letters to the boy who never cared

f i f t e e n

Summer, Grace, Jen and Matt comforted me in the best way they could, as whispers of "slut" and "thot" were thrown around behind my back. It took a month before I could grow a thicker skin. In English, I switched back with Alyssa Texiera. It was like Reed and I never happened.

"Alexa," Grace called out to me, skipping to catch up as I speed-walked to class. She slung her arm over my shoulder and hip-bumped me.

"Okay," she began, and I sighed. Her tone told me she was about to ask me to do something I wouldn't be interested in doing. Regardless, though, I'd end up being forced into whatever activity Grace was so excited about.

"My parents are concerned, because since my dad got sick, my social life has kinda diminished-- which is totally not true 'cause I have you and Summer and Jenny-bear and even Matty-- and they want me to do something."

I had to agree with Grace's parents on this one. Grace had always been the one dragging me to parties and various social events, but she'd been spending more and more nights at the hospital, and hadn't asked me to do anything in two months.

"Okay, so?" I pressed. "What do you want to do? "

Grace got that mischievous look as she smiled at me. "Come over Matt's tonight and help me plan a party! Please? When will my mom ever let me do this again?" She widened her big brown eyes into the cutest puppy-dog face ever, and I quirked up the side of my mouth, attempting to hide my smile. Grace grinned, knowing she had me.

"You in?" she asked slyly, bumping my shoulder.

"You know I am," I sighed resignedly. I could never resist Grace's puppy eyes.

Grace clapped her hands together triumphantly. "Great! Matty said come around six-ish."

I nodded at her. "Got it," I confirmed, before leaving to get to my next class.

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Jen couldn't make our impromptu party-planning meeting, so it was just the four of us in Matt's high-ceilinged living room, lounging on plush couches. Even after a month a of us hanging out at his house, Mrs. Carrigan wasn't really used to Matt having company, and kept us stocked with cookies the maid baked.

Summer dusted cookie crumbs out of her ginger hair. "You know, Matty, we've got a good thing going. I hope it always stays this way." She sunk her teeth into another cookie and laid down on the rug, smiling blissfully. "Great cookies, Marina," she called. "See you later."

Marina, who was just finishing her shift and packing up to leave, grinned at the unusual appreciation she got from Summer. "Thanks, sweetie. You have a nice night, kids," she called before leaving.

Grace tucked her feet under her, turning her eyes on Summer. "Do you really think you can get beers? That'd be great."

"Yeah. And Aiden knows a guy who can get a keg," Summer answered.

"You talked to Aiden?" Grace asked a little too quickly and in a shrill voice.

"Chill pill, yeah?" I muttered, quirking up one eyebrow as Summer and Matt did the same.

"I texted him," Matt clarified.

"Oh," Grace said in a lower voice, blushing furiously.

"Somebody's got a cravin' for a slice of Aiden..." Summer sing-songed. "Oh, hey, that kinda rhymed."

"You guys are so weird," Matt mumbled, shaking his head at us.

"Shut up, Matty," I dismissed him. "Yeah, Gracie-darling, what happened after you guys sucked face at his party?''