The Gray Zone

CHAPTER 21

Saturday

/Alexis' POV/

I sat on the couch in the living room and ate some chips while watching a movie with my Mom when Levi walked in, his blond hair gelled back and a nice shirt on. He had announced on Wednesday that he was invited to some kind of big party for the seniors. I bet I could have gone there too somehow, but now I had to spend my evening here and no matter how beautiful and comfortable a cage is – it is still a cage. And I felt trapped. 

"Look at this handsome boy." My mom piped and he smiled widely. 

"I'll probably sleep at Marc's." Levi stated and not asked. Of course he didn't have to ask. Because he was a boy and a year older and oh-so-emotional-stable. 

 "Have fun." I said through my teeth. The only reason that I was jealous of him was because I bet Jesse would go to this party, too. Ugh. 

"Take care." Mom smiled and with a simple nod Levi walked in the hallway again and then through the door. Double ugh. Just a couple of minutes later there was this typical making out for the first time scene like in every romantic comedy and I could feel the look of Mom's eyes piercing through me. If only she knew. 

"Do you...uhm... have like a special someone?" No, this couldn't be happening right now. I was this close to face palm myself but it got worse. "What about your blond friend?" I quickly shook my head and apparently it was an invitation to go deeper. "I always thought he was very cute... but you're just friends, right?" 

"Yes." I said harshly and she turned amused to the TV again. I sighed internal but just after a couple of moments she asked the next one.

"And what's with this older boy, the tattooed one... Jesse I think his name is." I almost chocked on the chip I had swallowed down. 

"No...no, no. I wouldn't even consider us as friends...sooo." I hope I didn't blush. 

"Well, well, young lady. I think he's up to not good anyways." Oh, if only she knew.

/Jesse's POV/

Jeremy and I were kind of the last ones to arrive to this bullshit party. Actually, it was a normal party I guess but I was just not in the mood for partying and constantly checked my phone for any new messages from Alexis. Marc's house was a bit bigger than mine but all of the rooms, including the garden, were occupied by the seniors of Newbury High. Jeremy handed me a cup of beer and I took a sip. 

"Hey man" My bearded friend tried to cheer me up "Just relax for a while." 

I nodded half hearted and took another sip. Just then we bumped into Zach and we decided to hang out in the kitchen. 

"Damn." Zach whistled when he saw a few girls going through the room. The three of us leaned against the counters and watched the other people. It was weird being a senior, because just now I had realized how many years I've spent in school. All the lessons I've never attended or looked a thousand times at the clock or the learning for the tests. All of this seemed so far away now. "Is everything alright?" Zach asked and I blinked a few times before looking at him.