I'll Tell You Stories Bruised & Blue

"If all of the raindrops were lemon drops and gum drops, oh what a rain that would be!"

"Standing outside with my mouth open wide, ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah!"

Yes, this was, in fact, our favorite song. Stephanie and I would sing this until we could sing no more, literally holding our mouths open to the sky to make the beat. I'm not sure where we picked up on the song, nor how it became our favorite, but we very much enjoyed singing it loudly for the whole neighborhood to hear.

Currently, we were on Steph's porch, applying make-up to Kristen's face. It had been two days since I reached an almost-peaceful place, so some relaxing time with the girls was exactly what I needed. I'd already made Steph look like a rainbow tramp and now Kristen would look like a Fairy Princess, compliments to Steph for pinning up her hair. We giggled like the High School girls we were and sipped on our alcoholic beverages- Me slipping some to Kris when Steph turned her head.

"Hey chicas, what's up?!"

We turned our heads with a smile, welcoming our new friends to join us. Steph gave out hugs to each of them while I simply gave out booze. I found that to be a much better gift than a hug. People freaked me out. Rian, Jack and Alex took their beers with smiles, but Little John decided against the drink. Shrugging him off, I turned my attenion back to my best friend. She was putting a flower in Kristen's hair, which made me grin.

"What happened to your face?" Alex poked Steph's cheek, making her blush. "You look like I took too much acid."

"Jessie wanted to see what the bright colors looked like."

"So she made you her canvas?" He snickered, shaking his head as he brough the beer to his lips. "So what are you guys up to tonight?"

Alex shifted his gaze to me, but with Kristen's words still fresh in my brain, I averted my gaze. I was well aware of the fact that I didn't know Alex well enough to call some sort of 'dibs' on him, however I thought our friendship was a little more complex than that he had with Stephanie. I tried to keep myself level-headed. You can't meet someone and care for them instantly, it just didn't happen. If anything, I only became iffy to the situation because Alex was a very good looking boy, one that made my teenage brain swim too deep. Nothing more, nothing less. Steph could have him if she wanted him.

"Uh," Stephanie seemed to notice my thoughtful face so she took the pressure off of my shoulders. "You're looking at it."

"We're out of beers," I mumbled, picking up the empty box. "I'll be back."

The cool air of the house made me sick. That, or it was the thought of Stephanie taking of Alex's clothes that bothered me. Vivid imagination- It sucks. Of course she'd fall for him, any girl would. It was that smile, the feel of his calloused fingers, or even just the way those eyes could shoot bullets through your heart. Groaning to myself, I pulled out another six pack and began my journey to the door.

"Do I hear people out there?"

I jumped, placing my hand on my heart. Kelly was standing behind me with a joint in her fingers.

"Fuck, you scared me!"

"Sorry, baby," Kelly giggled, skipping over to me so she could kiss my cheek. "People?"

"Yeah.. The guys are back."

"You and Steph are dude magnets."

"Maybe so."

The conversation was short lived, seeing as I opened the door. Kelly followed me out on to the now crowded porch, so I grabbed a beer and made my way to the grass. This is where I noticed the Rian kid with a frog in his hands, explain to Steph how he could make it blow up. My eyes grew wide, but I calmly put my beer down and approached him.

"Put it down now," I growled. "And you won't get hurt."

"Excuse me?"

"The frog," I could see the sadness in Rae's eyes as she stared at the poor toad. "Put it down."

"What if I don't?"

"Try me."

And he did. Lifting the toad above his head, I could see he was about to toss the poor thing to the ground. My small body flew at him, knocking him sideways as Steph tore the creature from his fingers, letting it go under the porch. Rian wiggled in my grasp, cursing about how I was too strong for such a small girl, until he finally broke free. Laughter rang out around my ears, but I refused to stop until I got a good punch in on his face. He took off around the house, and my track-running legs took off after him.

Our friends followed, wanting to see the rest of our fight. Their laughter had made us laugh, but I warned Rian as he ran from me that I was 'coming for dat ass.' We were about to pass the group again when I caught him, slamming his body down on the ground. Rian rolled us over so that he was on top of me, giving me a clear shot of his face, so I decked him. Clutching his cheek, he rolled off of me with a grunt. Yep, that would leave a bruise, but at least the toad was safe.

"So help me, Rian, if I ever catch you hurting another animal, I will beat you!"

"Yes ma'am."

I brushed off my jeans and walked back over to my beer, taking out half the bottle with one breath. I'd spent most of my life fighting, so I was much stronger than my small frame let on. My legs, thanks to gymnastics, were unusually fast and strong for my frame as well. I was like a small hurricane, as my family liked to say.

"All right, I'll break the silence," Alex grinned, walking over to me. He was alone, everyone else was worried about Rian's face. "How did a little girl like you cause so much damange?"

"Keep up, Alexander, you're next."

"Bring it on, Jessica," he smiled. "So are you.. Mad at me, or something?"

"Or something," I shrugged, sitting on the porch. "What's it matter?"

"Matters a lot, actually. I care what you think about me."

"Why?" I snorted, tearing the paper from my beer bottle. "You and I barely know each other, Alex."

"I know that..." He spoke slowly, sneaking his way over to where I was seated so he could grab another beer and join me on the steps. "But I know you well enough to know you're fucked up. You don't sleep. You think music is the best way to express yourself. When you're out in the sun, your eyes are almost red instead of brown. You have a nervous habit of twirling your hair. You're a sarcastic, loud-mouth, happy-go-lucky kid who doesn't have a filter. You drink too much. You have a substance abuse problem.."

I watche as Alex inhaled a deep breath.

"You would literally take a bullet for Steph. I think you moved in with her because you've got some serious issues going on in your own life, so this is your escape. You're obviously an animal-lover. Steph told me you believe in the stars and signs. I've noticed you've got a thing for Tinker Bell and arm bands. And honestly? I think you're a deeply, unhappy, miserable person.. But you deal with that by keeping everyone else around you happy, because their happiness makes you feel a little better. I think you've got a heart the size of the moon and you don't give yourself enough credit."

I blinked, several times, trying to take in his words. The conversation of those around us had faded away, and the only person I cared about at the moment was the boy sitting beside me. The heat of his body made my flesh crawl and the way he seemed to know so much about me made me want to vomit. Instead, however, I nodded my head and locked my eyes with his. God, I wanted to kiss him right then and there.

"You're a mystery," he whispered, his fingers touching my lower back. "All of this is on the surface, but I want to go so much deeper than that."

"Set your sights on the blonde," I frowned. He already has a girl in his life and he's after Steph. I refused to fall into his trap. "She's your best bet."

"Who? Steph?" Alex cracked a smile. "No thanks. She's cool and all, but not my type."

"I thought you just wanted to be my best friend?"

"Not at all," his face became serious. Fuck, was that my heart making all that racket? "I like you too much for that."

Oh yes, that was my breath caught in my throat. Butterflies were trying to rip my stomach open. There was an odd tingle in my fingers and my insides were screaming for his touch. Did I like him too much to be his friend as well? Fuck. I don't even like people.

"Whatcha doin'?"

I turned to look at Steph, my eyes wide. She still thought he was into her- Which is exactly why I couldn't be into him. I shrugged, standing up with my beer to move away from him. She didn't seem upset, though. Instead, her face was red. I noticed Jack's was as well, and from the way they were standing so close to each other, I'd say he'd finally landed that best friend card.

"I have an idea!" Kelly beamed, walking over to Alex. "Let me do your make-up!"

"NO!" Alex ran from the stairs and hid behind me. The feeling of his arms around my waist made me giddy. "Save me, Jess!"

"Then you!" Kelly grabbed Rian by the arm and sat him down on the steps. Oddly, he didn't fight back. "What do you girls think? What's his color?"

"Pink," Kris smiled. "And purple."

"Steph, get some bows on that head. Jess and Kris, let's do this."

I tried to help, but mostly I kept getting lost in the idea that Alex actually had an attraction to me. Sending him glances, I noticed he never stopped look at me. I passed Kris the brush I had and made my way over to him, my nerves getting more out of control the closer I got to him.

"Do you want to go on a walk with me?"

"No," What? Did I just say no? "I'm going to go shower. Goodnight, Alex."

I walked away from him. Why did I walk away from him?

Notes