Chapter 7:

Alec's POV

Jane kept smiling at me as we walked home. She had been glad I had broke up with Leeah, and also that I stuck up for her.

"Why are you so smiley?" I asked as I tickled her.

"I just can't believe that you told her that!" she said smiling.

Her bruise was looking much better.

"Well, I'm glad I did" I said.

"Her books were getting heavy anyway" I said laughing.

She laughed to.

Mom and Ray weren't home yet. He had officially moved in. Mom is hoping he will propose. The only ring Ray could afford though is a Ring Pop. Mom was going to quit her job and let Ray pay for everything, until Ray came home one day and said he quit his job. That ruined her plans. And ours. Now Jane and I stay as late as we can after school now, so he doesn't have a chance to get Jane alone. Jane just started going to my football practices. They have been cancelled for a couple days because Coach Clark has been sick. They start again tomorrow. I now sit by Ray at dinner, and I sit by the bathroom door as she takes a shower.

"Alec, you okay?" she asked.

"Yes, why?" I asked
"You just seem like you're in space" she said giggling.

"It's the same with you when you think about Demetri." I said laughing.

"It is not" she said blushing.

"So did you see him today?" I asked.

"Yeah, I sat with him at lunch, and in art." She said smiling.

"That's great" I said.

As we walked to the front door, I noticed that my mother's truck was gone, but I bet Ray was there. Most of the time he sits around the TV and drinks beer. We walked in. I closed the door as quietly as I possibly could, just because I wanted to run upstairs without Ray knowing. I didn't just have to cook for Jane and I, I now have to cook for the whole family.

Jane went to get her shower around 7:00. I sat by the door as part as our usual routine now. She ran upstairs and locked the door until I got out. Then after that I cooked some noodles for dinner.

We finished our dinner. It wasn't my best culinary skills, but it worked.

"I'm going to bed early tonight, I have had a long day, you coming Jane" I said putting my dish in the sink.

"No, I think I'm going to sit down here for a while" she said finishing her noodles.

"But Jane" I said sitting back down.

"It's okay Alec, I'm going to talk to mom" she said calmly.

"About what?" I asked.

"Ray" she said plainly.

Are you sure you want to be here by yourself?" I asked.

"Yeah Alec, go to bed" she said laughing quietly.

"Alright then, goodnight" I said as I kissed the top of her head and heading for the stairs.

"Goodnight" she said.