Chapter 16: What I want, what I need
"…and we've been hanging out ever since." Ellie finished. Alex was across the coffee table from her, flipping through a magazine.
"So you think that you like Craig?" Alex asked, shuddering at the thought of them together. It wasn't that she was jealous, but they just didn't fit.
"I don't know…" Ellie said as she sipped on some a cup of water.
"Well, you better figure it out, because here he comes now." Alex whispered. And she was correct--Craig and Jimmy came into the living room, looking at the two girls.
"Alex, we're going to get something to eat." Jimmy said as Alex nodded her head.
"Alright. Bring us back something." Alex said as she looked back at them and smiled.
"Alright." Jimmy kissed Alex's forehead, and both boys left. Alex looked back at Ellie, who was smiling widely.
"What? Can't I kiss him? He is my boyfriend, you know." Alex said as Paige, Hazel, and Manny came into the living room.
"You're lucky. He really loves you." Paige said as Manny nodded her head in agreement.
"Hey, he loves us all, but he loves me in a…" Alex started as she looked at Manny.
"In a sexual way? We know." Manny finished, and all of them laughed.
The atmosphere in the doctor's office was bland and predictable. Magazines that were torn and written on were lying on the table, and brochures for unnecessary things were on a rack in the corner. Tons of screaming kids were running around, and their parents tried to calm them down. Craig held his head in his hands while Jimmy flipped through 'Sports Illustrated'.
"This is the most retarded thing you had me drive you to." Craig said as Jimmy laughed a bit.
"I know it's crowded and loud..." Jimmy started.
"And it smells like bengay! Are you sure this is safe?" Craig said with a hint of worry in his voice. He really cared about his friend's safety, and he needed Jimmy to be there for Alex and Manny.
"For the fifth time, yes. Alex took me here last week, and Dr. Reed is super qualified." Jimmy said. Craig looked at him, cocking his left eyebrow.
"So, you're telling me that Alex knows, and Manny doesn't? You know she still likes you, right?" Craig asked as Jimmy sighed a bit.
"Things between Manny and I right now, it's just kinda tense. She still likes me, and to tell you the truth, I still like her. And she sent me this letter, saying that she loved me, and she's telling the truth, I know it." Jimmy said, and Craig shook his head.
"Damn, what are you going to do, Mr. Brooks? On the other hand, is it Mr. Santos? Or is it Mr. Nenez?" Craig teased, and Jimmy punched his shoulder as a nurse came from the back room.
"Brooks, James? Brooks, James?" The nurse said, and the boys went to the door.
"So, are you in good health?" Dr. Reed said to Jimmy. Craig was in the corner, playing a game on his cell phone.
"Yes ma'am. Here's all my information." Jimmy gave Dr. Reed all the info that she needed. She skimmed through it, & smiled at him.
"Okay. Well, I will put a spot for you on Thursday." Jimmy smiled widely to himself. It seemed that everything was falling into place.
"So, you're getting surgery to be able to walk again?" Marco asked with worry in his voice.
"On Thursday. I'm excited about it, you know? Once this is over, I can do more things with Alex. She really means a lot to me, and I want to get it right this time. I really think that she's the one, and this is the only way that I can get it right with her." Jimmy said, and Marco smiled.
"You must really love her, to put yourself under the knife, even though she said that she didn't care about you being in the wheelchair." Marco said, and Craig nodded in agreement.
"And once it happens, you guys can…you know." Craig said with a small chuckle. Marco rolled his eyes and Jimmy frowned and laughed a bit.
"You are the most perverted guy I've ever met in my 18 years on this earth." Jimmy said as Alex came in and flopped on the bed next to Jimmy.
"You guys will have sexy kids, I just know it." Marco said as Craig nodded.
"Aww, thank you." Alex said, and they all laughed.