I don't usually dedicate my chapters, but this ones for caselivy! Thanks for the amazing banner on the side :)

Chapter 10

                “You look horrible.” I said directly, as I slid in the booth across from Clarice.

                It was early the next Saturday morning, and Clarice called me up, asking me to meet her at the coffee shop near the gas station. I spotted her in the back, head hanging low, palms around a steaming hot mug of coffee. It wasn’t until I saw her face that I sensed something was wrong. Her lips and cheeks had no color, absolutely white and pale. She looked like the complete opposite of what she usually is- or was.

                Her dull blue eyes met mine, as she sulked down in her seat. “Thanks.” She muttered, voice hoarse.

                I frowned. “Did something happen?”

                She took in a deep breath, releasing it out slowly, as she shook her head. “I’ve just been throwing up lately, a lot.”

                I nodded my head, giving her a small smile. “That’s normal, right?”

                “Yeah.” She paused. “I’m just wondering how long it’ll take before my parents catch up to all of this.”

                My eyes widened. “You haven’t told your parents?”

                She shot me a look, shaking her head. “No. They’ll kill me if they find out.”

                I scoffed at her. “The entire school population knows already, and your parents don’t?”

                Clarice rolled her eyes at me, slamming her fists down on the table, making the salt and pepper shakers shake. “What the fuck do you want me to say to them, Aerial?” she snapped, biting down on her lips. “Hey mom, dad, I’m pregnant with a guy who just left me.” She imitated, shooting me an annoyed look.

                Throwing up, check.

                Mood swings, check.

                Clarice Adams was most definitely pregnant.

                I sighed, leaning back in my seat. I didn’t want to argue with a pregnant woman, not now. “I’m just saying,” I paused, looking her in the eye to calm her down, “its better if your parents find out sooner than later.”

                Clarice clenched her jaw, releasing a deep breath of air. Licking her lips, she nodded reluctantly. “Your right.” She said. “Sorry.”

                “So, are you going to tell them, or what?” I asked.

                Clarice laughed bitterly, stirring her black coffee that was getting cold in front of her. “I guess I don’t have a choice.”

                Nodding with approval, I smiled. “Good. If anything, you can stay over at Alex’s place with me if they kick you out.” I said teasingly, earning a grin from Clarice.

                “Oh, shut up.” She bit back a smile. “What’s the deal with you and Alex, anyway?”

                I frowned. “What do you mean?”

                Clarice laughed half-heartedly, shaking her head, as messy blonde strands fell in her face. “Come on, Aerial. You pushed away this subject last time, but I’m not letting you leave without an explanation.” She took a sip of her coffee. “Are you guys like dating, or something? You’re always sleeping over at his house.”

                I choked, staring at the blonde with disbelief. “It’s not like that!” I sputtered, feeling my cheeks become warm.

                Clarice chuckled. “Really? Then are you guys like friend are with benefits?”

                I closed my eyes together tightly, smacking my palm to my forehead. “Alex and I have no special relationship. We’re just friends- or even acquaintances.”

                “That makes no sense.” Clarice smirked. “Why do you keep staying over at his house, anyways?”

                I gulped nervously, playing with one of the salt shakers on the table. She’s one of the only people who know that my mother passed, but she doesn’t know anything about how my father comes home completely wasted and violent every night. I can’t tell her I ran away. I told Hayden, and he almost blew up my spot in front of Alex.

                “My dad’s out of town for a few weeks, business meetings and all.” I explained, lying right to Clarice’s face.

                Clarice studied my face for a long moment. I didn’t dare to meet her eyes, because if I did, then she would find out. She would know about my lies, and everything. But, her stare was so intense, as if she was a magnet, trying to pull my eyes towards hers. And eventually, I did finally look up to her.

                “So, you’re still a complete and utter shit liar, aren’t you?” Clarice raised an eyebrow, shaking her head at my horrible attempts of lying.

                I pursed my lips, giving her a glare. “Can we just drop it Clarice?”

                Clarice scoffed, shaking her head. “No, Aerial. We can’t.” she stopped talking, waiting for me to continue. When I sat silently with my arms crossed, Clarice spoke up, again. “Just tell me, Aerial. You’re making this harder by-“

                I was getting extremely aggravated by Clarice’s constant pressuring now. I didn’t have to tell her anything I didn’t want to. She left me for two years. She would’ve known what my problems were with my father, if she didn’t decide to ditch me and leave me when I needed her the most. “Stop, Clarice. Just stop.” I grit through my teeth, nothing nice in the tone of my voice at all.

                Clarice blinked, looking shocked at my cold tone. “Did I say something wrong? I just wanted to help.” She snapped, angry clearly expressed on her face.

                I sighed, letting out a deep breath of air. “I don’t need your help, especially since you suddenly start caring two years after.”

                Clarice gasped with surprise, as she licked her lips. She stayed silent for a moment, before she sat up straighter, clearing her throat. “Listen, I didn’t come here to make things worse with you, Aerial.” Clarice rummaged through her purse, slapping down a creased ten dollar bill on the café table. “Talk to me when you stop holding a grudge.”

                Clarice got up from her booth, looking back at me for a moment to see if I was going to call after her. When I didn’t, Clarice huffed, heading out of the café. I watched from the glass windows, as she slid in her car angrily, starting it up, and driving away.

                Clarice was being incredibly unreasonable, and having pregnant mood swings wouldn’t pass off as an excuse for me. If she thought that I would open up to her again just because I decide to help and care about her baby, then she was dead wrong.

                I don’t know if I could trust Clarice Adams ever again.

*

                “Why are you packing your stuff up?” a voice startled me, as I was putting away a pair of skinny jeans in my duffel bag.

                 I turned around to face the doorway, where Alex was standing. His cheeks were pink, and he had a white towel wrapped around his neck. I also couldn’t help but notice how he was shirtless. His biceps were just the right size, and his six pack abs was hard not to notice.

                “Did you just come back from the gym?” I asked, tearing my gaze away from him, as I secretly blushed for checking him out.

                I heard his footsteps getting closer to me, as I continued to pack my clothes away. I could feel the warmth of his skin brushing against mine, as Alex stood next to me. I tried my best to ignore the sweaty shirtless guy beside me, but it wasn’t easy.

                “Mind putting on a shirt?” I muttered, trying not to glance over at him.

               Alex didn’t answer me, but instead, his hand covered over mine, holding me tightly. My breath hitched, as I gulped. I could feel my heart rate pick up when Alex wouldn’t let go.

                “What are you doing?” I managed to ask without stuttering.

                Alex’s blue eyes bored into mine with intensity. “You never answered me.” He said lowly, moving his head closer to mine. “Why are you packing?”

                I licked my lips, noticing how our noses were so close from touching. If I moved my head an inch closer, then our lips would be touching. We would be kissing.

                “I have to leave.” I said.

                Alex’s hand tightened around mine, as he asked, “Why?”

                I adverted my eyes away from his, not trusting myself any longer if I looked into those blue eyes again. “It’s been a week.” I paused, biting my lip. “Your mom should be back from her business trip.”

                “It won’t be a few hours before she leaves again.” Alex said. “Stay.”

                I frowned. Why wouldn’t Alex’s mother come home? And why did he want me to stay so badly? His house wasn’t a free hotel, and I can’t just take advantage of him like that.

                “But-“

                Alex pressed his forehead against mine, making my eyes go wide.

                Was he insane?

                “Please, stay.” His warm breath tickled my lips. “Everyone leaves me.”

                I closed my eyes, taking in a deep breath of air. Did Alex actually want me to stay? He sounded so genuine when he told me to. It was a side I’ve never seen of him before. He always had this tough exterior, and now he was practically begging for me to stay? Unbelievable.

I pulled away from his grip, creating a distance between us.

“I’ll stay,” I paused, a small smirk forming across my lips, “if you go take a shower, right now.”

Alex bit his lower lip, trying to bite back a grin that was threatening to spread across his rosy red lips. “What are you trying to say, Mason?”

I chuckled, flicking his nose teasingly, the same way he usually does it to me. “I’m saying that you smell.” I said, which was a complete lie. Even though it was evident that he spent the afternoon at the gym, he didn’t smell of odor or sweat, at all.

Alex rolled his eyes, giving me a small smile. “Whatever, Mason. I’ll go shower, if it bothers you.”

Smirking, I turned my back on him. “Thank you.” I sarcastically remarked.

I heard Alex laughing from behind. The sound of footsteps disappeared down the hall, and soon, the sound of running water was audible.

And all I could think was, what have I gotten myself into?