t be home before then. I just hope they fall asleep before midnight, and even hoping for that makes me feel even worse. My mind is telling me to not go and that this is a big mistake. But my heart is telling me I need to see Alec. Heart wins. It always does when it comes to him.

  CHAPTER NINE

  ALEC

  I get home from work Saturday evening and I’m tired as hell. The store is working me extra hours now since I will have to cut down during baseball season.

  I open the apartment door and Kyle is all dressed up.

  “Get ready,” he says. “You have five minutes.”

  “I don’t know, man. I’m tired as hell. I really just want to call Skylar and then go to bed.”

  “Not gonna happen. Skylar called me a while ago. She said she was going out with her parents and would call you later. And I’m tired of you being stuck in this apartment all the time. We are going… even if I have to drag you there.”

  “Fine,” I give in. Arguing with Kyle is always a waste of time. I get dressed, grab an energy drink, and follow him out to my truck.

  SKYLAR

  We get to the party a little later than expected. I text Kyle to let him know we are here.

  ‘K. I will come get you,’ he texts back.

  I told Sebastian I no longer needed him to drive me, but he still insisted on coming. And in a way, I felt better having him come along with me. It is not like I had ever gone to a college party before and I wasn’t sure what to expect.

  Sebastian, James and I, get out of James’ car and wait until we see Kyle come around the corner.

  I’m so excited to see him that I run over and give him a hug.

  I knew he wouldn’t stay mad for long. He hugs me back. “You know,” he whispers, “I’m not sure coming to see Alec with another guy attached to your hip is such a great idea.”

  I laugh. “Shut up, Kyle. Sebastian and I are friends. Alec knows.”

  “It doesn’t stop him from getting jealous.”

  I look up at him. “Why? What did he say?”

  He shakes his head. “Nothing.” He looks over at Sebastian. “Hey, man. I’m Kyle.”

  Sebastian shakes his hand. “Sebastian.”

  “Come on,” says Kyle. “He is out back.”

  We walk around the house and I feel the butterflies in my stomach. I can’t wait to see him.

  The backyard is packed. There are people dancing, people jumping in the pool, people making out… “There,” Kyle points toward the other side of the pool, and I see Alec chatting and laughing with a couple of the guys. He is wearing jeans and a black shirt. I love that on him. He really seems to be having a great time.

  “Are you going over there or what?” asks Kyle.

  I take another look around. Here I am, wearing jeans and a tank top, while girls all around are wearing really short dresses and heels. I catch a group of girls glancing at me. Some of them start laughing, while others just seem indifferent. “I don’t know. I don’t really fit in here Kyle.”

  He rolls his eyes. “So you came all this way and you are thinking about leaving? I don’t think so. Let me go get you a pop.”

  Sebastian laughs. “A pop?”

  Kyle tilts his
head to the side. “Where are you from?”

  “I was born in the same town as you, but lived in Manhattan my whole life.”

  Kyle nods. “Soda. Is that better?” he laughs.

  Some guy throws a football and the one who catches it ends up bumping into me before I can move.

  He says sorry about a thousand times. “Let me get you a drink,” he says as he winks at me. He smells like beer and I feel so uncomfortable here that I just want to disappear.

  I’m just about to tell Kyle that I want to go when I glance over at Alec and see that there is now a group of girls talking to the guys; Alec included. He takes a sip of his drink and laughs. He then turns around and does a double take. He looks right at me. He smiles from ear to ear, and without saying a word to anyone, he comes my way.

  His arms go around me and he lifts me off the ground, squeezing me into a hug, and I smile.

  “How do you do that?” I ask.

  “Do what?” he asks.

  “Make me feel like no one else matters.”

  He grins, “Because it’s the truth.”

  I blush.

  He puts me down, but doesn’t let go.

  “How did you manage to get here?” he asks.

  “Long story,” I say.

  “Do your parents know?”

  I sigh. “I had to see you.”

  He pulls me closer and kisses me. “I was going crazy without seeing you,” he whispers against my lips. “But your parents are going to kill me.”

  I shake my head. “They extended my curfew until midnight.”

  “Which means you will already be late getting home,” he says and he is already in panic mode.

  “Alec. Stop. I will take the blame. Can we just not worry about it for a couple of hours?”

  He looks unsure.

  “Please,” I beg.

  He takes a deep breath but doesn’t say anything.

  I look around.

  “Where did they go?” I ask.

  “Who?”

  “Kyle and Sebastian.”

  “Sebastian?” He pauses.

  “Yeah, he came up with me and—” I look over at him and there is something strange about his reaction. At first I thought that he was joking about being jealous, but he is really serious. “Are you jealous?”

  “I can’t say that I’m not. Come on,” he says. “Let’s look for them. I have to officially meet the guy who has been spending so much time with my girl, and maybe give him a few warnings,” he laughs.

  I roll my eyes at him. “Be nice. You have no reason to be jealous.”

  “I can’t help it. He gets to spend time with you while I’m stuck here.”

  “Hey, Alec. Is that your girl?” asks one of the guys.

  “Yeah. Sky, this is Jeff. Jeff, Skylar.”

  “Hey. Nice meeting you. Do you go to school here? I don’t think I’ve seen you around.”

  “No, I go to—”

  “She goes to school in another town,” Alec cuts me off.

  “Oh ok,” says Jeff. “Well, it is nice meeting you, Sky.”

  Alec tenses. I know he hates it when other people call me Sky. But he doesn’t say anything.

  Jeff leaves.

  “Let’s look for them,” I say.

  “Hey.” Alec reaches for my wrist, stopping me.

  I turn around.

  “What is on your mind, Sky?” he asks.

  I sigh. “Are you embarrassed to be dating someone who is still in high school?”

  He looks puzzled for a split second, “Oh that, no! Of course not, Sky. It’s just—I’m sorry. It’s just less drama, gossip, and things to explain, you know?”

  I understand. I really do. Last year, he was 17 and I was 15 and that was fine, but the moment he turned 18, people went all nuts over the age difference, which is really nothing compared to other people.

  I grab my phone and text Kyle. “Where are you? Is Sebastian with you?”

  “Yeah. Out front.”

  We go around and find them sitting on the back of Alec’s truck.

  Alec’s grip on my hand tightens when he sees Sebastian sitting there, playing with his hat, before he puts it back on.

  “We are friends, Alec. Get it together.” I laugh.

  “Ha ha.”

  They introduce themselves and shake hands, but Alec sounds all awkward and possessive. He moves behind me and wraps his arms around my waist, resting his chin on top of my head.

  Kyle laughs. I just love Kyle for breaking the ice.

  “Okay, I’m going to eliminate the big elephant in the room… or should I say… in the back of the truck.”

  “Kyle!” Alec warns him.

  Kyle ignores Alec and looks at Sebastian.

  “So here goes. Alec is my boy. If you so much as think about making a move on his girl, I will personally drive down and—”

  “Kyle!” I warn him. Sebastian doesn’t look phased at all, which makes Alec tense even more.

  “You haven’t told them,” says Sebastian.

  I shrug. “Why would I? Your personal life is none of their business.”

  “You’re one of a kind, Skylar.”

  Kyle clears his throat. “That. Right. There! That is exactly what I was talking about,” Kyle warns Sebastian.

  Alec and I just stand here.

  “You can tell them, if it’s going to calm everyone’s nerves, “ says Sebastian.

  “There shouldn’t be any nerves to calm,” I say. I didn’t expect this night to get so damn weird and it is just annoying me. I move Alec’s arms away from me and look right into his eyes.

  “Are you serious right now? Don’t you trust me?”

  He shakes his head. “I’m sorry. I do trust you. Of course, I do. Come on,” he says. “Let’s talk.”

  He starts to lead me toward the house.

  Sebastian gets down from the truck. “Where are you taking her?” he asks Alec.

  “Somewhere we can talk. Alone.”

  “I don’t think so. I go where she goes. I’m not leaving her alone at a frat party.”

  That sets off Alec. “She is not alone. She is with me. I got her.”

  I can’t even believe I’m in this crazy situation right now. It’s like all my guy friends… and boyfriend… are having an off night. I suddenly reconsider finding friends who are girls, drama and all.

  I look at Sebastian. “Alec won’t let anything happen to me. Trust me,” I say. “Just stick with Kyle so we can talk for a while. We will be right back.”

  “Text me if you need anything,” says Sebastian.

  I nod and Alec, who I’ve never seen this frustrated before, leads me in the house, shaking his head as we walk in.

  He goes to a table in the corner, grabs an energy drink and finishes it off.

  “Come on,” he says. “Let’s find somewhere quiet to talk.”

  We go upstairs and into one of the bedrooms. He closes the door behind us. The bedroom has a couch, where we sit, side by side.

  “What’s your deal with Sebastian?” I ask. “You know you can trust me.”

  “I know,” he says. “It’s other guys I don’t trust… and” he stops for a moment as if trying to get his thoughts together. He tries to lean forward, but it is like his body isn’t letting him move.

  “Are you okay?” I ask.

  “Yeah. Yeah. I’m sorry I was being a jerk. It’s just so hard being apart and he is in your life every day, you know? What if you—”

  “Stop right there, Alec. I love you. There won’t be anyone else. Besides, Sebastian is gay. You have nothing to worry about.”

  “Oh. Then I guess I’m just sorry for being a jerk,” he says.

  He leans forward and starts kissing my neck, his hands move to the rim of my shirt.

  Something is off and I feel like everything is just moving so fast. He kisses me, but this is different. This doesn’t feel like him. “Alec?” I say.

  He keeps kissing my neck.

  “Alec. Stop!”
r />   He pulls away and he looks confused. He shakes his head as if trying to clear his vision.

  “Shit, Sky. I think there was something in my drink. Get Kyle up here before I do something stupid.”

  “What?”

  He starts sounding funny. “Get Kyle. Here. Now.”

  I call Kyle, but there is no answer. I call Sebastian as Alec gets up and staggers across the room.

  “What’s wrong?” Sebastian yells over the music.

  “Where the hell is Kyle?” I ask just as Alec falls on the floor. “Just get Kyle upstairs now!” And I hang up and rush toward Alec’s side.

  “Alec! Wake up. Alec!”

  I keep calling his name. He opens his eyes for a split second, and then he passes out right before Kyle gets in the room with a very pissed off Sebastian.

  CHAPTER TEN

  “What the hell happened?” asks Sebastian.

  “Someone put something in his drink,” I say in between tears.

  “Here. Help me get him on the bed,” Kyle tells Sebastian.

  Sebastian helps Kyle pick him up and lay him down on the bed.

  Kyle shakes his head. “He will sleep it off, but I’m not leaving him here alone like this. I can ask James if he will drive you back.”

  “I’m not leaving him either,” I say. “But maybe James can take Sebastian back…”

  Sebastian sighs. “You stay. I stay.”

  “But you will get in trouble with your parents—”

  He laughs. “Are you kidding me? If I call them right now and say I won’t be home because I’m out with a girl, they will be thrilled!”

  I look from him to Kyle.

  “He knows,” says Sebastian.

  I nod. “Okay. At least call them and let them know you are safe. I’m hoping and praying my parents will be asleep by the time we are supposed to be back. But I’m sure they will call if they realize I’m not home.” Again, I hate lying to them and putting them into this situation.

  “Skylar,” says Sebastian. “You can’t do this to them. Imagine their panic when they realize you are not home. I mean you have that stalker following you around town. Your dad is already on edge about that. At least text them to say you are with us and deal with it later.”

  “Wait a minute,” says Kyle. “Stalker? What the hell is going on? Alec didn’t mention—”