The Addie Alexander Challenge

⁕ 15| José ⁕

There was still a while before I could ask Addie to the dance they were now calling the Rutherford Collab Dance. But this meant that I had some time to come up with something epic.

Dad was back from his trip. And so ends my week of freedom. I was careful to not get in trouble for a few days so I could have Addie over. But I knew I had to ask my dad before I could even ask Addie.

I approached, cautious. "Dad?" I said quietly. He was at the counter, going over something for work.

He didn't hear me. "Dad? Can I-"

"What?" he said, looking up and pulling off his glasses in frustration. I took a step back. "I was just wondering if I could have a friend over. Tomorrow. After school."

"Tomorrow?" my dad said, then slipping his glasses back on. "Aren't you working?"

"No. Not tomorrow... sir."

"Probably not. If you're not working, I need you here to watch Vincent and Julian so I don't have to pay Mrs. Ceja for an extra day."

"But my friend wants to meet Vince and Julian," I interjected. "My friend and I could watch them. If you want..." My voice died out at Dad's stare.

"And who is this friend?"

"Just a friend from school. She's new here so you don't know her."

Dad raised an eyebrow. "She? Is this your girlfriend?"

Whoops. "No, no! Sir. She- Addie- is just a friend. She wants to meet the boys. She has a little brother too."

Dad continued looking over his papers. "If you promise to watch the kids. And no kissing or holding hands with the girl."

I gasped. "Dad, she's not my girlfriend!"

He chuckled and shooed me away. I meandered outside, to our tire swing. Mom wanted us to put it up when I was five. She said she always wanted one when she was a kid. I sat on it and grabbed the rope and spun around. I stopped and saw Dad watching me from the window, a disgusted look on his face. I could practically hear his voice. You're not eight. Act like you're twice that age.

Sliding off the swing and to the grass, I scooted back and leaned against the thick trunk of the tree. I pulled out my phone and texted Addie.

The final bell rang and everyone sprang out of their desks. The teacher tried to remind people of the discussion we were doing tomorrow but she could hardly get any words in. She finally gave up and collapsed into her chair."Thank you!" I called to her. She gave an exhausted wave back.

That class is right next to the doors outside so I was out before most people. The parking lot hadn't turned into the battleground it becomes exactly 4 minutes after school ends.

I had told Addie where I park last night and she had gotten a spot near me. I got to my truck and unlocked it. I pulled myself up and into it then waited for Addie.

She came out a few seconds later, running to her car. She had revealed to me that driving makes her nervous sometimes and tries to leave before the crowd. She waved to me and got into her car.

I started the truck and pulled out. I drove the way to my house, all the while making sure Addie was behind me the whole time. I drove slow enough no one could cut her off.

I finally pulled into my driveway and parked. She parked next to me. I hopped out and watched her get out of her own car. She took a deep breath and smiled.

"Do you really get that nervous driving?" I asked her. She laughed. "Yeah, especially when I'm driving to places I've never been."

"We better get in before Vince and Julian get scared," I said after nodding in understanding to Addie's statement. "They should only be home alone for a few minutes."

I walked up the sidewalk with Addie next to me. As I put a hand on the doorknob. I warned her. "The boys can be a little hyper sometimes," I said.

"I know about hyper," she said with a grin. "Coop is a tad on the crazy side."

I opened the door and held out an arm to block the boys' blows. But none came. I poked my head in. "Vincent? Julian?"

"Something wrong?" Addie asked.

"I'm... not sure," I said, opening the door. "Guys?"

There was no answer. A foreboding feeling seemed to fill the room as I came in. Addie shivered. "Your house feels..." She chuckled nervously. "It's nice."

"No," I said, walking farther into the house. "Not now it isn't. Something's wrong. I think I forgot about something." I wracked my brains for what I had possibly forgotten. Then it hit me.

"Oh my gosh!" I nearly screamed. Addie jumped. "What?!"

"Uh, okay," I said, grabbing my keys off the table. "We got to get the boys." I ran out the open door and to my truck. Addie followed behind. "What's happened?" she called. "Is something wrong?"

"No!" I said, opening the passenger door on my truck. "Actually, yes. No. Get in."

"What?" Addie said, stopping at the end of the sidewalk leading up to my door. "You kidnapping now?"

"No," I laughed quickly. "It's just- I forgot I had to pick the boys up from the dentist."

"Okay," Addie said, coming closer. "How did they get to the dentist? Shouldn't they be at school?"

"My dad picked them up early and took them before going back to work," I explained hurriedly. Addie bit her lip. "Alright." She climbed into the truck and I slammed the door and ran to the other side. I jumped into the seat and started the truck. Squealing out of my driveway, we made our way into town.

"If you don't mind my asking," Addie said after a moment, "What's going on? You seem a lot more flustered about this than other things."

"Oh, yeah," I chuckled wryly. "I'm probably just concerned with my dad finding out and killing me."

Addie's eyes went wide. "Why will he get so mad at a simple mistake?"

"I don't know. He wants me to be perfect or something. It's stupid."

"That's not the positive José I know," Addie said. "How long has this gone on for?"

"He's always been strict," I said. There was a calm feeling that swept over me. Something whispered to me that it was okay to tell Addie these things. The things I had kept close to my heart for some time now.