Chapter 7
John POV
Okay, but Alex with his hair down, is so adorable. He's always adorable, but it's like...more adorable? He should leave it down more often.
I don't know how I had the confidence to do it, but I'm cuddling Alex. I don't know what happened either, but all that matters is that he's in my arms, and it doesn't look like he's leaving anytime soon. Hopefully, he'll figure out that I like him. I'm making it obvious, right? Somehow, I managed to get him in my arms.
New goal: Make it insanely obvious that I have a massive crush on Alex.
Deep breaths, Laurens. Okay, I got this. Just flirt. It can't be that hard.
"Aleeeeeeeex." I start poking his arm but get no response. "Aleeeeeeeex."
I look down and see that he's asleep. What do I do now? I look at him again. Oh my god. He's so cute. Focus, Laurens. Okay, I just need to move without waking him up. It's summer, and he still hasn't taken a break.
Slowly, I start slipping away from that adorable, tiny human, but I don't get far, because somehow he senses me leaving, and hugs me tighter while pulling me back in. Maybe, I can just ask for help? No. They would just tease me...who else? Oh! Martha.
Washingmom
Turtles.: Help.
Washingmom: What's wrong, Dear?
Turtles.: [insert selfie of Alex sleeping on John]
I see the bubble thing that shows someone is typing and start having hope. Then, it suddenly disappeared. Come on! Nooooo!
I set my phone down, and see Meggy taking pictures. Again. Okay, maybe, just maybe they won't send these ones to every social media site, and to everyone- and I'm wrong. Couldn't they have just sent the picture to me, and be done?
"Hey, Johnny." Maria greets, smiling uncontrollably. "What's a, what's going on here?"
"Yeah, yeah, help me, Ria." I groan.
She turns to Peggy and mouths, 'Should we?' The yellow girl shakes her head, and they walk off, leaving me helpless in more ways than one.
Alex POV
My eyes flutter open, and I scan over my surroundings. I see the pool, the beach, John holding me, Mom and Dad getting food- wait. The memories of a few hours ago kick back in, and I smile. John has one arm wrapped around me, and the other latched onto his phone. He still thinks that I'm asleep, so I snuggle up against him. He can't blame me for my actions while I'm 'sleeping.' Maybe, I just like comfort. He'll never know. I can feel him staring at me, so I shut my eyes.
He sighs. "I love you, Lex. I wish you knew that." John pulls me closer to his chest. "I wish we were a thing. I wish I could tell you..." He starts softly singing 'If I Could Tell Her,' but changes the pronouns. His voice is so beautiful. He should sing more often. Halfway through the song, he gets interrupted by Laf.
"I'll make you a deal, if you promise to tell mon petit lion how you feel, I'll get him off." Laf starts laughing. "Y'know, Mom showed me the text you sent her. I didn't think she could be that savage. But, after Meggy posted those new pictures, I figured I would come to help you out."
What pictures? Did Ria- she did, didn't she...
John paused to think for a second before answering. "As much as I love your brother, it's been two hours, so get him off me."
Laf grabs me very easily and swings me over his shoulder. Due to that being a very harsh motion, I pretend to wake up. I start pounding my fists into his back so he can put me down. While carrying me down, he whispers in my ear. "I know you were awake. You're very welcome, mon petit lion."
So John does like me...
I make a plan to tell John how I feel tomorrow. It's gonna be perfect! We'll go explore the town tomorrow, and we'll go eat, and while we're all waiting for our food, I'll tell him. Perfect! Nothing's gonna get in my way!
Alex POV
Okay, I'm really doing this. I tell myself. I'm not gonna fuck up this time. Let's go.
I told everyone- except John, of course- about my plan, and now, we're getting ready to head out. I'm gonna give everyone a tour of my old neighborhood!
We walk behind everyone else, as we make our way towards my favorite diner. When I found out they had already rebuilt it, I was ecstatic. I had so many wonderful memories there. Maybe, I could make some more?
I start blushing as his hand brushes against mine. Nervously, I grab his hand and intertwine in mind. It fits and feels perfect.
Before we enter the diner, I lead John to a bench on the porch. He sits down and stares intently into my eyes.
This is it. There's no going back now.
"John..." I stop to take a deep breath. "Ever since the first time I set my eyes on the beauty that is you, I've finally been speechless. You're one of the most perfect human beings I've ever met, and I'm grateful for that. I absolutely adore you, and I've been holding this in since the week after we met." I take his hands and kneel on the ground. "Johnathan Henry Laurens, I really really like- no- love you. Will you go out with me tomorrow and be my boyfriend?"
He eagerly nodded pulled me into a sweet hug. Walk into the diner, smiling as we sat down in one of the booths. I informed everyone that my plan had worked, and in less than one minute, everyone had a minimum of ten notifications from Peggy spreading the news everywhere. Pretty sure she has literally every social media site ever.
As we ate, I couldn't help but think about the moments that just happened. John-fucking-Laurens is my boyfriend. Oh my god. I have a boyfriend.
I smile at my daydream. This is going to be perfect. I'm gonna make this perfect.
We pile into the cars, and I lean my head against his shoulder. He tenses up and stays still. Soon enough, he relaxes and starts petting my head. Then, I start purring like a cat.
What the hell was that?! I scold myself.
"What the hell, man!" Herc laughs. "Why?"
Suddenly, John shoots up. "Shoot. Sorry, I forgot my phone in the room."
Dad nodded, and John bolted out of the car. He took longer than expected, and when he did, he was nervous for a split second. You could barely notice it, but after stalking someone for over a year, you tend to notice the little things.
"Do you mind if I bring a friend?" He asks hesitantly.
"I'm sure that's fine. Just tell the others." Dad responds.
It's just a friend, it'll be fine. We have a plan. The plan will work perfectly.
Soon enough, the car stopped and we got out. I decided to confess to John early, so I let everyone get ahead of John and me before leading him to a bench. We sit down, and I take a breath to prepare my speech.
"Alex?" John asks. I hum in response. He gets nervous again, so he starts to play with his shirt. "Can...Can I tell you something?"
Eeeeeee! Is this it! Is he gonna confess?! Ah!
Calm down, Lex.
Why, and who are you?
Unimportant. Just, maybe, don't get your hopes up?
What?
"Alex!" He snapped, bringing me back.
"Oh yeah. Sorry. What?"
"Alex, um, that 'friend' I invited isn't a friend. He- We bumped into each other when I was running to the room, and we, um, uh, wanted to try again. So, what I'm trying to say is...um, I have a boyfriend." My heart dropped.
I tried to tell you.
I...
Sorry, not sorry...
I don't know what I was feeling or why I was feeling it. All I know is that my chest was stinging and I felt numb. I just felt empty for a second. I shouldn't be mad. We weren't even dating or anything like that. I'm allowed to be sad though, right? So he has a boyfriend! Who cares?! No one cares! I-I don't care!
WHY DO I CARE SO MUCH?!
Okay, now I kinda feel bad...
I can't cry. Not in front of him.
You only know you love him when you let him go...so you let him go...
I'm perfectly fine.
I'm fine.
As long as he's happy, I'm happy.
All I want is him to be happy.
I'm fine.
Don't worry, things might get better.
You think so?
No, not really. I know what happens. I'm literally looking at your life plan right now. It doesn't really get better.
As long as he's happy, I'm happy. I remind myself. That doesn't stop me from sinking lower and lower into what I feel like is a void, though.
I managed to plaster a fake smile on my face. "That's great, John. I'm...I'm so happy for you."