Chapter 7: 04|I lost my first kiss to a rollerskating jerk!

I sneaked another glance at Neal, the third transfer student and sure enough, he was looking at me. He quickly averted his eyes and cleared his throat. I bit back an amused chuckle. I finally came across the soon to be so called Mr popular, in my last class- Physics. He was in my English class too but, I noticed him just yet. He indeed had the stereotypical bad boy looks but the moment he put his geek glasses on, he looked nothing but a cute little harmless fellow nerd. We didn't have a conversation yet but he was stealing nervous glances in my direction and the cutest part? He was hiding behind a book- an upside down book. Bell signalled the end of class, I grabbed my bag and started packing. Two shadows loomed over me. I expected my brothers and began babbling. "Ash, we really need to prank someone, like right now. We haven't done it on someone since forever! And Aid, I call an emergency study date tonight. Physics just flew over my head and I am craving ice-" "Uh?" I turned on my heels and almost tripped. "Alex? Neal? Shit! I am sorry, I thought-" Laughter boomed in almost empty classroom and I turned to glare at my brothers. "Come on, Astrid-bear, that was priceless." I flipped them off and gave my attention to the other two boys. "Yes?" "I-" both of them began and stopped at same time. What is with pairs of creepy boys? They glared at each other and began again. "I was-" again. I sighed and prompted Neal to speak first. He looked smug as he spoke. "I was wondering if you wanted to hang out." There was a slight accent in his speech. I was taken aback for two things to be exact. No one, I mean no one dared to ask me, as in a member of Parker clan, out. Because if you do, my brothers will kill you. And secondly, three 'No's' chorused before I could say anything. I mean I expected my brothers to do it but Alex too got overprotective. Twins didn't notice as they stabbed Neal with knifes. Figuratively. Neal on the other hand, seemed unfazed. He rolled his eyes and gave a look to Alex that yelled 'I know something that you don't want me to know.' "I want an answer from you not from your brothers." "I don't know you. You can be a creepy ass gang member for all I care." I directed last part towards Alex and he visibly flinched. "I swear, I am not." Neal shook his head and chuckled. I swooned. Damn, that smile! "Well then, I will think about it after I make sure that you aren't." He smirked and sauntered out of class after winking at me. Swoon. I could feel my brothers murdering Neal in their heads but I was too busy drooling, to care. Until a certain grey eyed boy cleared his throat. I crossed my arms and glared at Alex "What?" I didn't want to sound snappy but he was doing his best to make it difficult. "I was wondering if you could give me pointers for soccer trials as you are captain and all. I really want to make it to team." "Aiden can help you." I narrowed my eyes. "Nope. Sorry sis. I have to help dad in office today." I blew a frustrated breath and grumbled a 'fine'. His eyes lit up immediately and I felt tad bit guilty for snapping at him. "My home at 5?" He nodded and gave me a big smile before practically hopping out of class to Rose who was waiting on door with a smile. Bipolar much? ~~~ "Coming!" I tried my best to shout with a mouth full of wafers but it still ended up sounding like "Cubbin." I hurriedly swallowed and dusted the crumbs before opening the front door. As expected, Alex was standing on the door with a smile brighter than sun. I narrowed my eyes. "Why are you so happy?" His smile widened if possible as he shrugged. I rolled my eyes and welcomed him inside. "Let me just get my soccer ball." he nodded absently as his eyes scanned the house. Taking two steps at a time, I hopped back to my room and grabbed my soccer ball, my phone, wallet and keys. Electricity hit my body when I saw the pain stricken face of Alex upon entering the living room. His eyes were fixed on the memory wall, we three made with dad, last summer. It was a collection of every precious moment of our life. I slowly stood beside him and cleared my throat. He blinked repeatedly as if to blink back the thoughts. "You okay?" "Can I please hug you?" I was caught off guard by two things- his request and the crack of his voice. He looked down at me and I swear my heart broke. I gingerly nodded. He immediately engulfed me into his arms and hid his face into my hair as if he thought I will change my decision. I didn't say anything and gingerly hugged him back. His hug made me feel safe. I suddenly felt as if I found the last part of my puzzle. I somehow tasted completeness. It was a beautiful feeling. He sighed in my shoulder and I swear I felt a tear drop there. I was confused. Why was he acting like this? What would have happened? I shook my head slightly and shrugged the thoughts away. Whatever it is, doesn't include me. I am just giving him support. I absently caressed his hair. He sighed again. "You have a great family, Astrid. It makes me miss my family." I stiffened. He was hurting because of this. That explains his outburst at lunch and his behaviour right now. He was jealous of me. "W-what happened?" I bit my lip. I admit I have an amazing family but sometimes, I miss mum because boys don't understand some things that are meant for girls. "C-car accident." we both froze. "I lost all of them because of a car accident. I wish I was I died too." A tear slipped down my neck when another slipped down my cheek. I tightened my hold. This time, for myself. "I-I lost m-my mom in one too." I choked out. I never really opened up to anyone outside family but today for some reason, I felt light weighted. He immediately pulled away. His eyebrows were furrowed. I fidgeted under his gaze. "I-I was with her in car. She d-died in hospital. I must have too but all I got was a permanent m-memory loss of 6 year. I should have died too. This is not f-fair." His face blanked completely by end of my rant. Still, he wiped my tears and grabbed the ball from where it fell. "Let's get out if here." He muttered over his shoulder. I nodded. Even though I was confused as to why he didn't try to console me, I was grateful that he didn't. Because it was refreshing in an odd way. Alex Lawson, you're officially a mystery to me. ~~~ "Great shot, Aid!" I yelled, half dazed. I realized my slip and looked at Alex sheepishly. "Sorry, it's just-I-Aiden-" "It's okay. I get it." he shrugged with a blank expression. In an hour of kicking the daylights out of my soccer ball, I have figured that I can't for the life of me, figure Alex out. He was amazing at soccer, if I say so myself. But he still came to me for practice. Why? I was 85% sure that this is the same guy who cornered me with a gun and this confused me. Did he get me alone to kill me? Because if he thinks he can do that, then he has another thing coming. This time, I won't hesitate to flaunt my black belt on him. But then again, he has been nothing but nice to me for past hour and it's somewhat frustrating me. I don't want to judge him but the guy can't stay at one end of the devil to angel spectrum. And every grey cell in my brain is craving to figure out why he would want to kill me. "You're good." I rolled my eyes. "Have you seen yourself? Either you are low on self-confidence or you were trying to rub it in my face." I mock glared at him. He chuckled and shook his head. "I mean, I am not very proud of my low self-confidence." I watched him carefully for a second and decided to just drop the bomb already. "Be honest with me. Was it you?" his eyes widened and I knew that he knew what I was talking about. "What are-?" "Don't even deny it." He sighed and passed a frustrated hand through his hair. "Yeah." For some odd reason, I was disappointed. "Why?" Something shifted in his eyes. They turned stormy. "None of your damn business." I flinched at the cold edge to his voice. He noticed. Just like a switch turned on, his eyes softened and it was as if I saw cloud clear a sky after storm and it almost felt that his eyes were turning blue instead of grey. He tried to reach for me but I took a step back, my face neutral. "C-uh-Astrid listen-" Without another word, I turned on my heels. He stayed rooted in his place as I walked away. I was angry. Screw it! I was livid. How dare he point a gun at me and then try to be my friend? When I try to see his reason, how dare he talk to me like that? I didn't even notice where I was going and accidently bumped into a roller skater. He lost his balance and started skidding badly. Acting on impulse, I grabbed his jacket collar and pulled him towards me. Bad move. Next thing I know, I was crushed on ground and the worst part is, I couldn't move at all. No, I could have pushed him off me but how? I was frozen. He was frozen. Worst part? Our lips were frozen together. Holy. Freaking. Shit. I just lost my first kiss to a complete stranger. What if he has a girlfriend? Or a disease? What if my brothers come to know about him? Oh. God. I am so dead.