On the Run

Chapter 2: Where's the justice?

        All day Friday I was as hyper as I would have been if I'd had three packets of skittles and a two liter of Dr. Pepper. And maybe a few cups of coffee.  Alex was too, but that wasn't much consolation since he's like that ninety percent of the time anyway. The spring season had just ended for football, so we didn't have to worry about practices or games, which was a relief. I mean, football is cool, and nothing pumps up school pride like an inter-county rivalry, but it's so nice to be able to spend time with my friends. Or take a lot of naps. Always naps.

        Kenzie had, of course, been sending me date-advice texts all day, absolutely refusing to admit we were just going as friends. I really didn't mind the counsel so much, but the idea of Alex going through my phone (like always, him being the only person who knows my password) and finding that was mortifying. If I got one more text about which direction to flip my hair during which half of the movie, or pretending to be tired to lean on his shoulder, I would've lost my marbles.

        Everyone seemed to know the two of us were going. Everyone. As in, no less than eight girls came up to me and sighed in envy, wishing me luck with maliscious smiles that seemed to curse me. Three of my teachers, including the creepy History sub, mentioned it when discussing weekend plans with the class. Who does that?? I looked to James and Kenzie for moral support, but each just gave me a sinister smirk followed by a wink that I suspected would linger in my nightmares.

        When we walked in the door Alex's mom was already home; it was one of those rare occasions where she got off early. She was the best lawyer in not only the town, but the west coast of the state, so her time was always being demanded, though she always made sure she had enough for Alex. Not really as much as he would necessarily like, but all anone can do is their best. And as a teenage boy, he didn't mind nearly as much as when he was little, or so he would have everyone believe. His dad loves him a lot too, but if he's not entirely compliant with his boss, he'll be fired immediately, despite his tremendous effort, and he loves working as a dotor in the hospital nearby's pediatric department. Therefore he's not exactly home a lot, but he tries to make up for it by taking the family cool places whenever he is; actual cool places, not cheesy American tourist sites like Mount Rushmore or Yellowstone. They've been all over Italy, Greece, and France, not to mention a brief vacation on each ofthe four Japanese islands. Sometimes he even brings me a souveneir; a ceramic model of the Parthenon, a keychain from the remains of the Colleseum.

        Alex's room is suprisingly clean for once, and he splays across the lime green carpeted floor as I munch on popcorn from his bed. It is way too comfortable, leading to my falling asleep there many times, leaving him on the floor. Not that he had a problem with that, the carpet was fluffy and inches thick, not to mention didn't creak when he moved around.

         He looks overly thoughtful during the previews, which are making me feel so old when I think about all the time that has passed, so I flip over and ask what's up. His eyes widen and he stamers a bit before saying, "Oh nothing. Spaced out." His eyes are so wide, you can never doubt him, but somthing in his gaze is distracted. I squint at him, but he just smiles and attempts to change the subject. "Guess what? I overheard Connor saying he's gonna ask you out next week. Have fun on that date," he sticks his tongue out at me, knowing my standards for manners and personality, which Connor is about as close to meeting as an anteater. "Ew, Connor? He's a pig. Why would he even like me? The last girl he dated was Jennifer." Jennifer was well known for being the most gorgeous girl in school, though much nicer than the stereotypes would have her. Connor going from her to me made about as much sense as Calculus.But then Alex sits up straighter, so I know one of his strange voices is about to make an appearance.

      "The modern day raven haired Rapunzel, who's neverending curls spiral all the way down her back like neverending ribbons, framing a heart shaped face with eyes the color of blueberries with sky blue specks, as deep as the ocean, and just as cruel" he said, sounding like someone in a Disney princess trailer. "Long, poofy black hair that cooperates when attacked with hairspray and a curling iron and blue eyes that usually look as though a dementor sucked the soul out of them do not add up to that." "Aw come on, you know that was pretty accurate," he grins cheekily at me. "And I promise I won't let any dementors kiss you."  "Shut up and watch the movie you goof." He saluted and returned his eyes to the screen. It then sounded like he mumbled, "Or anyone else, for that matter," but I brushed it off as an overeager imagination.