"Hey ex"
"Hmm..?" My head hurts. I really don't want to deal with Anna but I don't think I could help it.
"Did you meet up with Alex?"
"Yea. What about it?"
"Josh said he didn't show up in class today."
I turned to her, her face a mask of worry.
"Did you have a fight?" She inquired.
I shook my head. "No."
"Cause his tenants said that the house is closed, they cannot tell if anyone is inside."
I wonder what happened to him? Maybe I should call him? But why?
What excuse do I have to even check on him?
I pulled out my phone and stared.
Should I just send him a message? Or is phone call better?
I guess I want to hear his voice.
In the end I gave up and dialled his number.
"Hello?" He answered right away.
"Not in school?"
"Mmnnoo."he murmured.
"Sorry did I wake you?"
"Hmm..?"
"Are you ok?"
"..... "
"I have class until 5. Then I'll be there."
"...mmkay.."
He sounds like he's dying or something. I suddenly pictured Alex curled in a ball. I smiled. Now I really want to see him.
I skipped my last class because I couldn't wait. I asked Anna to lend me her notes tomorrow.
"I'm gonna go see Alex." I told her.
"Ok, bye." She grinned at me.
The house was shut tight, like no one was inside. I knocked on the door but I did not get any response so I called him instead.
"I'm outside." I said.
A few minutes later I heard the lock turned and the door opened. Alex greeted me with a slight nod and waved for me to go in. He looked horrible.
"I was gonna ask you if you're ok." I reached out to him and touched his forehead. He's running a fever. "It's obvious that you're not."
Although Alex was taller than me, he looked really fragile. He stepped closer and wrapped his arms around me. I could feel his skin under my uniform and my heart started beating like crazy. I pulled him away from me but took his hand and led him to the bedroom. He lay down and was asleep in an instant.
Staring at his sleeping face warms my heart. What I feel about him was different from what I've felt with Anna. It's bitter sweet, pleasant but complicated.
Do I like him? I guess so. Although I couldn't imagine what I'd be like if I entertain this emotion, this pounding in my chest, this longing, the lingering feeling of his arms around mine. I want to be with him. Sooner or later I'd have to face this.
I sat beside his bed and held his hand.
For now, this moment is enough.
I woke up from the sound of the door banging. "Alex come out!"
I stood up and rubbed the back of my neck which was stiff from sleeping at the foot of the bed. I opened the front door and was welcomed by Josh, Anna, and a few other seniors.
"Jason?" Anna peeked behind Josh.
"Uhm. Hi?" I let out a nervous laugh.
Alex dragged his feet and stood beside me. "The hell?" He said weakly.
"You sick man?"
The group barged in and sat around the kitchen, Anna and Rachel sat together. Josh, Drew, Mike and Zach rounded at the stove and started a pot.
I just stared in awe.
Alex tapped my shoulders and shook his head. He opened the fridge and took a can of beer.
"That's what we're talking about." Mike gave Alex a slap on the back.
He shrugged and stood behind me. "Sorry. Happens a lot."
"It's okay, I fell asleep on the floor so it was good, I think I can mAnnage a few beers."
"You could have slept beside me you know." I turned to him, my face flushed red. He gave a hearty laugh, he almost choked on his beer.
"Hey homos, stop flirting." Josh threw a rolled tissue paper at us.
"You jealous, fag?" Alex snorted.
I walked to the fridge and got myself a can of beer.
It was almost midnight when the alcohol finally reached our bloodstream. Anna sat beside me still chatting endlessly with Rachel. Us guys switched from beer to brandy. I took a shot and washed it down with water, but the heat from the brandy definitely left a trail in my throat.
"Hey ex" Anna leaned close to me. "Can you walk me home?" She pouted.
My alcohol laced vision was so blurry I can hardly think so I just nodded. I was about to stand up when Josh stopped me.
"I'll do it man, you're too drunk to even walk straight."
He's probably right, I couldn't even stand. "Uh..Kay"
I heard a chuckle from Alex.
"Whaddja laffin aht?" I pointed at him .
He shook his head. "Let's wrap this up. We're all drunk anyway."
"Most definitely, Zach has been holed up in your bathroom puking his heart out." Mike walked to the bathroom and half carried Zach out. "Time to go."