Blackmailed

Two.

              I was sitting in the living room with Alexandria, she was still sitting in her towel, probably freezing cold. For a second I took in how she looked; hazel eyes, long wavy brown hair, somewhat tanned skin. She was gorgeous, but her personality was probably the worst. And for me, I wasn't buff like some of the boys at my school, I had some muscle but I wasn't the type to play sports. My short black hair and light brown eyes were average, and I stood at a 5'11" nothing special. In my opinion at least.
 
               The father cleared his throat, glancing at him Alexandria went to stand up but he pointed to the couch. She immediately sat down. Her father looked so serious if I didn't care about death I would be scared to the bone.

       “Sir, I just want to let you know that I have no intention of hooking up with your daughter. We're not even friends." I stated, shifting away from Alexandria, the gun was pointed at me. Oh please do shoot me, you'd get me away from Alexandria.

        “I was once a teenage boy, I would've chased after anyone who has boobs and a pretty face. You can't fool me, just explain to me why you're in my house hiding from me. I might not shoot you in the face if you give me a good enough answer." When her father said that Alexandria jumped up and let out a scream.

         “Seriously dad? This is why I hate you, stop being so protective of me I'm seventeen years old! Joseph literally got shoved into the closet because I didn't want you to see him. Call him Frank, Joseph." With that she stormed out of the room and we heard a door slam along with a few cuss words.

          “Joseph? I was on a case a few months back where this kids mother committed suicide, that women was always crazy in the head. Wouldn't blame her with the child she had." Clenching my fists I took a deep breath.

                I was always a good child, stayed out of trouble and kept up with my grades. The only incident I had was when I got caught smoking a cigarette, I stopped immediately afterwards. It made me feel like crap. Other than that I stayed away from trouble and hanged out with my friends. Hearing him talk that way about my mother made me want to punch him in the face, but I held it back. Everyone called her crazy after her death, but she was just like everyone else, a good mother and a loyal friend.

           “Well maybe the kid was a good, maybe the mom was murdered." I suggested, defending both me and my mother.
  
           “Not possible, there was no evidence at the scene to even investigate any further. She definitely killed herself." Alexandria walked out fully clothed, the atmosphere was extremely tense.

           “Well maybe you're wrong." I stated standing up, glancing at Alexandria she looked between us with a confused expression. Her hair was put up in a French braid that really suited her.

            “The child even has a record, he clearly must've drove the mother crazy. I'd kill myself if I had to deal with him as well, what gives you the right to speak like that to me anyways?" He questioned, standing up himself.

                 Taking another deep breath I shoved my hands into my jeans pockets and grabbed my wallet. Opening it I glanced at the photo of my mother. Seeing her smiling I calmed down some, the rest of my anger stayed there, but I didn't feel like I had to fight her father anymore.

             “A record of smoking cigarettes and-" the father cut me off mid sentence.

             “How do you know that?" He asked, taking out the photo of my mother I handed it to him.

             “Because I'm her son, Frank."

•°•°•

           Dinner was extremely awkward, Alexandria's mother came home from work when I was getting threatened, again. Then Alexandria's mother and Frank started arguing and Alexandria joined in by telling them to shut up so she could talk to her ex. Once we finished her mother introduced herself as Tammy and told Alexandria to go to her room. Once I explained my intentions about their daughter to them they eased up some. Once night rolled around I was laying on the couch when I saw Alexandria sneak out.

           Following her outside she sat on the curb, seeing her pull out a pack of cigarettes I sat next to her and snatched them away. Scowling at her she slapped herself softly.

           “I don't smoke, my ex boyfriend left them here, I need to get them out of here, my dad would kill me. Do you want to smoke them? Obviously you have some secrets of your own, I can't believe you smoke." Opening the pack I saw no cigarettes, showing her she shoved my arm gently.

          “Used to," I corrected then continued on "It was a way to help with the stress, might start again just to spite you." I teased she must've took me seriously because she slapped the empty pack out of my hands and knocked me upside the head. Abuse much?

               The thought of smoking again made me want to, but I knew better than that. My mom would beat me if I started again, if she was still here. Looking at Alexandria the moonlight reflected off her hair, she looked like a devil. Glancing back at the house I stood up, grabbing her I dragged her with me. Climbing up a pole to get to the roof Alexandria yelled for me to get down, shaking my head I made it to the top. Seeing her climb up I grabbed her and pulled her up the rest of the way, she was actually pretty light.

                 Laying against the roof I stared up at the stars, the grey clouds that seemed to glow with the moonlight and then her. She was laying down next to me, gazing at the star's and humming a soft melody. For once, she didn't seem stupid or crazy; just gentle. When our eyes met I quickly looked away, not wanting to see the fire that she seemed to have in those hazel eyes. A gentle breeze blew and I could see thunder flashing in the distance.

        “Why did you smoke? Especially knowing the risks?" She asked, holding her hand out as if reaching towards the angels up in the sky.

         “Have you ever eaten a piece of chocolate cake? Even knowing it was bad for you? It was just so good to have at the moment, but later you regret having it? So you want to feel that way again, so you go back for another piece the next day because of the taste? It was like that, even knowing the risks, at the moment it was worth it." Explained the way I felt as I put my arms behind my head, for a split second I thought that I saw a shooting star.

         “That makes sense, I'm glad you quit, my ex smoked and I never wanted to kiss him. He tasted like an ash tray." She sat up, following suite with her she turned to face me. Suddenly her arms wrapped around me, taken my surprise she patted my back softly. Obviously this girl did not know how to comfort people, the pats were more like slaps.

                  Staring at the twinkling balls of gas in the sky I pried Alexandria off of me, I did not like hugs. She laid back down against the roof, smiling towards the sky.

         “You're mothers up there watching you, she must've loved you very much, tell me about her one day. I'd love to hear about the women who raised a grump, but until then let's just take this scenery in. Then go back inside so I can study." Laying down beside her I patted her hand that rested beside us, unable to keep the remark back I quickly said it.

          “Alexandria, you're some kind of stupid aren't you?" She grabbed my arm and lifted it up.

           “Joseph, you're some kind of heartless person aren't you?" She asked in a mocking tone, then poked my muscles with her finger. “Not to mention, weak compared to this one boy I know, he'd definitely break you in half if you messed with him. From now on I'm going to call you Small Muscle Betty." Flexing my arms she poked them again, they definitely weren't as big as the boys at our school, but I had enough to not be called Small Muscle Betty.

           “Go away and get some sleep, even the devil needs rest." Was all I said as she slid climbed down the house and left me alone with my thoughts. Tomorrow is where the hard part begins, probably best for me to get some sleep too. Just a few more minutes then I'll go inside.
   
                    I ended up staying up two more hours after that.