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    The guests turned out to be a man that my dad words with and his two boys. His one boy was around 17 and his other was only 6. They seemed pretty well rounded and quite respectful.

    We were all gathered around the freshly cleaned table and a pasta dinner was laid out before us. It was our family on one side and the Gatlins (our guest) were on the other side. Dad was in front of the father who's name was Gary, Mom was in front of the 6 year old named Cody and I was in front of the 17 year old named Alexander.

  I ate silently without looking up. I was enjoying my fettuccine Alfredo a bit too much. But when I finally did look up, Alexander was looking right at me. I gave him a small smile when he looked at me and he returned it. From then on, for the rest of the dinner we kept making subtle little glances at each other.

   It wasn't a romantic thing but it also wasn't a weird or awkward thing either. It was plainly just a thing. But now that I mention in, he wasn't quite beautiful. His eyes were a light gray and his hair was a nice shade of light blonde. He had great teeth and one of my favorite things in the world, demples.

    After dinner, my mother and father transfered over to the couch with a cup of coffee. And Cody refused to leave his father's side, even when Alexander tried to pry him away. Alexander finally gave up when his father told him to give it up. He sighs then turns to me. "Wanna go grab some ice cream?", he asks me with a big grin. I look to my parents and my mom raises a concerned eyebrow.

   "It's quite late, won't all of the ice cream shops be closed by now?" She asks, her eyes remaining on Alexander. My mother had been quite.. what's the word? Concerned, lately. She wanted to know everything about my day and who I spent it with. I guess that's what happens when you have your boy die at the hands of a gun. Then your other boy almost die the same.

    "Our family owns an all hours ice cream shop. It sounds weird but it is true", Alexander's father replies. "It's my sisters but all of the family help out, especially Alex". My mom nods and looks at me as if to ask what I wanted to do.

    "I"ll drive, we'll be completely safe. I promise", Alexander (Alex), smiles. "I'm sure Ben means a ton to you, and I'd never do anything to put him in harms way". It was as if he was trying to convince my mother to take me to a new country, not just down tons. But somehow it made me feel happy, and wanted.

    My mother finally sighs after a quick glance with my father. "I suppose so, that is if Bennet wants to go", my mom replies. The whole room looks at me, including Alex who smiles hopefully at me.

    "Yeah, of course. Would little Cody like to join?" I reply, looking at him. He shakes his head aggressively and I just raise my eyebrow.

   I simply leave it at that and the two of us say our goodbyes then head for the car. "You wanna drive?", he smiles and tosses me the keys.  

   "Oh, I don't have my permit", I reply a tad sheepishly. He just shrugs.

    "I don't mind" he smirks and gets in the passengers seat. I feel a jolt of adrenaline and get in the drivers seat, then we take off.

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