The Gray Zone

CHAPTER 34

/Alexi's POV/

It was the 23rd of December already and with that the last day of school before the Holidays which I so longed for. The only thing that made me sad was that I wouldn't be able to spend the time with Jesse because Mom had told us weeks ago, that we would fly back home for a few days but I hadn't found the right time to tell it Jesse. And also, I didn't wanted to because I'd have to see his eyes getting sad and his mouth stop smiling like he always does. Good god, did this boy ever get tired of smiling? Our flight was booked for tomorrow morning and I still hadn't packed, but of course I wanted to see him today and say good bye properly.

There was this comedy movie he really wanted to watch so during lunch I suggested that we could go to the cinema today and Madison looked at me knowingly. Apparently, I had said it too loud because the other two guys, and not just my guy, agreed.

"That movie's sick!" Said Zach and turned to my girl friend. "Are you coming too?"

It was kind of astonishing for me to see them both still being friends after their almost romance didn't quite work out. I could never pull something like this off. But she shook her head no. "I have to get some last minute Christmas gifts, sorry."

So after health class we were finally released to a few days off. Especially the last week had drained me, but now I was walking down the hallway next to Jesse and I looked at the other kids. I noticed a few younger girls staring at my boyfriend and even though he didn't seem to notice it, I did and felt that urge to prove to everyone that he was mine. But there were the looks of the other people too, the girls from Jesse's grade. Especially Rachel and her friends who had kept their mouths shut when I was around but it would be naïve of me to think that half of the school talked behind my back about this relationship. Usually, this would have really bothered me but I knew it was also about Jesse and then I got somehow very protective.

/Jesse's POV/

We arrived at my car before everybody else of the crew. I began to smoke a cigarette and leaned against the car, my girl next to me. It felt very nice to have a week and a bit more off and I had already bought all of my presents, including something for Alexis. Oh god, it was going to be wonderful to have her around on Christmas, but in this moment she turned around to me and the look on her eyes already told me that something was wrong.

"Babe?" She said quietly and moved a bit closer to me. "I... uh ... I" she stuttered and I put my hand on her shoulder.

Damn, I loved her, but often she'd make a big deal out of very small problems. But I knew that this wasn't her, it was her brain that made it seem for her that she was failing all the time. "Relax, Girl." I began "Everything is good. Just tell me, you know you can tell me everything."

She took a deep breath and looked at her Vans. "I won't be here during Christmas. Mom has booked a flight to Chicago to see our family again and" Alexis stopped and looked at me with fear. This damn fear. I still wanted to punch that asshole ex boyfriend who made her like that but she rarely talked about him. "I'm so sorry."

The thing is, even though it was bad news, I could never react as sad as Alex did so I threw the cigarette on the ground and hugged her. "No problem, Baby. Don't worry, we two can have a Christmas just for us after you come back."

She looked up and smiled a tiny bit. At least a bit. "You are too perfect. I love you."

I grinned back. "Love you too."

Then Jeremy, Zach and came along and got in my car so we could drive to the cinema, which was directly next to the mall. "Man, I am so happy that I don't have to study for a few days." Mikey exhaled and leaned back.