The Trouble-Makers

Saturdays were less than eventful nowadays. It felt like as soon as I broke up with Zack, my exciting life was slowly fading away; that was why I had the Trouble-Makers of course. Thing was, though, when you aren't an official Trouble-Maker yourself, you get left out a lot. Or at least I thought.

I let out a sigh, my body sprawled out on my living room coach. Jay was laying on my stomach, purring. It was nearly three and all I did today was study for school and sit around. Jay was happy to have the attention, but I was growing more and more bored by the hour. It was weird to think I used to be accustomed to being on my own, but now I felt so helpless.
My phone buzzed to life and I picked it up, a little too quickly, and on it read another message from Nicki.

What's the matter slut? You haven't left the house all day.

I sat up straight at that, causing Jay to fall off my chest and onto my lap. He shot a glare at me but I just simply pet his head in apology. This was the fourth text Nicki had sent me today, but that was the first stalker one she sent me and I had watched way too many horror movies for it to rest easy on me.

I stood up, wrapping my arms around Jay and walked towards the front door. I knew having Jay didn't offer much of a safety advantage but he still made me feel better. Double checking to make sure the front door was locked, I reached for my phone and dialed Alex's number. He had given me his number yesterday on the way to the mall. Normally I would never call people, I actually preferred texting, but I was too freaked out to wait quietly for one.

The phone rang a few times before the like picked up.

"Hey," I heard Alex's voice say. Even through the phone I could hear his smile. "What's up?"

"Can you come over?" I asked quickly, setting Jay on the ground and walking over to my kitchen.

"Uh, sure," he said hesitantly and I heard murmuring in the background. I wondered who he was hanging out with but felt like I would be acting too nosy if I asked. "What's wrong?"

"It's Nicki," I said, pacing around.

Alex went quiet for a second. "What did she do?" he asked tensely.

"It's stupid, but I don't know it's not resting well with me. She's been texting me all day today, which I've been ignoring, but this last one she's sent is talking how I haven't left the house all day and..." I trailed off. "Stupid, right? I just don't want to be home alone right now. I-"

"Stella," Alex interrupted. "I understand, I would be freaked out too. I'm leaving right now, okay? It'll be, like, ten minutes. Just hang on until then."

I nodded my head, even though he couldn't see it. "Okay," I said, biting my bottom lip.

"And don't be too worried," I could hear a smile creeping onto his face, "Jay's there to protect you."

***

As I heard a knock on the door, I jumped up from the coach and ran over. Except I peeked out the window first, making sure it was indeed Alex. I unlocked the door before opening for him, and a grateful smile fell onto my face.

"Thank you so much, Alex," I said quickly, ushering him inside. I had to admit, although he has his horrible temper, I did feel a lot safer when he was around. If I were ever in trouble, I knew he'd be the first to defend me.

"Hey, it's no problem," he said through a smile, kicking off his shoes. I relocked the door before leading Alex over to where I had been sitting most of the afternoon, but then thought better of it since that was the place Nicki sent the creepy text, and instead took him into my room. Evidently Alex must feel comfortable in my room because without even a question he flopped onto one of my beanbag chairs. "So Nicki just sent you that text out of the blue?" he asked, adjusting the beanie on top of his head.

I stayed standing up, crossing my arms. The honest answer would be no, but I was seriously considering my options because I didn't feel like having a pissed of Alex in the house. Alex tilted his head at me, wondering why I wasn't answering his question and I slowly shook my head. I'm sure he wouldn't even believe my lie if I told him.

Alex sat up straighter now. "What things has she been saying to you?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "It doesn't really matter, does it?" I forced a smile and let my arms relax.

Alex stood up now, walking closer to me. "Stella, what did she say to you?" he asked, his voice firmer now. I hated when he got like this.

"I don't know," I said lamely. "Just random stuff...?"

Alex sighed, looking away. I could tell I was really testing his patience, but I couldn't help but want to avoid his question. Seeming him pissed off freaked me out. "Come on, Stella," he murmured. "Do you think that's really going to just settle with me? Now you called me over here, let me try to help."

Now it was my turn to sigh and I bit down on my lip. "It's been mostly just name calling," I said. "But today was the first time she said anything creepy like that. I usually just brush it off."

I could see Alex's muscles tense in his arms and he turned to look at me now. "How long has this been going on?"

"Ever since the break up," I nearly whispered.

Alex cursed and he looked away again, almost searching for an answer to come up with. There really wasn't anything he could do violently here unless he wanted to punch a girl. "I'm sorry, Stella," he said, though his voice came out rough like he was forcing down his anger.

"Hey," I said, grabbing Alex's arm. "It's not big deal and it hasn't been bothering me. It was only this text because I've seen way too many horror movies for it to just slide past me."

"And your first instinct was to call a boy over?" he asked, and I saw a smile slowly form on his face. "Isn't that the first person who dies? The boyfriend?"

"Shut up," I said, giving him a playful push. "It made me feel safer!"

"At my extent," he continued to tease, his smile growing.

"If it comes down to it, like you said, Jay will protect us," I threw in. "He's a ferocious beast, after all."

Alex's laugh followed after that and it was music to my ears. I was nearly ecstatic he wasn't pissed off anymore, and I was grateful I could make him feel better. He seemed to relax more after that, not really focusing on the Nicki subject and every time he would bring it up and I would defer him to something else. He doesn't need to worry about something as silly as that, after all.

Notes