How to Date Alex Gaskarth

“I looked up some stuff on Alex on google earlier.” Maya said, opening a bottle of bright red nail polish. “You should take a look at the things I printed out.”

“Really, Maya? I told you I wanted to get to know him like a normal person, not look up stuff about the guy! Even I know not to believe everything on the Internet…”

“Jers, think about it. He’s 23, so most of the girls would be around 21 or 22. You’re 19, the underdog. If you get to the house not knowing the first thing about the guy, you’ll be booted off in an instant! And no one would feel bad for kicking off the weakest link.”

“But-“

“So what if you know Lisa? It’s a TV show, she’s not gonna pull strings.” Maya cussed under her breath as a drop of nail polish got on her jeans. She got up and walked into the bathroom with a pair of pajama pants.

“I’ve met Alex before! I won’t be a total ditz.”

“You talked to him at a party for five minutes tops. That hardly counts.”

I wrapped a clump of hair around my finger and twirled it around, a bad habit I had when I felt anxious or pressured. “I… that’s not true. He waves to me when he goes to Lisa’s house.”

Maya scoffed and walked out of the bathroom. She glanced at the clock on her nightstand and sighed, putting away her nail polish. “Look, I just want you to be prepared. I know what you’re like when you feel pressured or uncomfortable.” She took my hand away from my hair and put it in my lap. “You have to get going to the house. It’s an hour drive and girls should’ve started arriving fifteen minutes ago.”

I gave Maya a hug before getting into my car. I had the house directions on a legal pad in the passenger seat and my bags in the trunk, everything ready. While on the road, the only thing running through my mind was what would happen if I failed, if I embarrassed myself. What if the girls there were rude, if they were better in every way? What if Alex sees that I had signed up for his show and is creeped out?

I turned the knob so the radio was blasting, somewhat masking my thoughts.

There were cameras everywhere when I pulled up into the circular driveway. Someone in a vest came and drove my car to the back, and cameras were being shoved in my face as I made my way up the porch steps to the front door. The cameras left as soon as someone else pulled into the driveway. From far away she was pretty; bright-blond hair down her sides, a little smirk when the cameras swarmed her. She oozed confidence from every angle.

My stomach dropped. I shook off the demeaning thoughts and stepped inside, taking in the huge room in front of me. There was a giant staircase spiraling upwards and a few couches lining the walls with painting of every kind hanging above them. The clicking of heels was soon heard and Lisa came down the stairs, wearing a dark green dress that made her red hair stand out. She erupted into a fit of squeals and rushed over, enveloping me in a hug.

“Jersey! Oh I’m so glad you got in! W still have a few more girls coming so you have some room choices! Come with me.” Lisa grabbed my hand and led me up the stairs and into a hallway with multiple rooms. She pointed to all but 3. “Those are available still. It’s 2 girls per room.” She pointed to the biggest room on one end of the hallway, facing the front yard and the driveway. “That’s Alex’s room, he’s in there watching all the girls arrive.” As you can see, the three rooms already taken are closest to his room.”

I nodded and walked over to the room farthest from Alex’s. It was a bit small, but it was enough room for two people and their stuff. Across from the door was a window seat, looking out over the backyard. I didn’t care that this was the room farthest from Alex’s; I dropped my bags on one of the beds anyways.

“Want a tour of the house?” Before I could answer, Lisa was pulling me down the stairs and into various rooms, talking a mile a minute.

“Jack! C’mere a second!” Jack came over and gave Lisa a hug before looking over to me, a smile on his face. “Jersey Alice, I cannot believe Lisa convinced you to do this.”

“Shut up and finish showing her around for me. I have to show the others to the rooms.” Jack nodded and Lisa was back in the foyer, showing the other girls around.

“So are you excited? Scared? Unsure? Have you met the other girls? Are they intimidating? If not do you want to meet them? I’ve talked to some of them, you know. I can take you to meet them. Let’s go meet them!” Jack pulled me out to the backyard where a group of girls were waiting, some sitting, some talking to each other, some on the phone. They all looked up at me as the backdoor slammed shut. I froze in my spot; all the stares made me feel uncomfortable. All of them were so pretty, but so intimidating. The demeaning thoughts rushed back through my head, making it spin. With these kinds of girls, I didn’t have a chance. Jack started naming off the girls and by the third one, my breathing became heavy and uneven, and it was hot all of a sudden. The world was spinning and soon, it was all black as my body hit the floor in a rush.

The last thing I wanted to have was a panic attack.