The Tables Have Turned

Chapter 18

I frowned when I woke up in an unfamiliar room.

“I guess I’m more comfortable than the pillow,” Paul said and I jumped. I suddenly remembered everything that has happened; going to Alex’s house, seeing Eleanor again, going back to Paul’s house, telling him about my parents, and falling asleep.

I noticed that my head was not on the pillow anymore; instead it was on Paul’s lap.

I laughed and sat up. It was now 7:00p.m and since winter almost here, it was dark outside.

“Chase called you a while ago. He just wanted to check in on you,” Paul said, giving me my phone.

I nodded and dialed his number.

“Hello,” he said after three rings.

“Hey,” I said. “How’s it going?”

He sighed, “Horrible! Mom and dad are coming home soon, though, so after dinner I’ll be able to make up an excuse and stay in my room.”

I laughed at him and winced slightly when I thought of the headache he probably had right now.

“I’ll be home soon, too,” I said. “I’ll have dinner with you guys.”

“Tell Paul to stay, too,” he said.

“Okay, but I don’t think he’ll agree to that,” I said, glancing at Paul who was watching me.

“Chaseyy,” I heard someone call him.

“I have to go,” he said, sighing.

“See you later,” I said as I hung up.

I stretched and yawned before standing up.

“You want to come over for dinner?” I asked Paul.

“Not with those twins there,” he said and I laughed.

“I wouldn’t blame you,” I replied.

“You don’t have to leave, though, you can stay here for dinner,” he offered but I shook my head.

“No, I’ll go,” I said and he shrugged.

“Okay, let’s go,” he said, grabbing his car keys.

“Skye’s not here?” I asked as we walked to the front door.

“Nope, she’s at her friend’s house,” he replied and I nodded.

Ten minutes later, he pulled up in front of the Walker’s house.

“Thanks, Paul,” I said and added “For everything.”

He grinned at me and I hugged him before stepping out of the car.

Clarissa and Tom arrived a few minutes later. We had dinner then Emily, Chase, and I excused ourselves and went up to our rooms.

 The next morning, I woke up early to start studying math. I had a big test on Monday and I had to do well.

“Clarissa, what are our plans for today?” I asked when we were having breakfast an hour after I woke up.

“We’re going to church then after that we’re going to a restaurant the twins love for lunch,” She said. “But the restaurant is an hour away from here.”

I winced slightly. I needed to study for my test.

“Why? Is there a problem?” Tom asked.

“It’s just that I have to study for my math test,” I answered.

“You don’t have to go with us if you don’t want to,” Clarissa said. “Order something and stay home to study.”

“Really?” I asked and she nodded.

“Thanks,” I replied. “I’ll go to church only.”

“Okay,” they agreed and I relaxed. I could have the house to myself to study all day. Chase and Emily didn’t need that much time to study so they’ll manage to do that in the afternoon.

The twins were just as annoying as yesterday but I kept telling myself that they will be leaving in a few hours.

We went to church and after the ceremony was over, they dropped me off at home and left. I had at least three hours alone.

I changed into a pair of sweatpants and a tank top since it wasn’t very cold today and started studying. I tried my best to concentrate but there were a lot of things I couldn’t understand. To say I was confused is an understatement.

Suddenly, my phone started ringing, surprising me. I grabbed it from the small table next to my bed expecting it to be Clarissa but I was shocked when I saw Alex’s name on my screen.

I blinked a couple of times before pressing the answer button.

“Hello,” I said, trying to keep my voice casual.

“Hey,” he said casually.

“What’s up?” I asked as I drew random lines on my copybook.

“Are you studying?” He asked.

“Yeah, I am,” I replied, staring down at the numbers scribbled on my copybook.

“Is it going well?”

“Not really,” I said, wincing. “There are many things I can’t understand.”

“Like what?” he asked.

“Number thirty part one. Why is x equal to seven, not fourteen?” I asked.

He didn’t answer that question which he probably considered simple. Instead he said, “Do you want me to come over and help you out?”

I was shocked with his behavior. Why would he propose that? I thought he didn’t want to be around me.

“You would do that?” I asked, surprise clear in my voice.

“I’ll be there in five minutes,” he answered before hanging up.

I slowly lowered my phone and stared at the screen. What’s going on? Why did Alex call me in the first place? And why did he even suggest coming over to tutor me?

Maybe he wants to help me. Maybe he wants to spend time with me. Maybe, just maybe, he likes me.

Whoa! I have to calm down. He can’t possibly like me. But why would he come over? Did he care that much about my grades?

The doorbell surprised me and I jumped then laughed at myself for being surprised by the bell.

I jogged downstairs and when my hand rested on the doorknob I noticed what I was wearing. For a second, I wished I had changed but then I thought that Alex has seen me worse.

I opened the front door to reveal Alex who looked extremely cute with his faded blue jeans and red polo T-shirt.

“Hi,” he said, his blue eyes staring into my dull brown ones.

“Hey,” I answered as I opened the door for him to come in.

He walked in and went straight up to my room. I then noticed that it was the first time Alex and I are alone at home. Does it matter anyway?

He sat on my bed and took my copybook to see what I did so far. His eyes scanned the copybook as my eyes scanned him from where I was sitting next to him.

“When will you finish checking me out?” he asked with his eyes still on my copybook.

I blushed because I was caught but I was stupid enough to blurt out, “When you finish checking out my copybook.”

He raised his eyes to look at me, clearly surprised by my answer. I crossed my legs and looked away from him as my cheeks flamed.

His gaze was still on me and I silently begged that he would say something already.

“I’m done checking out your answers,” he said.

“But you’re not done checking me out,” I replied yet again without thinking.

He paused but then he spoke again with a smirk on his lips. “I was just thinking that I would’ve preferred you wearing shorts instead of pants.”

My eyes widened but I quickly covered up my shock. “I-It’s cold,” I stammered, blushing.

“Your red cheeks show otherwise,” he said and I silently cursed myself for blushing harder.

“Shut up,” I grumbled.

“What if I don’t want to?” he replied.

“I’ll make you,” I said confidently.

“How?” he asked.

“I-I’ll find something!” I answered, crossing my arms.

“A kiss perhaps?” he asked, moving his face closer to mine.

At that moment, I forgot how to breathe. Is that really happening? Why? Why the sudden change?

“Shouldn’t you be saying that to Jenny?” I said, my voice coming out squeaky and slightly breathless.

“Jenny?” he echoed.

“Yeah,” I said “Your girlfriend.”

“She’s not my girlfriend,” he replied. “I haven’t had a girlfriend for two years.”

I looked down and my legs, as my heart hammered in my chest.

“I-I’m sorry,” I whispered, feeling as guilty as ever.

He cleared his throat as his gaze went back to my copybook.

“You did number fifteen wrong,” he said and I looked at my copybook too.

I grabbed my book and read the question.

“How?” I asked, not finding my mistake.

“Here, the two should be four,” he said, pointing at my copybook.

I leaned closer to see where he was pointing. Then I noticed my mistake.

“Oh!” I said as I grabbed my pencil and started writing the correct answer before I forget it.

I concentrated and wrote the numbers while doing a few simple mental calculations.

Only when I finished, I noticed that the copybook was still on his lap. I opened my mouth then shut it before I say a stupid comment. I was still leaning forward with the pencil in my hand and my eyes wide. I’m so stupid sometimes.

I quickly sat straighter and tried to suppress a blush.

“Is it correct?” I asked, desperately trying to forget what I just did.

Alex stared at me for what seemed like hours before he shook his head and focused back on the answer I wrote.

“Yeah,” he replied and I grinned.

“I’m so awesome,” I said and he laughed at me.

“You’re such a kid,” he muttered under his breath but I heard him.

“I’m not a kid!” I said sticking my tongue out at him.

“Yeah, very mature,” he said sarcastically and I laughed.

“Stop distracting me, Alex,” I said, trying to sound serious. “I’m trying to study.”

“Oh I’m sorry,” he said. “I’ll leave.”

I knew he was kidding but I played along.

“Okay and close the front door after you,” I said as I acted as if I were concentrating on math.

He left my room and I laughed quietly. I knew he wouldn’t leave. I knew him too well.

I decided to make the best of this time and try to solve a couple of problems.

A few minutes later, my door flew open and Alex walked back in while eating a galaxy bar.

He sat back on my bed as if nothing happened earlier. He ignored me as he played with his cell phone. I tried hard to stifle the laughter that was threatening to spill out of my lips as I thought of what I was going to do next.

I moved myself closer to him. I saw him glance at me from the corner of his eyes but quickly looked away again. I smiled to myself and moved even closer so that our legs were touching.

He looked at me again but for a longer time. I tried to act innocent and write on my copybook but honestly I just scribbled random numbers and letters.

When he looked away again, I moved my face closer to his. This time he turned his head to face me. We were both shocked at our close proximity but neither one of us moved.

I forced myself to focus and carry on with my initial plan instead of getting lost in his blue eyes.

I moved my face even closer and then moved it to the right and took a huge bite out of the chocolate bar he was holding.

Realization flashed in his blue eyes when I moved away from him.

“Hey!” he exclaimed when he saw that half of his chocolate bar was eaten.

I laughed and swallowed the delicious chocolate.

I licked my lips and grinned. “Yum!”

He swallowed at stared at me for a bit. After shaking his head, twice, he frowned at me.

“Why do you always eat people’s food?” I heard him mutter and I laughed.

“Technically, it’s not your food,” I pointed out, sounding like a geek for some reason. “It’s the Walker’s food.”

“But I got it from downstairs!” He argued.

“And I just took one bite! Stop being a baby,” I replied and he gave me an incredulous look.

“That bite was huge!” He said and I burst out laughing and nodded.

“Well you can have the rest,” I joked. “I won’t take another bite.”

“Wow thanks,” he replied sarcastically.

“Now shush I’m studying,” I said as I tried to focus on the math problem again. He rolled his eyes and ate his chocolate bar quietly.

I tried not to think of the boy sitting next to me but the thought of how much I loved his presence here today kept running in my mind.

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