Loving The Jerk Who Might Have Feelings

Alexander D. Winters

“Excuse me, sir? How much is this?”

He scratches his head, yawns loudly, and glances at the lady with half-closed eyes, “More than you can afford and it wouldn’t fit you even if you used it as a scarf”

And then he’s back to sleep.

“Alex! Alex! Wake up, douchebag!”

Alex groans and reluctantly stands up straight. Henry’s standing in front of him with a nasty frown and his arms crossed over his chest. Oooh, he must be angry, “Can I help you?”

Henry’s lips purse and he puts his hands on his hips frustratingly.

“Just because you’re gay doesn’t mean you need to pose every ten seconds, Henry”

Henry glares, “I’ve had thousands of customer complaints today only! And for your information, the lady you so rudely offended was buying that shirt for her daughter! Was as in the past tense!” he lets out an aggravated sigh, “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t fire you”

Alex yawns again and rubshis eyes, “Um, cause my dad triples your salary so you won’t”

Henry huffs angrily, “Go on break!” then turns around and walks across the store, “Stupid Kid doesn’t even need the damn job, his effing Dad can buy him five malls for Christ’s sake!”

Alex snorts, “What a dick” and then goes off to find Joshua. He’s at guitar world playing a dumb song while the chicks swoon over him and he pretends not to notice.

“Yo, Joshua? It’s time to eat” Alex yellsfrom the entrance. Joshua smirks while the owner shoots him one of his looks. He puts the cool guitar, which he might never afford, back in its case and jogs over to his best friend.

“I’m surprised you even showed up to work, you were practically dead when I left this morning” Joshua says smiling and waving at his fans as they leave the store.

“Yeah, what the hell, man? You’re my alarm, remember? God, Nate practically pissed when the back up one went off. I’m serious, that guy needs to chill ‘fore I punch him down in his—“

Joshua snorts, “Yeah, like that’ll happen”

Alex glaresat his tone, “What is that supposed to mean?”

“Oh, you know, I mean since Nate and Athena are always together...”

“So?”

“Well, if you hurt him, she’s gonna hate you”

Alex shoots Joshua an incredulous look as they arrive at the food court, “Why should I care?” Then he gives an involuntary smile, “’Sides I think she already does”

Joshua rolls his eyes, “Oh C’mon, bro, you looooovvvvveeee her” and elbows him.

Alex grimaces at him, “Dude, don’t be such a girl, I do not looooooovvvvveeee her. God, I can barely stand her. She’s so stuck up and commanding, no wonder Nate likes her. He doesn’t seem the type to have ba—“

“Welcome to McDonald’s, can I take your order?”

______________________

Alex laughs, “So the cashiers name was Lindsay, really? So, um, you gonna help her with her homework... like learning the ABC’s?”

Joshua rolls his eyes but keeps his easy-going smile, “She’s fourteen, dude, and she gave me her phone number; what was I supposed to do? Throw it back at her? I’m not an asshole like certain people, and anyways she gave us free food”

Alex shrugs, “Fine, man, I’m not gonna say anything about Jailbait seducing you with McNuggets”

“She’s not jailbait ‘till I turn eighteen, genius. Hey isn’t your birthday coming up?”

Picking up another fry Alex responds, “Not ‘till Halloween and that’s if...”

“Don’t start dude, it’s only a week away, I mean, you said your dad was looking for it. God, have some hope, will you?”

Alex gives him a look of disbelief, “Yeah, hope, that’s what I need.” He shakes his head and sighs, “You know me, d’you honestly think I’m gonna suddenly have a burst of that religious crap? God, that’s why I needa leave Athena outta all this, it’s just pointless, y’know?”

“No” Joshua says stubbornly, “I don’t”

Alex rolls his eyes, “Didn’t think you would. Well whatever, have you even looked at me? I’m outrageously hot, why would I wanna go out with a plain old junior when I can have...” he smirks, “College girls”

“Dude your taking remedial English and Algebra for the third time. Yeah, college girls really dig brainiacs like you, my friend”

He slugs Joshua’s shoulder with smirk, “You know they do”

That’s when Alex catches something that the guys behind them were saying, “Of course, dude, she was even easier than Jamie Santos. Transfer girls are such sluts” the voice laughs.

“Seriously, dude?” says another voice.

“And was she good?” says yet another.

“Eh,” says the first voice, “Okay, I guess, but I dumped her this morning ‘cause she’s so needy, y’know?”

“What? But Athena Night’s, like, the hottest girl in school, man”

“Yeah, but she’s a slut”

Suddenly Alex rises from his chair and spins around to face AJ and his friends. Slowly, he makes his way in front of their table, facing the wall. “What did you say?” he asks the main douche.

AJ stands up looking tense, “Calm down, bro, we weren’t talking about anyone you know”

Alex gives a smirk, “I beg to differ”

AJ looks confused, “Athena? You know Athena?” then he turns to his friends laughing, “See what I told you? That girl has now boundaries”

And suddenly something snaps inside Alex. Anger runs through his veins until it reaches his fist and he does something incredibly stupid. Alex punches Mr. Captain-of-the-football-team.