A Daydream Away

Jack’s POV

“I needed I ride. I got stuck outside in the rain and he happened to be the only person passing by.” I said, backing up as Max let himself in.
That was another thing about Max I disliked. Wherever he was, he acted like he owned the place. He made his way into the kitchen, helping himself to whatever was in the fridge.
“I hope you tormented him enough for the both of us.” Max stated, pulling a bag of chips out of our pantry and popping one in his mouth, not bothering to chew with his mouth shut.
I didn't respond, just let out a half-hearted laugh. Max never openly bullied Alex, but he did say some pretty nasty things behind his back, which pissed me off. He also would ‘accidently’ run into him on occasion, causing Alex to slam in to lockers.
“That would be funny, if we just randomly started picking on the kid. I bet he likes you. I bet that’s why he offered you a ride.” Max said snidely.
“Ha ha” I said, being completely sarcastic “I’m sure he does.”
Suddenly, Max put down the bag of chips with a loud crackling noise, and hurried next to me. I saw his dangerous grin appear as he rested his hands on my shoulders. I knew this meant trouble.
“I have an idea.” He started. “What if you pretend to be his friend, and then as soon as he tells you he likes you, you kick him to the curb, meanwhile, the rest of us pick on him when you’re not around. It’ll be hilarious!” Max said, his voice filling with excitement.
‘This is by far the stupidest plan he has ever come up with.’ I thought to myself.
But, instead of talking him out of it, I agreed.
Max spent the rest of the evening at my house, even though I’d never asked him to stay.
My thoughts wondered to Alex all evening, and Max could tell that something was on my mind.
“Dude, what the fuck is wrong with you? You’ve been acting like the fucking popular girls in math class all night.”
“Just tired, I guess.” I responded.
When he finally left, I was overjoyed. How I had stuck with him for so long, I wasn’t sure. Why couldn’t life just be easier?
“It was good to see Max over, I haven’t seen him in a while.” My mom said during dinner.
“He’s probably just fed up with him, is all. It was bound to happen sooner or later.” My dad said, taking a large gulp of his beer.
I knew he meant that Max was fed up with me, but I didn’t say anything. I was used to this kind of attitude from my father. Don’t’ get me wrong, my dad was actually a good dad… if he was sober. It was just the bottle in his hand speaking. As soon as some liquid relief fell down his throat, he got a high and mighty power surge.
My mom however, took offence for me.
“George! You apologize right now!” She squealed, setting her napkin down on the table in protest.
‘Oh god’ I thought ‘they’re going at it again.’
“I will say whatever the hell I want, Karen! This is my house! He is my son! Don’t you dare tell me what to do, woman!” my dad shouted before taking another swig of his beer.
I looked over at my little brother, who looked close to tears. I lightly tapped his knee with my foot, getting him to look up at me.
I subtly lifted my arm, using my hand to call him over. I saw him slip under the table and soon he was by my side. I wrapped a protective arm around him, trying my best to shield him from the raging storm happening around us.
It seemed like an eternity before my mom stomped away from the table, heading up the stairs and slamming the bedroom door behind her.
The click of the lock let me know that my dad would be sleeping on the couch tonight… just like almost every night.
“Go to your rooms’ boys.” My dad said, rubbing his forehead with his hand. My little brother opened his mouth, starting to say something or ask a question about the fight that had just happened, but my father cut him off.
“I said go to your god damn room!” he shouted, his voice like fire in my ears.
I quickly picked up my little brother, carrying up the stairs and finally plopping him on his racecar bed.
John was only 7, but he understood everything that was going on. He understood my dad’s drinking and how mom only stayed with him for us two… or mostly him. He understood why the house usually smelled of smoke, and even knew that I liked guys. He knew better than to tell my parents, who were still completely oblivious.
“Why do they fight like that?” he asked, his innocence raining through him like a hurricane hitting a beach.
“Sometime people fall out of love with each other, but try to work it out for the people around them.” I replied, kneeling down in front of him.
“Love is stupid.” John said, lying down on his bed and rolling over to face the wall away from me.
“Yeah, I know it is.” I sighed, ruffling his hair.
I walked out of his room, heading down the hallway to mine. I heard my mom crying in her room, but I didn’t bother knocking. I didn’t need another argument.
I collapsed on my bed, trying to forget everything that happened after Alex dropped me off.
Thinking his name made me smile, and that smile stayed on my face all throughout the night. His smile appeared in my dreams, and his voice was the first thing I wanted to hear when I woke up.
I was falling hard and fast for this boy, and I didn’t mind one bit.

Notes