“Alex?” I pulled away from Seamus quickly. Daddy walked into the room. “There you are. How are you?” He turned away from me and talked to Seamus. Seamus shrugged. “My ankle’s fine.”

Daddy nodded. “Well, I want to apologize. I didn’t see you coming!” he said sincerely. Seamus shrugged again. “It’s alright.”

Daddy and I left.

***Seamus’s POV***

Lizzy sat next to me after Alex left. Damn that girl could kiss. “I’m sorry Seamus,” she said sadly and hugged me. I crossed my arms and shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. It was an accident.” She had been screaming at me and I had run out of the house hoping to go to Richie’s when the car came flying out of nowhere. I was lucky not to have been injured worse. When I was 4 I had been hit by a car and gotten a concussion and a broken leg.

Clifton came out. “Awful long piss,” I commented. “I had to fix my hair and eyeliner,” he said. I rolled my eyes. Freaking hell my ankle hurt. I was pretty sure it wasn’t broken. Probably just badly twisted. I would be fine.

Clifton sat down next to me and we turned on the TV. Lizzy sat next to me shooting me worried looks. The front door opened and mom came in looking joyful. Ugh. I hate it when she’s joyful and gets in my face. But I guess I was happy to see her smile.

“Hello Clifton,” she said and her eyes fell on my ice packed ankle. “What happened?” she asked. “I twisted my ankle.” “How?” I shrugged. Sheesh I was shrugging a lot today. Lizzy’s eyes watered. Oh for the love of god Lizzy! I had been trying to keep the fact that I had been hit by a car out of this.

“I yelled at him and he was trying to get away from me and got hit by a car,” she whispered as tears rolled down her face. I face palmed myself. “WHAT?!" mom cried.

I rolled my eyes. “I’m obviously fine,” I grumbled. “Just a twisted ankle.” Mom looked frazzled. “I wish someone could stay home to watch you but Lizzy and I have to work and d-” She stopped herself and her eyes shot to my face.

But it was too late. Dad, dad, dad, dad, dad, dad, dad. The word spun around my brain. He had stayed with me when I had been hit when I was 4. Remembering that day was more excruciating than sticking a knife in myself and twisting.

We had played games and laughed together. He had called me by my silly pet name to hear me giggle. He had given me a piggy back ride everywhere since I had a broken leg. We had drawn pictures together. He told me jokes to see me smile. He had let me sleep curled up in his lap while he had lovingly stroked my hair.

A lump formed in my throat and I choked it back. “I’m a big boy,” I said sarcastically. “I’ll be fine by myself.”

Mom shook her head. “I don’t want you alone.” I pointed at Clifton. “What the hell is he?” Mom sighed. “Sorry Clifton.” He shrugged. I sighed. “Look mom I’m fine,” I grumbled. I wasn’t in the mood. She fixed me with “the look”. “What’s shoved up your ass?” I glared. “I just got hit by a mother fucking car! Leave me alone!”

She bit her lip but left the room. “Seamus, she’s just worried,” Lizzy said gently. “No she’s not!” I said, not bothering to keep my voice down. I got up and limped over towards the door. “Seamus Fitzpatrick if you try to leave I will drag you back here,” Lizzy growled.

“Whatever,” I grumbled and opened the front door. I could hear Lizzy getting up off the couch. I limped out the door and down towards Richie’s house as fast as I could.

I could hear Lizzy coming up behind me. “Leave me alone!” I yelled at her. She put her hands on her hips. “Look Seamus, Clifton is at our house.” “He knows where the door is.” “Seamus you come back right this instant young man!” she demanded.

Something in me snapped. “Shut up!” I bellowed. “You try to act like my parent. You’re not my parent Lizzy!You’re not dad!” She looked dumbfounded. My fist was clenched tightly. I spun around and limped away from her speechless form.

I managed to make it to Richie’s and knocked on the door. He lived in an upper class house. He answered the door and let me in. “What happened?” he asked. “I got hit by a car. Alex’s car.” His eyes widened. I waved my hand. “I’m fine. Twisted ankle. Mind if I borrow an ice pack?”

Richie led me into the kitchen. “Ugh. Emos,” Rachel spat. “Hey, hey, hey. That’s enough Rachel!,” their dad said angrily. Richie tossed an ice pack to me. I caught it and he looked around. “Toss me my cell?” I picked it up and tossed it to him.

It hit his hands before it fell to the floor. “I’ve seen better hands on a clock,” I said. Mr. Collins chuckled. “Klutz,” Rachel said. God she had an annoying voice. Their doorbell rang as Richie grabbed us Monsters.

“So how are you Seamus? What happened to your eye? And your arm? And your ankle?” He chuckled again. Mr. Collins had a friendly and happy go lucky kind of attitude. So did Mrs. Collins. I shrugged yet again. “I got punched, fell, and cut my head right above my eye. A few stitches. My arm is fine but I burned my hand on acid in Living. And I got hit by a car and twisted my ankle.”

“Wow,” he said and let out a whistle. “You’re here?!” I grinned and spun around. “Hello Alex,” I said smugly. She glared. “Fag.” Mr. Collins sighed. “Richie, why don’t you and Seamus go upstairs in your room okay?” Richie rolled his eyes. “Yea,” he grumbled. “Would you like me to piggy back Seamus up the stairs?” His dad nodded. “Of course,” he said, cracking a grin.

We went to the stairs and I jumped on Richie’s back. I fought violently against thoughts of dad and I. Richie carried me into his room and dumped me on his bed.

He sat next to me after locking his door. “So…you kissed the prep? Before you asked Addie out?” I nodded and gave him my cocky grin. “Addie doesn’t need to know.” But something was bugging me. I never had feelings for girls. I mean, one night stands were fine by me. I had had a few girlfriends but I usually got bored with them really fast.

So why did I have such strong feelings for Alex?