But It's a Guy Shirt

Chapter 21: She's Just Really Pretty

After a long while, it's possible for you to forget things.

For example, after spending more time with Alex, I almost forgot that Melissa existed.

     "Oh my god, there you are," a voice calls out, as the pretty blonde steps into the room. She rushes over to where Alex is and examines the canvas in front of him. "What's that?"

     "It's me," I reply, still standing by the wall.

     Melissa's smile drops. "Aw, Alex. Why didn't you ask to paint me?"

     Alex shrugs his shoulders, his eyes focused on his painting. "You were busy."

     She tucks her hair behind her ear. "I still would've done it," she mumbles.

     My eyes keep glancing towards her. It's kind of uncomfortable having another human in here while someone's painting me. "Um, Melissa?" I ask. "Did you want something?"

     She blinks. "Oh, right. I was wondering if Alex wanted to come with me to the mall."

     Her eyes linger on Alex, expecting a response.

     He finally looks up, scratching the back of his neck. "Sorry, Mel. I'm a bit busy right now."

     I catch the hint of disappointment on her face, before she plasters on a smile. "It's okay. Text me later?"

     Alex nods his head, before turning his attention back to his painting.

     "Bye, Melissa," I call out as she walks away. She turns around, giving me a wave, and then exits the room.

     My eyes fix back on Alex. "I hate to say this, but she is so fucking pretty."

     He lets out a chuckle, keeping his eyes on the canvas. "How?"

     I raise an eyebrow. "First of all, her perfect little smile. Second, her girly aura and shit. And third, she's just really pretty."

     After a few seconds, I let out a groan. "Why didn't you paint her?"

     Alex finally peeks over at me. "You don't think you're pretty, too?"

     I open my mouth to respond, but nothing comes out. So, I just shrug my shoulders.

     I notice a smile creep onto his face, as his eyes drop down to his hands. "When we were 9, some dick in our class called you ugly," he says, before meeting his eyes with mine. "Remember that?"

     I can't help but avert my eyes. "Yea."

     I hear Alex chuckle to himself, as if he were thinking of the distant memory. "You couldn't stop crying until we got to my house. So, whenever I had the chance, I decided to remind you that you were... beautiful."

"Which is a big fat lie," I interject immediately, although I can already feel my cheeks turning an even darker shade of red.

"Aww," Alex says teasingly. "I made her blush."

"Shut up," I mumble. "Just keep painting."

~

There's different types of friends in a group.

     I would say Jade is our athletic friend who's fucking smart as hell. She's kind of a mom, too.

Paris is our social friend who's too pretty for her own good.

And I'm that weird potato in the group that can only speak sarcasm.

     But together, were just one big happy family.