The Boy Next Door

"Alright, don't pack up just yet, we still have 2 minutes before the bell actually rings." Mr. Fitz says

We all groan, but secretly gather out things under the seat so we can storm out as soon as possible after the bell rings.

"For your next project, I want you to make a painting. It can be of whatever you want, remember, there is no right or wrong. A painting has its own story, a good artist is the one who make one's art speaks itself." He announces, and the bell rings just after that

"I expect to have received your works within 2 weeks." Mr. Fitz adds

We all get up from our seat and rush outside the classroom. I gotta admit that I am really excited for this next project, I've got millions of ideas bursting in my mind of what I'm gonna make. But I need to make a stop first at a craft store after school, because I'm pretty sure that I'm running low on paint, and also the canvas.

I meet Travis infront of my locker, and we walk together to our math class. I settle my things down on my usual chair, infront of Alex who has his foot up the desk and he's casually chatting with Rian who's sitting beside him. He finally shuts up when Mrs. Lindsey starts handing out our assignment result last week.

"Nice job, Gail. As always." Mrs. Lindsey smiles to me as she hands out my paper with an A+ on it

I smile back at her, "Thank you, Mrs. Lindsey. I've learned so much from you."

"Pfft, show off."

"Well, Alex. Why don't you see your result for yourself. You might wanna look up to Gail, you're pretty far behind her." She turns to Alex and hands his result. A D- written in red ink.

He crumples the paper and tosses it to the trash can when Mrs. Lindsey isn't facing him

"You still need to pass, Alex." Rian reminds

"I can catch up." He answers. But I have a strong feeling he didn't mean it.

---------------

After the last bell rings, I sigh in relief after such a long day. I head outside and meet the girls who are about to have cheer practice.

Oh, did I mention about homecoming being only a week away?

The girls have been very busy practicing their routine, while the boys are down in the field. And of course I wouldn't wanna miss the homecoming dance too, we've agreed to go together as a group even though many of us are actually dating.

After saying goodbye to them, I decide to go to the mall like I'd planned earlier to grab some art supplies. I'm pretty sure that I saw a craft store last week when I'd gone to accompany Jaz shopping. And true, because I walk out of the store 2 hours later with shopping bags on both hands.

Just when I'm about to hail a taxi to get home, my mom decides to go after me to the mall and have dinner there since none of us feels like cooking tonight. She's still on her way, so I still got about a half hout to kill before she comes.

I pass by a music store, the glass wall allowing us to look at the inside of the store that holds guitars in every size and shape. But that's not what catches my attention. But he does. I can't name any other person with a tall and lanky figure with that bleached skunk-like hair around here, if it isn't Jack Barakat.

"Jack?" I half greet half ask. He's too busy organizing the rack behind the counter to even recognize me coming

"Welcome to Dave's Guitar- Oh, hey Gail!" He turns to face me

"Jack! I didn't know you worked here!" I greet him for real now.

Me and Jack, we share the same AP world history class. He turns out to be really good at history, despite him being the class clown. He always manages to get kicked out of class almost every single time because our teacher, Mrs. Gloria, a sad looking old lady who's rummored that she used to teach at a semi-military school in her earlier years hates everything Jack does. She once made Jack have a trip to the principal because she thought Jack's hair's one quarter of an inch too high for her liking. But of course, that didn't stop him from cracking up jokes and entertaining the class with his skill. There's nothing serious between us, no more that exchanging hellos when we pass each other.

"Jack-o at your service. So, what can I help you?" He answers

"Oh, I know nothing about music. Just stopping by to say hi. Sorry, if I'm interupting something." I apologize

"It's okay, really. I could really use a company right now, this place's a graveyard on weekdays." He sighs

"By the way, congratulations! You held on 10 minutes longer in Mrs. Gloria's class yesterday than you did last week!" I joke

"I took me quite a long time to pull off that prank. But after all, it was worth it in the end, wasn't it?" He winks

I laugh, "It was quite an entertainment."

"Do you work too?" He asks, changing the subject

"I used to work too at a coffee shop back in Oakland, I might wanna look for a part-time job around here some time." I tell him

"That's great. I've always wanted to save up for the band, and to get new gears also. I figured it would help to get a part-time job here since well, since guitar is my specialty. Dave, the owner's really cool, he sometimes lets me take some small things like strings and picks." He explains
"Sounds cool!"

"It is a lot of fun. Alex, Rian and Zack like to come here also, waiting until I finish my shift and trying out guitars. Speaking of which, where the hell are those motherfuckers, they've promised to bring me pizza." He grunts

I laugh and I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket. It's probably from my mom, telling me that she's here already.

"Sorry, Jack. I gotta get going, my mom's here already. It was nice talking to you, see ya!"

"Thanks, Gail! See you around!" He waves

I say goodbye and walk out of the store. I fish my phone out of my pocket to reply my mom's text, keeping my eyes focused on the phone screen. It's only for a few seconds, because I suddenly bump into a stranger's shoulder

"Watch your step."

"Sorry-"

I freeze as I recognize that voice. Alex's.

"Well, if it isn't everyone's favourite ginger princess. All alone at the mall, without her so-called popular gang. Where are they? Those jocks and perky cheerleaders." He snorts

"What? So I can't just be out somewhere by myself? Get a life, Alex." I shove past him
He holds my wrist, "It's a pretty sweet life I'm currently living in, sweetheart. What did you do to be picked up by them? Did you fuck Travis? How was that make out session with Travis at Matt's party? Would've been better if it hadn't been under a tree, don't you think?"

"I didn't do anything with Travis! Even if I did, it's none of your business. They're good people, they're my friends. They treat me like I'm on of them, and they care about me. I care about them, and don't you say a word about them! Now, seriously, let me go!" I hiss, his grip is so hard it's hurting my wrist

He loosen his grip, but won't let go. Instead, he puts on a smile and pulls me so I am standing next to him

"Alex! Gail!"

"Mom!" I hurry by her side, escaping myself from Alex. Something a 17 years old would do.
"Hello, Mrs. Olson. It's fortunate to meet you here." He politely greets my mom

I roll my eyes, litterally 5 seconds ago we were trading hatred toward each other and now he's acting all pious it's sickening.

"Gail, you didn't tell me you were with Alex! Do you want to come have dinner with us? We're just about to head to Le Quartier for some pasta." Mom says

"We happened to bump into each other, we were just talking about homecoming. So, do you want to go to homecoming with me?" He eyes me

What the hell, Alex?

"Never in a million years." I answer bluntly

"Gail!" My mom squeals

"It's okay, Mrs. Olson. And thank you for the kind gesture but I'm afraid I have to miss it tonight. I have promised my friend to help him work, but thank you for asking. Perhaps next time," He says

"Too bad, I heard that Le Quartier has the best ravioli there. But a promise is a promise." My mom frowns

"I better get going, thank you once again. Good bye, Mrs. Olson! Have a good night!" He says before leaving

I roll my eyes once again, I just don't get what's going in his mind.

"Why did you say no to him? It was so sweet of him to ask you, he's a nice boy. And why didn't you tell me anything about homecoming? When is it? Have you got your dress yet?" My mom fires with questions

"Mom, I'm the one who's going yet you're the one panicking. It's in a a week, I'll ask the others to come with me dress shopping tomorrow." I calm her

"Alex is nowhere near what you told me he is. He's such a gentleman , don't you think?"

Yeah, he sure is.

Notes