Under the Bridge

chapter ten-"never drink kombucha"

I'M NOT SURE WHY I always make myself small when I'm sitting down. I pull my legs to my chest as I sit on the couch, wrapping them in my arm like I'm doing a cannonball into a pool. Alec, on the other hand, is man-spreading. I've never met a boy who didn't sit with their legs apart, and frankly, it always bothered me. 

"How's James?" Alec asks. "That's his name, right?" 

I widen my eyes and laugh. "He and I actually talk now." 

"I'm going to push back whatever inherent jealousy I feel and tell you to go after that boy." He says with a big smile. "I mean, it's an accomplishment."

The smile on my face feels permanently etched into my skin. "He asked me out today." I explain, leaning back into the cushions a little and meeting Alec's eyes. 

"And here you are, kissing other boys." 

I throw a pillow at him. Instead of hitting his head, like I intended, it misses, and ends up on the floor. For those of you wondering back at home, this is why I don't play a sport. 

"So when are you two getting married? And can I be the maid of honor? For reference, I look great in red." Alec asks, doing everything to stifle a laugh.

I snort. The room gets quiet for a couple seconds before I speak softly, knowing well what his reaction would be. "I said no." 

Alec looks at me sympathetically. "Why? I mean, it wasn't because of me, was it?" 

I shrug. "He wanted to do something today, so kind of." I think about James, and his striking blue eyes, handsome features, and intelligence. He's an attractive person, and even though I don't regret my decision, I still have feelings for him. "I like him." 

"You should go for it." He insists. "I mean, I'll fly back over here and kick his ass if he does something." 

I roll my eyes. "No offense, but I can't see you doing that. I think you're a little too nice." 

It's this moment, right now, that I remember our friendship, the first couple weeks of camp where we were just Oakwood best friends, rushing through the woods and making sure kids didn't drown. I think about how happy I was, after finally finding someone I clicked with that wasn't Hope. 

In fact, he knows more about me--and my emotions, than she ever has. 

I don't think I'll mind being just friends with Alec Young. 

* * *

"Do you want a drink?" I ask. It's just after ten PM, and the pepperoni pizza we ordered arrived just moments ago. The fridge is open before me, but I can't decide what I want at all. There's five types of soda, some seltzer water, four varieties of juice, and some kombucha, since we're in Portland, after all. (Never drink kombucha, it tastes like ass. You're welcome in advance.) 

"I'll have whatever." His decision doesn't help me. 

I purse my lips together in concentration. "I don't have any beer, but I think there's half a bottle of vodka in my room. Do you want to get drunk?" I ask, flashing him a little smile. 

He scoffs. "I always thought you were a good girl, Bear." 

"Says the guy who thought it would be smart to sneak beer into camp." I retort, hitting him upside the head gently as I cruise past him. "I'll be back in a second." 

"You're going to leave me in your kitchen to die?" He muses, taking a bite of his pizza. "What if I choked on this?" 

I laugh. "You'll be fine, I'll return shortly." I correct, climbing up the stairs to the third floor, where my bedroom was positioned on the far end of the hall. Stepping in, I realize that nobody's been here except for Hope, my mom, the maid, and I. It feels desolate.