One Letter Away

The Hangout with Alex Carter

12:00 and I still haven't made my choice yet. How bout I just tell him "no way." No I shouldn't do that. That'll ruin my chances.

We all were watching Titanic and everyone fell asleep on it besides me. How in the world can someone fall asleep on one of the best romantic movies ever? Valentina still has popcorn in her mouth while she's still sleep. Riley's lying her head on my shoulder while she snores peacefully. Kayla and Zoey are on the floor sleeping like a couple of newborn puppies. Just as the boat is about to sink, my focus vanishes with just a ding of my phone. I picked it up and it appears to be Alex's text again.

"You still up?" said the text.

"Yes."

"You still haven't given me an answer yet." Oh my god, he can't just take a hint for once? I came up with one word which appears to be my answer.

"I'll go with you."

"Great! Where are you."

"I'm at Zoey's house." I typed. "560 Grover Street. Do you know where that is."

"Oh yea, I know where that is." said the text. "I'll pick you up in a few."

I didn't know what to say after that. Alex Carter is taking me out on a date. Well not a date, we're just hanging out for a little while. I slowly stood up from the chair so that Riley wouldn't wake up. My nervousness begins to develop. I'm taking deep breaths as I pace around the room.

After a few minutes of pacing and breath taking, a sit outside waiting for Alex to show up. All of a sudden, he pulls up on the side of the road. My skin boils inside as my nervousness takes me away. I walked up to the car and jumped inside the front seat.

When we got to the lookout area, I could see the whole city from up there. All the lights and moving cars. There was nobody but us. Alone and warm with a feeling that I'm on top of the whole city.

"This is beautiful." I said leaning against the fence.

"Yea, me and my buddies come up here often." His voice is so deep and soft. I watched the wind blow on his wavy hair as my anxiety vanishes. This is so bad. I am alone with Alex Carter when I am part of the Single Ladies Club. This is against the rules. "Can I ask you a question?" he asked.

"Shoot."

"Why are you part of the Single Ladies Club?" This is a question that I don't know how to answer. It's like asking a girl why doesn't she have a boyfriend.

"I don't know, it's where my friends are mostly part of and I can't be friends with them if I'm not part of it. My best friend from Pre-K is in it and I hate the thought of her being in the club without me."

"So you just want to be part of it because your friends are?"

"Yea, I guess you could say it like that."

"You fall for peer pressure, Emma Taylor. You're friends can't tell anyone who you can and can't date." I guess he's right, but I'm not falling for that. I fell for peer pressure so why not fall for this.

"Can't say you're wrong." I said looking at the lights of a building.

"You can find new friends since you're the most popular girl in school. Just forget about the rules and live your life free." Is he trying to convince me to leave the club.

"Well, I have to go back to Zoey's." I said changing the subject. "They're probably worried about me."

"C'mon, I'll drive you back." he said taking my hand and holding it until we made our way back to the car. I just had a conversation with Alex Carter. This is a dream that I never even had.

He drove me back to Zoey's and parked on the side of the road. He unbuckled my seat belt and opened the door for me.

"See you around." he said.

"Okay." He leaned in towards my face and planted a kiss on my lips. My skin boils as I look into his glowing blue eyes. I'm shaking inside. My heart is about to explode out of my chest.

"Good Night, Alex." I said before getting out of the car.

"Night, Emma." He drove off as I walked back into the house. Before I could make 5 steps into the house, Riley stands there with her shoulders shrugged, looking like my mother.

"Are you fucking kidding me?" she whispered. Oh my God, she knows!

"Um.. I uh, I-I can explain." I stammered. I seriously have nothing to explain. Congratulations, Emma Taylor. You are the biggest asshole in the fucking world.

"You hung out with Alex Carter?"

"I couldn't say no to him." I said walking to the bathroom.

"We've been doing that since freshman year."

"This is different." I said turning back at her. "We're finally getting to know each other now. Just please don't tell anyone."

"I don't know, Emma."

"Please?" I repeated.

"All right, but you can't do anything else with him."

"Done." I agreed. "Thank you so much, Riley." I walked into the bathroom and close the door in front of her. This finally worked out pretty great. No one knows but me, Alex, and Riley. If Zoey finds out, she's gonna freak.