I Am Unstoppable (Book 2)

Chapter Twenty: T is for Time

I button all of the buttons on my white and black plaid shirt and put on a tiny bit of cologne. I fix the collar on my shirt, which was originally sticking up. I look at my reflection in the mirror.

Good enough, I guess.

I unplug my phone from its charger and check the battery percentage. One-hundred percent. No messages, either.

Hmm.

I make sure my shoes have no marks on them. I'm wearing my bright white sneakers, since they compliment my white and black plaid shirt. My white shoelaces are tied tightly, my outfit is complete, and to be honest, I look pretty damn hot.

Oops, that sounded a little conceited.

Let me rephrase that-I look pretty damn nice.

Better.

I never dress like this. I'm more of a "baseball jersey or t-shirt" type of guy. When I get a little dressed up, however, I make sure I look extra nice.

I take a deep breath and walk out of my room, heading downstairs to go to school. Tyler stops me halfway down the stairs, shouting, "Damn, Richard!"

I roll my eyes with a grin. "Shut up."

My mother, who was sitting at the dining room table drinking a cup of coffee, comments once she sees me. "Richard, you look very nice today."

"Thank you." I grab a cereal bar located on the kitchen counter and take a bite out of it, measuring up to about half of the bar.

"You still eat like a pig," Tyler utters.

Tyler is dressed like he usually is-a football t-shirt and some sweats. He's the type of person who could care less about what he wears to school, as long as he's comfortable. If I'm not in a good mood or if I'm not feeling well, then I'll dress up like he does, making it super obvious that we're brothers.

I give him a cold glower. "Let's go, slowpoke. Stop insulting me and get your ass in the car!"

"Goodbye, boys," my mother says in a voice, making me feel as if she wants us to leave.

I kiss her forehead. "Bye, Mom."

Tyler, who never liked kissing or hugging Mom, just mutters a quick "bye" and exits the house with me. His keys are in his hand, dangling and making that easily recognizable sound. His car is parked on the street, all alone. We have a steep driveway pretty high up from the street, making it quite a walk just to get in the car.

The car ride goes by in an instant. The whole time, we just listen to the radio, naming the songs we like and the ones we don't. When an Iggy Azalea song came on ("Fancy"), Tyler started rapping and jamming out loud, sort of embarrassing me.

We got many weird looks from strangers driving along the same road as us.

Ed Sheeran came on after that ("Sing"), and honestly, I will admit it-Tyler and I both jammed out to that song, knowing every single word.

Don't judge me.

We arrive to school about five minutes later. Just like usual, not that many people are there. The hallways seem quite empty, quiet, and just plain peaceful.

In a matter of about ten minutes or so, the hallways will be crowded, loud, and just plain awful.

Tyler and I walk laps around the school together to kill some time. Knowing Tyler, he'll most likely ditch me once he sees Jake or Kyle (his other best friend, one who I can't stand-and doesn't like me either). If I see Alia, or... well, just Alia, since I don't really have any other friends, I'll ditch him.

"So Richard," Tyler says as we walk past the Math Wing, "what's new with you and Alia?"

I feel my face get warm as I blush. "Not much, I guess."

He chuckles quietly, shaking his head. "Don't lie to me, bro."

Ah, the old "Stop Hiding Things From Me" card. Classic.

What should I tell him? I dreamt about marrying her? Or we kissed twice? Or she bitched at my ex only to protect me from future pain?

I don't know.

I mumble, "We like each other a little more than before."

Tyler remains silent for a little while as we then go down the World Languages hallway. We pass by a hanging Portuguese flag (PORTUGAL!) and a Brazilian flag, followed by the flag of France, Japan, and last but not least-America.

"Well, Richard, by the way you look right now, I don't blame her."

Aww, that was kind of... sweet.

I giggle and look ahead of me, seeing Alia walking the opposite way as me, getting closer and closer. This time, I'm the one dressed up and she's the one looking normal.

My heart stops beating faster and faster as she gets closer and closer.

Eventually, she's standing right in front of me near the stairs.

"Good morning, Richard," she greets with a beaming smile. She glances at Tyler. "And good morning, Tyler."

"Hello, future sister-in-law," he greets back with a wink. I noticeably elbow him in the stomach, trying to hide embarrassment.

Alia laughs. "Okay then." She brings her attention towards me, checking out my outfit choice for today. "Wow, Richard," she says as her eyes grow in astonishment, "you look wicked cute today."

Hmm. "Cute". Not "nice"; "cute".

My face gets even redder. "Thanks."

Tyler gives me a funny look with a smirk on his face. "Well, I guess I'll leave you two love birds alone."

That's exactly what Lively said to us a few days ago at lunch.

"Tell me if you two lose your V-card," he whispers in my ear as he tries to hold back a laugh. He pats my back gently and walks away, leaving Alia and I all alone in a hallway growing in population.

Asshole.

"So," Alia says, breaking the silence. "Why are you all dressed up today?"

Yeah, Richard, why?

I sigh with a smile, ready to tell her (and you!) my reasoning for dressing up like this. "I wanted to impress a special someone."

"Me?" Alia queries, her face resembling the color of a cherry.

I nod with a smile.

"Aww." She pulls me in for a hug, kissing my cheek gently. A few people put some of their attention to us, but I don't really care. "You're such a flirt."

"Only to you." I grab her hand. "You're single, right?"

Duh, dumb ass. God, I can be so dumb.

Alia giggles at my question. "Yes I am, Richard."

"Stop lying." I kiss her lips gently. "Last time I checked, you were going out with some kid by the name of Richard Macedo."

Her mouth drops and her eyes widen. Her face remains as red as a cherry (maybe even getting a little redder). "Richard Macedo, are you saying that I'm your girlfriend?"

I wrap my arm around her waist and begin to walk with her down the Science hallway. "Yes, Alia, I am." I smile.

That's why I dressed up. I wanted to make the occasion special. Doing this, however, makes me realize that dressing up didn't really change anything. Alia was dressed like she normally is, and trust me-she never looked more beautiful.