Chapter 2: Movies (Again)

"Ok, I think we're done." Alex explained to Justin and Max as they dropped all their cleaning supplies on the livingroom ground and

then plopped on their bright orange couch, exhausted.

"I've never cleaned so much stuff in my life." Max said, while exhaling a sigh of exhaustion.

"Justin, Alex. You guys go to the movies without me. I'm too exhausted to go."

"Really Max? That's alright then you can spend the night with us." their mother, Theresa Russo said.

"Mom, were you eavesdropping?" Justin questioned.

"Well, I happened to listen as I was coming down the stairs with this laundry," she said, while holding up a dirty hamper full of

laundry. "Well, Max if you really want to stay home I'm sure we could do something fun. How about some board games? Or we

could go to the mall and get you some clothes you'll look darling in." Theresa just kept spurting out these suggestions that

made Max gringe.

He didn't want to be babied all his life. "On second thought, I'm going with you guys," Max decided.

"Ok, but you're gonna miss out on a lot of crazy fun," Theresa said, obviously trying to be hip with their children.

"That's fine. We'll try not to have too much fun without you," Justin said to his mom.

Alex, Justin, and Max grabbed their coats and other belongings and headed downstairs, which led to their family's sub station.

"Hey, Dad. We're going to see a movie," Alex yelled to their father, who was working at the cash register.

"That's cool. What movie are you seeing?" he asked, while taking care of a customer. The customer wasn't to happy that he was

talking to his family while he should be taking care of him.

"Ice Varks 2."

"Bella and the Beast."

"The Math Equation." Max, Alex, and Justin said in unison.

Alex turned to Justin and asked, "What's 'The Math Equation' about?"

"Well, it's about this math magician that can't figure at how to do anything in his life, but he finds this one math equation that helps him

out with everything," Justin said.

"That actually doesn't sound that bad," Alex said to Justin.

"You're going to see 'Ice Varks 2'? That's bunk!" Jerry Russo said.

"Dad, please don't start singing the song," Alex said, annoyed.

He did anyway. "Ice varks, we think are nice varks. So sing it twice varks. Ice varks! That's bunk!"

While singing, Alex and Justin plugged their ears. Max on the other hand sang along with him.

"Yeah, ok, we're going." Alex said grabbing Max by the arm, which forced him to stop singing.

The three of them went to their local theater.

"Ok, what are we doing movie wise?" Justin asked, while they stood in line for concessions.

"Max is going to see 'Ice Varks 2' and we're going to see 'The Math Equation'," Alex said.

"Really? You're willing to see that with me?" Justin beamed.

"Well, yeah. It sounds like a romantic comedy." Alex said.

"Well, it is. But with a bonus. Math fun!" Justin yelled excitedly.

"Don't say that," Max and Alex said.

"Sorry," Justin said.

They got up to the line and ordered popcorn, soda, some candy, and of course their tickets.

"Ok, have fun Max." Alex said, while trying to get rid of Max.

"Hey, are you trying to get rid of me?" Max asked, while Alex was still pushing him into his theater.

"Maybe I am. Maybe I'm not. Just go." Alex yelled.

"Fine!" Max yelled, then went into his theater.

"Ok, to the movie we go." Alex said, linking her arm in Justin's and skipping to their theater.

"Wow, that was so cheesy." Justin said, sitting down in his theater seat.

"Whatever, I thought it was cuteful cheesy."

"Cuteful cheesy? Is that even a phrase?" Justin said.

"Shut up. Just go with it." Alex stated. "I'm glad we decided to see a movie together, instead of having to go see 'Ice Varks 2' with

Max."

"Well, that's what brothers and sisters do." Justin stated.

Oh great. He had to mention brothers and sisters, Alex thought.

She must of had a weird expression on her face because Justin asked, "Are you ok?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"What's his name?" Justin asked.

"What?"

"Alex, I know you. This is obviously a boy problem."

"So what if it is. I wouldn't tell you anyway," Alex said, getting irritated.

"Gosh, don't gotta be rude about it." Justin said, then got annoyed with Alex and turned to face the suddenly lit movie screen.

Alex's expression was sad. That's so typical of me. Pushing people away when I want to get close to them. I just don't know

what to do, Alex thought. She sat through the whole movie thinking about Justin. Occasionally she would glance at Justin. She did

this throughout the entire movie.

Later, after the movie had ended they walked into the Sub Station, along with Max, to go upstairs to their home.

"Well, I'd loved 'Ice Varks 2.' I gotta go and tell Dad about it!" an excited max said as he ran upstairs to tell his father all about the

movie.

Justin and Alex stayed in the Sub Station.

"What time is it?" Alex asked.

"About 9:30." Justin replied.

"Oh, wow. Where did the time go?" Justin asked.

"Well I'm going upstairs, you coming?" Justin asked, while heading upstairs.

"Wait, there's something I've gotta tell you."

It's now or never, thought Alex.

"Ok, shoot." Justin said, while grabbing a stool from the counter to sit on.

"Well you remember when I had this boy problem?" Alex explained.

"Yeah..." Justin said.

"Well, the truth is...it's you."

"What?" Justin asked, thinking she said something different.

"I think I'm in love with you." Alex finished.

Justin slipped out of his stool and had fallen to the ground.