Totally Not Average

“Finally!” I exclaimed, smiling up at Alex.

He chuckled, “Now you aren’t in a relationship anymore.” He joked.

I looked over to where Zach and Sage were talking, both of them flirting. By the way they held each others hands and were looking at each other; I could so tell that they were together. This meant: no more ‘fake’ relationship!

The thought made me so happy, I wanted to sing, and maybe that wasn’t such a good idea. I leaned against the lockers sighing happily, “I’m free.” I murmured.

“Now that you’re single, want to go out on Friday?” Alex joked.

I ignored his mean joke and shook my head, “I was sick and tired of being weighed down by him…” I looked at Alex who was on the verge of laughing, “I’m serious Alex.” I snapped.

“Calm down, Mandy.” He soothed, putting an arm around my shoulder.

I ignored how warm his skin was, or how his touch sent butterflies fluttering in my stomach. I couldn’t afford to like Alex; like it or not, he wasn’t the ‘boyfriend’ type. Plus, even if I did like Alex—which I didn’t—who says he liked me?

“What are you trying to do?” I turned my head and narrowed my eyes at him suspsciously.

“Nothing, nothing.” He looked so guilty, I didn’t believe it.

“Yeah, right.” I said sarcastically.

“Nice to see you finally agree with me!” Alex grinned.

I shook my head, “Why do I hang out with you again?” I asked.

“Because all of your other ‘friends’ hate you.” He pointed out, pulling me tighter against him.

“Thanks.” I muttered dryly.

“Just trying to be nice, babe.” He murmured, and I couldn’t help but notice the thrill I got when he called me ‘babe.’

---

After school, since I didn’t want to ditch but I didn’t want to go home either, I hung out with Alex—shocker.

“Where do you want to go?” He asked, turning on his car.

I shrugged, “I don’t know, anywhere.” I begged.

Alex grinned at me—usually, he had been grinning more and smirking less, to my amusement—and nodded, “I know just where to go, Mandy.”

We talked for the whole car ride, just complaining and laughing about random things. With Alex it didn’t feel as forced as it did with some people; having fun like this.

He parked the car and turned off the engine, turning to me with one of his smiles. My heart thumped faster in my chest than ever before and I swear my cheeks heated up. I couldn’t stand it when he looked at me like that, making me feel important.

I got out of the car, trying to shake away that feeling. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach and something built up inside of me, consuming me with a feeling that I had never felt before. It was strange, but felt good all at the same time. I just knew, I never wanted it to end.

“Where are we?” I asked, looking at the pretty, ordinary two-story house in front of us. It was a light yellow color with dark green shutters and a white porch with a rocking chair and a sofa.

“Didn’t you say you wanted to meet my parents?” He raised his eyebrow.

I smiled, my jaw dropping open, “This is your house?” I asked, pointing.

He nodded, “Come on, my parents are waiting.” He held out his hand and I didn’t hesitate to take. I didn’t feel weird when I intertwined my fingers around his and squeezed his hand, feeling nervous.

We walked up the steps to the porch and then through the house door. I was nervous now; I wanted Alex’s parents to like me but I was scared they weren’t going too. What if they didn’t approve of me? I mean, I’m not perfect like everyone thinks I am…

“Don’t worry,” Alex whispered in my ear, “They will love you.”

His hot breath sent shivers down my back but I managed to find my voice and whisper back, “How’d you know?”

He chuckled, “Well, you’re kind of squeezing my hand enough to cut off circulation.”

“Oops.” I gasped, letting go of his hand.

Alex grasped my hand again, “I didn’t say I minded.” He told me, winking at me.

I stood there, shell shocked and surprised, honestly. Wink? Hand? Gah, my mind couldn’t even form real sentences. Did my brain just turn to mush? Because I think it just did.

“Alex?” I heard a woman’s voice call, “Are you there?”

“In here, Ma.” He called and I looked at him, this stranger. This was nothing like my Alex. Wait a second—did I just say my Alex? No, I didn’t, couldn’t have.

I shook those thoughts away and looked in the kitchen and saw Alex’s mother. She was in her late forties, probably, and had the exact same shade of Alex’s hair. She turned towards me, her eyes bright.

“You must be Amanda.” She held out her hand for me to shake, “Alex talks about you a lot.”

I shook her hand, smiling, “Does he?” I smirked at him, seeing his embarrassed face.

“All the time!” She exclaimed, “And you are much more beautiful than he let on.”

I felt myself blush, because one: Alex talked about me to his family and two: he let on that I was pretty. Wow. That is a lot to take in.

“Ma, stop.” Alex told her, blushing under his tan skin.

“No, no,” I beamed, “Let her go on,” I looked at his Mom, “What else does he say about me?”

He shook his head, “Ma, don’t say anything.” He gripped my hand tighter, “Let me show you the rest of the house.”

Alex led me into the living room and I smiled, it looked homey. Like a real home should, unlike mine.

“Are you staying for dinner, dear?” Alex’s Mom asked.

I looked at Alex and he nodded, “Only if you want too.” He offered.

I smiled, “I’d love to!” I called back.

“I told you they would love you.” He whispered in my ear.

I sat down on the sofa, sinking into its cushions, “Your Mom loves me, I think, but I haven’t met your Dad yet.” I pointed out.

He shrugged and sat down next to me; our shoulders and elbows brushing each other. Electricity jolted through me, making it harder and harder to breathe. I concentrated on just that, so I wouldn’t look like an idiot who couldn’t breathe.

Alex reached for the remote control and turned on the T.V., flipping the channels. He stopped on MTV where they were interviewing a band of some sorts.

I snorted, “You watch MTV?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

“What’s so bad about MTV?” He asked, turning his head to look at me.

I rolled my eyes, “It’s so pointless.”

“You know what?” Alex put an arm over my shoulders and pointed to the screen, “One day, I’ll be on that screen, and you won’t believe your eyes.” He whispered.

I gave him a look that said I didn’t believe him, “Whatever you say.” I said sarcastically.

“Trust me on this.” He told me.

Somehow, I found it easy to trust him.