Labelled by Blood

      The lights were all off except for the living room lights. My parents were in there, reading. They had their yellow "how-to" guides and they glanced up at us when we came in. They softened their eyes and alarm, but they stared at Jesse with curiosity and something else I couldn't read.       "Evening," Dad said, first.       "Right. Evening," Mom echoed.       I gave a forced smile. I didn't think it was going to be this awkward. "Good evening," I started, but before I could mention Jesse, Dad butt in.       "I see you brought a guest. Jesse. Is he staying the night?"       They had put down their books and got up to walk to us. I shook my head vehemently. "No, he's just stopping by to freshen up. We're actually about to head to dinner."       They went up to Jesse and offered him a hand. Jesse shook both of them and smiled tersely.       Mom spoke up. "You are free to come over as you please. Alex," she looked at me, "don't be embarrassed to have guests over."       I nodded. "Right. I know, Mom."       Dad patted Jesse on the back and then looked at me and put a stiff hand on my shoulder. His lips pursed into a slanted smile. "That's my," he fought as he looked for the right word, "kiddo."       My eyes widened. This was weird. But were they trying? Why now? What changed? "Thanks, Dad. Mom. We have to get going before sundown. You know how it is."       They both nodded and walked back to the living room. They picked up their books and scribbled away in the margins. I couldn't make out what the titles were from here. And, now, I was curious. Jesse gave me the gentlest push against the small of my back and we headed to my room.       "Uh," I stammered.       "Yeah. What was that?" He asked.       I shrugged, my mind couldn't comprehend it all. Instead of answering, I turned on my desk lamp. Its dim cream light was soft against the room. Everything felt dreamy.       Jesse sighed. "You have to get showered. Think about where you want eat out."       For just a moment, all the bad went away. The fight with Jesus, my parents robotic attempt at small talk, the dread that hung over me like a cloud if it were made of lead. Then it all came crashing back. I nodded.       "Right. I'll have a place picked out by the time I'm out."       Jesse hugged me from behind and, even if he was caked in mud and slightly damp, his was the warmest he'd ever felt. My knees buckled and a few tears escaped. They rolled down my cheeks to my chin. Hung for an instance. Then dove for the floor, being silent and hidden away by the alternating browns of my carpet. I pulled away and grabbed a change of clothes. Something less athletic and more "date night" ready. I was feeling a little bold and went for something I'd been wanting to wear forever, now, but just never had the gall to pull it off. Jesse gave a supportive smile at my outfit choice and it made me feel more ready to show the world.       I left Jesse in my room and got to the bathroom. Inside, I looked at myself in the mirror. I looked exhausted with bags under my eyes and I swear they were pinkish around the edges. My hair had started drooping, the pins failing me for once. Without wasting another second, I hopped into the shower, leaving my clothes in a messy half-pile on the ground, and let the hot water wrap me up in a comforting blanket to erase all the bad things. It felt nice to breathe in the steamy air and have the water almost hurt. The Collector flashed in my mind once. Maybe twice. I didn't let it stick around. Now wasn't the time, and I was about to go out with Jesse Hayes on a school night! And I needed to pick a place to eat at. Pizza, again? No. Sandwiches. Nah. Italian was always a classic. Sure, why not.       After a quick look over my body wash scents, I eventually decided on "chamomile tea." It just felt like it'd go with my outfit. I rushed my shower after and got to Jesse. He was still holed up in my room. My parents never left their spots. I plopped down on my bed, beaming.       Jesse laughed, but his words immediately betrayed it. "You're parents were talking about us."       My shoulders sagged and I scoffed. Way to kill the mood, Jess. "What'd they say?"       He shook his head. "Couldn't hear them. Sorry." He stood up and walked to the door. He paused. "I don't have anything to change into," he said, clicking his tongue.       "Right. Hold on." I hopped out of bed and dug out a small backpack out from underneath. I opened it and pulled out a neatly folded outfit. I handed it to him. "It's a little casual. But I know you like to wear gym clothes out."       "It'll work. Thanks." He smiled and left. I heard his heavy footsteps fade out as the bathroom door opened and shut.       I looked at myself in the mirror again. I wore a baggy cotton vest with a dress shirt underneath. I paired it with some jeans and boots. It was very not me. But it also felt very much so me. Jesse seemed to like it. I let my bangs run free, but pocketed some pins in case they got too annoying.       Moving towards my window, I gazed out into the setting sun. It was going to be dark really soon. It was about 5:30 PM. It was still early enough for dinner, and maybe we could swing dessert after. My thoughts began to swirl into a giant mass of today's events. Jesus, of course, stood out the most. After today's training, I don't think he would've stood a chance. Jesse and Parker were really getting me through all of this.       Then I felt a tang of something pulling at my heart. I wished Parker was joining us. Yeah, he was a little weird sometimes. Who carried that many knives with them? And he had his hobbies. We all did, right? But he was really someone I could trust, now. He didn't have to cheer me up or come over with Jesse today. But he did. And he was good with helping Jesse and I learn about what we could improve.       Jesse was trying his best to be there, but he wasn't as invincible as I thought. Our relationship strived off habits. Patterns built up over the last couple of years. When those broke or changed, neither of us really knew how to react properly. Like the time with the creep at the gym. Or school, now. How did other kids deal with change? I should ask Parker how he deals with it. He's dealt with a ton and his life is still a big question mark.       A knock at the door makes me jump. Was Jesse already done? Checking the time, I noticed it'd only been seven-ish minutes. No way.       "Come in," I said.       My parents let the door creak open. The hallway light was off. Only my desk lamp gave any signs of warmth.       "Alex," Dad said. He didn't look at me. "Can we talk? Real fast."       Mom nodded. I did, too. "Sure," I said. "What about?"       Mom took the lead, now. She stepped into my room and I moved away, giving them the space they needed. Dad followed her in and the door closed with a soft click. A car drove down our street outside. It was slow and steady, its suspension lightly groaning as it passed over one of the potholes.       "We wanted to check in on you," Mom started, "how are you doing?"       I hesitated to answer. No one was pushing me to, though. "Well, I've been better. But Jesse and Parker have been helping with that."       They both nodded at the same time. "And how's school?" Mom asked next.       I scoffed out of pure bewilderment. "School's fine. Yeah."       They're heads bobbed together. "School called that you had left early today," she stated.       "Right," I said, my voice trailing off. I bit my lip. "It's a long story. Someone really made me upset."       My parents' heads, once again, agreed as one. Dad spoke up, next. "We just wanted to see if it was anything." He stopped abruptly. "If it was anything we could help with."       I felt my eyes get misty. Dad coughed. Mom sniffed. "No," I said. "Thank you, though."       Mom nodded. Dad didn't. Then Mom reached in her back pocket and handed me a fifty dollar bill. I gasped, looking at them. "It's so you have someway to pay Jesse back. Or to pay for dinner yourself. Or split dinner together," she stumbled over her words. "Whatever Alex wants to do."       With a hand that forgot how to hold still, I tentatively took the money and slipped it in my pocket. I thanked them. But they raised a hand in protest.       "Have a good evening with Jesse," Dad said. "He's a nice young man. Perfect for someone like--" he stopped abruptly again. "Perfect for someone like Alex Linnet."       This got a smile from me. Mom and Dad nodded one more time before excusing themselves.       "We have to eat our own dinner," Mom stated. "Have a good evening. And good night."       "Right," was all Dad managed.       They turned and left. The shower's faucet squeaked closed. I shut my door. Leaned against it. And slid down to my butt. I cradled myself. They tried. They wanted to try. No one made them. No one told them to. They did it themselves. Even if they didn't have a lot to say.       I sat like that for a while. At some point, Jesse knocked. I opened it up and he was dressed and was smelling his arm.       He paused like a deer caught drinking from a stream. "Sweet clouded dreams smells good," he said.       "It's vanilla," I answered. "But it smells damn good."