CHAPTER 19

Huh? Why is Wes being so weird? His sudden fascination with mortality and his response to his, as well as mine is pretty strange.

"Uhm... Okay... Wes, are you okay?" I asked, a little worried about him.

"My grandma, who lived in Sweden, passed away. 2 weeks ago." Wes said quietly.

"Oh my God, I'm so sorry." I gushed, feeling really bad for Wes.

"Yeah, she's my grandma on my mom's side. It was an ashtma attack. I haven't seen her for years. I thought about seeing her this summer, but I don't know. I just..I'm a selfish brat. I wish I had gone back to see her." Wes said with a heavy sigh. I didn't know what to say. In the semi-darkness I stared at Wes. He was looking forward, like he was in a trance.

"You know, now that my mormor's gone, I am officially alone. I'm supposed to have a father, but, well, he might as well be dead, he's never around. I think he forgot I exist, I don't know. All I have is a horny step-mother and a slutty step-sister. Yeay, me.." Wes said bitterly.

I looked at Wes. I felt bad for him. I so badly want to comfort him and tell him that, hey, hello there. I am exactly like you. I'm alone too. My dad's a phantom, my step-mom is a gold digger and my step-sister is as good as non-existent. But I couldn't. He's the mighty Wesley Grayson while I'm the lowly Addison Morgan.

"You know, you're lucky your grandma is still around. Are you guys close?" Wes asked as he got comfortable in my bed.

"Yeah. Very. She's the only family I have. I mean, I still have my dad, but sometimes I forgot I do. He's away a lot for work." I explained, leaving out the info about my step mom and Layne.

"Well, welcome to the club. We are lucky, aren't we?" Wes said with a dry laugh. He looked at me and smiled a sad smile. He took a deep breath and stared at the dark ceiling.

We were quiet after that. Both of us on our backs, staring at the ceiling. I ached for Wes. He's right. He was alone.

"What about Josh? He is your cousin, right?" I said out of the blue. Wes smiled as he looked at me.

"Yeah, but he's my step-cousin. Alana's his aunt. Plus, he has his own thing going on. He's a great guy though. But there's only so much he could do for me. He has his own life. I don't wanna be the dead weight that drags him down." Wes said with a sigh.

"Hmm.. So, summer's almost over." I said out of the blue.

"Yeah.. When are you going back?" Wes asked, not looking at me. I sneaked a look at his profile.

"Saturday. So I'll have Sunday to prepare for school. So not looking forward to that." I said with a sigh.

"Me too. But it's the last year of school, so that's a comforting thought. You got any plans for college?" Wes asked.

"Not really. Just hoping that I play soccer good enough to get a scholarship to any college. I don't care where. I just want to get out of there and never come back." I confessed passionately.

"Yeah, I want to get outta there too. Everything there is just too smothery. Sometimes I wish I'm invisible and that nobody knows me or care about what I do. I want to be anonymous." Wes said passionately.

"So, you wanna be like me?" I said as I looked over to him. Wes turned to me with a frown on his forehead.

"What do you mean? You're not anonymous. Far from it actually. I do notice you in school." Wes said and I looked at him in surprise.

"You noticed me? Seriously?!" I was surprised. I sat up and looked at him. Wes didn't say anything for a moment.

"Err.. Yeah, I mean, there were rumours.. Which I never believe, by the way." Wes said hesitantly. He didn't look at me. I kinda got what he meant.

"Oh.. Okay.." I said, a little embarrassed. I hate it that Wes knew what people are talking about me. It's awful.

"But for the record, I didn't believe those rumours." Wes said mysteriously.

"Oh, really? How come?" I asked curiously.

"Well, if you are into girls, you won't be checking me out every day during lunch." Wes said casually. My head whipped towards him. The nerve!

"Oh please... I have never checked you out! Ever! Yuck!" I insisted, as I looked at him, bewildered. He sat up and looked at me, in the semi-darkness, his face in bewilderment. Then, he chuckled.

"Yuck? What do you mean, yuck?!" Wes looked at me incredulously.

"Yes, yuck. You're not that good-looking. Don't flatter yourself." I scoffed as I rolled my eyes. Wes chuckled as he shook his head in disbelief.

"Oh, really? So, I don't do it for you." Wes said as he turned his upper body towards me, moving closer. I saw that stupid smirk on his face. Aw, crap!

"Nope, sorry. You're not my type." I said with a shrug. I fought hard to look blase'. But god knows, my heart was hammering so fast and hard that I felt it could burst out of my chest as Wes had moved significantly closer to me. I kept looking forward, acting so unaffected. I heard him chuckle under his breath.

"Are you sure? I'm kinda like everybody's type." Wes said with a shrug as he looked at me, an evil smile on his lips. I could feel his breath on my cheek. Argh, this has got to stop.

"Urgh, whatever! I'm going to bed. Goodnight!" I said huffily, trying to calm my hammering heart, as I pushed him a bit by his chest. He chuckled again. Suddenly he ruffled my hair. I pulled away from his hand and scoffed.

"Fine. Go to bed. Deny all you want. I know better." Wes said and got out of my bed. I just looked at him in annoyance. He moved to the window and started to climb out. I almost breathed out in relief when he suddenly poked his head back into my room, startling me.

"Goodnight! I know you'll dream about me tonight! See you tomorrow, babe!" Wes said cockily and laughed evilly. Then he was gone.

I finally let out the breath that I had been holding. Urgh, how embarrassing! I put my hands on my warm cheeks. Stupid Wes! Talk about mortifying. Oh God, I hope he doesn't think I like him. That would totally kill me. He would be so grossed out. I know who I am. I am a nobody beside the mighty Wes. I wonder if he could tell that I liked him. Oh, shit! I hope not!

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I tried not to stare, but it was really hard not to. There they were, sucking face right smack in the middle of the eating area of the corndog stand. Just then, Daisy nudged me. I was a little startled and continued putting the freshly-cooked corndogs in the paper containers. I heard Daisy sigh and looked at her. She was looking at Wes and the crazy redhead, Sierra having a tonsil hockey.

"My, aren't they passionate!" Daisy exclaimed as she handed the food to a customer and took the money from him. I glanced at them again and saw Wes looking at me!... Well, at us, actually and gave a nod of acknowledgement. Daisy smiled and waved, but I ignored him as I continue with my work. There was no customer to serve anymore. Everybody were either sitting around eating or walking towards the beach, corndogs and drinks in hand. I felt Wes looking at me and I was a little weirded out. What's with him? He's been nice one minute, annoying the next and even ignored me a few times. Especially when he's with Sierra. But come midnight, he would climb into my room and started being all deep and endearing. I had a feeling the Wes that visited me at night was the real Wes. I dunno why, I just had a hunch.

It was already Friday. I would go back on Saturday. I sighed, dreading the moment. Deep inside I knew that when summer is over, so will I and Wes. We'd go back to the way we were, which sucks!

After my shift ended, I went into the changing room with Daisy. Both of us had handed in our notice a few weeks ago and I would go home while Daisy would register at her college. We were quiet as we packed all our stuff into our bags. When we're done, Daisy hugged me tight. I hugged her back, just as tightly. It was sad losing Daisy. She's the only girlfriend I've ever had.

"Look, keep in touch ok. You got my number, right? Don't be a stranger ok?" Daisy said as she pulled away from the hug. I nodded, a little choked up.

When Josh came to pick me up, he and Daisy hugged as well. Wes was also in the car, kept stealing glances at me from the rearview mirror. I ignored him. I don't know why, but I was mad at him. Something is wrong with me.

When Josh stopped at Grandma's driveway, I got out and said goodnight to Josh. He would be driving me to the bus station the next day before he drives back to his campus. After that, I just walked off, leaving without saying a word to Wes. I caught him looking at me like I was beibg unreasonable. But I just ignored him and walked into the house.

After I was done packing my stuff, I got ready for bed. Since I've packed up all my stuff, I wore my mum's old nightgown. It was sleeveless, white, maxi type of dress. It was cotton and very comfortable. Plus it made me feel closer to mum.

Just when I was about to get settled in bed, there was the familiat creak from my window. Frowning, I went to the window. I was shocked to find Wes poking his head into the room through the window. He smiled when he saw me. I sighed and went to my bed.

I went into my bed as Wes followed me into my room. He stood awkwardly with his hands in his jean pockets.

"Addy, are you mad at me?" Wes asked as he came closer. I ignored him.

"Addy, come on, did I do anything wrong?" Wes pleaded. He walked closer. From the corner of my eye, I saw his face was etched with worry and confusion.

"Oh my God, just go! Just, just go bother your girlfriend or something!" I said in exasperation.

"My girlfriend? I don't have a girlfriend." Wes looked at me in confusion.

"Oh my God! You sucked her face off and now you're saying she's not your girlfriend?!" I said angrily at Wes. Oh, shoot! Stop it! Stop being angry!

"Huh?" Wes looked even more confused. I took a few sreadying. God, why am I being embarrassing...

"Look, you didn't do anything wrong and I'm not mad at you. Just go home, Wes." I said defeatedly, knowing that I was being petty and unreasonable. I was about to get into bed when Wes gripped my arm. I turned to look at him in surprise.

"Wes! What are you doing?!" I asked in bewilderment. Suddenly he pulled me into his arms and hugged me tightly. I gasped as I felt his strong armwas wrapped around and he was squeezing me to him gently. Then, after a while he pulled away slightly and looked at red-hot face. He looked dead serious. I tried avoiding his gaze, but he kept looking at me. Then, an amused smile came to his lips.

"I know you're jealous, Addy." Wes said playfully. I looked up at him, my eyes wide. I was about to open my mouth to protest when he smiled and pulled me closer. Nothing came out of my mouth.

"And I think it's really cute." Wes whispered, his lips againt my temple. My heart just seized and I couldn't breathe. I just stared wide-eyed. I felt his lips smiling against my temple.

Just then, he pulled me in into another hug. His scent engulfed me and I was transported into a world filled comfort, love and security. His hug made me feel safe, all mortification, gone. I felt his arms tight around me and his hand gripping my back, gently. I closed my eyes, without meaning to. Just then, his lips moved further down my cheek and finally resting against the side of my lips. Then his lips pressed firmly against mine. My eyes flew open in surprise. Wes froze. He pulled away and stared at me, his face was filled with bewilderment. We stared at each other in about a few seconds when I pulled at his shirt and pressed my lips against mine. Wes gasped and did not respond for a second, but after that he kinda sighed and pulled me close and deepened the kiss. My head was screaming, what the hell is happening?! And why the hell does his lips feel and taste so effing good?!

Just then, Wes pulled away and looked at me. I couldn't meet his eyes. He put his finger under my chin and pushed my face up to look at him. I stared at him uncomfortably.

"Good night." And then he let me go and climbed down my window, leaving me confused and wondering what the hell just happened.