Chapter 11: It's the Ginger-haired Boy

Right before lunch on Monday, I was standing at my locker when Camilla came over with Sam. She didn't tell me that she'd be bringing him around so I didn't have time to fix my hair or touch up my makeup. I looked at myself briefly in my locker mirror and deemed myself as decent before shutting it to greet the two people approaching me.

Sam had red hair formed in the style of a quiff. He was tall-ish. Anything compared to my 5'3" stature is considered tall, especially Axel, who stands at a good 6'0". I'd say Sam is about 5'8" from this distance. He's got a few inches over Cam, who's five feet flat. He wears flannel a lot; from the pictures Sam showed me, it seems to be one of the main items in his wardrobe. It's cute. Black frames were settled upon his straight nose, covering his big brown eyes. His glasses remind me of Axel's; I wonder if he ever wears contacts.

He arrived with a large smile on his face, probably caused by something that Cam said. His bottom teeth were slightly crooked but his smile still made him look a lot better, not that he wasn't cute already. I wondered if he'd fit in with the guys. "Hey Alexis," Cam greeted me.

"Hey Cam," I smiled.

"Alexis, this is Samuel. Samuel, this is Alexis," Cam replied and I smiled at him.

I've been calling him Sam for the last week or so. I wasn't sure whether or not it'd be weird to call him Sam. I wonder if he'd mind. Deciding not to, I went with his actual name. "Hello, Samuel."

"Call me Sam," he smiled.

"Call me Lex," I informed him while Cam grinned at the two of us. "You're in my Spanish class, right?"

"Yeah I didn't think you'd recognize me," he admitted.

"Why wouldn't I?" I asked, trying to wear a friendly smile.

"Sam is going to be joining us for lunch," Cam said and I nodded.

"Okay, cool," I responded, unsure of where to bring the conversation.

"So Sam said the funniest thing a few minutes ago..." Cam trailed and I listened as they recounted the hilarious event I'd missed only moments ago.

We stepped into the cafeteria and upon glancing at our lunch table, I found Oliver, who usually sits next to me, sitting beside Sid. She immediately slapped his arm, nodding towards the three of us as we entered the cafeteria. "Where are you going?" Cam asked me and I pointed towards the table.

"I'm just going to put my stuff down," I told them and they both nodded. I broke off and headed towards the table. "You two were informed, I see."

"Yeah, you're sitting there," Oliver announced as he pointed to the seat across from them. There was only one other seat beside it and I nodded, having an idea as to who it was for.

"Let me guess; this is Sam's seat," I responded as I tapped the top of the seat beside my assigned one.

"You're right," Sidney replied.

I forced a smile but Oliver saw through it. "Just give the boy a chance. You don't have to like him. Just don't sit and compare him to Axel."

"I know, I know," I muttered.

"Now hurry up and get to the queue," Sidney announced.

After retrieving my lunch and joining my tablemates, I found that Sam was making everyone laugh. I sat down and listened as he spoke, causing a smile to find its way to my face. He is kind of funny. Soon enough, I was laughing so hard that my stomach was hurting. As the lunch bell rang, I found myself chuckling still. I guess this kid is pretty cool. Maybe getting to know him won't be so bad.

+++

I was questioned in English class by my two female friends.

"Do you like him?"

"You were laughing pretty hard."

"He's cute, right?"

"I told you he's funny!"

"He's cool," I told the two of them with a shrug.

"What do you mean he's cool?" they both asked in unison.

"I don't know. He's funny and he's nice," I replied. "He's cute, too."

"So can you see yourself getting with him in the future maybe?" Sidney questioned and I wrinkled my nose and narrowed my eyes.

"Let's not get too ahead of ourselves," Cam responded, answering for me.

"He's cool, okay? Friends, sure. Relationship? I don't think so," I told them. They both nodded and I sighed, sitting back in my seat.

It was the same way in US History but Oliver was the investigator. It went the same way. In the end, he was asking whether I could see myself dating him in the future. But this time I didn't have Cam to answer for me. Instead, I just shook my head and told him that as of right now, I like someone else. By the time Spanish came around, I was tired, like I usually am. I entered the classroom yawning and when my eyes settled upon Sam in the back, I quickly overlooked Isaac, Isaiah, and Colton.

"Where are you going, sleepyhead?" Isaac asked curiously as I passed him.

"I'm going to sit with Sam today," I told him.

"Sam?" Isaiah asked curiously. "Who's that?"

"I don't know," Colton blurted and they all craned their necks to watch me join Sam sat in the back of the classroom.

Once I sat down, I stared at the three of them. "Turn around," I insisted and they slowly turned their attention to the front of the class.

"Brothers?" Sam asked me and I shook my head.

"Brother's friends," I informed him and he nodded.

As the class continued, we talked in hushed voices but it was a bit difficult for me to contain my laughter. I was told to "shut up" by the three boys in front of me a few times throughout the class. The teacher even asked me to keep it down but I struggled to do so. By the end of class, I was chuckling quietly, looking at Sam as he grinned at me. "You drive?" he asked.

"Well, I can, but my brother does," I told him. "Do you?"

"Yes ma'am," he replied. "I'll walk you to the parking lot?"

"Yeah, okay," I nodded with a smile. I passed the twins and Colton.

"We totally weren't waiting for you!" Isaac shouted from behind me. I looked back and him and rolled my eyes.

"I'm sorry about that. You can walk with them if you'd like or they can join us," he replied as he glanced back at the three idiots.

"No," I retorted. They're definitely not joining us. "It's fine. They'll get over it. They're just drama queens."

"So what do you do after school?" he asked me curiously, changing the subject.

"I go home, do my homework," I told him. "What about you?"

"Most days, I work," he informed me.

"Where?" I asked curiously.

"I work at a froyo place not too far from here," he informed me.

"Froyo?" I trailed.

"Frozen yogurt," he clarified. I simply stared at him and his eyes widened. "You've never had frozen yogurt?"

"No, should I have?" I asked him as he held the door leading to the parking lot open for me.

"Yeah, it's delicious!" he blurted. "I can't believe you've never had froyo."

"What does it taste like?" I asked him.

"It's hard to explain. I'll have to take you one of these days, you know, if that's okay with you," he responded.

"Yeah, it's fine," I told him. "I'm actually pretty excited to try it now."

"I don't know my schedule for this week yet but I'll get back to you, is that okay?" he asked and I nodded.

"Yeah, definitely," I responded as we approached my car.

"Let me guess, that's your car," he nodded towards the truck, which was surrounded by my brother, Axel, Holden, Demetrious and Miles.

"You've got it," I told him.

"Which ones your brother?" he asked and I squinted at the group.

"The one with the green shirt," I responded and he nodded. "His name's Dylan."

"I have a few classes with him," he nodded. "Those are all your brothers' friends?"

"Yeah...well...one of them is my best friend," I told him. He quirked an eyebrow and I squinted, looking at the guys. "He's the one leaning against the truck."

"Axel...right?" he inquired and I nodded. "I had, like, all of my classes with him last year."

"Lucky you," I chuckled. "Where's your car?"

"Over there," he pointed to the right. "It's in row A."

"We're in row E," I told him and he nodded as if he was aware. I noticed my brother and his friends staring and I decided to let him leave before things get uncomfortable.

"I don't mind," he smiled at me. He suddenly looked over my shoulder and noticed the guys. His smile faltered slightly and he pointed towards row A. "I should probably get going."

"I'll see you tomorrow," I told him.

"It was nice meeting you," he smiled at me.

"It was nice meeting you, too," I waved as he began walking away. I approached the truck with a smile on my face and the guys stared at me.

"Who was that?" Dylan asked.

"Sam," Isaiah blurted.

"He practically had her screaming in the back of the class," Colton blurted and my brother had a horrified look on his face. "Wait I think I phrased that wrong."

"I was laughing," I corrected.

"I know that kid; I had some classes with him. What are you doing with him?" Axel inquired. He was the only one wearing a curious face. Everyone else looked suspicious, like this was my secret boyfriend.

"We're friends," I told the guys.

"Your friend that you blew us off for," Isaac snapped. His arms were crossed and he looked insulted.

"You blew them off for a ginger?" Demetri asked jokingly, shaking his head.

"Look, I'm sorry," I told the three of them. "I just figured I'd sit with him for once."

"Was he asking you on a date?" Isaiah questioned as he stared at me. The guys turned their attention to me and I glared at Isaiah as if cursing him. A grin broke out on his face when he noticed the heat rising to my cheeks.

"No," I trailed awkwardly.

"I thought I heard something about froyo," Colton piped. I turned my glare onto him.

"Yeah, but it wasn't a date. He just said we should go because I've never had froyo before," I told the guys. "No big deal."

"That's a date," Axel told me.

"No, it's not," I retorted.

"How'd he ask?" Demetri inquired.

"Oh, Lex, would you join me on a frivolous adventure in which we'd be attaining the dairy delicacy of yogurt that is frozen?" Miles joked in a British accent, earning laughs from the guys.

"He didn't say it like that!" I snapped. "We were just talking about it-."

"Who casually talks about froyo?" Isaiah retorted.

"He works there," I started but Isaac cut in.

"Girl, you got yourself an employed man," Isaac blurted while snapping his fingers and I put my face in my hands, groaning.

"Let her finish," Axel responded as he chuckled. Leaning against the side of the truck, he listened silently.

"Like I was saying, we were just talking about it and I didn't even know what it was, so he said he'll bring me when he gets his work schedule if it's okay with me," I told them in short.

"That, Alexis, is a date," Axel announced as he slung his arm over my shoulder. My face was burning, partially from the whole date shenanigan but also because his arm was around me.

"Awe, Alexis has got her first date!" Isaac cooed. The guys proceeded to tease me about it and I slipped from under Axel's arm. I jumped into the car and hid my face with my sweater, pulling the strings down and burying my head in my arms.

Moments later, my brother got into the car and we were driving out of the lot. "You can uncover your head now," my brother informed me and I lifted my hood.

"They're so embarrassing," I muttered.

"I want to meet this Sam kid," my brother informed me.

"It's not a date, Dylan," I told him. "We're just friends."

"I know," my brother responded.

"I don't like him-," I started but he cut me off.

"You're in love with Axel. I know. I still want to meet him," my brother responded.

I stared at him and sighed as I looked out the window. "I'm not in love wtih him," I muttered under my breath.

+++

On Tuesday, I was at my locker in the morning when Axel approached me. "So have you got the official day for your date?" he asked me and I glared at him, ducking my head behind my locker.

"I don't know what you're talking about," I retorted. The answer to that question is yes. Cam asked me last night if she could give Sam my number and I told her sure. Sam texted me and told me he'd got his schedule and we made the plans to get froyo on Friday.

"Okay, I'll play along," Axel laughed. "So when are you hanging out with Sam?"

"Friday," I answered. "After school."

"Is it froyo and a movie?" he asked.

"No, just froyo," I told him.

"That's lame," Axel blurted. "Man up and tell him you want to see a movie, too."

"No," I told Axel. I looked around to make sure no one I knew was around. "I don't like him in that way."

"Then why are you going on a date with him?" Axel asked. When he caught my glare, he smiled sheepishly. "Er...hanging out with him."

"Because, like I've been telling you and everyone else, we're friends. Friends hang out," I told him.

"You'd tell me if you liked him, right?" Axel inquired and I looked at him. "I'm just asking since I'm still under the impression that you like Holden."

I sighed loudly, putting my head in my hands. I have to have him believe I like Holden. After my slip up on Friday, I can't let him know that I don't have a crush at the moment or else that'll make him suspicious. "Yes, I still like Holden," I lied.

Axel stared at me for a few seconds before shrugging. "Okay, good."

When lunch came around, I was not only starving but excited to see Sam. All of my friends were convinced my first date is this Friday and they're ecstatic. I was just excited to hang out with Sam so I could get to know him better. Maybe if I mentally keep note of things he likes, I'll have some stuff to talk about on Friday when we hang out. Strictly hang out.

Halfway through lunch, I noticed that Dylan was walking across the cafeteria. What's he walking towards? I looked at the trashcan but disregarded it seeing as he had no trash in his hands. When I saw the guys at the table gathering their things, I immediately felt my stomach sink. I looked at Sam before staring at my food. "Don't panic, but my brother's coming over here."

My brother grabbed a chair from a neighboring table, placing it right at the end ours. Everyone looked at him and I could see Sam's nerves spiking quickly. "Olivander, Photo-Sid-thesis, Cam-eleon, Lex...Sam," he greeted us all.

"Hey," they all responded and I looked at him.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, trying to hide my annoyance. The guys were now standing a few feet away, watching in excitement.

"I just thought I'd check in and see how you and your friends were doing," my brother asked as he placed his elbows on the table, crossing his arms. "So how are you guys?" Before they could answer, he turned his gaze on Sam. "I haven't seen much of you around."

"Uh..." Sam trailed, unsure of what to say.

"I don't know if you know me but I'm Dylan McAllister. Alexis is my little sister," my brother informed Sam.

"Yeah...she's told me about you. I'm Sam," the redhead uttered. I was surprised his voice wasn't shaking.

"What's your last name?" my brother asked.

"Abraham," Sam responded.

"Samuel Abraham?" my brother questioned earning a nod from the boy beside me. "You're friends with my sister?"

"Yes," Sam answered and I felt my face redden. I'm going to kill Dylan. Why is he doing this?

"You work, right?" my brother continued.

"Yes at a Froyo restaurant," Sam explained.

"What college do you want to go to?" my brother questioned.

"I-I'm not quite sure yet," Sam answered.

"You should get on that," my brother retorted with a short nod. The guys chuckled and I glared at them.

"Dylan!" I hissed.

"How many girlfriends have you had?" my brother asked.

"Uh, 2," Sam answered and his face was bright red.

"Dylan! Stop!" I snapped.

"Why'd you break up?" my brother continued.

"One moved away and the other found someone else," Sam answered.

"Stop answering his questions!" I told Sam. I looked at the guys for help but most of them were listening in amusement. My friends, too, were enjoying the round of rapid fire questions.

"What are your intentions with my sister?" Dylan asked and my face was just as red as Sam's hair.

"Don't answer that, Sam," I retorted. I glared at Dylan.

"You better answer it, Sam," Dylan insisted and I glanced at Sam who looked like he was going to pass out.

"I just-," Sam started.

"Sam!" I snapped.

"I just want to get to know her," Sam answered.

"Why?" Dylan asked with narrowed eyebrows as he leaned forward a bit.

Sam began to stutter and I put my head in my hands. "Because she's pretty and I'm interested in her?" he answered and I wanted to crawl under the table. Someone, anyone, help me.

"And what if she's not interested?" my brother retorted.

"Then I'll back off," Sam responded and I could practically see his heart beating out of his chest.

"And if she's interested?" my brother asked.

"I'll treat her right and respect her fully?" Sam answered in a panic.

"Is that a question or an answer, Sammy?" my brother retorted.

"An answer," he responded.

"Alright," Dylan answered, standing up and shoving his chair back.

"Did I pass?" Sam blurted and my brother shrugged.

"Did you go to the bathroom on yourself?" Dylan asked.

"No," Sam answered.

"Then yeah, you passed," my brother answered. I made eye contact with Axel, who was holding back his laughter, and glared at him.

As soon as my brother and his friends left the cafeteria, I turned to Sam. "I'm really sorry about that," I apologized.

"Yeah, well, at least I passed," he smiled at me.

+++

"Why would you let him do that?" I snapped at Axel once I entered the classroom.

"Well, those questions needed to be answered. Who was I to stop him from asking them?" he responded.

"My friend?" I retorted as I narrowed my eyes.

"Well now you know his intentions with you and they can help you to determine whether or not you still want to go with him on Friday," he answered.

"Of course I still want to go with him. I'm not going to just blow him off after my brother harassed him in front of everyone," I told Axel as he looked up at me from his chair.

"Well, now you also know that if you decide you're not interested, he'll back off," Axel responded.

"But I want to be his friend. Now, Dylan is making it seem like I went home and told him all about Sam and how I'm totally and completely in love with him," I told Axel, who shrugged. Dylan knows who I like. There was no reason for him to even acknowledge Sam's existence, never mind question him.

"Sooner or later you will be," Cam blurted as she walked by, patting my shoulder briefly. I scowled in response, shaking my head at her.

"Does she not know about Holden?" Axel inquired curiously.

"She does; she's just on the same boat as you and the rest of the guys. Let's make fun of Lex about Sam because obviously they're going to get married," I told Axel.

"Maybe you two should just get married," Axel informed me. "It'd stop the teasing, I mean."

"I think I'm just going to wait until I find a guy I actually would marry and then marry him," I told him. "And you know, he has to want to marry me."

"Who said he wouldn't want to marry you?" Axel questioned, grinning. "You heard him: 'I think she's pretty and I'm interested in her!'"

"I'm leaving now," I breathed as my face began to burn. Axel laughed behind me and I wanted the floor to open up and swallow me whole.