Thanks to You

Your Call

    It was late and I was tired, hungry, and cold. I had left the 'Gaskarth' shop three blocks down and was starting to realize this was a bad idea. I pulled my hood over my head to keep the wind and snow from hitting my face. "Summer you're such an idiot." I mumbled to myself. I hurried around a corner and bumped into a man. "Sorry." I said as he stabilized me. "No that was my fault, what are you doing out here?" He asked trying not to slip himself.

    I looked up to meet his dark brown eyes, they were almost black. His hair was medium length and messy, the black strands smacked his face in the wind. "Um, I could ask you the same question." I half laughed. He smiled and looked over his shoulder, "Wanna hide in there?" He asked pointing to an open café. I nodded and we both jogged across the street together. He held the door open for me and followed behind as I walked towards a booth.

    The shop was small and cozy, unlike the icy hell outside. I took off my coat and tried to tame my messy hair. He smiled as I did so and ordered a couple coffees for us. "I'm sorry I never got your name." He said handing me a coffee with the words 'Snow White'  scribbled on it. I laughed, "Its Summer, thanks." I giggled. "Summer..." He seemed to be contemplating something as he said it. "Well I'm Kellin, Kellin Quinn." He smiled. "Well thank you Kellin for saving me." I joked. We talked for a while when my phone started ringing. I he nodded so I answered.

"Summer! Are you okay? Where are you? Dad said you were at the shop are you still there?" Alex asked in pure panic. I held the phone back from my ear as he rambled. "I'm fine Alex, yeah I was there, all day." I said rolling my eyes. Kellin laughed and I half smiled. "Who is that?" Alex asked in a much lower tone. "I'm at the café down the street with a new friend. Where the hell have you been all day?" I asked in annoyance and winking to Kellin. "I was, um, I stayed home. Are you sure you're okay? You rushed out of my place yesterday." He said a bit hurt.

    I tried to control myself at the thought of the other day. Hearing Alex say how he truly felt behind my back. "Yes I'm fine, Kellins got me covered." I smirked. "Kellin? Kellin Quinn?" Alex asked. I hesitated, "How did yo- give him the phone." Alex said cutting me off. I covered the phone, "He wants to talk to you... Alex Gaskarth." I added. Kellins eyes lit up and nodded. I handed him the phone and watched him nervously.

    "Hey man!" Kellin answered. He would occasionally glance up at me and smile when Alex spoke which just made me uncomfortable. "Well she was running around a corner and we bumped into each other, what about you?" Kellin asked taking a sip. "Oh, okay yeah. What about tomorrow? No, its too bad out right now. Bye." He said handing me back my phone. "Are you busy tomorrow?" Alex asked. "I have school in the morning, but I'm free after that." I said stirring my drink. "I thought you had afternoon classes?" Alex asked. I bit my lip, "I'm skipping it. I can explain later." I said trying to hurry the conversation. "See you tomorrow?" He asked. "Yeah." I sighed.

    I stared at the table and played with the crumbs absent mindedly. "Everything okay?" Kellin asked trying to meet my eyes. "Hm? Yeah, just thinking." I replied. "So, how do you know Gaskarth?" I asked. He laughed, "I met Alex in our sophomore year of highschool in band. He and I hung out cause we liked the same music, and we weren't the most popular people." He chuckled. "Actually he had just called me a few days ago about something. It was pretty funny now that I think about it." He laughed. I looked at him confused, "Why? What did he say?" I asked.

    "He called me about a person that he didn't know what to do with." He said biting his pink lip. "And what did you say?" I asked pushing him. "I said he should take the risk, and he obviously didn't listen." He laughed. "Why do you say that?" I asked with interest. He leaned forward slightly, "Because you're sitting here with me right now." He smiled sitting back.

The next afternoon

   I decided to continue with my plan of skipping my last class. I was not ready to handle my English teacher after the past two days. I waited out in front of my school until a familiar back car pulled up and Alex stepped out with his hands in his pockets. I slung my back pack over my shoulder, "Hi." I said. He tossed my bag in the back of his car and half smiled. "Ready?" He asked, and I nodded.

   We were only five minutes from his apartment now. "So why did you stop going to classes?" He asked. I shifted in my seat, "Um, I can't.. I just don't want to go." I mumbled. Alex touched my leg, "Summer, cmon is someone bothering you? Is it a guy? I can take care of him for you if you want." He offered. I smiled at the thought of my teacher getting his face pounded in but shook my head. "No, well yes, but you can't stop him." I replied. "Why not?" Alex asked removing his hand. "Because he's my teacher." I replied. Alex slammed the breaks causing us both to get thrown forward. "What?!" He yelled.

    "Alex calm down, its nothing I promise." I said holding his flexed arm. He glared at me, "Summer he can't so that to you, you're a student. Has he touched you? I swear If he has I'm going to kill him.." Alex said fuming. I sat back now a little scared, "He tried to kiss me by keeping me in detention, that's all. I got out before he could do anything else." I said in a low voice. Alex looked at me and softened looking back through the window. "I'm sorry Summer, I didnt mean to scare you. I just... You don't deserve that." He said trailing off. "Alex its okay, you dont have to worry about me." I assured him. "I do, you're my best friend its my job and I promised." He said locking eyes with me.

    "Hey!" Kellin said hurrying up to me and hugging me. "Hi Kellin." I replied. Alex stood off to the side clearly uncomfortable, and mumbled something to himself. 'Was he giving himself a pep talk?' I thought. "So why did you want me to come over?" I asked still confused. Zack stepped forward and scratched the back of his neck. "It was my idea, I kind of need your help." He laughed. I smiled, "What with?" I asked. "Cooking." He replied.

   "Our little Zack is trying to impress a girl by cooking her dinner." Jack interjected. "Ohhh got it." I said nodding.

     After five hours of practice and Rian having to fix the fire alarm three times, Zack finally made a flawless steak meal. Alex sat talking with Jack and Kellin discussing something. Occasionally I would meet a worried glance as he looked at me. He was obviously hurting inside, but didn't know what to do. Zack was elated beyond words at his accomplishment. He picked me up and spun me around in a hug, "We did it!" He exclaimed. I alughed, "No, you did it!" He laughed and shook his head, "No way I couldn't have done it without you." He smiled.

  Alex clenched his jaw as he watched Zack kiss my cheek in thanks and started getting more intense talking with Kellin. I tried to ignore his attention but my mind wouldn't let Alex go, or was it my heart? 'No, stop it. He doesn't like you, you heard him.' I thought. "Do it." Kellin challenged Alex from the couch. Alex shook his head, "I can't." He replied. "If you don't, I will." Kellin smirked. Alex's face went pale and full of fear. He didnt look at Kellin or me. Kellin shrugged and stood up walking over to me. I met him in the kitchen doorway as Zack started cleaning up.

   "Hey Summer?" He asked. "Yeah?" I asked nervously. Alex stood with his back turned to me and folded his arms. "I want to ask you something, but its your call." Kellin replied. I nodded, "Okay, go ahead." I said. "Will you go out with me?" He asked point blank. I froze and looked at Alex who was still ignoring me. I straightened my back and smiled, "I'd love to." I replied.