Babysitter or Boyfriend?

Chapter 5

A/N

HEY, people! So before I start this chapter I just want to say a couple of things. First of all, thanks sooooo much to everyone who's read my story so far, and thank you for your votes comments. Keep them coming, the feedback is encouraging and helpful! Second of all, just know that this story is totally off the top of my head...so if any of these chapters seem boring, I'm sorry. I'm trying to move the story along quickly, but not too quickly, ya know? Thanks again, and happy reading!

Chapter Five

As soon as the words left Alex's mouth, I felt a little as though someone had punched me in the stomach. Brooke hadn't made her interest in Alex any sort of secret since we arrived at the beach, but to be honest I was a little surprised by his interest in her. Sometimes Alex was the easiest person to figure out, and sometimes he was the world's most difficult.

So how did I feel about him asking my roommate out? Well, for one thing, it was so ridiculously typical. Hot girl throws herself at hot guy...hot guy's hormones start kicking into full gear...hot guy makes his move...BAM! Suddenly you've got yourself another completely cliché, gorgeous couple.

"Ave?" Alex urged gently. "Does that bother you? I mean, I know she's your roommate and I just don't want things to be super awkward, you know? If she and I dated..."

I knew what he was implying: if Alex dated Brooke, there would be times when he was there to visit her, and not me. I hated feeling petty and jealous, but the thought made me rather grouchy.

But what was I supposed to say? No, Alex, I forbid you to date Brooke. That wasn't fair. Plus, I knew myself pretty well, and I knew that after saying it I'd feel horribly guilty-like I was depriving him of his deepest desires. Then I'd fall all over myself saying stupid things like, "Never mind. It's fine. Really. It's fine." And he'd never believe me, which would only make me feel worse. It was like the never-ending spiral of doom.

"Sure," I said meekly. "I mean, go for it. Brooke's really...pretty." What else was there to say? I hardly knew her. It's not as though we'd had an sort of 'girl time' at the beach-she wasn't able to pry herself from Alex's side long enough for that.

Alex gazed at me a moment to make sure I was serious. "Alright," he finally said. "Thanks. I guess...I guess I'll see you tomorrow then?" He stood up to leave.

I nodded. "'Night." I murmured.

Alex paused with his hand on the doorknob. "Ave, are you sure you're okay? You seem really sad, and I don't want to be the cause of any of that sadness."

I shook my head. "I'm fine, Alex. Really." I just need my brother, I added silently.

"Okay," Alex slipped through the door, poking his head back in for the briefest of seconds to murmur, "Sleep good."

Moments later, I heard Brooke's distinctly over-cheerful voice in the kitchen. "Hey!" she cried, as though she and Alex had been parted for days. It probably seemed that way, after being attached at the hip all day long. I couldn't quite make out what Alex said to her in response, but a shrill giggle soon followed. "Oh my gosh, you're hilarious!"

Feeling my eyes burn with tears, I pressed my face into the nearest pillow. What was the matter with me? I'd been so excited to move to Santa Barbara, and be independent for the first time in my life. I was so excited to spend more time with Alex, especially after only getting to see him at Christmas and during the summer.

Now I was here, and already a third wheel. A homesick, lonely third wheel.

On the nightstand, my cell phone buzzed obnoxiously, and I snatched it up to see Jake's name on the caller ID. "Thank goodness," I murmured. How was is that my brother always, always, always seemed to know just when I needed a shoulder to cry on-even if that shoulder happened to be four hundred miles away?