The Wallflower Effect

Chapter 14: The Last Straw.

Gage and I had fallen asleep halfway through the third movie, at about 2:00 am, because after all, we did have school the next morning. Well, I had at least. When I slowly started blinking my eyes and moving my limbs slowly, shaking off the lethargic feeling of just waking up, I noted a passed out Gage with a bit of drool on the side of his mouth, and my oh-so-loyal dog Honey curled up next to him on my massive couch. I glanced over at the clock on the oven, and it was about 6:30. Just enough time for Gage and I to get ready and go to school. Thankfully, it was a Friday and we didn't have a mountain of homework to look forward to, so it would be more bearable than it usually was. Maybe I could make plans with Eathan again. I sighed, like the sappy moron that I was, before shaking my head at myself.

I nudged Gage on the shoulder, shaking him a little bit. He let out a groan and raised his head, glaring at me. I couldn't help but beam at him, with his disheveled hair and drool-covered face. Gage Prince was not what you would call a 'graceful sleeper.'

"Uhhhhggg!" He croaked, blinking at me with thinly veiled contempt.

He was also not what you would call a 'morning person.'

"Rise and shine, cupcake!" I sang, in the cheeriest tone I could muster, knowing that it would royally piss him off. Everything was back to normal. Sort of. Well, I was teasing him again. Good for me, bad for Gage.

"Put a sock in it, morning person." He grumbled, still glaring at me with that sleepy face of his. He stretched his arms, and it caused his muscular- well, everything, to flex attractively, and I fought down the impulse to drop my jaw at the masculine rumbling-type noise he let out. Honey stirred at the sound, before falling back asleep, having the luxury of not having to attend high school.

"Come on, it's time to wake up, we have to get to school." I said in a more serious tone.

"Fine. I guess I'm driving?" He presumed.

"Okay. But I want to take the Corvette." I countered. Gage, of coarse, nodded enthusiastically.

"I'm awake now!" He annouced happily, jumping to his feet. I smiled. Boys and their cars. I didn't usually drive the corvette myself, much less let Gage do it. I never liked the car much, but Gage had a crush on the thing, I swear. I'll confess, I was bribing him, just a bit. Nothing to solidify a friendship like breaking traffic laws together.

"Okay. Meet me at the car in thirty?" I suggested, taking the hand that Gage offered me. I totally didn't check out his arms while he effortlessly pulled me up. Nope.

"Cool." He said, faking nonchalonce, but I knew him well enough to see though it.

"See you in thirty." I said, and we parted ways. I dashed upstairs, already mentally deciding which outfit I was going to wear.

I dashed into the shower, quickly cleaning my hair and body, shaving my legs and underarms, and somehow managing not to hurt myself. I looked at my phone as I stepped out, noting I had taken a record-breaking eight minute shower. I hurried and toweled off, blow-drying my hair in my terrycloth robe. When it was bearably dry, I walked into my room's closet, deciding on nike sneakers, fitted white jeans, and a Black Sabbath t-shirt. I ran a brush through my hair, before pulling it into a high ponytail. I didn't want to bother with make-up, so I didn't.

I gave myself a once-over in my full length mirror, smiling at my reflection before grabbing my bad and making my way to the corvette, picking up the keys for it off of the counter on my way. I said goodbye to Honey, making sure she had enough food and water, and I was off. Unsurpisingly, Gage was waiting there for me with freshly washed hair, a blue dress shirt rolled up to his elbows, white shoes, and of coarse his book bag.