The Epitome of Me

Chapter Four: Suspended (Part Two)

I was still pondering the possibility of Alex being gay come the next morning. My mom even noticed I was more out of it than usual. "Hey, space cadet, do you still want a ride to school? 'Cause, you'd better get a move on if you do." She smiled, waving a hand in front of my face to break my trance.

"Oh sorry, I'm just ... Uh, really tired." I lied, running up to my room to get dressed. What could I wear to get Alex's attention? I decided on a pair of acid-washed mom jeans and a navy blue and green flannel over a plain white crop top. I tied my hair up into cyber buns and slapped on some red lipstick, grabbing my backpack and heading back downstairs.

"You look nice, " my dad smirked, throwing an arm around my mom's shoulders. "Think she's got a boyfriend, Ann?" I made a face and my mom chuckled, raising her eyebrows.

"Our little girl is growing up, Roger!" She gushed, rushing towards me and pinching my cheeks before kissing my forehead and pulling me into a hug.

"Mooooommm!" I protested but hugged her back. "We gotta go, I don't want to be late for school." Another lie. I just wanted to see Alex again.

Reluctantly she let me go, handing me a paper bag. "Here's your lunch. Oh, and dad and I are going out for dinner tonight, so see if Elgin can have you over. You can have a sleepover if you want, just remember what I said," I cut her off before she could go on and on about boys and girls sharing rooms. 

"I know, I know. Their guest room is practically my second bedroom." I rolled my eyes playfully as we all made our way out to the car. You'd think she would realize by now that Elgin and I were definitely not involved. Apparently, the adults in our lives were not that observant. Elgin and I had never looked at each other like that.

Well, except for that time when he kissed me in eighth grade. We had been sitting in his room talking and all of a sudden he leaned in and planted a big one on my lips. We had both immediately jumped apart, me in shock and him in disgust. "What the hell, Elgin!" I had shouted, wiping my lips furiously.

"I-I'm sorry, leech. The guys ... They kept saying that we were a couple and I just wanted to know if there was, like, a spark or something." He had mumbled. I remember thinking that was the stupidest thing I had ever heard. It wasn't like Elgin was particularly unattractive, I just didn't see him like that.

"Well?" I had asked, knowing the answer before it left his lips. His face was contorted too much for the answer to be anything but no.

"Nope. You're cute and all, but not my type." He had grinned, nudging me with his elbow. That was when he came out to me, "Hey Jamie?"

"Yeah?" His tone shift had made me nervous. He was serious at that moment. I wasn't sure what he was about to say, but I knew that I had to be there for him no matter what it was.

"I'm gay." His words never phased me. Mine did, just a little.

"Me too," I had replied. It just popped out, but I knew it was true as soon as it did. And the rest, as they say, is history.

I saw Alex as soon as we pulled into the school parking lot. She was vaping by the dumpster and I shook my head, trying to hide my smirk. Of course, she vaped. "What's so funny?" My dad eyeballed me through the rearview mirror. Busted.

"Oh nothing, I just have a feeling today's gonna be a good day." I shrugged, opening up the car door. This much lying was making my stomach churn but I plastered a smile onto my lips and said, "Thanks for the ride, have a good day!"

"You too, honey, love you!" My mom cooed as I got out of the car.

"Love you too, mom. Bye dad," my dad waved and I closed the door as he started to drive away.