Impractical Jokers, Practically

Chapter Twenty-Six

What am I doing with my life? Sal Vulcano just asked me to marry him...and I said no?

People might think I'm crazy if they heard that. Even I think I might be crazy.

But that's my answer. That's what I told Sal. No.

"No?" His eyebrows are pulled in, his hands are shaking, and he gets off the ground, back on his feet. "What--I don't understand...?"

I swallow. "Look, Sal, I'm not--I'm not ready. It's not that I don't want to be with you. I think it's just too soon is all."

I might has well have been speaking gibberish because he doesn't seem like he took in anything that I said. He's staring at the ring with a sad expression. The ring that is still in the box instead of being on my finger. 

He looks so lost, so troubled, so heartbroken. 

There's pains in my chest. I didn't want him to be this upset. 

Sal...he looks so broken. And I did this to him. 

"But, Alexa." Sal takes his attention away from the engagement ring to look up at me. The way he even says my name sounds like he's in pain. "I thought...I thought that--you know that I always wanted you. You must know that. But still...no?" 

I want to say something to him, anything to make him feel better. But, he seems to be too distressed to want to listen. 

"After all we've been through...and you still don't want to marry me?" He looks like the wind has been knocked out of him. 

I open my mouth, but close it, too afraid that I'll say the wrong thing. 

I blink and Sal is already walking out of the room. I want to take a step to try to stop him, I don't want him leaving this upset, but my legs stay put. Instead of going after him, I warp back into another time. 

I flashback to where we started becoming best friends. 

'

"Did you see the look on his face?!"

"Haha, keep it up, and you'll get the hang of this in no time!"

"Perfect for the show, perfect."

"Good job, Alexa. I knew you had it in you to be a joker." Sal winks at me and gives me a high five. 

I grin up at the guys who are all staring at me adoringly. We just shot my first challenge and it went extremely well. Put-pocketing with strangers while they're grocery shopping always makes for a fun time. The boys were right, if every time could go like that, I'd be able to do this alongside them, no problem. 

So, I'm not having a problem with the show, per se. More-so, with a certain star from the show. 

My knees go weak every time Sal so much as glances in my direction. My heart starts to pound and my blood races through my body. I try to keep in under control, I don't want to make anything awkward, but I can't help it. Every single time I get a little attention from Sal, I'm flustered.

But I know I have to keep things professional. 

"Hey, um, Alexa," Murr grabs my attention away from Sal. "That guy that we're talking about? The one where you put pencils in his pocket? He gave me his number so that I would give to you." 

I crinkle my forehead, clearly confused. Why would he do that? I had no idea that things like that were even possible. That strangers would give me their numbers after being used for the show. 

"What?" Sal says harshly. He doesn't really form it into a question though, more like a demand. 

Huh? Now I'm double confused. Why would Sal react like that? I glance sideways at Sal, but he looks straight ahead at Murr, seemingly thinking about something.