Chapter 12 - Luke

Idiot.

That's the word I kept saying to myself as I walked home.

Idiot. Why did you lean in? Why did you want to kiss her? It was our first date! What is wrong with you? Idiot.

I walked up the steps in my building.

Idiot.

"Hey, sweetie," my mother greeted me from the kitchen

"Hi, mom," I said happily. I wasn't happy at all, but I didn't want to stress my mother out more than she already was. So I acted as if everything was okay.

"How was your date?" she asked joyfully.

"It was fun. She's really nice," I admitted.

"Okay," she said. "Are you hungry? I can cook you something if you'd like."

"No need, we already ate. Thank anyways, mom." I walked over to her and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight, pumpkin."

I walked to my room, where I slumped on the bed.

Idiot.

How could I have been so stupid? Now, things between Alexia and me would be so awkward, we won't even talk to each other. I didn't know what happened to me.

She just looked so beautiful, that I couldn't resist. I thought.

But look what it had done to us.

Defeated, I put my PJs on, slipped into bed, and fell asleep immediately.

The next day, I was determined to forget about that incident and never speak about it again. When I got to school, everything was normal, and I was thankful.

I went straight to English class, where I sat down, and started to put my stuff on the table. I looked around. Alexia wasn't there yet.

I didn't worry much. It was me who was early.

Then, people started to come in. Still, no Alexia. Then, Vanessa walked through the door. Alexia wasn't behind her.

Is she too embarrassed to even come to school? Did she talk to Vanessa and wants to avoid her? Did I ruin my friendship with Alexia?

All those uncomfortable questions flooded my mind. I didn't even notice Mrs. Depree come in until she spoke.

"Good morning, everyone. The first thing I would like to do is check the homework I gave you last we-"

"Sorry! Sorry!" Alexia came rushing in. "The bus was late."

I calmed down a bit. At least I knew she wasn't too embarrassed about our date.

"That's fine, Miss Bates. Please take a seat," the teacher said.

Alexia, walked to her seat, without even looking at me. As Mrs. Depree began her lesson, my fears began to rise again. I was a little relieved that Alexia came to school, but after she didn't even say hi, I was getting anxious.

I felt worried for the whole day.

Finally, after P.E, Alexia came to me. "I'm sorry."

"For what?" I asked. Why was she apologizing? I was the one who did the stupid thing. Not her.

"For…you know…not kissing you," she said embarrassed.

"Oh. No, no, it was my fault. I always see these things in movies, but that was our first date. It was too fast. I'm sorry," I said.

"No, but it's my fault too. I could've said "no" or "stop", but I just gave you that lame hug that made everything worse," she said.

"Oh, c'mon, it didn't-" I paused for a second, "Okay, maybe it did make things worse."

She laughed. Hearing that laugh once again, I knew our friendship would be okay.

"So, are you taking the bus?" Alexia asked.

"No, not yet. I have swimming class," I explained.

"Oh, okay. See you tomorrow then," she turned around and left.

I jogged to the swimming pool and changed. Then I went to sit on the bench.

"Hey, Luke," I heard someone say.

"Hey, Jane," I said back.

In the last few weeks, Jane and I had become friends. After the first week, Jane had become a pretty good swimmer, so she swam with us from then on. We would sometimes race, but no one could beat me: I was the son of Poseidon (Percy Jackson fan. Right here).

Jane lived in Chicago for five years and then she moved to California with her family. She likes animals and watching TV. She even had a corn snake at home. When she told me, I was a little weirded out, but I found out that snakes aren't actually that bad. She even told me that I could come to her home and pet it.

When I said sure, she lit up: she was so happy she swam twice as fast as usual (but she still didn't beat me).

Jane was nice: she was funny, smart, athletic, but not a nerd like me. When I told her I was the son of Poseidon, she looked at me blankly, then said she didn't know what that meant.

"How was your weekend?" she asked.

"Yeah, pretty good. I visited Santa Monica."

"It's nice, isn't it?"

"Yeah, it's amazing," I confessed.

"Hello, people," Mr. Crum said as he walked through the door.

And the lesson began.

Alexia and I didn't set up another date, but that was fine with me. We both needed some time to figure things out before trying again. Honestly, I would've asked her immediately, but I didn't want to repeat the same mistake (I think you know which one), so I decided I would ask after she'd had given me some hints.

I really, really hoped she'd give me some hints.