The Silence Between Us

The Lifeboat That Keeps Me from Drowning, aka: Maeve Patterson

Chapter 18:

That single kiss seemed like it changed everything. But I think it meant a lot more to me than it did to Alex.

It was my first...and I didn't even kiss him back.

I stared at him blankly for what felt like eternity, trying to figure out what the hell just happened. A part of my brain denied it. I came to the most logical conclusion that this was a dream. Alex would've never kissed me. I've only known him for a couple weeks. Things can't just happen that quickly like that. I don't even know how I feel about him myself!

I was so spaced out that Alex had to shake me lightly to get my attention. "Louisa? Did you hear me?"

Was he talking to me? I hadn't even noticed. I shook my head vigorously, my vocal chords apparently too much in shock to respond properly. Why couldn't I just act all cool about it like he was? Should I even be cool about it? Actually, shouldn't we be talking about why he kissed me in the first place instead of leaving my mind to thoughtlessly wander like this?

"I have to go, Rory's probably going to kill me if I wait another second. But I was wondering if I could swing by later, maybe round seven? With, uh with..." he stumbled, now all of a sudden acting nervous. I knew he was going to say Lucas. Did he think that I would deny him coming over after I just invited him?

"Of course." I said, my voice suddenly finding it's confidence. That little second where my mind was distracted from that kiss was like heaven. But now it was back. My brain was back into overdrive, coming up with every possible conclusion why he did what he just did.

Bye, Louisa. Alex signed, dropping my hand to head towards the gym. I swear I really was Louisa the tomato right now. I even took in a sharp breath when he so much as touched my hand like normal. What was wrong with me? Was I going delusional just from that one kiss?

It felt like I was stuck on that bench. I couldn't move. I couldn't think about anything else. Alex had kissed me. And it wasn't a dream, it was real. The only question is, why would he do that? It wasn't like he actually liked me or anything, right? Right?

It must've been thirty minutes before I dared to pick up my phone. I popped in an earbud as I did the only thing that I thought would help.

"Call Mae." I said while holding down the home button. I swear, sometimes Siri was my best friend.

Two rings later and I heard that familiar click that told me Mae had picked up the phone and was on the other line. "Hello?" She greeted me.

"Mae, I need help."

That was enough to send her into panic mode. Three simple words. Maybe I should've clarified more to decrease the risk of her getting a heart attack. "Oh my goodness what happened? Are you okay? Is it Cora? I swear I'm going to kill that bitch when I see her tomorrow if she did something horrible to you! Hold on I'm coming to pick you up right now. Don't you dare move a muscle."

"Mae." I said on my end, trying to get her attention and stop her rambling. She didn't stop though, keeping on talking as if the world depended on it. "Mae!" I shouted even louder. This time she quieted down, allowing me to talk and explain myself.

"Alex just kissed me."

I swear I could've heard a pin drop on her end of the call, she was that quiet. That shut her up fast at least. Maybe I should've just started with that.

"HE DID WHAT?" Mae could hardly contain herself as she screamed at me through the phone. I held it back from my face just a little bit so that my ears wouldn't be permanently screwed up. I stifled back a laugh, surprised that Mae as worked up about this as I was.