The Stranger

Chapter 4.

I'm pacing. I'm sweating. I'm biting my nails. I'm overthinking. Did Oscar really give me his number? Does this mean.. he likes me? Or maybe.. he's intrested? Ugh!! Being a girl is so hard. Why can't he just be honest and tell me "Dazie, I like you!" But that'll be insane.. oh my gosh. I'm insane for even thinking he likes me. It's too soon! Way too soon! Okay.. breathe.. come back to Earth. Should I text him? Yeah, yeah, I should! Grasping my phone nervously, I began to type in his phone number. Maybe a simple, "Hey!" No, no delete.. "Hiiii, it's Daze." No, no, too extra. I got it!

Dazie: hey :)
Oscar: hey you.

How does he know it's me? Someone of his caliber has to have tons of girls lined up. "Daze, are you finished?" I completely forgot I've been snug in Alex's restroom. "Yeah! I'm coming out now!" I picked myself up from sitting in the corner, washed my hands and walked out while patting my hair down. "Is your tummy okay? You've been in there for a while." He said playfully. I giggled lightly, "Yes, I'm fine. I was just.. uh, thinking." "Thinking about what?" "Nothing, it's nothing." Alex faced his body towards me on the bed. "Daze. C'mon. I know you." I bit my bottom lip, contemplating if I should confess that me and Oscar shared text messages. Well, maybe only two. But it still counts.

I shook my head rapidly saying no. "No, can do Ale." "This is so unlike you Daze. We're best friends, I know all your widdo secrets." He said while leaning in to tickle me under the arms. I let out a loud yelp, "Stop!! Moooove!" "No, can do Daze." He continued to tickle me until, ny phone vibrated. We both adjusted our attention towards my phone, and before I knew it, Alex launched hisself towards my phone, and started to unlock the passcode. "Alex, wait!" I screamed lowly. I didn't want his parents walking in from all the ruckus. "Ah, so, you have a mystery number texting you, hm?" I sat up quickly and tried to grab my phone again, but he kept pushing me away while controlling my phone with the other. Suddenly, he stopped pushing me away and the mood changed within the atmosphere. "Ale, give me my phone, please." He flung the phone on the bed, and sat quietly on his beanbag. I pressed my eyebrows together, retrieving my phone finally and looked at the most recent message. It was from him.

Oscar: didn't think you'd go missing so soon.

I looked at Alex with concern. "Why are you acting so odd?" "Who is that?" He replied quickly and sternly. "Uh, why does it matter?" "Because, I want to know if you're seeing someone? Wouldn't you tell me that?" I sighed and sat down on the edge of his bed, placing my hands on my knees. "Yes, Alex. Of course. But this isn't what you think. We're jus—"Friends?" He moved from the beanbag to his window, gazing at the clouds. "It looks as if a storm is coming." "I'll stay the night like I always do." I replied. He shook his head. "No, I think you should go." Now he was being weird. "Alex, you know, every Friday night we—"Daze, please. I need some time alone. I think my parents want to watch the new Netflix series Sugar Rush, anyway."

I reached for his arm, only for him to tug away from me. Silence filled his room and I knew the best thing for me to do in this moment was to pack my bags and head home. Walking towards his door felt as if a knife was stabbing me a thousand times. Was I losing him? I grabbed his door knob, slightly turning it before letting go. I looked over my shoulder to get a final gaze of his chiseled face.

"Ale.." My voice trailed. "Hm?" "Is this the end?" He pushed his hair to the side, "No." "So, what is this? Why are you kicking me out? Why are you acting like this." He turned around, walking towards me with a confident stride. His lips were inches from mine. "Because, I admire you Daze." My lips opened slightly. I couldn't speak. "I've always admired you. The way you–." He backed away slowly, and I so desperately wanted him to come back into my space. "It doesn't matter." He finished. "It matters to me.." I said softly. "It really doesn't Daze. You have mystery man texting your phone. You should probably let him know you're alive."

He said this with such an attitude, that I knew it affected him. How could I have been so blind? Alex likes me? Possibly love. He's kept this from me for so long. Or maybe he recently started feeling this way? I think I may pass out. Okay, maybe.. I feel the same way too? No, no. He's my best friend.. But the way his hazel eyes meets mine, his deep dimples that shows when he smiles, his laugh is infectious, his jet black hair that looks so sexy pushed back. I.. I think I—"Well?" He said cutting my thoughts short. "Well, what?" "Are you going to get going and text your man." "He's not my man, dammit!"

I know my harsh choice of words, took him for a surprise because his neck jolted back. He raised his hands in surrender. "Sorry." "It's fine." I replied, looking down at my dirty white vans. "I'll just go." I turned around to exit and suddenly he gripped my right arm, swinging me around. Inches. Inches away from my best friend's lips. "Wait." His eyes closed and I followed in his steps. His lips, fit so perfectly against mine. I felt as if I was dancing on clouds; he cupped my face with both of his hands, pushing his weight onto me as my body gently banged against his door. Softly he tugged on my bottom lip, while opening his eyes slowly, meeting my gaze. What is happening? "Do you still want to go?" He whispered against my lips. "No." I dropped my bag as he grabbed my hand, leading me to the bed.
                                            * * * *
Buzzzz. Buzzzz. Buzzzz.

Oscar: i guess you really did go missing.