These Violent Delights Have Violent Ends [h.s.]

Chapter 4

"We should be getting back now huh?" I ask.

"Now? We haven't even gotten ice cream yet," he says in a childish tone.

"I've kinda lost my appetite after that whole incident. Also, I've been gone for so long. Cassie and Aunt Jo are probably worried." Hopefully, no one notices that I'm literally missing.

"Wait. Cassie, as in Cassie Fraser? The one who goes to Eastwood High-School?" Dean said in a serious tone.

"Yeah, why?" I ask, curious for an answer.

"No reason. You're right we should get going." He gets up in a hurry wiping the dirt from his pants then lends his hand out. I grab it out in front of me and he pulls me up. As we were walking back to the car, something felt odd.

The ride back home wasn't as awkward as I'd anticipated it to be, considering we didn't really get a chance to talk due to my horrific panic attack which will forever go down as one of the top ten most embarrassing moments of my life.

The silence continued to take over for a few minutes till Dean started playing music from his phone. I asked him where the cord was since I didn't see a wire.

"It's Bluetooth," he says while waving his phone.

I suddenly notice how hi-tech and maintained his car was. Black interior, purple lights, two sunroofs, amazing sound system, seat warmers, etc. The list goes on and on. I observe the way he drove noticing how he didn't slouch or lean his chair back as most boys would. His back was straight while both hands gripped the wheel making his turns precise. Something about it reminded me of how most parents would drive, experienced and focused.

His sneakers were whiter than most people's teeth. It looked brand new as if he just bought them yesterday. Not a single crinkle was visibly on his dark gray shirt and those jeans, yeah those jeans might've been a tad bit tight but it complimented his long legs.

Dean had perfect sun-kissed skin with blonde hairs up and down his arms. His curly hair was a dark brown that flattered his flawless complexion. This boy was insanely beautiful, making even me insecure about my own looks.

I glance at my reflection in the window and saw a girl with swollen eyes wearing a tear-stained sweater carrying a face that resembled a look of malnourishment. Consciously, I shame myself in disgust all while closing my eyes to Dean's smooth driving, drowning out the melodic music.

"So, how long have you known Cassie?" I flinch as Dean's unexpected deep voice filled the car.

"We've been friends since birth. Our parents go way back since high-school. The majority of my friend group is the same way." I couldn't help but think of Bella and how excited I was to see her tomorrow. We have a lot of catching up to do.

"How would you describe her?" He asks. I turn my head facing Dean in cofusion but his eyes never broke contact from the road.

I laugh, "Why do you care?" As soon as the words left my mouth, he looked at me intensely, chuckled, then back at the road.

"You jealous, Alex?" I stare at the glove compartment not knowing how to answer his question. I wasn't the jealous type, never have been. Especially when it came to boys. Did I sound jealous? I felt like I was making it quite obvious.

"No, I'm not. Cassie is very sweet and caring. I think you two would get along."

Cassie is a true friend at heart, but at times she can be oblivious to the point where you feel like you're talking to a brick wall. I love her, I really do. It's just she's so caught up with her image and reputation where sometimes she's perceived as shallow and insensitive when deep down that's not true.

Dean shakes his head, "Alex, I was just asking a few questions about her that's all-"

"Because you like her right?" I didn't mean to interrupt him but I just wanted this conversation to be over. If he likes her then so be it. God, what was I thinking of hanging out with him tonight?

"Looks like we're here," Dean says. Shit, he totally avoided my question.

"Thanks for the ride." I jump out of the car in frustration and display a light smile followed by a wave good-bye until I turned my head in a direction he couldn't see my face. I express an emotionless look on my way to the door, replaying my current conversation in my head. What's wrong with me?

"Alex!" Dean screamed. I quickly turn around in hopes of him saying he wasn't interested in her, but in me.

After walking back to his car I see him waving my phone through the window. Of course. "You forgot this," he says.

"Oh, Thanks." As I grab my phone he latches onto my arm, startling me with his quick action.

"See you tomorrow," he winks. Frozen by his physical touch, I nod in return.

I stood there waiting until he safely left the neighborhood, soon driving off into the dark.

Cassie seemed to still be asleep when I came inside the room. Glancing at the clock that read ten thirty-five, I'd thought it best to wake her closer at eleven. I change into my PJ's all the while thinking about tonight. I couldn't believe I was so foolish into assuming he could be interested in me and not Cassie. She's got the looks and the reputation where I felt inferior in both departments.

I didn't feel jealous because I wanted him in a romantic way. Who's kidding, yes I did.

Though, it was more than that. Things have been so lifeless and dull since my parents passing leaving me to grow an unbearable weight of numbness. It's no one's job to help me get through this tragedy, but the effort to move on has been difficult. All I desperately needed was one good thing, just for my keeping.

(So Alex's name used to be Naomi until I changed it so if you see Naomi just know I mean Alex)