Ruin Everything

A week and a half later, Sam was knocking on my front door. I rushed to open it before Jack, who was not happy in the slightest. I pulled it open and grinned at him. He handed me a single pink carnation, which was unexpected. I giggled and kissed his cheek. I lead him into the living room to meet my family. Jack and Joyce were the only ones home, which I was thankful for.

“Mama Kitty, Jack, this is my date, Sam. Sam, this is my mom and my brother, Joyce and Jack Barakat,” I introduced with a smile. Sam was polite, shaking their hands as they said their hellos. I was proud of Jack, for being pleasant, and Joyce, for being normal. And I was proud of Sam for agreeing to this. I’d dressed him up, in a long-sleeve black button-up and a pair of jeans, as well as a pair of black Nikes. He looked nice, having shaved most of his stubble off. I could tell he was impressing Joyce as I searched for the bright blue sandals I had saved from my closet to match the light blue short-sleeve dress I’d also saved from my closet. I hooked the braided leather belt around my waist and turned back to check on my date. He and Jack were talking, although I couldn’t hear about what.

“You did good, Cassara,” Joyce said, appearing beside me. I smiled. “He’s cute.”

“Thanks, Momma,” I muttered. She hugged me and kissed my hairline.

“I like this one much better than any of those ones that Becca picked out,” she informed me. It hurt that she liked Sam, knowing that I was deceiving her. But I liked Alex so goddamn much that I couldn’t risk losing him because of our age or who he was in relation to my brother. I didn’t want to cause a rift between Jack and Alex. That’s why this was better. But I hated lying to her. She took me in, put a roof over my head, and provided for me, when she could’ve left me out on the streets. She took a chance on me and here I was, lying to her. She deserved better, but for some reason, she’d stuck around this long. I had to hand it to her; she was one hell of a lady.

“Alright, Jack, leave Sam alone. We have to get going or we’ll be late for the movie,” I said, taking Sam’s hand in mine. I steered him away from my brother and towards the front door.

“I want her back by 11, Sam,” Jack instructed.

“My curfew is 1,” I reminded him. Jack stared at me, his expression saying “so?”

“Leave them alone, Jack,” Joyce said. I opened the front door and guided Sam out.

“Bye, I’ll see you later.”

“Have a good time, kids,” Joyce called out. I shut the door behind us and we both let out a breath.

“I thought they were going to catch on for sure,” Sam whispered as we walked down to his car. I laughed.

“I know. This is nerve wracking,” I replied. We got in his car and drove towards the restaurant, almost completely in silence save for the soft rock station playing through the speakers. When we pulled up outside the local family-run Italian restaurant, I looked around the parking lot, looking for my real date. Sam laughed and pointed to my right, where Alex was leaning against his car.

“Thank you for doing this, Sam. It means a lot,” I said, kissing his cheek before I got out and bounced towards my lead singer. He held out his arms and I jumped into them, pressing our lips together happily. He held me close, his arms encircling my waist to keep me against him. He was so comfortable, so familiar; I couldn’t believe he was mine. I had hit the jackpot with this one.

He let me down and inspected me, twirling me out in front of him. I got a good look at him as well. He was wearing a Glamour Kills shirt, skinny jeans and his hair was perfectly disheveled. He grinned as I came to a stop before him.

“You’re gorgeous,” he said, pulling me in for another kiss.

“Mmmmmmmmm, as much as I’d love to do that all night, I think we should head in and eat dinner.”

He nodded and we went inside.

“Hello! Welcome to Speziali’s! Table for two?” a cute, red-headed waitress asked from behind her hostess podium.

“Yes, please,” Alex said with his heart-winning grin. She grabbed two menus and led us towards the back, where a booth was set up, with candles and dimmed lighting. I knew Speziali’s was a popular date place, but I didn’t know they had tables set up just for dates. I slid into one side while Alex slid into the other, while the hostess waited patiently. She handed us our menus and smiled sweetly.

“Your waiter this evening will be Paul, can I start you off with something to drink?”

“Water,” I said automatically.

“Water as well, thanks,” Alex said. She nodded and flitted away.

“Wow, Alex, I’m starting to think you had a hand in making this perfect,” I said, leaning away from him while I looked through the menu.

“I would never! But, in the case of things being perfect, your evening is just getting started, my dear.”

“You are amazing; do you know that, Alexander?”

“I’ve been informed but it’s always nice to hear, especially from one of the greatest kissers in the world.”

I blushed and stared at my menu, trying to ignore Alex’s existence while my cheeks lost the blush. Alex had this amazing ability to embarrass the hell out of me, just by complimenting me. He was really good at it, and I’m pretty sure, it was a natural born talent.

“Here are your waters,” the hostess said, setting a glass of ice water in front of both of us. “Have a nice meal.”

She practically skipped away. I stared in disbelief. Who is that happy?

“Do you think that’s natural or she just puts that on?” I asked.

“What? Her face?” Alex asked, keeping his eyes on his own menu.

“No, that happiness. She’s all peppy and it’s weird. I was wondering if maybe she just puts it on because she’s being paid to be like that.”

“Some people ARE that happy, you know,” Alex told me. I looked at him.

“I guess, I don’t know. No one I’ve met are that freakishly chipper.”

He smirked.

“What?” I asked.

“You. You’re one of a kind, Pebbles. I’m still in awe that you were interested in me.”

“Trust me, Lex, the feeling is mutual. I mean, you’re Alex Gaskarth! You’re the lead singer of a popular band and one of the sweetest guys I’ve met. Who am I compared to that?”

He leaned over the table so our noses were touching.

“Listen to me, Cassara, you are beautiful. You are talented. You are also the best soccer players I have ever met. You undervalue yourself but you are exactly what I want. Do you understand me?”

I nodded. He kissed me and muttered, “Good, but even if you forget, I'll be here to tell you every time.”