When I was finally able to raise my head to go home, Stephen suddenly appeared at my window. I jumped in my seat and my breathing was all messed up again. I closed my eyes and pulled in a few deep breaths and then rolled the window down.
29
ALEX
“You scared the life out me.” I wheezed to him
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you, I wanted to catch you before you left.”
“It’s alright, what’s up?”
“I wanted to make sure you were ok. I figured that Devin would try and see you before he left today.”
“Yeah, he was waiting for me.”
“You okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. I just need to stay away from him. I don’t know what it is about him, but everything seems to go wrong whenever I’m around him. He puts my world in chaos. I don’t exactly understand it, but I know it’s driving me crazy.”
“What did he say?”
“That he was sorry. I told him to forget it.”
“Well, that’s probably for the best. He can be a persistent guy. You have to tell him how it’s going to be.”
“Well, the problem is I can’t seem to get words to come out of my mouth when he’s around.”
“Do you want me to talk to him for you?”
“No, don’t do that. I don’t want to cause any trouble. Just let it go and I will stay away from him.”
“If your sure.”
“I am”
“If you change your mind let me know.”
“Okay, thanks for everything. I’ve got to go now, I’ll talk to you later.”
“Hey, do you want to go get something to eat?” Stephen asked
“I’d love to, but I have to make dinner tonight. Mom’s working late.”
“Do you need some help?”
“Are you an expert Chef?” I mockingly asked.
“As a matter of fact,” he boasted, “all I can do is boil water.” He let out in a disappointed voice.
I laughed at that. “I could probably use some boiled water.” I told him
“You could?” He asked surprised.
“Yeah, meet me over at the house in an hour if you want to.”
“Sounds great. See you there.”
30
ALEX
I was already in the kitchen laying out the items that I needed to cook supper, when the doorbell rang..
“Hey, come on in” I tell Stephen.
“Thanks,” he said as he came in. “So what are we cooking tonight?”
“Nothing to complicated, I decided to take it easy on ya”
“ Well I appreciate it” he said flashing his smile.
“Come on into the kitchen”
We cook and laugh and talk. We’re really having a good time. I usually wouldn’t feel this comfortable around a guy, but I am totally relaxed. That is until, I suddenly feel him very close to me. I slowly turn to see what he’s doing, already having an idea what he’s up to. Thoughts are running through my mind. Do I want him this close? Do I like him that good? What about Devin? But as I turn to look him in the eyes, all thoughts go out of my mind. It’s like he emits some sort of tranquility and peace. Doesn’t seem natural to me, but I can’t think about it right now. I feel his fingers take mine and he steps a little closer. I can feel his breath on my face and the heat from his body. I really can’t think now, only feel. I felt one of his hands trace up my arm across my shoulder and slip under my hair. My breath comes fast now. He leans into me, his lips only an inch from mine. He turns those blue eyes on me and whispers low and passionate “Alex, I would very much like to kiss you”. I close my eyes and start to close the distance between our lips, not sure how to do this.
“What are you doing?” Scott yells as he comes through the door.
I jump and we quickly put space between us. Scott is looking at Stephen like he trying to will him to die.
“None of your business” I snap back
“The heck it aint, you’re my sister and I don’t want him taking advantage of you.”
“He was hardly taking advantage of me Scott! I was a willing participant.” I glance over at Stephen and I see the corners of his lips turn up. I can’t help but smile and blush.
“Fine!” Scott says and stomps out of the kitchen. “I’ll be watching you”, he yells back.
I roll my eyes at that and then apologize to Stephen.
“He’s a little over protective” I explained.
“It’s ok, if I had a sister I would want to pound any guy that looked at her into the ground too. Much less catching her almost kissing one of them.”
We smile at each other and finish up supper. We have a pleasant dinner except Scott glaring at Stephen. Mom and Dad seemed to like Stephen. After supper Stephen helped me clean up before he had to leave. I walk him to the door to say goodbye.
“Thank you for helping me with dinner,” I tell him
“Oh, it was all my pleasure,” he answered back with that mischievous grin he welds so easily.
He starts to move closer to give me a goodnight kiss, but I see his eyes flick to Scott who appeared on the stairs behind us.
“We are being watched” he says as he lifts my hand and places a kiss there. “Till tomorrow”
“Till tomorrow,” I whisper back.
Of course mom and dad had a million questions about Stephen. Scott protesting any boyfriend that I might have the whole time.
“You can’t control my life Scott. I don’t tell you who you can and can’t date.”
“I don’t like him, he doesn’t feel right.” Scott argued.
“Who would, Scott? Huh? Who would you approve of for your older sister?” The anger coming through my voice now.
“Scott do you know something about him that we should know?” my dad asked
“No, I just think he’s sneakin.”
“Then leave your sister alone”
“Fine, but I don’t like it” After Scott and Dad left, mom asked me about Stephen.
“Is he the one from your dreams?”
“No, that’s a different one.”
“Do you like this one?”
“Yeah, he’s ok. I don’t get the same feeling about him as I do the guy from my dream. But, we click. Devin and I don’t seem to be able to get along.”
“Well, you’re young yet. You have plenty of time for boys.”
“Thanks mom, for everything.”
“Your welcome honey. You know you can talk to me about anything.”
“I know mom.”
After I get ready for bed, I call Camille and fill her in on all of tonight’s events.
“Well, how was it?” Camille asked
“What?”
“You know what, the kiss”
“It would’ve been nice, but like I told you Scott interrupted so I didn’t get a kiss.”
“Well, there’s always next time. Remember to lock Scott in the closet next time.”
“Camille!”
“What? I’m just saying.”
“I’ve got to get some rest Camille, I’ll talk to you tomorrow”
“Ok, sweet dreams.”
The last words from Camille triggered the thought of Devin. I wondered if I would dream of him tonight. I hoped so. I couldn’t help but think about how good he looked leaning on my car. I can’t believe that I’m laying in bed thinking about Devin after I almost let Stephen kiss me tonight. I’m not sure what’s happening, but its weird how when I’m with Stephen that I don’t seem to be able to think. Not like with Devin. This is different. Almost like a spell or magic. Except I don’t believe that’s possible.
I did dream of Devin. We were in the woods again. Walking hand in hand when a big black wolf steps into our path. It snarls at Devin showing long sharp canines. It lunges. Devin shields me from the wolf, and the wolf latches on to his throat. In the end Devin is dead, his throat ripped out, and Stephen is standing in front of me naked and covered in blood.
31
&nb
sp; STEPHEN
“Chicken out last night?” Devin asked Stephen.
“Not hardly, I was a little preoccupied is all.”
“Make all the excuses that you want to Stephen, we both know the truth.”
“Oh? I have a feeling that if you knew the truth that you wouldn’t be to happy about it.”
“Yeah, then what’s the truth Stephen?”
“Like I said you won’t be happy”
“You afraid?” Devin taunted
“No, I don’t like the odds here. You’ve got your mutts with you to do your dirty work.”
“I don’t need them to do my dirty work. You would know that if you would’ve showed up last night.”
Stephen was getting a lot of pleasure out of baiting Devin. I can see that he’s losing his self control. This is too easy. I have to wait until I see Alex coming. I spent a lot of time planning this little show. Stephen spots Alex coming down the hall.
“Like I said, I was busy. You see Alex invited me over to her house last night. No offense but I would much rather spend the night with her than you.”
“You lie” Devin growled
“Really? Are you so sure Devin? Maybe you need proof? Do you want to know what her kitchen looks like? Or how about how soft her lips are?” Stephen steps toward Devin now trying to antagonize him. “What about the color of her bedroom?” Stephen asked with that famous mischievous grin. That was the last straw. Devin wrapped his hand in Stephen’s shirt and practically picked him up and slammed him into the locker.
“Leave her alone” Devin growled
“Why would I do that?” Stephen teased
“Because she’s mine and you know it. I don’t know what you’re up to, but I’m warning you.”
Stephen let his eyes travel away from Devin’s. Devin followed his eyes only to meet Alex’s’ eyes. Devin glared back at Stephen and Stephen gave him a little smirk.
“What are you doing?” Alex demanded. “Let him go.”
“It’s not what you think Alex,” Devin tried to explain.
“Really, looks like you’re threatening Stephen to me. So what are you doing?”
Devin releases Stephen and Stephen steps around him to stand next to Alex.
“Are you alright?” Alex asked him.
“I’m fine, just a little misunderstanding.”
“About what?”
“About you”
“About me? I don’t understand.”
“Well, you see Devin here thinks that you belong to him and that I should stay away from you.” Stephen explained.
“What?”
“Go ahead Devin, tell her what you were telling me.” Stephen said to Devin grinning.
“Why you little piece of”
“Stop It” I yelled to cut Devin off. “Who do you think you are? Is he telling the truth? Never mind I don’t want to know. All I want is for this to stop.” Alex said and then stomped off.
“You’re asking for trouble Stephen,” Devin said. “You know that your not suppose to mess with my mate.”
“It’s not my fault that she likes me better than you.”
Devin chuckled at that, stepped close to Stephen and growled at him.
“You might want to waste time fighting like dogs, but I don’t. I’m going to check on Alex. Stephen said.
My plan worked like a charm. I didn’t even plan it going that good. God, Devin is way too intense. Stephen thought as he raced off to catch Alex.
32
ALEX
“Hey Alex, wait up” Stephen called out to me. I stopped and waited on him because I wanted some answers.
“What was that all about? Do you have any idea?” I asked Stephen as he caught up.
“He’s jealous.”
“Of what.”
“Of you”
“No, that’s not it Stephen. I’m not stupid, I know there’s more to this than me. Devin has barely even spoken to me, so I know he’s not jealous of me. I was getting angrier as I thought how stupid this whole situation is. I was pacing back and forth in the hall and the more I thought about it, the madder I got, and the more I paced.
“Are you going to tell me or not?” I demanded
“Alex, I don’t know what you want me to say.”
“How about telling me the truth.”
“I would if I could Alex.”
“Funny, I don’t believe that Stephen. I saw the grin on your face when I was yelling at Devin.”
“I told you that we don’t get along. We’ve had our share of fights over the years and he usually gets the upper hand. It was nice to see him squirm for a change.”
“Well, I don’t like being in the middle of whatever family feud you guys got going on. Until you can work this out, I don’t want to be around either one of you. I don’t like being played. I feel like you are just hanging around me to get at him. I’m not sure what his angle is yet, but I’ll find out.” I said as I turned and stomped off leaving Stephen standing in the hall with his mouth hanging open. I didn’t care. I had to find Camille. I really needed to talk to someone. I don’t understand anything that’s been going on with me lately.
Of course I couldn’t find Camille before 1st period so I had to sit and brew over my emotions for 3 periods. Then what was I going to do about lunch. I knew that she would want to sit with Mike, but I really needed to talk to her in private. When I got to her locker she was waiting on me.
“Hey Camille”
“Hey Alex. Listen are you alright. Mike told me about what happened this morning.”
“No, I’m not. I really need to talk to you at lunch if that’s ok with you.”
“Yeah, no problem. Mike’s going to talk to Devin at lunch today too. What about Stephen?”
“I told him to stay away from me too.”
“I guess this is really bad.”
“Yeah, it is.”
We made our way to lunch and found a corner to get some privacy in. I told her everything that happened.
“I’m just not good at all this boy stuff.” I told her
“I’m sorry Alex, I thought you had a good thing going.”
“I did too.” I said and I could hear the disappointment in my own voice.
“Maybe it will work out” Camille said
“Yeah, it will one way or another.”
“I promise it’s not usually this complicated.”
“Well, I’m going to give it a break for now. I don’t need all this drama in my life.”
“I think it’s about time that you did have some drama in your life Alex. You can’t go through life and expect everything to be easy. You have to fight for it sometimes.”
“You know me Camille, I’m not much of a fighter.”
“Could’ve fooled me.” Camille said. “Your doing a good job of fighting off anything that might be good in your life.”
“Maybe your right, but I’m not up to this now.” I said.
“What I need is a friend that will just listen to me whine a little. Can you do that for me?”
“Yeah, I can do that,” Camille answered. And she did. She let me whine all through lunch and I felt much better.
33
ALEX
Over the next couple of weeks I managed to stay away from both Devin and Stephen. Mike would come over and sit with us at lunch so he could be with Camille. Her love life was going great. I was back to wearing jeans and t-shirts. No make-up and my hair up in a ponytail. Back to being invisible. I was miserable.
I dreamed of Devin every night. Sometimes Stephen was in those dreams and sometimes he wasn’t. Mom was a little worried about me, but I convinced her that I was just a little heartbroken. I knew it was more than that though.
It hurt to breath. Every time I got within 20 feet of Devin, It was almost impossible to breath. Stephen didn’t seem to upset about the whole situation. Devin looked hurt. Empty. I would catch him looking at me with a deep pain in his eyes. Stephen seemed to gloat in Devin’s misery. Maybe Stephen was the
problem from the beginning. I hated to think that I could be fooled that easily.
34
DEVIN
“I can’t take this anymore” Devin said. “What am I going to do about this whole mess?”
“You’ve got to get her back on speaking terms with you.” Mike said.
“Yeah, I know that, but I don’t know how to do it,” Devin answered through gritted teeth.
“Calm down Devin. We’ve got work to do. We don’t have time for you to throw a temper tantrum.”
“Maybe you can talk to Camille and find out what Alex is thinking.” Devin asked with pleading and desperation in his eyes.
“Ok, I will talk to her, but she can get very nosey sometimes. She’s already been asking a bunch of questions. I have to be careful about how much I say to her or she gets to asking too many questions. I really like her and I don’t want to scare her off just yet.” Mike explained.
“Thanks,” Devin said. “By the way have any of you noticed anything weird with Stephen?”
“Nothing at all”, Brian said
“Exactly, nothing at all. Don’t you think it’s odd that he has me on the ropes and he’s not around every second to rub my nose in it?” Devin asked
“Very strange,” Collin said.
“What do you think he’s up to” Chad asked
“I don’t know, but will you guys help me keep an eye on him. I don’t trust him. I know if he can make trouble for me he will.” Devin asked the boys.
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