Extant

Chapter 10

It was Friday, the day of the homecoming game. I woke up to the sound of my phone alarm going off. I let out a groan and reached down where my phone was on the floor and turned it off.

My parents left for a business trip last night so the house was quiet. No one was in the kitchen making coffee. I sat up and put my back against the couch.

I got up and crutched my way to my room. I opened the slightly ajar door and entered. There a sprawled out Alex was in my bed.

She was snoring slightly, it wasn't very loud. I rubbed her back and her eyes fluttered open. She smiled slightly and I returned the expression.

"You can take a shower, I'm good." I said, and she sat up and stretched. She then gave me a peck on the cheek and walked out. I went into my closet and pulled out my purple and gold clothes.

Alex and I had decided we'd coordinate but still look like separate people with our own style. I put on my leg and then purple and gold Zubaz zebra print pants.

I then had my gray hoodie that had 'Diamond Bar' in purple with a gold outline. I topped it off with a purple and gray snapback and gold Nike Air Force 1's.

Homecoming is serious business.

I went up the stairs and got myself and Alex out some banana chocolate chip muffins. One of her favorite breakfasts. Now, one of mine.

A few minutes passed and she walked over to the table. She was absolutely stunning.

She had purple ripped skinny jeans and a gold PINK top. She spun around to show me that the back of it had a large opening in it, exposing her skin and a black sports bra. She had a purple bandana that served as a headband and some simple black Vans.

"Wow." is all I could say. I could find all the words to describe how she looked. She gave me a wink and sat across from me.

We ate in a comfortable silence until I got up when I was finished. I threw away the paper plate and walked back over to her.

"Wow." she said, looking at me.

"At a loss of words for how good I look too?" I said with a smirk.

"No, more like a wow you went over the top, but you can make it into what you want." she said seriously. My smirk faded and I just stood there. She waited a beat.

"You know I'm kidding." she said getting up. She put her arms on my shoulders and placed her hands on the back of my neck. My Nikes gave me a few extra inches so I was taller than her.

I put my hands on her waist and pulled her a bit closer to me, then wrapped them around the small of her back.

"I like you being taller than me." she said with a wide smile. I looked down at her and kissed her.

"I like it too." I said, pulling away. We were both so smiley around each other. She kissed me again and then took my hand. I grabbed our backpacks as she dragged me out the door to the car.
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"You realize it's no where near time to leave for school." I said as we reached the driver's side.

"I know, I was thinking that maybe you could get the hang of driving again." she said with a smile. I let go of her hand.

"Me? Drive? You wanting to see Jesus?" I said as I put the bags in the back.

"No, but I know you can do it Tobin." she said confidently. I shook my head. "Come on, please? Just for a bit." she added.

She looked at me with wide eyes, pouting a bit. I sighed. I couldn't say no to her no matter what I did.

"Fine." I said, taking the keys from her hand. I got into the drivers seat and buckled myself in. I looked down at the pedals.

I turned on the car and put it in reverse. I let the car slowly roll down the driveway and onto the road. I switched to drive and applied slight pressure.

So I thought.

The car went forward quickly and I slammed the brakes. I put my head in my hands. I was still on far side of the road so people could pass.

I didn't dare to release the brakes. I could hear Alex shift it to park and put up the break. I hated this.

I can't just be normal. I can't walk properly. Can't run pretty much at all. Can't drive a car anymore.

"Hey, it's okay, you're okay. See, we're fine, I don't see Jesus anywhere." she said putting her hand on my shoulder. I didn't laugh.

"I'm sorry." I said.

"For what?" she said squeezing my arm.

"I don't know, being such a baby." I said taking my snapback off and running my hand through my hair.

"You're the strongest person I know." she said. I looked at her.

"You're  just saying that because I battled cancer." I said. She shook her head.

"That's not the only reason. You're also supporting me. Bringing me into the place you live, your private life just for my sake." she said.

"That and you actually like doing my laundry." I said, earning a laugh from Alex.

"So maybe today isn't the day, maybe there will never be a day you drive again. No matter what happens you'll get through it when you do." she said, looking into my eyes.

Wow she was good. We switched seats and she drove us to school. We were still a bit early but it was a good time to get tickets for the game.

No one knows about us so we keep our PDA to a minimum. We walked side by side. I had my hands in my pockets and she had her arms crossed in front of her.

"I wish I could just reach over and..." I said, grabbing her hand. "Do this." I said while swinging our arms back and forth. She shook her head and smiled.

"I wish you could too but I'm not sure who we can trust with our secret yet." she said, releasing my hand. I was a little disappointed but I understood.

"Why not tell people. Live your life the way you want." I said, holding the door open for her to get inside.

"The only way I can live my life the way I want is if this is a secret. I want to be with you... and this is the only way I can be with you."

We reached the office where a few people were waiting in line to get tickets. I pulled out my wallet from my pocket and got out $20.

"I can pay for my own ticket." Alex said, slipping her backpack off her shoulders. I shook my head.

"$8 is not going to break me. Plus, it's one slight way for me to do something for you. I am your boyfriend after all." I said laughing. I handed the lady at the desk my money and she gave me two tickets and $4 back.

"Here you go ma'am." I said while handing her a ticket.

"Why thank you sir." she said jokingly, taking it and putting it in her pocket. "I have to go to the other building for class every Friday, so I'll see you later, okay?"

"Yea, definitely. See you later." I said, giving her a wave while she left the office. I turned around again to the woman.

"Do you still have tickets for the dance?"

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A/N:

dances are the best huh.