Chapter 9: Sugar, we're going down part 2

The rest of the day went smoother for the three teens than it ever had all that school year so far. Alex & Jimmy finally let their guard down & let Hazel tutor them with History, & she helped many get back into the spirit squad. You could say that Hazel finally thought for herself & came through for them.

Alex's friend Karris, whom she lived with in Montreal four years ago, had planned a party at a large warehouse downtown. She had been thinking about going, but for some reason, she didn't want to.

"So, are you coming to the party tonight? It's gonna be fun." A female voice came over the line as Alex looked through the refrigerator for a snack.

"I have no idea. I don't really want to." Alex said as she took out a bag of lime flavored hot cheetos.

"Alex? Not wanting to go to a party? Are you sick?" Karris asked as Manny came into the kitchen with two textbooks & her purple notebook in hand.

"No I'm not sick. I just can't find anyone to go with. I would ask my friend…" Alex said, looking at Manny in reference. "But she's got major homework.

"What about that other guy you live with?" Karris asked again as Alex sighed a bit.

"Um, he's in a wheelchair. He wouldn't be able to dance or anything." Alex said as she popped a chip into her mouth.

"This is why he should come! Only half of the guests are gonna be dancing…if you know what I mean." Karris said slyly. Alex laughed a bit in amusement. Her & Jimmy as a couple? She would date Jay again before she did that, not that she didn't think that he was cute. But he was like a brother to her! She couldn't do that.

"Hell no! He's like my brother…I can't see myself with him like that." Alex said defensively as Manny sighed quietly in relief.

"Well, if you're gonna come, just come. Doesn't matter to me." Karris finished, & the phone conversation ended.

"Are you going to that party?" Manny asked, not looking up at Alex.

"I don't know." Alex said as she rose from her chair & left the room. She walked through the living room & down the hall, to where Jimmy's room was. She knocked on the door, & she was greeted by a bright smile.

"Hey. Need anything?" Jimmy said as Alex let a smile tug upon her lips.

"Yeah, there's this party tonight. My friend just called with directions. Wanna go?" Alex asked in a fast pace. For some reason, she felt nervous, & she didn't like that feeling.

"Sure. We both need to get out more anyways." Jimmy said as he looked at her. She smiled at him & patted his shoulder.

"Okay. Be ready by 7:00 or I'm leaving you behind." Alex turned around & walked away.

"Alex, you look great…I think." Manny said with a slight chuckle. Alex changed into a black wife beater, some jeans that were a little tighter that she would usually wear, & some classic reeboks. She had just a little bit of eyeliner on, & some lip-gloss.

"Thanks kid. But I didn't do much." Alex said dryly as she flopped onto the couch. She took out her phone & flipped it open:

6:30 p.m. She sighed as she looked towards the hall. Jimmy rolled out from the hall as if on cue, wearing a black triple 5-soul hoodie, a pair of faded black jeans, & some black nikes. He had a black & grey New York Yankees hat on his head, & it tipped towards the right.

"Ready?" Alex said as she got up & got the car keys off the table.

"Yeah…We'll be back at 11:00, okay Manny?" Jimmy said as Manny bent down to hug him.

"Okay. I'll be right here." Manny said as she then hugged Alex. Both of the teens walked out of the door & down the driveway as Manny closed the door.

"This is it?" Jimmy said as he looked up at the large & rather torn up warehouse. Alex looked down at him & laughed as she walked towards the door. He proceeded to follow her- -he was somewhat nervous, he never been in that part of town before.

When they had entered the party, all of his worries seemed to disappear. The atmosphere was warm & exciting, with a bar towards the back, & a large DJ booth towards the front. Alex turned around & went behind him, pushing him along the way.

"I don't want you to get lost in the crowd." Alex yelled over the music just when Jimmy was about to protest on her pushing him. They got to the middle of the floor when Jay & some girl he was dancing with met them.

"Well, well! Alex & wheel boy! What are you doing here?" Jay said loudly with a big smile plastered on his face. He was obviously drunk.

"Jay, just shut up." Jimmy yelled over the music as Alex tried to get them past him, but he wouldn't move.

"No way, I wanna have a dance with your girl." Jay rambled as he sauntered over to Alex, breathing his raw, drunk breath along her neck.

"First of all, I'm not his girl…" Alex said as she pushed him away. "…& second, I don't want to dance with you, nor have anything to do with you."

"Aww...is wheel boy putting ideas into your head? You may have so-called 'broken up' with me, but you'll always be mine. Always." Jay slurred as Jimmy rolled his eyes.

"This is stupid…let's go, I don't feel like partying anymore." Jimmy said as he rolled away. Alex looked behind him & then went after him. When she finally got outside to the car, she saw him trying to open the door. She ran over to him & saw him struggling to open the door. She opened the front door & sat in the seat & looked at how hard he was trying to open it. However, what she didn't know was that he was angry at himself for not being able to protect her from Jay. He wanted to protect both her & Manny, but it seemed like he couldn't. He finally gave up, slamming his fist into the door.

"Jimmy…" Alex said softly as he looked at her. He had a small tear roll down his face as he took her hand in his. She got out of the car & bent down to his level. He took her hand & kissed it lightly. She smiled as she bent in & kissed him softly & slowly. The time seemed to stop as the kiss went on, but what seemed like hours, they finally broke away.

"Alex…I…" Jimmy started to say, but Alex put her finger over his lips.

"Don't say anything…" Alex started to open the door, holding his hand the whole time.

This is where the real drama begins.