How to Save A Life (On Hold)

3. Grand Romantic

"What?" My father shouts, "he can't do that! If you want to work you should be able to!" This is his reaction to my uncle Larry's decision to cut back my hours at the shop. He likes the fact that I would rather work than do anything else, he thinks it builds character or something.
"Harold," my mother says nicely, "calm down. He could use a little free time." My mothers a sweet woman, she has short red hair, big green eyes and thin lips. She's also not very tall, but that doesn't really matter to her. It only really matters to her when she needs to reach something on the top shelf.
"Yeah dad, I mean, it could be worse, he could have fired me." I say trying to defend my uncle.
"He doesn't have kids, that's his problem." My dad starts again. "He doesn't know what a kid needs! Luke needs to save up for his future, for school."
Harold and Lawrence Callahan chose two separate lives. My uncle chose the bachelor life for a few years, doing this and that, travelling the world, then he met and married my aunt Lucy and opened his own business. They never had children, not because they didn't want to, they just couldn't ever conceive. Right before they were going to adopt, my aunt was in a fatal car crash. She died instantly, so did a part of my uncle. The autopsy revealed she was three months pregnant.
He never remarried and now all he does is work. I guess that's the reason he cut back my hours, so I don't end up like him, but I'll probably never know. It will be something I have to figure out for myself.
I know my uncle would have been a great father too because of the way he treats me and my sister, just like a father would. He treats us as if we were his own kids.
I tune back into the conversation that my parents are having, it sounds as if my mom is winning. Both of my parents are very good with words, but my mother is just that much more persuasive because that's her job. She would be unemployed if she couldn't persuade someone to see past the problems of a home, and see the possible potential.
"He is not quitting his job, that will only wreck his relationship with his uncle, which he cannot afford to do, lose him money for school and compromise his future." My mother finishes her speech.
"Fine," my father frowns, his moustache almost completely covers his bottom lip, "but if Larry cuts back his hours anymore, he's marching in there and quitting. I don't care, even if he is family, nobody does that to my son."
And with that, the conversation is over.
The next day at school, I'm early for every class; including Mrs. Burrows.
I go through the rest of the day just like I always do, I even make time to make a reservation at the restaurant where I took Alexia on our first date. I requested a table with a booth, for two reasons: that's where we sat on our first date and Alexia likes PDA (Public Displays of Affection).
It's easy to do the rest of the planning because Alexia isn't here today, before English I had gotten a text that she was at the dentist and that I didn't need to drive her home today. I only have three classes with her, English, chemistry and math.
I noticed that I have four classes with Drew; English, math, chemistry and Art. I see her in everyone of them except for Chemistry which is right after lunch.
After school I go out to my car. Getting into the driver side I notice that Drew is standing over by her bike, she looks angry. I hop out and walk over to her.
"Hey," I say quietly, "you alright?"
"My stupid bike isn't working again," she replies without looking up. Her tone is aggressive. "Stupid mechanic didn't know what he was doing." She kicks the tire and then looks up and her beautiful eyes get wide.
"Yeah," I smile "he's kind of an idiot."
"I'm sorry," she presses her full lips into a thin line.
"It's fine," I reply, "I can fix your bike, I got some tools in my car," I point to Yoda. She looks very reluctantly at me and then I smile and say, "I promise I'm much better at it than him, and I'll do it for free."
She doesn't say anything, she just nods and I walk over to my car.
An hour later, her bike is working again. I didn't even speak to her the entire time, I didn't know what to say, but I had so many questions for her, like why was she moving here so late in the school year?
"Thanks," she says politely and gets on. "I really appreciate it..."
"Lucas," I add, extending my hand. "Lucas Callahan."
She shakes it and says, "Drew Montgomery."
"Hey, listen, there's a party tonight at a friend of mine's house." I pause and collect my tools. "You can come if you want." I add awkwardly.
"No, I'm good, thanks though," She says putting on her helmet. I take out a piece of paper from my pocket and a pen and write down the address quickly. I add my number too, just in case she needs her bike fixed again.
"Just in case you change your mind." I slip it into the pocket of her leather jacket and she starts her bike. I back away and watch as she zooms the bike out of the parking lot and onto the street, she's gone in a puff of smoke. I watch her turn at the end of the street before I get into my car again and driving home.
I guess that I have the day off today considering that I've already worked four days this week. I don't know what to do with myself though. I can't call Alexia and tell her to come over because she isn't home yet, and I can't go to work, so I don't really know what to do.
I go downstairs to the basement and find myself one of my 'How To' books that I like to read. I must have read each of them at least 4 times. I just really like to figure out 'How To' do stuff.
After I read how to survive in the wilderness, I go upstairs and take a nap.
About two hours later I wake up and Alexia is standing right over me. She smiles when she sees I'm awake.
"Hey," I smile rubbing my eyes, "when did you get here?"
"About ten minutes ago," she replies sweetly.
"So, you've just been watching me sleep this entire time?" I ask a little creeped out,while slipping on my glasses.
"No, your mom let me in and we talked for a while." She smiles again sweetly. Usually she wouldn't be smiling this much so I know something's up. Just before I open my mouth to ask what she's so happy about, I see a rather large item behind her back.
"Happy Anniversary," I smile and she bursts with excitement and loud giggles. She tackles me on my bed and kisses me separately about six or seven times in all different places.
Straddling me with her legs on either side she handls me the box that she had been hiding. I smile and unwrap it slowly so she can see just how much I appreciate whatever it is.
I take the top off of the box and remove the item. "Babe," I grin "you shouldn't have."
It's a "How To" book on 'how to been in a relationship and survive.' I laugh and say, "I don't think I need it though."
"I know, that's why I also got you this," she hand me another object and I peel away the wrapping paper. It's a pair of movie tickets.
Alexia is still smiling and acting really happy so I know that it's my turn to give her a gift.
She hops off of me and I get out of bed. She watches me walk over to my closet and get a small box from the top shelf. I hand it to her slowly and she takes it and rips it open so fast that I question why I ever bothered to wrap it.
She starts to cry, "it's beautiful Luke."
Inside is a silver bracelet, with several pendants that describe her life. She was a dancer so I got her ballet shoes that are glittery. A musical note for her background in music and a heart for me.
"Happy Anniversary, babe." I smile and wrap the bracelet around her wrist. She smiles and then wraps her arms around my neck and kisses me.
Out of the corner of my eye I see my mother standing in my doorway smiling.
I break away from Alexia when my mother says, "I don't mean to break up the party, but suppers ready." She makes her way down the stairs and then yells up, "Alexia can stay if she wants." I smile to Alexia and we kiss once more.
After supper, Alexia goes home to get ready for the party tonight. I shower, change clothes and wait till eleven o'clock to pick her up. At 10:50, I get into my car and then make my way to her house. I undo my seatbelt to get out, but she's gone and out of her house by the time I get the car shut off.  She's dressed in a blue and green tank top and jeans, her makeup is done and her hair is curled. She looks beautiful, like she always does.
"Hey," she says getting into my car and putting in her seatbelt. "You look nice."
"You too," I smile and back out of the drive way.
When we arrive at the party, it's in full swing.
On my right arm is Alexia and in my left hand is a case of beer.
I don't party very often, but Alexia does. She always gets her older friends to get us beer because both of our parents won't and my sister isn't  home very often. Kari is also the type that would say that alcohol kills brain cells that are vital to my future. She's  like my father that way, always look out for what best for my future.
I set the case down in a safe spot, crack one open and take a sip. I analyze the room for people I can try and talk to because Alexia is over talking to her friends again and I don't particularly enjoy the conversations we have. Its really just the same things over and over; clothing, diets, shoes, judge people, shoes. It's all the same.
I walk over to a guy that's in my art class, his name is Xavier. He's what some would call a loner, I just think he's misunderstood.
He has black hair and green eyes, he's of average height and medium build, not the kind to do sports, but he's really good at art.
"Hey," I say nicely.
"Hey," he nods.
"Cool party right?" I'm trying to keep the conversation up.
"Yeah," he replies with not much effort on his side.
"Right," I say out of the corner of my mouth and do a little head nod, when I turn back to try and speak again, he's gone.
Feeling like an idiot I make my way to Alexia and try to avoid conversation with her friends. They don't seem to notice me standing there, not even Alexia does, so I just blend into the background some more.
After a half hour, I'm empty. I go back to my safe hiding spot for beer and get another. That's when I hear a familiar voice behind me.
"Luke," someone says and I turn around, its Drew.
"Hey, Drew," I smile, "you made it."
"Yeah," she yells over the music. She's dressed in a red shirt, black jeans and her black boots. Her hair is up and she has her red lipstick on.
"Do you want a drink," I ask offering her a beer, she shakes her head and I say, "you sure?"
"Thanks though," she replies and I ask if she wants to go outside where the music isn't as loud. She nods and I lead her outside to where people are playing drinking games. Over in the corner there's a guy throwing up so I lead her to the gazebo, where no one is.
We sit and stare awkwardly at each other for a while. I admire how beautiful she is and just before I go to speak, Ace, the huge football player walks over.
"Luke," he grins a drunk smile at me. "What's up buddy?"
I would hardly call us buddies, but hey, whatever doesn't get me beat up at the end of the day works for me. "Nothing," I reply.
"Drew, right?" He smiles at Drew and she nods. "Alistair Dewan, friends call me Ace." He says, taking her hand and kissing it, trying to be a gentleman. I can already tell that Drew is seeing straight through it.
It doesn't take long for Alexia and all of her friends to show up either. Suddenly it's just like the cafeteria table except Drew is here and very uncomfortable. Alexia is sitting on my lap kissing my neck and biting my ear and looking over at Drew to see if she's watching. Her friends are judging everyone who walks by.
"Oh. My. God." Julie says, "did you see how short Amy's skirt was?"
"At least she's not covered up like some Eskimo or something." Alexia says looking over a Drew, "Whatcha hiding under all of those clothes, Drew?"
"Lex?" I say disappointedly. 
"What?" She grins, "I'm just having a little fun with her!" She kisses my mouth and I pull away from her quickly.
"Stop," I say angrily.
"So," Ace says before taking a sip from his beer, "Drew, is your name short for something or is it like a nickname...?"
"What could Drew possibly be short for?" I ask over-defensively.
"I don't know, Drewlia?"  He laughs and everyone, but me and Drew join in.
"Actually, I was named after Drew Barrymore, the actress. My parents really liked her," she replies. Those are the first words she's said in a long time. I almost forgot the sound of her voice because I hear it so rarely.
"That's an ugly name for a girl." Julia snickers at Ace.
"Guess they have something in common then." Alexia snaps and I suddenly feel myself get very, very angry. I go to say something for Drew, but something else happens instead.
She's barley said a word the entire night, but now she's furious. Drew stands up, looks at Alexia and walks away. She's showing she's the bigger person I guess, but then Alexia says, "You gunna go cry?" Everyone starts to chuckle, Drew stops dead in her tracks.
I push Alexia off of my lap and say, "you know what Alexia? No, I can't just sit here and watch you bully another innocent person." I get up and walk over to Drew.
"What?" Alexia questions. She stands up and walks over to me. She smiles, "What are you trying to say, baby?"
"I'm saying, I'm breaking up with you, Alexia." The crowd of her friends say 'ooo's'
"You-you don't mean that, you're drunk," she smiles, moving closer to me and trying to kiss me, I push her away and she gets angry. "No, you can't break up with me because- because- I'm breaking up with you," she yells matter-of-factly.
"Fuck, whatever," I scoff, taking Drew's hand and walking away. I hear Alexia start to cry behind me.  As we get farther away I hear yelling.
"I made you Luke, I made you popular. Don't forget that!" She yells after me. I want to yell back that the only thing she made me was fucking crazy, but I decide against it.
When we're out in front Drew pulls her hand away and yells,"what the fuck, dude?" She looks angry and sad at the same time. We are not too far away from her bike and I can see her looking at it and then back at me.
"What?" I ask.
"I don't need you to fight my battles for me, okay? I don't need your help! Fuck, I knew coming here was a mistake." She says walking over to her bike and starting it. She slams on her helmet angrily and drives away.
I can't believe this. I tried to help her and now she's mad at me. What the hell is going on?
I watch her drive away and then look to the ground. I see a rock, kick it and check my pockets for my keys and remember that I put my keys inside a bowl in the house. I've had too much to drink anyways.
I leave the party without the two things I came with, my car and my girlfriend.