None of us kids really understood what was happening between Dennis and Kelly. One minute, they were trying to kiss and make up, then the next Dennis was threatening to pack all of us up and move in with 'Jessie's mom,' as he called her. It didn't matter much to us, though, so long as we gained more freedom by them not paying attention to us, we were good. Besides, Dennis' brother and his wife had been coming over a lot, trying to keep the peace with everyone. They liked to give me pot and let me drive their car, so, all was well on my end.


Be that as it may, I had about four days left before my mom was set to pick me up to drag me to West Virginia for the hearing. We were going to court for two reasons, one of which I am not at liberty to speak. The other, who gets what. I didn't look forward to this - I saw no reason in fighting over what was left. Nothing meant a damn thing to me, anyway, because he wasn't here to hand it over himself.


So with the knowing that one of the (new) hardest days of my life was right around the corner, my friends were trying to keep me content and in good spirits before they sent me off. This meant Dennis gave me the truck keys, telling me of course I had to let Steph drive, too, and Alex had been letting Jack and Steph take his car so we could all go riding together. Naturally, because of the attempt to cheer me up, John followed along on his dirtbike and Zack followed along in his car with Rian by his side.


"Baby, baby, baby!" Alex gripped the dash with horror written on his face. The truck went flying sideways as we rounded the curve, me snickering to myself. "Sonofabitch, you can't do that!"


"Why not? Afraid I might out-drive you, Gaskarth?"


"In your dreams, babe."


We both laughed quietly as my right hand went straight for his. Alex scooted closer to me in the seat and rested his head on my shoulder. In my head, I knew I should be doing this to him, but I wasn't complaining. I was a control freak, anyway, so if he was driving me I'd just be complaining. We'd just about made it to the end of the road, Alex now fully recovered by his fear, when I slammed on the brakes again which caused the two cars behind us to throw gravel in attempts to stop with me. John, however, kept flying by on his bike.


"Really? Again?"


I giggled, nodding my head as I played with the radio. I fully believed that if I didn't like the song playing, I could stop where I wanted and adjust the dial until I was content.


"Jessie!" Jack called from the car right behind us, hanging his head out the window. I mocked his actions and let my face hit the breeze, dusting slapping my nose as well. "What the fuck, man? I almost hit you!"


"Would have been your fault!"


"Turn it to 96.3!" Zack now stuck his head out of the window. "They're playing good jams right now!"


"Right-O!"


Pulling myself back in the car, Alex was already changing the station. I smiled to myself and started the truck again, rolling on to where I assumed I'd just turn around and head back. But that's when Alex grabbed the wheel to stop me from making a U-Turn.


"Keep going," he mumbled into my ear, sending chills down my spin. "I want to take you somewhere."


Unable to speak, I simply nodded my head and started off down a part of the road I'd never been to before. I glanced in my rearview to see if everyone else was keeping up, but they were going the other direction. Raising an eyebrow at Alex, he simply shrugged with a smirk on his. He planned this. I drove for what felt like an hour until Alex made me turn into the woods, a path I was barely able to make out which led to a pond. I didn't even know there was one around here.


Parking the truck, I followed Alex out of the truck and climbed on the back. He'd already instructed me to back it in so we could see the water and get out a little easier. Alex pulled me close to his chest and let out a deep sigh. We were actually alone, together, with no one else around to ruin the moment for us.


"You're going to do great this week. You're going to do what you have to do and come back to my arms."


"What's going to happen while I'm away this time, Alex?"


"Nothing, baby, I promise," he leaned down to kiss my shoulder. "We're going to pick up where we left off."


"And where are we leaving off?"


At this, he smiled brightly and pressed his lips against mine. Without warning, I was knocked down on the back of the truck, Alex's body hanging over mine like a ghost. His tonge traced my lips and I willingly opened them, fighting to be the dominate one. His fingers trailed up and down my thighs, making my breath hitch in my throat. Then, as quickly as it started, Alex pulled away; leaving me confused and breathless.


"We're going to leave off having a good time with our best friends. When you get back, we're going to decide if we're ready to go into this thing with a level head."


"So what you're saying is... ?"


"You've had at least six pills today and more beers than I can count. I'm a fool for letting you drive but I'd also be a fool to take your underwear off while you're this fucked up. If you can stay sober long enough to decide on what you really want, sexually, you can have me."


"Who says I want you?"


Alex rose an eyebrow and I bursted out laughing. He shook his head and playfully shoved me, making me laugh harder. In between our laughter, we decided we should probably head back before everyone drives Rae insane. I took one last glance at the pond, admiring the long weeds, the broken tree limbs and the breeze that made the leaves in the water dance. It was beautiful. But reality was waiting for me, so I climbed back into the truck and drove all the way to Steph's house, where Kelly had now joined everyone by the porch. It was easy to see through the cloud of smoke that they were getting high and it seemed that Rian was telling some sort of dramatic story.


We killed the engine and joined the gang, Alex's hand holding tight to mine as I climbed on the front rack of my four-wheeler, a real smile on my lips as I soaked in all of their happy faces. What was that feeling in my gut? Was that.. No, joy?


"Alex," Jack poked my boyfriend in the side, stealing my attention. "I think someone is flirting with you."


I followed everyone's gaze to the window of the house next door, where Hannah had just so happened to open her blinds and strip totally naked with a towel on her head by accident. Alex covered his eyes instantly, pretending to gag. At this, Hannah stared directly at him, waved and flashed a toothy grin. I was dying of laughter at Alex's face of disgust.


"Dude, she is so desperate," Zack snickered, passing me the joint. "Oh Alex, please fuck me!"


"Speaking of fucking," Rian cut in, stealing the joint right out of my mouth. "What'd you two do down at the pond?"


"I'll have you all know that my virginity is still in tact," I flashed a smile, watching Kelly's eyes grow wide as she rushed Kristen into the house. Sometimes I forgot that girl was so young.


"No fucking way," Zack shook his head, digging in his pocket to pull out some pills. He offered me one, which made my eyes grow wide as I glanced to Steph and shoved his hand away. Zack shrugged it off and kept talking. "If you're a virgin, I'm a God."


Everyone laughed at this - even Steph and Alex joined in - making me frown. I admit, I don't fit the role because I'm such a 'bad influence' and a tease, but I wasn't a whore by any means.


"What? I swear, I'm a virgin."


"Stephanie we believe, but not you."


"Fuck off, Jack," I stuck my middle finger up. "Steph, am I a virgin?"


"She definitely is, guys."


They didn't seem to believe me, but they did lay off. Alex took this as his chance to kiss the embarrassment away and pull my head into his chest. I thought he was being sweet until he mumbled into my ear:


"Are you really a virgin?"


"Yes!" I whisper-yelled. "Just because you guys fuck everything that walks..."


"Hey! I do not!"


I knew Alex had been sexually active before, it was written all over his face, but I didn't care to ask with who or how many girls. It might have changed my views on him. Eventually, Jack ended up changing the conversation by mentioning how he wanted to throw a banging party before I left, and we were almost done planning it when Kelly came running on the porch with the phone in her hand. My heart started to beat faster out of instinct, I was so used to this being bad news for me, but she instead handed the phone to Steph. It didn't change the fact that my heart sunk.


We remained quiet until Steph hung up the phone, passing it back to Kells. She was sobbing silently as she pushed out of Jack's embrace, moved Alex out of the way and fell into my chest. I brushed the hair away from her face and whispered 'shh,' to calm her down.


"What's wrong, baby?"


"M-My g-grandpa d-died."


I closed my eyes, pulling her closer into my chest. When shit goes wrong, it never seems to get back on track.

Notes

So, you guys didn't reach five comments, but that's okay. I need you all to start thinking about whether or not you want this story to continue. I only have a few chapters left of this one but I am wiling to make a sequel. A lot of fucked up shit has happened in my life and I'd be more than willing to share it with you, so comment below and give me your thoughts.