The Jock, The Nerd and The Geek

18

Plus, Paris had asked him if he could pick him up from school. For two reasons, there was no reason for him to get on a motorcycle with a guy, who also, had an IQ of 190 (but was only smart with bikes. Jesus) and Alex could ride with them.

The asshole chose Danvers.

"Maybe it's a birthday thing," Marcos said. "Talking about birthdays, how are you holding up?"

Paris sent him a look. "Excuse me?"

"You know," Marcos did a small nudge with his head. "They usually hold a birthday for you, or they did last year. You— You don't miss that?'

"No." But it was clear with the way he replied quickly that it was a lie. Of course, he liked people staring at him. Adoring him. But that life was past now after he punched someone for bringing up Alex's name once.

He was practically a loner now.

"I know it doesn't really mean much, but we really baked a cake," Marcos said, voice small. "Elise, Abuela and I. It'd be— It'd be nice if you'd come after school and celebrate with us."

Paris wasn't a nice person. He knew that, but he couldn't help it when he asked, "And Alex?"

Genuine confusion showed on Marcos' face at the question. "She hasn't texted you yet?"

No. And it hurt. Paris knew she'd have done same for Marcos. Probably made a big deal about it, and he knew he was supposed to be understanding. Marcos was there first, he knew that, but no one could blame him if he wanted a little bit of her attention.

Or a lot of it.

"Doesn't matter," He answered. "And sure, I'd join you guys."

"I'm sure —"

"Don't give dumb excuses," Paris said, because he knew whatever the male said would be believed.

Alex had stopped joining them in class for a while, but he couldn't help it when he looked back or checking his phone, and then a few times, he'd take bathroom breaks and head to her hall area, standing at the door to her class, but never entering.

After school, he headed to Marcos' place, meeting his Mother, Elise, and Abuela singing a Spanish birthday song they both made for him. It was horrible. And watch Marcos dance for him in a red flowery skirt with Maria, both of them laughing and twirling around happily.

He didn't say it out loud, but he knew it was the first real birthday he was ever having. No alcohol. Loud music. Sitting at a dinner table and wishing he didn't exist.

Paris was with a family. His family. For the first time.

Still, he wanted her.

It made no sense.

Elise had been exhausted after everything and he had helped clean her up and returned to the bed, a new maid bringing her some tea before he returned to his room, picking the new book on his desk.

A Folk of the air serie.

Not his type of books but Alex kept saying Marcos wanted Paris to read it so he got it.