The Sea Taketh (Alex Singer) Read Online Free Page B

as he’s gone, Jen picks up the card. “Modeling, huh?” she says.
                  “He’s probably some pervert.” I grab the card to throw it away.
                  “You should check out his website before you chuck it.” She stops me. “If nothing else, we’ll have a good laugh.”
                  I relent and put the business card in my pocket.
                  We lick ice cream cones and talk about the upcoming year on the walk home. We make the turn to my block, and I swear.
                  “Really ladylike,” Jen scolds me.
                  I gesture to a sports car parked outside my house.
                  “And just when I thought it was going to be a great day,” she says before yelling down the street, “Jackson, what do you want?”
                  He smiles when he sees us. He pulls a bouquet of roses from behind his back. “I came to see how Alex is feeling?” he says.
                  “You shouldn’t have come all this way, I’m fine,” I reply, walking up the sidewalk to my house. These interactions are becoming more than ridiculous.
                  He takes my wounded hand and peeks under the gauze. “You should have gone to my dad. When I heard that you were stitched up by that … witch, I was concerned. Dad said that if you come over to the clinic, he’ll take a look at your hand.”
                  “I said, I’m fine,” I pull my hand away from him and change the subject. “How did your relays go this morning?"
                  “Great, I cut another second off my time,” he says, not being able to pass up an opportunity to talk about himself. “Dad’s trying to arrange for recruiters to come watch one of my meets.”
                  “That’s great,” Jen says with a hint of sarcasm. “We are just here to drop off Alex’s things, and then we’re off to my house.  Alex is eating with us.”
                  “I’ll give you a ride.  Alex shouldn’t be walking all over the county. She could exhaust herself,” he quickly says.
                  “No worries, one of my parents will come pick us up,” Jen says.
                  Jackson scowls at her before smiling at me. “I’ll come get you Saturday for the party.  I would feel terrible if you were to walk all the way to our estate.”
                  “That’s very nice of you, but I’ll be resting for school on Monday,” I say, lifting my hurt hand. “Gramps left strict instructions.”
                  “Of course, I completely understand” he says, putting the flowers in my unwounded hand. “At least Tom limited your activities, although you will be missed. If you need anything , please call.”
                  “Thanks, Jackson,” I force myself to say before adding, “The flowers are beautiful.”
                  He flashes his big teeth and runs his hands through his dark hair. “Anything for you, Alex,” he says.
                  The red sports car peels out before it drives down the street.
    Hypothesis #2 has been upgraded to Theory #1 – All boys are insane, even the grownup kind.
    Observations – Jackson Powers asked me out. A total stranger wanted me to model. Jackson Powers gave me flowers .
                  “Girl, he’s the hunter and you’re his prey,” Jen shakes her head as we put Jackson’s flowers in one of my grandmother’s old vases.
                  “It seems all the boys have gone crazy! What’s the deal? I’m still the shy and awkward queen of the nerd herd.”
                  “Jackson doesn’t think so.”
                  “It doesn’t matter what Jackson thinks, he’s not my type.”
                  “And what is your type?” She raises an