Alex Wars

Chapter Five: Grandmother Knows Best

You know those hated awkward silences that occur when you're stuck in a space with a stranger and you have no clue what to say without looking stupid and/or desperate to break said silence?

Well, that was nothing like our car ride.

"You're an idiot!" I yelled at Wes over the loud blare of his stereo.

"You are!" he shouted back.

"Look," I said heatedly. "I love Star Trek as much as the next guy, but Star Wars is way better!"

"Star Wars is predictable and so are you!" he ranted.

"I hope your hand gets cut off by Count Dooku," I muttered. "Or Darth Vader. Whichever works."

Wes scoffed, shaking his head in disbelief. "How does a cheerleader of your stature even know what Star Wars or Star Trek are? Like, who knew?"

I smirked at him. "There are a lot of things you don't know."

Wes glanced at me. "Clearly," I thought I heard him mutter.

I snuck a peek at Wes' profile. His brown hair was swept up in a messy style, like it was intentional rather than just Wes running his hand through it every minute. Against the light outside his door window, his features were pretty defined and I found myself favoring his glasses. His fingers drummed against the steering wheel as he kept his brown eyes on the road.

"Stop staring," he barked and I jumped.

"I wasn't," I muttered, willing my cheeks to stay their usual pale color and not red as a raspberry. "Just checking what I'm dealing with."

Wes smirked. "So you admit that you were checking me out?"

I internally slap my forehead. "You're unbelievable."

"Well thanks, princess. I'd compliment you back, but I've got nothing."

"I hate you," I muttered.

"Likewise," he said.

I don't respond so we listened to the rock station Wes was tuned into.

"So, Alex," Wes began.

"Don't call me that," I ordered.

"Sorry princess, but you gave me a nickname I didn't want, so I'm doing the same."

"Isn't 'princess' your nickname for me?" I asked sarcastically, adding an eye roll for effect.

"Nah, that's too high of a compliment," he said and I laughed. If only he knew how right he was.

"Want to hear a secret?" I asked suddenly, looking at Wes expectantly.

Wes looked at me weirdly. "Uh, sure?"

I smirked. "I don't think you actually hate me."

Wes stepped on the brake jarringly, knocking me against the dashboard.

"Sorry," he snickered as I groaned in pain. He frowned at me once more. "You're definitely wrong."

"I don't know," I said in a singsong voice. "You're the one who offered to give me a ride."

"To figure out what you're hiding, Alex," Wes corrected and I frowned.

"You already found out way more than you should have," I muttered, turning forward.

"Do tell."

I rolled my eyes. I decided to entertain him. "You know that I like chess and Star Wars and Star Trek, amongst other interests," I began.