Monster

Chapter Thirteen--Concussions

I have a certain way of becoming numb to something that I don't want to think about--like James. It hurt to think his name, so don't think it at all. Alex distracted me long enough, so that when my mind was free, James was just a blip in my radar system.

"OK: lets play Truth or Dare," Alex suggested to me. We were sitting cross-legged on my floor, surrounded by chips, candy and soda bottles. Over the past few hours, we had watched three Star Wars, had a giant pillow fight over which movie was the best, and became almost best friends--yet I barley even knew him.

"Fine," I agreed, although I had done some questionable things in the past whilst playing Truth or Dare.

"Truth or Dare?" he wiggled his eyebrows at me, albeit they were nearly covered by his dark, glossy hair.

"Hmm...dare?" I said, unsure. He grinned evilly.

"I dare you to...draw a smiley face on your stomach," he laughed. I rolled my eyes and hiked my shirt up, holding my hand out for a pen. Alex gave me a black Sharpie--unwashable. I groaned and started sketching the face onto my flat stomach (being a Monster gives you strong muscles).

"OK, Alex. Truth or Dare?" I stared at him, hoping he'd pick dare.

"Dare," he said bravely. I glanced around the dark room, then picked up the flashlight we had splayed on the ground and walked over to my mini-fridge.

"I dare you to eat a spoonful of Ketchup," I grinned, pulling out some red sauce. My flashlight beam landed on Alex's disgusted face. I threw the Ketchup at him and winked.

"Fine, fine..." he muttered, opening the top and squirting it into his mouth. I cringed at his face as he swallowed it down with a puke-face. As I sat back down next to him, he glared.

"Truth or Dare, Drew?" He snapped, obviously trying to think of a dare that would put me to shame. I smiled sweetly back at him.

"Dare."

"I dare you to let me ask you any questions I want and for you to answer truthfully!" he laughed at me. I groaned.

"Fire away," I said sarcastically.

Alex sighed. "Have you ever had a boyfriend?" he said, trying to act like it was a casual question. Needles poked at me--there was Cam, who I had randomly told I loved him...and--J--Jam--no.

My mind went numb when I thought of him.

"No," I said flatly. Alex looked at me as if he was trying to decipher something, then glanced down.

"OK. Have you ever...lost your virginity?" he smirked at me. I gasped.

"No! Of course not! Wow, Alex..." I smiled as my cheeks turned red. Who would ask that?!?

"Um....what is your favorite song?" he said, trying to keep things G-Rated instead of all on boyfriend stuff. Prelude 12/21 popped into my head, but I thought some more.

"Anything by 30 Seconds to Mars, I guess," I said, looking at Alex and his pale, smooth skin, except for the long, gruesome scar that marred the far right side of him. I wanted to reach out and touch him because all of this seemed so..fake. Surreal.

It seemed too good to be happening.

"They're a cool band---Drew, do you like me?" he shot out. I was caught by surprise. Like him? As a friend, yes, but I don't know if it was much more than that...

"Well, I mean, you're a really nice guy, Alex. A good friend," I said, wincing as Alex looked down in sadness. We had just met, for goodness sakes! I didn't know him at all, not enough to like as more than a friend. But soon he looked up again and smiled at me like he hadn't cared about my answer.