Castle High

18. Uproar - III

“I’ve definitely seen you look better.”

Jamie jolted Alex out of her trance when he appeared behind her, on a desolate table. Alex sat down quietly, and was gulping down the contents of a non-alcoholic wine from her lap through a straw. Jamie couldn’t remember a time when he saw Alex, so meek and withdrawn.

She smiled up genuinely at him, as he pulled out the chair by her right and sank in it.

Setting the bottle of wine on the table, she sat up straight. “Yeah, today has been challenging so far in general. Right from yesterday night, the girls and I have been working and working and working. I just want everything to be perfect, you know but at this point I’m wondering if all my stress was really worth it.”

He could sense she felt downcast as a result of their visitors demeanor, which was absolutely inconsistent with her. Tracy definitely wasn’t making her day – great.

Jamie sat up straight, clasping his hands on the table. “Challenging in general, or just annoying from a specific direction. I know this is all about that girl – Crazy or whatever her name happens to be.”

Once again, Alex’s laughter was genuine and it pierced the shrill silence of the hall. “It’s Tracy, and no it’s not just about her. I love a challenge, almost everything I do – there is a Tracy, in some kind of form. So, believe me it is something that I’m more than used to.”

Jamie’s facial expression turned serious. “Well, do you know a sure-fire way to burn stress really fast and at the same time, have optimum fun?”

Alex’s eyes narrowed into slits. “What’s that and please don’t tell me it’s dancing.” She inferred, and after hearing Jamie’s growl, she continued. “I keep telling you, Jamie that I don’t dance; certainly not in front of all these strangers here.”

“Just give it a trial,” Jamie started, in an effort to convince her. “You’d be surprised at the gush of delight you’d feel–”

“No way, Jamie.” Alex cut in, shaking her head vehemently. “No way in two hells that is happening.”

His expression turned sour as he digested the essence behind her words. Rising to his feet, he added. “Okay then, sit down here for the rest of the day and mope. I on the other hand would go search for a dancing partner. Perhaps, we’d take one or two drinks together and take a stroll outside.”

Alex was initially perplexed but her gaze eventually morphed into that of amusement. “Yeah, sure. Have fun.”

The duo’s gazes interlocked and they remained static for a while, both searching frantically for a answer in their stare before Jamie gave up and sank back on his seat.

“You’re a mean girl, Alex. You weren’t even prepared to beg me to stay.”

Alex chuckled softly and picked up her bottle of wine once more. “I knew you weren’t going anywhere. Since when did you grow balls to pull off such heists, heh? Jamie. Since when did you walk up to a stranger and start a conversation.”

He shook his head in disappointment, as he retrieved an empty glass from the center of the table. “What if I did actually leave you? I mean, sure I couldn’t have done any of those things I mentioned earlier, but I could have just gone outside and hidden myself in a place under the pretense that I’m having the time of my life. And you’d be here sulking and thinking I’m having the time of life also.”

Alex shook her head once more. “Really? Sounds like an awful lot of stress to go through just to prove to someone that you’re better off without them. Plus, you’re asthmatic Jamie. What secret or secluded place, are you going to hole yourself at that wouldn’t be hazardous to your health?”