FicWad

We were all going to the field behind her house that night. We usually went there on the occasional night to let loose of our teenage tension. I’d smoke pot, Bill would drink and Ace would just sit there, almost always dumbfounded. There would be chit chat, but it was always Bill doing the talking. I would just enjoy my joint and the fact that Ace always sat closer to me. Most girls don’t think men pay attention to the details, but we do just as much as they do.

That particular night, though, Ace seemed to be glancing my way more than paying attention to herself. Bill was talking about sex again and giving off subtle hints of his big “surprise” for her. I really didn’t want to hear it, so I kept my eyes on the stars. My joint felt good and I found myself inhaling harder and quicker than I ever did. It helped me relax and ease my mind for a little while. My mom didn’t know that I liked to smoke up behind our house, and it was good that she didn’t. It helped me sleep at night and helped me to keep my cool, especially when I was supposed to be the “man” of the house.

Ace was glancing over and I knew she wasn’t paying attention to Bill anymore. Her eyes gave off a certain look when she was spacing out, a look that said ‘I’m in another world’.

“What’s wrong Iz?” Ace asked me, a bit more concerned than usual.

“Nothing. Just thinking.” I fake a smile, because honestly, I’m dying inside.

Bill continues with his chatter and I continue to ignore him. Ever get that feeling that you’re alone in a crowded room? I get that feeling a lot, especially when I’m around her. I’m so close to her, but so far away it seems. If she only knew my feelings, but then again, it’s probably better to keep my mouth shut…

She kept glancing over at me, and honestly, with a joint in me, I started to feel a bit paranoid, but kept my cool. I watched her from the corner of my eye, as her bright green gems trailed up my thigh. What was she looking at? Was she checking me out? Nah… I’m not her type anyway.

I pushed back my hair to break the tension in the air. Bill kept talking, Ace kept listening and I kept puffing. I just learned how to make smoke rings, so I tried practicing those for a bit.

It wasn’t even two minutes later and Ace was looking at me again. A light wind pushed her hair out of her face and she smiled. Bill stood up and looked down at us.
"Well guys...I needa get back home before the old man fucking snaps. Remember Ace. Birthday. Your house. Party all fucking night long!" He stretches, but makes a point to stretch in Ace’s face like the prick he is.

I space out and look at Ace as she watches Bill run down the hill. Before she can catch me, I turn to look at the sky again, but keep her in my peripheral. About a minute passed and she was still gawking at me.

“Yeah?” I ask as I try to keep calm and show off the ring-of-smoke technique.

“What?” I could tell she was getting nervous

"Well you've been gawking at me this whole time. Is there something up?" I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t trying to look cool.

"No...? Why? Does it seem like there's something up? Do I look troubled? Nope. I don't think so." I let out a laugh; she’s so cute.

I glanced down at her sun tanned legs. They looked so smooth and soft. I wanted to reach out and rub my hand up her thigh, but I knew it would be inappropriate. Then I had all these thoughts running through my mind. What if Bill did actually get with her? What would I do? It would be awkward and I’m not sure I could deal with something like that. They’d get all lovey dovey and then what? I wouldn’t see them often? I’d be the third wheel? But most of all, I wouldn’t have a chance with her.

I couldn’t stop thinking about her, and this was a fact, but I couldn’t stop thinking about her in a bad way. Who needed Miss Universe of 1976 to jack off to when you had the sexiest girl in Lafayette basically at your window? I had to stop thinking of her, or else the situation would get pretty awkward. Hey, I can’t control my body. I shoot her a smile, looked at my grandfather’s old watch and looked back at her.

"Anyway...it is getting pretty dark out and you know my mom..." I could sit there and stare at her all day, but as fate would have it, my 14 year old hormones were working overtime.

"Yeah. I guess." We stood to leave and I felt terrible.

“Hey, at least let me walk you back. You never know who could be hiding in the bushes.”

“Like who? Bill?” She giggled and pushed her bangs behind her ear, which she had pierced just recently.

“Most definitely.” I snub out my joint and pack it into my jeans pocket, noticing I had a hole that showed off my underwear.

“Oh come on now. I’m tougher than you are Iz. You’d be the one running for your life and I’d be stuck beating the shit outta who ever attacked us.” She lightly pushed my shoulder and I stumbled with my feet.

“Whatever.” I chuckle as I push my bangs back.

It was the new thing to grow your hair out and well, I was definitely trying it. Bill had already grown his out to his shoulders and mine was just shy of passing my ears. He always beat me to everything. He always had one above me, but I knew that he wouldn’t ever get to Ace before I did. I just had a feeling you know? A feeling that even though I might not be the coolest guy in Lafayette, or drink the most at parties, I do know that I try. I try hard.

“Let’s go already!” Ace grabs my hand and starts to tug on me.

I follow, but it’s hard to walk at her pace, especially being in the “predicament” I was in. We finally got back to our street. She seemed psyched up about something, but I never asked.

“Hey. I know Bill kind of took the decision to not come and listen to my new records, but do you want to come in now and take a listen?” Her eyes sparkle in what was left of the day; like in some fucked up romance novel.

I scratch my chin and then bite my bottom lip. Was she really inviting me into her room? Alone? Without Bill?

“Nahh. It’s cool. I gotta get inside and help with supper. You know how my mom is. She hates to leave anyone out of supper and I’m already really late as it is.”

“Okay. Well I’ll see you later Iz.” She turned away and ran toward her house.

I’m not Bill, but I will say I watched her run back to her house. I must have looked like a total idiot standing there, staring at her, but I mean I couldn’t help it. I groan, think of something horrible to control my hormones, and then head inside. Man was this ever going to be a long night…