alexander r. mooney

“I like pretty much any cookie in existence. “ Leon took the cookie from him . “Thank you. I really haven’t been doing much honestly.  I’m lying low.” Leon winked at him. After the incident he figured it best he keep out of the spotlight for a little while. “And what about you?”

“I mean, same, but I haven’t bought a lot of cookies recently...” He said with a shrug, nodding at Leonardo. “Oh, I haven’t been doing that much either, I’ve just been studying a bit and watching movies... That’s about it, my life isn’t that interesting. But I’ve been talking to some new people, so that’s also new for me.” He said, smiling at him.

“Nah, mate, I’ll wait till you really fucking piss me off to hurt you. So watch your back.” He said in a low tone, once again his dry humor was always thick. Alex had a point there was a switch in Preston, not a gauge to range in his emotions. He either was one or the other and he knew it but never understood how to control it. “I definitely would. And yeah… you can say that again. I’ve always hated Hayden but every since our fight at the party just looking at that smug face makes me want to fucking break something.” Not just because he got Charlie and obviously didn’t treat her the way Preston did… in secret.” He shrugged. “Yeah…”

“Well, you don’t need to worry about that, I won’t piss anyone off, I just usually try and stay away from trouble.” Alexander said with a shrug, looking at Preston with a frown. “You wouldn’t, I just know that you couldn’t hurt someone like me. You might seem all tough and all of that, but you wouldn’t push me.” He said with a smile chuckle. “I never really... talked to him? I mean, he talks to me, but he just usually bullies me, so that’s a good reason not to like him.” He said with a small sigh. “Oh... Then I don’t know what to say.”

“Well, that’s not my fault you couldn’t tell, Mooney. If I wanted to really hurt you I’d call you much worse than a fucking punk, this isn’t the tater tot gang.” He said rolling his eyes. “Hell, If I really wanted to hurt you I would have just shoved you off in that bloody bush over there mate.” Preston said nudging the boy lightly. “Yep.. they’ve been dating for too long now. And if you have to say it yourself you definitely need to get outta the library.” Preston cleared his throat when the last question was asked, it’s not like others didn’t at least know that. Not that anyone but charlie knew it was more than just liking her. “Yeah…I do.”

“Good, I’m glad that you don’t actually want to hurt me, because I never know with you. You either call me names or you’re nice to me, there’s no inbetween.” Alexander with a sigh, raising an eyebrow. “You wouldn’t shove me into a bush, shut up... And honestly, why would she date someone like him? I usually try to give chances to people but I don’t think there’s anything we can do about Hayden.” Alexander said with sigh, shrugging. “Well, have you told her that you like her?”

“Alexander my dude, You are a godsend.” Leon beamed at him. He’d probably do almost anything for a cookie. They were his weakness. “I get that. Snacks anytime of the day are great.”

Alexander smiled at the other, nodding slowly as he reached for his bag and opened it, getting some cookies out of it and handing it to Leonardo. “There you go. I don’t know if you’ll like them, but that’s all I had... So, what have you been up to? Besides the hunt for the cookies.” He said with a chuckle.

“Don’t apologize, seriously. It’s just in the past now, that’s all,” he rubbed at the back of his neck almost sheepishly, “Nothing I can do to change anything now, shit’s just the way it is. I don’t see the point of talking about it.” He’d heard it enough from his parents, since football had been the one single thing they ever compromised on, the one thing they let him choose to do, and he just gave up on it seemingly out of nowhere. He didn’t even quite understand it himself—he realized one day that it just didn’t make him feel anything anymore and that was it.

“Alright, alright, if you say so,” Nate held his hands up in mock surrender, lips spreading into a teasing grin, “Sounds like you’re capable enough. He is pretty hard to miss… You’ve got my number, right? Just in case you change your mind.” He took a step closer, draping his t-shirt over his shoulder instead of pulling it on, “I think it’s just you. Happy to warm you up, if you need.”

“Okay, I’m sorry, really. I didn’t mean to talk about it like this, like I said, I was just curious, I won’t bring it up again.” Alexander said with a small smile, not wanting to keep talking about football and the reason why Nate had stopped playing. It seemed to upset him and Alexander didn’t mean it at all. “Are you part of any clubs right now? Or play other sports? Because we have a ton of those around school, maybe you can find something you like!”

“I can’t fight anyone, I appreciate you trying to help, but I don’t think I’m actually going to need it.” Alexander said with a small smile, blushing when Nate got closer to him, looking up at the other. “Warm me up? What is that supposed to mean?” Alexander asked, looking at the other with a frown and crossing his arms.

“Well, you didn’t catch on when I called you a punk. So you’re like the pot calling the kettle black or whatever they say.” Preston said. He rolled his eyes. Deep down he knew he shouldn’t have said anything but he also knew that Alex would just keep asking what was wrong. “That’s the fucking problem… she’s dating Hayden.” Of all people… Charlie had to be stuck in her vicious cycle and Preston had to watch. 

“Because I thought you were being serious and they way you said it didn’t seem like it was a joke... I don’t like being called names.” Alexander said with a small pout, crossing his arms over his chest. “Charlie is dating Hayden? When did that happen? Honestly, I feel like I’ve missed out on a lot, maybe I shouldn’t spend that much time in the library...” He said with a sigh. “Do you like Charlie?”

“Yeah, I’m pretty sure that is what it’s about. I think I can live through that without getting too afraid or worse, end up with nightmares.” Those were always the worst things Rydel was worried about. “Maybe for our movie night I’ll invite Hayden so you guys can meet! I know he wanted me to make more brownies.” 

“We can watch that one then! It must be pretty good! And honestly, I never got nightmares after watching an horror movie, I just don’t ever dream about it... I know most people do, but it never happened to me.” Alexander said with a smile, before shaking his head. “No! I mean... It would be better if it were just the two of us...”

“Look, I’m funny, okay? I can tell a joke you just suck at getting them obviously.” He snapped back feeling defensive, but that was just Preston. As soon as Preston heard the bombarding questions Preston groaned. “Alex… it’s complicated alright? I don’t know if you know her… you probably do. If you know Charlie…” Preston ran his hand across the back of his neck, grabbing at his black hair. he needed to keep it as quick as possible. He couldn’t really bring up the fact they have been sneaking around. “Meeting people is good. Who have you met?”

“I don’t suck at getting jokes, you’re the one who doesn’t know how to tell one!” Alexander told the other, shaking his head at Preston. “Why is it complicated? Does this girl not like you back? Because I would get that, I mean, not with a girl, but you know what I mean.” Alexander said with a shrug. “I know Charlie, she’s pretty cool! But I thought she was dating someone...” He said, raising an eyebrow. “Oh, I met Rydel, she’s cool! And I forgot the other people’s names...”

“I guess I have a dry sense of humor.” He said with a sigh, honestly, even if Preston would talk about what he was going through he didn’t know if he wanted to. “I can’t really go into it. Lets just keep it short… it’s just been some stuff with a girl and I know I can’t do shit about it.” He finally said. “Sure. So…what have you been up to?”

“You do, I don’t think you actually know how to tell a joke.” Alexander said, shaking his head at Preston. “With a girl? Who is she? Do I know her? Now I really want to know what’s happening.” He said with a smile, as he started walking with Preston, looking up at him. “Nothing much, just studying and meeting some people... There’s nothing interesting.”

“Okay, lets make this a thing then. Just so I can get a break from the scary we can watch one of your movies then one of mine… then one of yours again.” She said with a flash of a smile. “But I think another one people say isn’t that bad was i know what you did last summer. Have you seen it?” Rydel nodded. “Oh, well, you should get to know him, he is a good guy.” 

“Alright, we can do that, I don’t mind. I love watching movies so there’s nothing to complain about.” Alexander said with a smile, nodding slowly. “I don’t think I’ve seen that one, but I think I know what it is about. Isn’t that the one where they accidentally kill someone and then they throw the body into some water and someone starts stalking them”? Alexander asked, raising an eyebrow. “Sure, I’m sure I’ll meet him some day...”

Alex let out a dramatic and loud groan, but it’s not like he was ready to give up on his mission just yet. “Fucking hell, you’re a tough one to crack, aren’t you? I’ll study up on my dad jokes, and one day catch you off guard with a godly one.” he promised, and hoped that Alexander knew he just signed himself up for some annoying texts containing many jokes. “Well you are a nerd, but I like you, so you kinda rock the whole nerd deal.” Alex could only look up at him from where he was slouched on the bed at his compliment, and gave him a small smile. “And I think you’re finally warming up to me, with your little compliments.” he bumped him playfully with his shoulder, as he let his eyes focus back on the movie. A few minutes passed into the movie, maybe 15, before Alex spoke up again. “Calling it – that guy’s gonna die at some point.” 

Alexander chuckled a bit, shaking his head at him. “Well, it’s going to be hard coming up with one that will actually make me laugh, but I like that you’ll keep trying, at least you’re committed to that.” He said with a smile, before looking over at the screen. “I know I am a nerd, a lot of people call me that, but not in a good way. And I’ve never said I didn’t like you, I just think that you can be annoying sometimes... But I still like you, don’t get cocky about it.” He said, blushing a bit before shrugging. “Well, it’s true, so...” He said as he curled up next to Alex. When he talked again, Alexander sighed and shook his head. “I’m not going to spoil the movie, there’s no fun in that.” He said, as he got closer to him, clearly wanting to cuddle but not actually asking for it.

“Dude. Take a fucking joke. Alright? You either need to loosen up or something…” Preston said in a stubborn tone. “Besides, you totally are a bloody punk.” Preston shrugged. “Honestly? It’s always a bad week. But I’ve just been dealing with… a lot.” He looked down at Alex before he nodded. “What? You want me to look dumb too? And yeah… that was a joke too.” 

“I know how to take a joke! I just don’t know when you’re joking because you’re always so serious, I don’t know if you’re joking or not.” Alexander said and nodded, shaking his head. “Why are you having a bad week? Do you want to talk about it? Because I can listen...” Alexander told the other with a smile. “Just walk with me, c’mon.”

Rydel needed more nights with people. She tried with her roommate but she was slowly learning that Rose was much happier when Rydel didn’t try so hard to be her friend. “Scream? That… doesn’t sound too promising. But I will take your word for it. Just tell me when you have your list and we can make a weekend of it; movies, snack, and a couch to never get up from.” Her eyes get wide and she smiles. “You know Hayden! Isn’t he the best?” 

“Oh no, don’t worry about it, Scream isn’t actually scary, it’s more of a slasher movie. I think the first one has like, two or three jumpscares, but it isn’t that bad, I promise. It’s actually my favorite slasher movie, because there’s tons, but this one has mystery and it has horror, it can’t get better than that.” Alexander said with a smile, his smile fading when Rydel mentioned Hayden. “Oh... I don’t know him that well, actually, I just see him around.” Alexander lied, giving the other a nod.