Different in the Same Ways

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"Er mer gersh really!" I exclaimed, giggling. Alex was giggling too, "Yeah! It was so funny, we laughed every time the subject came up for hours!" he laughed. I chuckled, covering my mouth with my hands to keep from spitting popcorn. We were sitting across from each other on different ends of my bed. Alex's legs were folded in front of him while mine were outstretched, my feet resting on his lap. The popcorn bowl balanced on my legs as we both grabbed another handful. I picked one out of my palm and munched on it then chanced a glance at the still sleeping Scar. Luke was already awake, staring down at her in admiration. I smiled slightly, "You want some popcorn dude?" I asked him.

He looked up at me hesitantly, tearing his eyes away from Scar, "No thanks," he said, staring back down at Scar. I rolled my eyes, "You sure?" There was a moment of silence before we heard a low grumble. Luke flushed, "No," he mumbled. I smiled triumphantly, "Open your mouth," I told him. He obeyed, widening his mouth into a big O and tilted his chin back. I took a single piece out of my hand and aimed. Fired. Scored. Luke chewed happily. Alex chuckled, and I showed off by tossing one up into the air and catching it myself.

"Hey Ellie, catch," Alex said. He was holding up a violet grape, aiming for my open mouth. Alex, tossed it in the air and landed perfectly on my tongue.

"Grapes purify the soul," I whispered, chewing happily and doing a weird happy dance in my seat. Alex and Luke chuckled softly as they threw food at each other, trying to make it into each other's mouths.  We tossed a few more grapes and popcorn when a friend of Alex's brought in our dinner. Then we joked and chatted quietly, eating our burgers. 

"These are much better than the last ones I had," Alex commented.

"Yeah," Luke agreed, "Much less grease." I smiled proudly.

"I know," I said, " I had the head chef, Steve, or Cookie as I like to call him, make a new burger recipe. One's with less fat and grease and more meat."  I saved some... okay, most of my food for Scar.

Soon more initiates began coming in, getting ready for bed. Jude and her boys were all just now getting ready for bed. Most of the girls were already snuggled tight into their sheets, chatting excitedly about who knows what. Alex and I joined in and cleaned up my bed. We were starting the Emotional Stage tomorrow. The mental tests where we face our fears.

I feel calm about it, as expected. Whenever I'm anxious about something like a test or a dare or in this case, the Emotional Stage, I seem to avoid thinking about the subject entirely without even knowing it. It happens a lot, I look and feel perfectly calm while others are freaking out. Even when I am thinking about it, I have a knack for staying completely calm. I'm weird like that.  

I quickly changed behind the blanket Scar usually holds for me as  do for her, but this time, I trust Alex enough to hold it up and not take a peek. I took the blanket from Alex and sat in bed. I quickly sketched out Luke and Scar together on a napkin. Just their bodies, no faces. I'm too tired for detail. I smirked proudly before laying down, snuggling in my blankets facing Alex.

He was already half asleep, facing me, his eyes open only slightly, watching me. He smiled. I smiled back.

"I enjoyed our date," he said sleepily, "Though we were never really alone." I shrugged, "I think a first date should always be a double date. After you really trust your partner enough to be alone with them," I replied. He nodded, agreeing, "I agree but don't you trust me?" he asked, teasing. I mentally rolled my eyes, "Well yeah but I don't want anyone in the future coming up to me expecting to be alone a first date then whining about a boy named Alex when I refuse to be alone with him."

"Le gasp! True," Alex said coping my earlier actions.

"No! Bad Alex! That's my thing," I scolded playfully, pointing an accusing finger at him.