Spin the Bottle

Chapter 3

"I expected Alex to do the honors," I say as I climb into Peter's truck once again.

"He doesn't trust me enough to leave me alone in his house," Peter replies with a shrug.

"His parents aren't back yet?" I ask.

Peter shakes his head. "They apparently went upstate to visit someone and forgot to tell Alex and Clarity, but that's none of my business."

"And I take it Clarity isn't home either."

"Nope. Left as soon as I got back from dropping you off earlier."

"What about you? Don't you want to spend time with your family?"

"My little sister Lyra could care less about what I do. My parents...they're out on a business trip."

"Oh."

We're both silent for a while.

"I just have to get a clear answer about this," Peter begins. "I know you'll probably get annoyed, but you and Alex don't...like each other, right?"

"Of course not," I say. "I know for a fact that he's never thought of me romantically and I've never thought of him that way."

Peter went silent again.

"Why did you ask?" I say barely above a whisper.

Peter doesn't look at me. "I'm still trying to figure that one out myself."

Neither of us talk for the rest of the ride. We walk into Alex's house silently.

"You two are awful quiet," Alex says. "What happened?" He seems to notice the slight pink tint of my cheeks and begins to smirk.

"Shut up," Peter snaps.

I follow him and Alex into the living room. That's where I stay for the rest of the afternoon.
<><><>
At school on Monday, is it down in my seat in math class.

Peter walks into the room scowling, his fists clenched.

Alex walks in after him and he looks equally angry. Though, his gaze softens when he sees me. "Hey, Zurey," he says.

"Are you alright?" I ask.

Alex nods. "You don't need to worry about me, okay?"

A few periods pass by and is lunch tiles.

"Do you have any idea why Alex and Peter seem super...upset today?" I ask Clarity.

She shakes her head.

That's when I hear commotion behind me. I turn and gasp.

Peter's fist slams into another boy's face.

Alex stands to the side, his arms crossed over his chest and his mouth pulled into a smug smile.

Peter punches the boy again. "Don't you dare talk about her like that ever again," he snarls.

"I didn't mean it," the boy whimpers.

"Save your breath for some other useless shit," Peter snaps.

Some girls at the end of my table squeal. "He's so hot!" they exclaim.

I can't deny the fact that he's good looking, but the way he's holding that boy in the air makes his biceps flex. Let's just say I'm not exactly looking at the entire scene.

"I can't believe the lunch aids haven't stopped this yet," Clarity mutters.

"They know better than to get in his way," I say. "They've probably gone to get the principal."