Stephen and Sharpies ~ Watty Awards 2012

Chapter Twenty-Four

-Alec

    Today I did something pretty crazy. I walked up to you and drew a heart with the red Sharpie you are holding right on your forearm. I kissed it with my lips and then walked away. I find that completely pointless. I didn’t wait for a reaction, I walked away and turned back to see if you were standing in the same place. Of course you were, you were totally frozen. I smiled to myself and then went to my locker. I pulled my backpack out and threw it over my shoulder. I took Carissa home with Abigail in the back seat of my junky car.

    I am sure you are wondering why I smelt like smoke this morning. I hadn’t realized until Carissa said something to me. Well I was hanging out with these two boys in our grade and we were outside and they both lit one up. I kept talking and for some reason they kept blowing smoke all over me. I tried to move, but he kept blowing it in my direction, so sorry.

    That explains it all.

    Today was so crazy and I think it was a pretty great way to say I like you. A perfect set up for the box and all the Sharpies. I hope it wasn’t too drastic, I found it hilarious. If you could have seen your face you would have laughed so hard. It was full of shock, but realization all in one split moment. You must have realized there was some sort of feelings I had for you and maybe you had some for me. I don’t know, but it still was a great face. Your mouth agape, your eyes huge, your expression was flabbergasting. It was incredible and I am glad I did it as much as I wished I had stayed to hear your response, I think it was better this way.

    Alec I know that the box is coming to an end, but I planned on the heart. I started that box and the farther along I got I realized I had to do something before I gave it to you. I weighed either a kiss on the cheek or the lips for the longest time. I decided I wasn’t brave enough. Then I was choosing between telling you that I like you or to tell you through a note. I decided that both were pretty cliché ideas. So then I thought it best to combine all the ideas into one hence the heart on the arm and a sweet kiss. I told you I liked you without a word and I kissed you, pretty perfect, huh?

    Stephen planned it all out, amazing. She prepared me for the box by taking my breath away and then taking it away with every letter. Stephen managed to prepare me and still surprise me every moment. She was kidnapped and left me a box that made me realize that I was in love with her. She’s told me things that nobody else knows sometimes including me.

    Alec you have it all. The popularity, smarts, looks, and usual the girl, but what if you had a girl just not the girl? I am basically telling you that I really am in love with you and I want to be with you. I like you and I would hate to ruin your reputation, though I wonder if you are willing to risk it for me. You are a great guy and no matter what I will always have feelings for you, but I can get over you, if I have to. I really don’t want to get over you.

    Don’t.

    I know that you are starting to think that I am a whack job. Just know that people act stupid when they’re in love but it always blows over. When I decided to kiss your arm I knew that no matter what I would try to get you to notice me. I am pretty sure that I have, but if I haven’t then you have to finish the box. You already need to, but when you finish I know I will have gotten your attention.

    Alec I like everything about you. Your brown hair that gets shaggy so you cut it, but not until you ask my opinion about it. Your hazel eyes that remind me of the fall. They make me want to cuddle up by a fire drinking hot cocoa with your arms around me. Your skin takes me back to the days I would escape to the windy beaches on the Oregon coast. Your voice takes me away into a dream and I feel as if I could fly. You have the ugliest Converse and the warmest sweatshirt, one which I would love to destroy and the other I would love to wear. Everything about you is everything I want. Am I everything you want?

    Of course you are. I know the perfect birthday present, I’ll give it to her for the…hospital.

    Alec Casey you only have one more Sharpie left. It might be a surprise for you that last letter. Don’t expect anything, but don’t dismiss anything, its all possible in the last letter. Alec I really like you. I really want you and I to be something. You have to agree to it too. Finish it off, you’re so close. Go all the way and don’t stop. Though you might want to take a break before you read it. It might help to comprehend the last letter. Please don’t stop, you won’t regret it.

-Stephen

    There is no way I will stop now, but maybe I should go eat. My stomach is growling and I told Stephen I would take Abigail and Taylor out to eat. I look at the clock and see that it is five o’clock, time flies so fast. Ma is sitting on the chair behind me and Taylor and Abigail are talking quietly. The nurse is the night nurse and she is yawning to herself and texting.

    “Ma, I am going to take Abigail and Taylor to dinner. Do you want something to eat while I am out?”

    She doesn’t ask why she isn’t invited, but instead says, “Okay, bring Taylor home when you’re done and Abigail can stay at our house or stay here with you. It is up to her. I will come by tomorrow. I know there is no sense in trying to get you to come home so just keep your phone with you.” She stands up, kisses Taylor’s forehead and then walks out the door.

    “Hey, let’s go eat. I know a good spot for right now.” I stand up, the box in my hands and walk over to Abigail and Taylor. They stand up and we walk out of the ER doors and head for my car. We all get in, I set the box in the passenger seat. I start the car. I drive to a small restaurant and we walk in.

    Abigail and Taylor choose a booth near the door. I sit closest to the door and they sit across from me. After a few minutes of looking at a menu a waitress walks up.

    “Hello, darlings’, what can I get you today?” She pops her gum flirtatiously.

    “Hamburger with nothing on it,” Abigail quickly says, “and a coke please.”

    The waitress nods towards Taylor. “I want a hamburger with everything on it and a diet coke.

    I look up at the waitress. “I want a hamburger with everything on it and Mt. Dew or the closest thing you have to it.”

    “Okay darlings’ I’ll be right out with your drinks and then your food.” She turns away and heads for the kitchen. Within five minutes our drinks arrive and ten minutes later our food.

    I begin eating quickly, eager to get back to the hospital. Taylor and Abigail however have a different idea. They eat at a good rate, but chew too many times and drank their pop in a slow manner. I finished all my food and two cups of Mt. Dew when Abigail and Taylor finally finished their hamburger and most of their fries. After half an hour to an hour we pay and leave the restaurant. I drive to the street we live on and stop in front of my house.

    “Taylor, Ma wants you to stay here tonight. Abigail you can either come back to the hospital with me or you can stay here. So it is up to you.”

    Abigail takes a moment to think it over. “I am going to stay here tonight.”

    “Okay, well lets go inside, I need to grab something. Then I am going to head over there.” I push my door open and so does Taylor and Abigail. We all head to the front door and I open the door.

    “Ma, we are back.” I yell into the house as I head upstairs. I walk into my room and find my sweatshirt. I pull it over my head and head back out of my room.

    I walk downstairs and say goodbye. I head back over to the hospital. The box by my side. I turn off the car once I am completely parked. I grab the box and go inside. It is only half past six. I can finish the box tonight and I can text her within the hour. I can maybe see her. I can talk with her.