I let out a breath, grabbing it front my pocket, and looked down at the screen. Lexi had sent me another message. I was going to ignore it and open it later, but my phone vibrated again.
Lexi: I hope you are okay.
Lexi: I'm going to bed, but please when you get home just knock on my door.
I closed my eyes and clenched my teeth. She was killing me inside. Finally, the light went off in the upstairs window, leaving the front yard in darkness again. I gave it another ten minutes, until I could no longer stand the fact that my feet were now thoroughly freezing.
I got up and quietly put my key into the lock of the front door. A blast of warm air hit me as soon as I stepped inside, my skin hurting from the abrupt change in temperature. I quietly slid my coat off and hung it up in the closet and removed my wet boots. I ignored the want for a hot coffee and tiptoed upstairs, careful not to make too much noise that would alert her that I was home. I slipped into my room and gathered my sleep pants and one of the towels Lexi had left for me last night and quickly and quietly made my way to the shower.
Chapter 16
Alexa
I staredup at my bedroom ceiling, my one hand flung behind my head and the other resting on my tummy, trying hard to relax. I had sent Drew a text over half an hour ago and he still hadn't responded. I was worried. There was no reason why he shouldn't be talking to me. I thought back to tonight and how wonderful it had been, until Zach happened and drove Drew away. I had dreamed of kissing Drew and so much more since the night he had told me I was beautiful, which was so silly. I mean, that had been ages ago. He probably didn't even remember that night. However, to me, it had made such a difference.
It was the night of my junior prom, and even though he was probably only being nice, his words had meant the world. I let out a breath and thought back to that night. I could remember it like it was yesterday.
I walked down the stairs dressed in the white and pink prom dress that I had so loved up until Rickie Hansen had canceled on me and left me in a fit of tears for three straight days right before my junior prom. I hadn't wanted to go anymore. In fact, I had begged my mother to take the dress she had bought back and to leave me to wallow in my room. She wouldn't hear of it and had instead she taken me to get my hair and nails done in preparation for tonight.
As I left the safety of my room, looking like a large bath puff, I made my way downstairs to wait for my ride. I could hear Zach and Drew in the living room playing video games and couldn't wait for the jokes to start.
As my bare foot hit the landing, both Drew and Zach turned their eyes from the TV and onto me. I awkwardly smiled. I hated everything about this dress now and felt completely stupid going to junior prom all alone.
"You look nice, sis," Zach said, getting up to get more snacks and drinks from the kitchen.
"Sure, Mom probably made you say that," I called after him.
As soon as he was out of sight, Drew stood up from where he had been sitting and came over to me.
"You ready for tonight?" he asked, shoving his hands deep into his jeans pockets and shrugging his shoulders.
"I guess. I don't really even know why I'm bothering to go, to be honest. All my friends have dates. I'm just going to be the annoying third wheel."
Drew looked down at me and smiled. "I know how you feel. I went to my junior prom alone. Don't tell your brother; he thinks I went with a date," he whispered, and I let out a tiny laugh.
"No worries, your secret is safe with me," I said, placing my hand over my heart.
"So, did your brother give you his lecture yet? He's been practicing it on me for the last month." He grinned.
"What lecture?" I asked, rolling my eyes and giving him a questioning look.
"To stay away from the bad ones?"
"The bad ones?"
"Yeah, you know, the bad guys, the ones who are only after one thing." He waggled his eyebrows, gesturing to what he meant.
I felt my cheeks redden at his suggestion. "He hasn't said anything."
"All right, well, I feel it then my duty as your brother’s best friend to do it on his behalf. Don't let them near you, Lexi. I'm sure they will be buzzing around you like bees to honey." His eyes dropped down my body, causing me to blush again.
When he noticed that I had become a little uncomfortable, he smiled. Zach came in the room carrying a bowl of popcorn and two small bottles of coke. Drew instantly grabbed my hand and twirled me around, letting out a low whistle as I spun around for him. "You look amazing, Lexi, really. Have a great time, eh?" he said in an attempt to change the subject.
"Stop hitting on my sister, dude. It’s bloody disgusting."
"I'm not," Drew protested.
Zach flopped back down on the couch, grabbing the gaming controller, un-pausing the game, and killing off Drew's character. Drew looked at me, winked, and turned around and went and joined Zach. Both became engrossed in their game and ignored me.