The Career ✓

02

        GWEN

                Beaming, Allie threw herself into my arms in a big hug. Confused, I tried to slip away, but Allie wouldn't let go until I gave her a proper bestie hug.

     "How was New York?" She asked when we finally pulled away.

    "Good," I answered. Really. Apart from when my brothers got too much breakfast at a fancy hotel and my parents yelled at them and I argued everything was free anyway and they could eat that much besides--- it was a weird morning.

         My heart beat at a rate that was unusual when I saw Alec walk into the room. Trying to stop myself but unable to, my mouth said the words my face couldn't: "Alec, you're cute!" Nervously, I added, "Today, that is. Otherwise you're like a Sully Cookie Monster!" I tried to tickle him, but he seriously let go. 

    Allie seemed a bit weirded out from the experience, and I knew why. We were in the halls, near our lockers. Fortunately, my scene hadn't attracted any unwanted attention. My head low, I said an apology and stalked off to class. It wasn't long before Allie caught up with me.

     "Hey, you okay?" She gave me a tissue. I didn't know what for.

I turned around, looking behind me. Alec was chatting uncomfortably with some guy, but when I whirled around, I noticed Allie staring at them, too, her jaw hanging open. "Are you okay?" I asked, poking her ribs. No response. Still, Allie whipped towards me, in a singing voice, "That's Cole Greene!"

     "No. Not possible." I took a better look, but sure enough, it was just about the most popular kid in my grade.

      Allie was the first one to break away and take my hand. "C'mon, we're gonna be late for class." As we matched schedules, we were quickly notified that we had everything together! Giving a lucky whoop, we walked to class.

     Allie and I have almost always had good classes, most with each other. Our luck percentage had always been high, but that was because our parents spoke to our principals and let them meet us every year. We ended up with the same stuff only because of that, but this year I'd managed to escape it, since I wasn't here. So how...?

      I shrugged the feeling off as I took my seat in the front. Allie happily joined next to me, but there was a slight hesitation. I knew why: she hated sitting in the front, as if every boy paid attention to her and nobody else all the time. Right.

      Still, I didn't mention it. 

After our last period, I planned to go home to do my piles and loads of homework while trying to deal with my little brothers (both younger) like usual. Thankfully, Alec invited me to his house to study. I called my mom to ask if it was okay, and she consented, dropping the heavy weight of a dinner curfew on me. 

    "Fine," I said, thankful she'd said yes at all, even if there were slight conditions.

I slipped into place at the dining table, surprised to see Cole emerge through the door after Allie. Unsurprisingly, Allie went to the front room, sat in a chair, and started stroking Oreo as she worked, chewing gummies too.

     I jealously tried to join, but she waved me away, saying she needed to concentrate. A voice came eagerly from behind me. "Do you want to watch a movie?" 

     I turned to find Alec standing near the couch, awaiting my answer. I gave in. It would only be an hour, and I had two. "How long is it?" I asked uneasily.

     "An hour." Alec chuckled brightly.

"Oh, okay, I'm fine then." An hour should be plenty to do my homework. We watched a sad movie and I tried not to cry as I leaned against Alec. He stayed surprisingly easy, and steadily held my weight, but gently pushed me off as he got up during one of the good parts. His loss, I thought.

   Wiping another tear from my damp face with a tissue, I couldn't help but wonder where Alec had gone. Surely it must've been somewhere important, since he'd missed the movie. I remembered his soft expression and rough shoulder as he willingly let me use him as a pillow. It wasn't a big deal, nothing romantic. I almost laughed when I realized Allie would hate every minute of our interaction.

      As I turned around, though, I could've sworn I saw his stony expression, as stiff as a brick, in the other room, whispering quietly to Allie. 

      ***

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Omg I'm so sorry for the short chapters! XD