Adventures of Alexis Davenport Series
Page 21
Jennifer picked up the laptop and sat back down on the bed. “My sister was online a minute ago. I’ll ask her about it.”
“You can’t ask your sister that stuff! Can you?” Alex was torn between embarrassment and hope.
“That’s what sisters are for, silly! She’ll understand and not tell anyone. Would you rather ask your mom?”
“I don’t want her to know I’ve been thinking about this stuff. She would lock me up and throw away the key.”
“Good! She’s still on.” Jennifer typed frantically. She and Alex waited anxiously for her to answer back.
“She says to take gum, to relax, and let the boys lead the way,” Jennifer said.
“That doesn’t sound very helpful,” Alex said glumly.
“Maxi says if you’re too worked up you’ll be all stiff and that’s the worst thing. She said that it honestly isn’t hard and it’ll come naturally,” Jennifer sighed and rolled her eyes. “Whatever that means.”
“Well, we need to bring gum and make sure we chew it all the time. Maybe we shouldn’t get any popcorn or anything at the movie. What if they go to kiss us and we have kernels in our teeth?”
Jennifer laughed. “Alex, you’ve traveled through time, foiled the evil plot of some guy three times, died, found your way back, and you’re worried about kissing a boy?”
“This isn’t funny! If I’m a horrible kisser, this could be all over the school in a matter of minutes! I’ll be a laughing stock. No guy will ever ask me out again. I’ll be a social outcast before I’m even a sophomore.” Alex flung herself face down on the bed.
Jennifer’s laughter was on the verge of hysterical. She couldn’t stop. “Oh, this is too funny.” She took several deep breaths. “At least we’re doing this together.”
“True.” Alex’s voice was muffled from her face being pressed into her comforter.
A knock on the door interrupted their discussion of kissing boys. Patricia asked if the girls were ready for some desert and their movie. She frowned at the mess of clothes piled on the floor.
“I’ll pick them up after the movie. I promise. I was just figuring out what to wear tomorrow night,” Alex said.
C.C. had picked up a romantic comedy for the girls. Patricia read a book while the girls ate popcorn and candy and watched the movie, giggling and whispering.
As promised, Alex put her clothes away, with Jennifer’s help. The girls sat together on Alex’s bed, chatting with Drake and James about the date the following night. Alex was receiving a ton of posts from friends, telling her to have a great time on her date and to post all of the details as soon as she got home. Alex wanted to stay up longer, but her mom knocked and told the girls it was time for lights out. They had to leave early the next morning so they could take Jennifer home before going to the store.
Alex thought she was far too nervous to sleep but in a very short time, her eyes closed and she fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.
CHAPTER 50
ALEX FUSSED WITH her hair while Jennifer got her things together. C.C. had waffles ready for them. Alex slathered hers with butter and homemade blackberry jam. Jennifer wasn’t used to having meals cooked for her. Her mother and father were both busy so their meals consisted of take-out or simple things her mom could just throw together quickly. She praised C.C., savoring every bite of the fluffy waffles.
The girls couldn’t stop talking about the dinner and movie date. They whispered and giggled in the back seat of the Blazer, Jenn posting to Facebook using her phones, trying to keep the virtual world appraised of their every move. Alex wished she had internet capability on her phone but she knew her mom would never budge at paying for something she would consider frivolous.
After they dropped Jennifer off, Patricia finally broached a subject she had been wanting to talk to Alex about for a few days. “I need to talk to you about something. I know how much you like living in the guesthouse, but I was thinking that maybe it’s time that we get a place of our own.”
Alex was stunned. She’d been so busy with school, the problems with Catelyn and Beau, the plays, not to mention the uncontrollable travelling back in time that she hadn’t really given much thought to their living situation. She had grown comfortable with living in the guesthouse and had enjoyed spending time with her aunt and C.C.
“What did you have in mind?”
“There’s a house for rent near here. It’s really nice and is still close enough that we could visit Karen and C.C.”
“Have you told Karen about this?” Alex knew getting their own place would be a good thing and yet she wanted to stay where they were. She thought Karen would miss them terribly.
“Not yet. I wanted to talk with you first.” Patricia glanced at Alex. “You don’t like the idea?”
Alex bit her lip. “I like the idea of having our own place but I also like living where we are.” She shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“I understand. But I feel like a free-loader and I don’t like that. Karen has been more than generous and I don’t want to take advantage of her.”
“It’s just nice to have money for stuff other than just the basics. I don’t want to go back to eating ramen noodles and hamburger helper and wearing thrift store clothes again.” Alex’s anger rose when she thought of the way they had lived in Longmont. She had been unhappy and jealous of the people around her who seemed to have everything she didn’t.
“There’s nothing wrong with having only basic necessities, Lexi. All the other stuff is just stuff. If you have the extra money to buy it, then fine and dandy. But going into debt trying hard to impress people with how much you have isn’t the right way to do things. You should be proud of working for the things you have and feel bad about someone just handing you a living.”
“It’s not that easy, Mom! Do you have any idea how hard it is being the only kid in school without a cell phone, or the latest clothes, or living in a dump? If we have to live on our own, we’ll have to give up all this cool stuff. I just think it’s selfish of you to want to take all this away, especially if Karen is okay with things.” Alex crossed her arms over her chest and sulked in the passenger seat of the Blazer. She could almost hear Catelyn’s laughter when she saw Alex back to wearing ragged clothes.
“You’re being melodramatic, Alexis! You’re not the only kid without those things and you actually do have a phone! And if the people at school think a person’s merit comes from the size of the house their parents live in, then they’re not the kind of people you should care to be impressing.”
“And how long will I have this phone when we move out? I’ll probably end up having to give it back!”
“Who said anything about having to give the phone back? Do you really think I would rent a house that would take all of the money I make and leave us with nothing? I’ve been saving almost every penny I've earned working at the store and have built up quite a nice savings account. We might have to budget a little but things really aren’t going to change that drastically.”
Alex rolled her eyes and didn’t say anything. Just when things are going so great, Mom has to go and ruin everything! She didn’t want to leave the guesthouse any more than she wanted to leave Longmont. I can’t wait until I’m eighteen and can make my own decisions!
The two did not speak to one another as they drove to the store on Main Street. Karen was already working and frowned when she saw Alex’s red eyes.
Alex stormed into the back room, shaking with anger. She had grown so used to having the things that her parents had not been able to afford back home. It was nice to have the phone and clothes the other kids had. She didn’t want to go back to the way things were. Maybe Karen will talk Mom out of leaving.
Alex got to work. She forced her brain to focus on the date that evening instead of the impending move. The day that should have been so full of anticipation was now soured for her. She sent a text message to Jennifer and told her about her mother’s idea. Jennifer seemed to think it would be great. Alex explain
ed how things were back in Longmont, even though it was hard to admit these personal things about her life. She never spoke of Gary and his abrupt leaving. It was too hard to admit her life wasn’t perfect. Her friends seemed to have it all: families, siblings, money.
Jennifer sent her a text telling her not to worry about this stuff right now. She wanted Alex cheerful for their date.
As the afternoon passed, Alex found her mood improving. She was still not happy about having to leave her aunt’s guest house but she was determined to not let thoughts of that ruin her date. The butterflies returned and she hoped that she wouldn’t vomit during dinner.
She was silent on the drive home. It was obvious that it bothered her mother but she didn’t care. Alex didn’t want to move and she was tired of the adults in her life making all of these decisions that affected her and telling her it was for her own good.
Alex hurried to her room to curl her hair. She only had thirty minutes before Drake and James would arrive. They were picking Jennifer up first. Alex felt pity for Jennifer. She hoped it wouldn’t be too awkward for her to ride with them alone.
She waited anxiously in the living room of her aunt’s house. C.C. told her to sit down and quit chewing her nails.
“A man don’t like a girl with ugly hands, Alex.” C.C. gave her hands a swat on her way to the kitchen.
Alex tried to sit but was too edgy and got up to pace. When the doorbell rang, she thought she was going to faint.
“Calm down, Alex. It’s dinner and a movie with friends. Think of it that way instead of a date.” Patricia opened the door and smiled at Drake, James, and Jennifer. “Hi. I’m Patricia, Alex’s mom.” She shook their hands.
“Hi, guys. Ready?” Alex was anxious to get going and yet the thought of getting into the car with the boys terrified her.
“Remember, home right after the movie,” Patricia said.
“Night, Mom.” Alex waved and gave her a tenuous smile.
“Have fun, guys.” Patricia waved to them as they scrambled into the car.
Jennifer sat up front with James while Drake and Alex took the back seat. No one spoke for the longest time. Alex clenched her sweaty palms and tried to pretend she was listening to the music.
“So, how was your day?” Drake asked shyly.
“Good. Yours?”
“Fine,” Drake mumbled. He picked nervously at his seat belt.
Alex felt a little better seeing he was just as shy as she felt. “So are you guys ready for finals next week?”
“Ugh, don’t mention those! I can’t wait until next week is over. Then it’s freedom, sweet freedom,” James said.
“I can’t wait to get my driver’s license! Alex, you and I will cruise every night of the week!” Jennifer said.
The conversation flowed a little more smoothly after that, each one talking about their easiest and worst finals to come, the play, and their plans for the summer. Alex was the only one who didn’t have a big, exotic vacation planned. She felt embarrassed when she told them she had nothing planned for her summer vacation except working at her aunt’s store.
“Let me talk to my folks, Alex! How cool would that be if you could come with us to Hawaii!” Jennifer squealed excitedly.
Alex had to admit Hawaii sounded like a lot of fun. I wonder if Mom will let me go. She doubted it, but thought that maybe it was possible, especially if she knew Jennifer’s parents were fine with it.
Dinner was a blast. The four chatted and talked about their favorite past times, favorite bands, favorite movies. Alex was pleased to find out Drake loved Maddison also. He had even been to one of their concerts.
“I would love to see them in concert!” Alex beamed.
“I only got to go because my dad won tickets. It was kinda weird going with my dad to a rock concert.”
Alex thought she would die of embarrassment if she ever had to go to a concert with her mom.
Jennifer gave Alex a signal that she wanted Alex to accompany her to the restroom.
As Alex washed her hands, the image in the mirror shifted. Oh crap! Not now!
The face Alex saw was that of a young girl about her own age. She wore a black wig and had her eyes painted. Alex could see pillars with hieroglyphs in the background.
“Alex? Didn’t you hear me?” Jennifer came out of the stall and stopped when she saw Alex rigid and staring at the mirror. “Oh no! Not now!” She looked to the door, hoping no one would walk in and see Alex standing frozen in front of the mirror. Jennifer was ready with a story about Alex having epilepsy in case someone did come in.
“It’s okay. It’s not time to go yet,” Alex said softly. She didn’t want to disrupt the image.
Jennifer walked up behind Alex. “What do you see?”
“She’s from Egypt. She doesn’t dress like a commoner so she may be someone of importance.”
“Can you tell what time period she’s from?”
Just then, someone came into the restroom. The image vanished.
As they left Jennifer whispered. “So I guess this means the guy isn’t dead?”
Alex sighed. “I guess so.” She didn’t want to go back in time anymore. The last time she had died and only managed to find her way back to her body by some miracle. I just want to be normal.
“Well, it isn’t time to go yet. And we have two hotties out there waiting to take us to a scary movie. So let’s go have fun,” Jennifer said.
The movie theater was crowded. They found seats on the end and settled in with their drinks, popcorn, and candy. Alex loved movie popcorn and Reece’s Pieces. However, she refused Drake’s offer of popcorn and settled for just eating the candy. I can’t take the chance of getting a bunch of popcorn stuck in my teeth.
There were only a few previews but Alex couldn’t have remembered them even if she wanted to. With the theater dark, she became even more aware of Drake sitting beside her. Every now and then his hand would brush hers as they reached for the soda they decided to share. He smells so good.
The movie started and her heart raced. She wasn’t sure if it was more from the impending fear of the horror movie or from feeling Drake’s eyes on her.
At the first scary part, she jumped and nearly lost her whole box of candy. She looked over at Drake and saw that he was laughing. At the next scary part, he grabbed her hand.
Alex spent the entire time with her hands up near her face, shielding her from the terrifying scenes. Her heart thudded and she gasped for breath. Drake did not seem to mind having his arm nearly wrenched out of its socket every time she covered her eyes.
She was actually glad when the movie ended. Horror movies were fun and yet they were so hard to watch. I bet I have bad dreams tonight!
Jennifer’s eyes were as big as saucers. “I’m not going to sleep for a month!
“That’s the whole point! If a scary movie doesn’t make you afraid of your own shadow, then it wasn’t scary enough,” Drake said. He had let go of Alex’s hand now that the lights were on. She hoped it wasn’t because he didn’t want to be seen holding hands where everyone could see.
As promised, James brought her straight home. He and Jennifer waited in the car while Drake walked Alex to the front door. She fumbled for her keys, feeling more nervous than she ever had in her whole life.
“Thanks, Drake. I had a good time.” She thought that sounded lame but she didn’t know what else to say. He seemed shy too, shuffling his feet and staring at the ground, hands shoved into his pockets.
“Me too. We should do this again some time.” He met her eyes for a minute and smiled. “I guess I’ll see you in school Monday.”
“I guess.” Alex felt awkward and gawky. She did not know if she should make the first move or if she should wait longer for him to do so.
“Well, good-night,” Drake mumbled and turned to walk away.
Alex tried not to let her disappointment show as she put her key in the lock. I knew it. He doesn’t like me at all. She felt a tap on her shoulder and turned.
Alex couldn’t say how long she stood on the porch holding her keys. Her stomach still fluttered and her heart felt like it was beating a mile a minute. She giggled to herself as she opened the front door. My fist kiss!
She felt like she was floating as she made her way to the backdoor and out to the guesthouse. I can’t wait to chat with Jenn! Her mother was asleep so she made sure to be as quiet as she could while she got ready for bed. Alex was nervous about looking into the mirror as she washed her face but the image only showed her familiar face, grinning from ear to ear.
The laptop was still on so she logged onto her Facebook and waited for Jennifer to get home and log in. In the meantime, she added a status update raving about the movie and how much fun she had had on the date. She was careful to not post anything about the hand-holding or the kissing and not to gush too much in case Drake or James got embarrassed.
A chat box popped up from Jennifer. James had kissed her too and had said he wanted to see her again. The two girls exchanged all of the details about their first kiss: how it felt, what they were thinking, if they thought they did it right. Alex couldn’t wait to see Drake again.
“I bet he kisses way better than Beau!” Jennifer typed in the chat box.
Alex was surprised that she hadn’t thought of Beau all evening. Maybe I’m over him finally. Drake was just as hot, much nicer, and they had a lot in common.
As she signed off the computer and snuggled beneath her blankets, Alex thought she might finally be finding her place and this summer might just be the best summer she ever imagined.