Chapter Six: First Date

Alex

"What is wrong with you?" I asked Craig. He'd just gotten yelled at by my parents since our dad had to pick him up from school early. "You could've at least waited until after school to fight him, thus avoiding the suspension and extra two weeks of being grounded," I told my idiot brother.

"Hey, I thought I was going to get another month of grounding, so I'm pretty much satisfied with that punishment," he said, grinning.

"At least you're making me look like the better kid every day," I said. He hit me over the head with my pillow and laughed.

"You always were the better kid," he said quietly. All of a sudden the room was completely silent, and I felt bad for him.

"That's not true."

"Yeah Alex, it is. But hey, I'm okay with that. I know I fuck up all the time," he shrugged.

"Craig, I really think you should go to the clinic." His smiled faded and he stood up.

"I know what I'm doing. Don't bring it up again, okay?" he snapped, turning around and walking out the door.

I sighed and rolled over onto my back, staring up at the ceiling for a few minutes. If he wouldn't listen to me, I'd call the only other person who could always get Craig to listen. I dialed the number and waited to hear her voice.

"Hello?"

"Ashley? Hey, it's Alex."

"I'd know that voice anywhere," she said. "Miss me yet?"

"Of course I do. Got a new girlfriend yet?" I asked.

"No! You've only been gone a few weeks. I don't move on that quickly," she said. "So, what's up?"

"I called because I'm worried about Craig," I told her. "He slept with this random girl and he might have gotten something from her, but he won't go to the clinic," I explained. "I was hoping that maybe you could call him and talk to him."

"I can do better than that," she said. "Why don't I fly up there this weekend? Maybe I'll be more convincing in person."

"That sounds great," I said. A huge smile grew on my face. I couldn't believe Ashley would actually come to Canada. Maybe we'd be able to spend some time alone together. Maybe we could make a long distance relationship work. I never thought of it before, but Ashley had plenty of money; she could fly out every weekend.

"Do you mind if I bring a friend along? I was supposed to be spending time with him this weekend," she said.

"That's fine."

"I gotta go Alex but I'll be seeing you on Friday night!"

"I can't wait," I replied. "Bye."

I hung up the phone and screamed into my pillow. It was going to be a great weekend.

At lunch the next day, I sat at my regular table with Marco and Spinner, but we also had another addition; Ellie. It took all I had to keep myself from staring at her all through the meal.

"This weekend is gonna be so good," Marco blurted out while we were eating.

"What are your plans?" I asked him.

"My parents are going on some trip together, and Manny's staying over. And make sure you're not around," he said, directing the second statement towards Spinner.

"Don't worry; I'm going to spend some time with the ex. Maybe rekindle a few flames. Or just have sex all weekend," Spinner told him.

"Thanks for the details," Marco said. "I'm gonna go run a few plans by Manny. I'll see you guys later."

"And I need to make sure my plans are holding up. Bye," Spinner said as they both left the table. I waved and smiled. Then I realized I was alone with Ellie. My stomach started flopping around. What should I say?

"Do you want to go to the movies or something on Friday?" she asked me. What? The movies? A date? Wow, don't get ahead of yourself, Alex. She's probably straight. When I didn't answer her, she kept talking. "You know, being friends with couples and horny boys gets pretty boring, especially on the weekends," she said, tucking her hair behind her ear.

"Wait, does that mean you're not into guys?" I asked her. Why did I just ask her that? I groaned on the inside and silently prayed that she didn't run away.

"What?" she asked, laughing and looking away.

"You were just complaining about horny guys so I was just wondering if you weren't into them," I said, shrugging, trying to play it cool. Hopefully she couldn't tell that I was nearly shaking.

"I'm into them," she said, looking down at the floor. "Just not…all the time."

My heart nearly leapt into my throat. Did she just say what I think she said?

"So you're bi?" I asked. She looked around before answering.

"Well…yeah, I guess so. But please don't tell anyone. Only Spinner knows," she whispered.

"Your secret's safe with me," I said, grinning. "So…Friday?" I asked.

"Yeah, Friday," she smiled. I loved her smile so much already.

Wait! Shit! Ashley is supposed to be coming on Friday night. Well, she probably wouldn't mind if I was home a little late. She is bringing a friend anyway. He can keep her company until I get there.

"I'll pick you up at seven," she told me.

"Where's your date? It's seven," Craig said from his spot on the couch. "How do you even get dates?"

"First of all, she'll be here. And second, I don't even know if it's actually a date. And third, don't be bitchy with me just because you're grounded until you're thirty," I snapped.

"Chill out Alex, I was joking."

"Yeah, well joke on your own time."

"Honey, is this your first date since Ashley?" my mom asked as she walked into the room.

"Mom, don't start with that," I groaned.

"She an older woman too," Craig said. "Sixteen; a whole year older. And she has a car," he added.

"Does she really?" my mom asked. The doorbell rang, saving me from any more questions. Or so I thought.

My mom rushed ahead of me and opened the door.

"You must be Ellie," she said. "Come on in."

"Hey Alex," she said as she walked around my mom. I rolled my eyes and shrugged.

"Is this Ellie?" I heard my dad's voice as he walked into the room. This could not get any worse. I looked over at Ellie and she was blushing. "You know, you're Alex's first date since we got here," he said.

"Dad! Okay, time to go," I said. "Mom, Dad, Craig, this is Ellie. See you later," I said, grabbing her arm and pulling her towards the door.

"Be home by ten!" my mom called after us. As soon as we were out the door, I immediately started to apologize.

"I am so sorry," I said as we walked to Ellie's car. "I never said anything about this being a date. I only told them we were going to the movies."

"It's okay. As long as none of them will say anything, I guess it pretty much is a date. I mean, you do like girls, right?" she asked.

"Yeah," I answered, laughing. "I don't like boys at all," I added.

I'm not even sure what movie we went to see because I couldn't pay attention at all. I kept looking at Ellie out of the corner of my eye and attempted to hold her hand a few times, but always chickened out at the last second.

"We still have a half hour until you have to be home. What should we do?" Ellie asked while we walked out of the theater. I was thankful that she didn't ask me what I thought of the movie.

"We could go to The Dot," I suggested.

"That's okay. I think I spend enough time there," she said. I can't believe I suggested that. I always have the worst ideas.

"I have no idea then, sorry."

"I guess we could just drive around and talk," she said, shrugging. "If you don't mind."

"No, that sounds good to me."

We got in the car and Ellie just started to drive. We were silent for awhile, until she finally asked me something.

"So, have you dated many girls besides me?" she asked.

"Only one. Her name is Ashley." As I said it, I remembered that Ashley was flying in tonight. She was supposed to be taking a taxi from the airport and her flight got in at ten. Better not mention it; total mood killer.

"How did that go?"

"Well, it's a pretty funny story. Craig was actually dating her for a few weeks before I met her. I invited her over one night when Craig was out with her friends; I was just trying to make her feel welcome. And I guess she felt pretty welcome that night, because we ended up making out. And a few days after that, she broke up with Craig," I said, laughing a little.

"Aw, poor Craig. I bet that was a self-esteem killer," Ellie said.

"He was okay with it for the most part. He knew it couldn't be helped, but it did still offend him a little," I explained.

"So how long did you date for?"

"Eight months," I sighed. "And then we moved."

"Were you in love with her?" she asked me.

"I don't think so. I'm too young for love."

"I agree with you on that one," Ellie agreed.

"What about you?" I asked. "Any girlfriends?"

"No," she laughed. "This is the first date I've ever been on with a girl," she admitted.

"Then how do you even know you're bi?"

"Promise you won't tell anyone?" she asked. I noticed then that we pulled up to my house. I didn't want the night to end, but I was also relieved that I'd made it through my first date since Ashley.

"I promise," I said, nodding for emphasis.

"When we were twelve, Manny and I did a little experimenting. Nothing too graphic, don't worry. But we kissed a few times. Manny ended up being completely grossed out about it and started flirting with guys the next day. But I wasn't grossed out at all," she said.

"Did you have feelings for her?"

"No, not at all. Manny is and always will be my best friend. I never thought of her as more than that, but just those few kisses opened me up to the possibility of liking girls. I've had a lot of crushes, trust me, but I've only dated guys. I know my mom wouldn't approve at all."

"What about your dad?" I asked.

"My parents are divorced. I'd much rather live with my dad, but he doesn't live in the school district. So I only get to see him on the weekends."

"Well, I hope this was a good experience for your first girl date," I said.

"It was," she said, smiling. "Do you want me to make this really cheesy and walk you to the door?" she asked.

"I would love that."

We walked up to my door as slowly as possible and stopped right in front of it.

"Thanks for everything," she said.

"No, thank you. I haven't had such a good time since we moved here."

We stared at each other for a minute until we were both leaning forward. Her lips pressed against mine and I thought my knees were going to give out. I kissed her harder and cupped her cheek with my hand.

The door flew open and we stepped apart, but it was too late; she already saw.

"Alex?" she asked, her mouth hanging slightly open.

"Ashley? You're early!"

A/N: I don't know if anyone reading this watches South of Nowhere, but Alex's ex Ashley and the boy she brings with her (Aiden) are the characters from that show. I don't own them; Tom Lynch does.