Darkstar

Chapter Six: The Big Day

Alex's alarm blared insistently on his nightstand, pulling him from a restless sleep. Groggy, he stretched over to turn it off, his heart racing as he realized today was the day. It was Friday morning—the day of the party. As he swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up, a wave of anxiety washed over him, tightening his chest.

He knew he would see Ashley on the bus, and the thought of telling her he could go to her party tonight sent his mind into a spiral. What if he stumbled over his words? What if he made a fool of himself? Shaking off the worries, he took a deep breath and pushed himself to focus. He had to get dressed and face the day, but the weight of anticipation felt almost unbearable.

As he rifled through his clothes, trying to choose something that felt right, his mind raced with images of Ashley's smile and laughter. He hoped he would not let his nerves get the best of him. With one final deep breath, he slipped into his shirt and jeans, determined to make it through the day. If he could just get to the school and see her, maybe the excitement would overshadow his anxiety.

Alex raced down the stairs, the smell of breakfast wafting through the air as he entered the kitchen. His grandma was bustling around, placing a plate of eggs, bacon, and toast on the table. "Your food's ready, Alex," she called, smiling warmly.

As he sat down, he noticed his grandpa was not there. "Where's Grandpa?" he asked, looking around the room.

"Oh, he went to the feed store to pick up some more feed for the cows," Grandma replied, pouring herself a cup of coffee.

Without wasting any time, Alex dug into the meal, savoring the comfort of his grandma's cooking as he scarfed down the food. He could feel his nerves tingling in his stomach, but the familiarity of breakfast helped ground him for the day ahead.

As he finished up and stood to leave, Grandma called out to him, "Remember to be home in time to help with the cows before Ashley's party tonight!"

"I will, Grandma," he promised, a sense of determination washing over him. With a quick goodbye, he headed out the door, ready to face whatever the day had in store.

As Alex stepped off his front porch, the distant blaring of sirens filled the air, echoing ominously through the quiet morning. The sounds of ambulances and police cars pierced his thoughts, momentarily distracting him from the whirlwind of emotions he felt about the party.

Just then, a familiar rumble reached his ears—the unmistakable sound of the school bus approaching. Panic surged through him as he realized he was running out of time. He dashed down his driveway, his heart racing, knowing he needed to catch the bus before it pulled away.

As he reached the end of the driveway, he could see the bright yellow bus rounding the corner, its lights flashing. With a burst of energy, he sprinted toward it, hoping he wouldn't miss it. The noise from the sirens faded into the background as his focus narrowed to the bus and the promise of a new day ahead.

As Alex climbed onto the school bus, his heart raced with a mix of excitement and anxiety. He found an empty seat and settled in, glancing at the front of the bus, knowing that in just a few stops, Ashley would be getting on. The thought both thrilled and terrified him.

Just then, a loud voice broke through his thoughts. "Hey, Alex! Why the panting? Did you run, man!" Zack shouted from the back of the bus, his tone dripping with mockery. Laughter erupted among the group of kids surrounding him.

Alex felt his cheeks flush, the teasing cutting through his nerves like a knife. He tried to ignore them, focusing on the chatter of the bus and the familiar route to school. Deep down, he knew Zack was just being Zack, but it didn't help his anxiety as he waited for Ashley to board. He took a deep breath, reminding himself that soon he'd have the chance to talk to her, to tell her he could go to her party tonight.

As the bus neared Ashley's stop, Alex felt a surge of anticipation. He shifted in his seat, mentally rehearsing what he would say. When the bus came to a halt, the door swung open, and there she was—Ashley. She looked radiant in a button-up white shirt and a pleated skirt, her hair elegantly pinned up.

As she stepped onto the bus, Alex's heart raced. He noticed that there were no available seats except for his. Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to stay calm as she approached him.

"Hey Alex. May I sit with you?" she asked, her smile lighting up the cramped space of the bus.

"Not at all," Alex replied, trying to sound casual as she settled into the seat next to him. The proximity sent a thrill through him, and he could feel his nerves bubbling just beneath the surface. This was his chance. He turned slightly to face her, his palms sweating. "Hey, Ashley. I wanted to let you know... I can go to your party tonight."

The words spilled out before he could second-guess himself, and he watched her expression shift from surprise to delight.

Ashley beamed at Alex, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I'm so happy you can make it to my party!" she exclaimed, reaching into her purse. She pulled out a small slip of paper and wrote something down, then handed it to him. "Here is my number. I will text you the time."

"Thanks!" Alex replied, feeling a mix of gratitude and nervousness as he took the paper. He reached in his pocket and pulled out his cellphone. He texted her his number. Ashley's phone dinged. "Thank you" Ashley said. He wanted to ask her more, to keep the conversation flowing, so he ventured, "What kind of attire is the party?"

Ashley noticed the uncertainty in his voice and smiled knowingly. "You can wear whatever you want; it does not matter. Just come and have fun!"

Alex felt a wave of relief wash over him at her easygoing response. He smiled back, but as he tried to think of something else to say, he became momentarily lost in the intoxicating scent of her perfume that lingered in the air between them. It was floral and sweet, making his heart race even faster. Words escaped him as he savored the moment, feeling both thrilled and a little overwhelmed in her presence.

Just as Alex opened his mouth to speak, one of Ashley's friends, Brandy, suddenly swung around the seat, her enthusiasm bursting forth. "Ashley, tonights party is going to be epic !" She exclaimed, completely oblivious to the moment Alex had been building up to.

Alex felt a rush of disappointment wash over him as he realized his chance to connect with Ashley had slipped away. He quickly shifted his gaze out the window, watching the familiar scenery of their town whiz by. His mind raced with thoughts of the party—the laughter, the music, and the chance to spend more time with Ashley.

As Brandy continued to chatter about the details of the party, Alex's heart still fluttered from their earlier exchange, but now it felt more like a distant dream. He took a deep breath, reminding himself that he would have another opportunity to talk to her later. For now, he let the rhythm of the bus and the chatter around him drown out his lingering nerves, focusing on the excitement of the night to come.