Part 23
Zoe laid back against her pillow trying to calm down. She sighed heavily with a loud puff mixed with a growl. ”Don’t get mad,” Alex said. ”Too late!” she replied. ”My friends aren’t as bad as you may think right now. Just, a lot of shit has happened between them and the dumbhead team of the basketball groups. Your boyfriend is excluded since we both resumed this year.” Alex said.
Zoe sighed again. ”Okay, whatever but I think they are jerks for being mad at you!” she said feeling the anger slowly leave. ”Yeah, I agree.” Alex said.
”Hey Alex,” she called.
”Yes?” He answered.
”Would you like to join me and Luke when we watch a movie?” she asked but he seemed to be silent. Zoe guesses he was thinking it over.
”I don’t know Zoe, I get the impression that your boyfriend just really wants a date for both of you.” Alex said. ”Is it alright? but I feel bad___” Alex continued but Zoe caught him short.
”Alex? I insist that you come.” Zoe said. ”Zoe? Luke won’t want me there” Alex said.
”I want you to come, okay?” she said, trying to be forceful. ”Well, then how do I refuse?” He said. Zoe was proud of herself because she could tell he was smiling.
Finally, she had been the one to cheer him up.
“”””””””””””
She woke up the next morning making sure she asked Luke if Alex could tag along. Mum who was present while they talked about it had said yes before Luke could say anything.
Later in the day, she went upstairs to get dressed. She had changed more than six outfits already before deciding on a crop top with a jacket and a pair of dyed jeans. She helped her mom around the house doing a bunch of house chores.
They had dinner by six! She loaded the dishwasher when they were finished. With nothing left to do but to wait for Luke to come back from his friend’s place. She hadn’t told Luke that Alex was going to wait at their house.
She was getting nervous already. She hoped Luke wouldn’t get mad. A little after seven there was a knock on the door! She opened the door to find Alex smiling. ”Hey, I know I’m early but I brought snacks?” Alex said, staring at her with one hand full of popcorn and the other with a canned drink.
”Thanks,” Zoe said as she pointed to the end of the table in the living room. He walked over and dropped his snacks on the table. Soon, Lilian came from the kitchen.
”Oh, you must be Zoe’s friend Alex?” She asked, smiling. Alex replied to her smile with a more friendly one before he shook her hands. ”Nice to meet you, Mrs. Zander?” Alex said.
”I should have known Zoe was beautiful because she has a beautiful mother.” Alex said in his most sweet and sexy voice, mum blushed lightly.All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.
”Well, thanks for the compliment son but I’m Zoe’s stepmom but I have a son Luke.” Zoe hasn’t told Alex that Luke lived with them or was his mom her stepmom. Zoe could discern the confusion in Alex’s eyes but she still bit on her bottom lips in shyness for he had just called her beautiful.
”Zoe, can I talk to you?” Lilian said as Alex walked into the parlor giving them some privacy.
”Yeah, mum?” She said,
”I have to go to work early tomorrow. so, I’m going to bed early today, if you need anything! I’m upstairs in my room and sweetheart, that boy in the living room is a major cutie.” Lilian said, winking at her.
”Mumm?” she dragged, making her laugh. Zoe sat down on the sofa making sure there was a decent amount of space between her and Alex. ”Why didn’t you tell me Luke lived with you?” He asked, looking disappointed.
”And where is your mum?” He asked again.
”Luke just started living with us this summer and my mum is dead,” Zoe explained. There was a bit of silence in the room which she didn’t like. ”So, what movie are we going to watch?” Alex asked, folding his hand all over his chest. ”I don’t know but can we watch the movie? It’s chapter two?” Zoe asked and he nodded.
Neither of them spoke again, ”you didn’t tell Luke I was coming over, did you?” He guessed. She shook her head, making him laugh.
”Will he be mad?” Alex asked further.
”I hope not,” Zoe said and glanced at the door. There was a knock. She got up to open the door and Luke pulled her into a tight hug.
”Sorry, I’m late because basketball practice was stressful today.” he said.
”Hey, ready for a good night?” Luke asked her before pecking Zoe on the cheeks. ”Hope you didn’t forget I told you, my friend, Luke was going to join us?” she asked, trying to read his expression.
His eyes followed her to their couch, as Alex waved pleasantly. ”Oh, brat!” Luke said! His smile seems to vanish completely replacing it with a frown.
”His friends aren’t around and he seems lonely, that’s why I have asked him to come over.” Zoe manages to say sharply. Luke sat down on the sofa and tapped the space in between him and Alex for her to sit, which she obviously did without objecting.
Luke kept his arms around her shoulder which Zoe felt irritated about, it looked like he was trying to show Alex that she was already taken and he needed to back off.
”Sorry about interrupting your night. I mean when Zoe asked me to come, who would say no to her?” Alex said. Alex seemed like he was asking for trouble but thank God Luke pretended not to hear him as his gaze was focused on the tv.
Zoe quickly stepped on Alex’s foot without Luke catching a glimpse of both of them! Nathan screeches his eyes in pain. Luke was busy checking all the movies and making suggestions again. ”Why don’t we watch five feet apart?” Luke asked, making them all agree.
He played the movie and came back to his position as Zoe curled closely to Luke. Luke switched off the light as the movie began with a girl with something around her nose, it seemed she was sick or something but this was an odd experience to watch a movie with your boyfriend by your side and your friend on another side.
The second guy you made out with at a party and you still feel attracted too was the one on the other side.
The movie ended by ten and Lilian was still sound asleep. Alex clapped giving the movie some credit.
”Great movie, definitely better than I expected.” Alex said, smiling at both Luke and Zoe. Luke looked at him like he wasn’t sure of what to think about him. ”Now, I need to use the restroom… Which Is where?” Alex asked as he stood up. ”The last door down the hall,” Zoe said, yawning! Alex nodded and left.
”Finally, a moment alone.” Luke said, pulling her to his chest! ”Sorry, the night didn’t go as you planned.” Zoe said.
”What? Do you mean spending the night with my girlfriend and her odd friend?” Luke asked. ”This is how I want to spend this night,” Luke said sarcastically before kissing her neck.
”He is not odd,” Zoe said a little defensive. Luke raised an eyebrow. ”Well, maybe he is a little bit odd,” Luke said. ”But he is really cool once you get to know him,” Zoe said with a smile.
”Speaking of knowing him, how did you guys become friends?” Luke asked, perplexed. ”We talked sometimes in dance practice like I said, he is cool.” she said as Luke shrugged.
”Whatever, k**s me.” Luke said, making her laugh. His lips were more fierce, not like she minded. Luke wasn’t usually like this, Zoe didn’t know how to explain but wild she guessed.
He was always this calm and collected all the time, her hands clenched the front of his clothes. His hand gripped the side of her neck making Zoe m**n slightly, “Woah, uh sorry,” Alex
She pulled away from Luke to see Alex turning his back on them.