I'm three chapters ahead and I'm splitting this one into tiny pieces like the cheap flea market author that I am.
I'm going to shout out some people who are real troopers: Drafting101, Silverless and DJ-Wild. You guys are the MPV, obviously this isn't everyone but thank you so much for commenting and supporting the book. You guys are amazing. Your comments help a lot. I read all of them and some of them are just too funny to be real.
I will shout out more people throughout the next chapters!
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I've said this before and I'll say it again, I have Allergic Asthma, and it gets pretty bad, to say the least.
I never mentioned PE class before, but that was because it wasn't worth talking about.
...until today.
Now this should not come as a surprise but I'm not the sporty type. I made it very clear on many occasions that I was a piece of garbage on every level, and physical is one of them.
The one time I had to run in the woods to catch my dog, I fell in a muddy path, then fell in a freezing lake and then fell in love with an atrocity of a human being. So there you have it; physical activities and I do not mix. I just stumble all over everywhere.
I used to think I was immune to gym class. But then...
"Miss Spencer, you are being called to the principal's office..", my math teacher voiced, reading the little note the hallway monitor had given him before he entered the classroom.
I just blinked and quickly made my way out as some of my classmates watched me, trying to read my face to figure out if I had an expression indicating me being busted.
To be honest I was just confused. This was two hours after my little exchange with Alexander. He skipped fourth period. He should be the one being called to the principal's office to get an ass beating, not me.
I swear to god if they're calling me over to tell me I'm responsible for my lab partner's behavior, I will quite this horrendous life on earth. It's not worth it anymore.
As I made my way to secretary's desk, she got up from her seat and pushed the principal's door open for me.
I've been to this office before and I hated it. The room itself was an assault on my eyes.
It was an immense room with dark brown wooden wall paneling. A giant window in the center with huge deep green velvet curtains. A wooden desk in front of it. An American flag pole on one side and an Eastwell Flag on the other. This all would seem like a plain old office, had it not been for the giant impaled deer head trophies all over the rest of the walls. It looked like a very menacing hunter's lodge.
Call me crazy but I have this theory that any man willing to hunt animals for sport was most likely hiding sociopathic tendencies. Let's not talk about taxidermy; some people call it Art, I call it Nightmare Fuel.
I cringed at the stuffed ferret skin statue that greeted me first thing when I walked in, and then two men came into view. One was my principal, sitting at his desk. The other was standing next to him with his arms behind his back. He was wearing navy blue track pants and a white t-shirt that showed off his muscled chest. I dug deep into my memory to figure out where I've seen him then it hit me.
That was our PE teacher. I don't really know him, your girl is exempted from gym class for health issues so I never had to deal with him until now.
Emily tells me he's a hard ass and if you try to weasel your way out of his class, you'll end up doing twice the work you're supposed to do.
They both looked my way the minute I entered and I felt this spasm in my chest as if bad news was right around the corner.
"Please have a seat, Miss Spencer, we have something to discuss.", principal Moore started with his eyes plastered on a piece of paper.
I quietly made my way to the chair facing his desk. As I sat down, I noticed that the wide open school file on his desk was mine and in his hands was my medical record. I kept quiet, just wondering what the hell made them go poking around in affaires that had no business being poked at.
Am I getting expelled? Is there a problem with my scholarship? Was I caught for the mishandling of my uniform a few weeks back?
"This is Mister Hall, Eastwell's physical education teacher", Mister Moore raised his eyes from the paper and Mister Hall just looked over to me, towering over us like an American Bald eagle, "he believes exemption from the health curriculum should only be given under extreme cases of physical inability..."
I chocked on my own saliva before almost having a stroke.
I think I know where this is going and I'm going to scream! No !! This is not happening!
"I have a medical condition!" I stopped him before he even gets to make his point and stupid mister Hall looked down at my file.
"The exemption was given without my approval or even discussing the possibility of adapting the curriculum to fit your physical tolerance!", he spoke, his voice was so deep, "Asthma is not a crippling condition, I believe all student should be exerting some sort of physical activity, your exemption will be lifted and you will simply have to be closely supervised during class!", he spoke, his blue track pants making a screeching noise as he shifted his weight on his other leg.
You can't supervise an asthma attack you dumb prick!
"Prolonged physical activity gives me severe bronchosmasms!" I keep my voice from raising as I'm stating facts, but I just sounded like I was pleading for mercy, I mean come the fuck on!, "there's a reason I asked for exemption and the school agreed. I had a written statement from a licensed medical doctor. You can't decide to ignore it after four whole months. How will I even be graded?", despite my boiling blood I was still being calm and professional. I don't think the gym teacher expected me to stand up for myself. He raised his eyebrows at me in slight surprise. It felt like I had done something wrong and should have just kept quiet.
Wait, NO!
This has to be violating some kind of student's right. This is insane, they gave me permission to skip gym class. Come on Alexa, discuss this like an adult! You are the one who's right! He doesn't scare you!
Here's an overview of my asthma; It's completely random but when I get an attack and I miss the chance to use my inhaler. It's not like I just sit down for a second and it goes away. No. I'll find myself on four legs on the ground, barely able to lift my head, with my throat closing up and the sensation of dying creeping into me.
There's another issue here as well; This class will now too become a grade. Meaning if I don't perform well, it'll drag my average down. And I know for a fact I'm not going to perform well. I hate gym class!
Give me a break!! Give me a fucking BREAK!!!
"Exercise is important to the development and maintenance of a healthy body in all Eastwell students, including asthmatics." Hall simply stated as if he was my designated body health superintendent.
Nobody asked you to make my body your business. I took a deep breath before lowered my head.
I am not starting this week well.
"You will not be held accountable for the missed classes, but from now on, I will expect you in health class along with your classmates every week. We will adapt the tasks that are too hard for you. You will be assigned alternate activities when participation is detrimental to your health. You need not worry!" he continued and I nodded as the civilized student that I was but internally, I was screaming.
"I understand!" were my final words.
"I don't understand!" I said to Emily as I threw myself on the cafeteria chair next to her, "it's like he spent his holiday break going through the student files, does he not have any family to spend his sadistic impulses on?"
"mister Hall is a strict teacher and he takes discipline very seriously..." she put her soda to her lips and I frowned.
Discipline? To be frank, I have been lacking that lately.
Maybe this is a call from the universe! Maybe it's putting me back on track.
"he's a real hard ass but I don't think he'll push you to your limits!" She continued after putting her can on the table, "that has to be some sort of student's right violation?" she asked and I completely agreed, but before I could nod, she rubbed her chin, pensive, "but then again, Victoria once thought she was being smart by doing two lapses on the mile run and pretending she did four, he caught her right away and made her do eight..."
I grimaced. Ok. Well. I guess I'll have to see how it goes with me.
"I think he's the type to give you enough of a challenge to test yourself but not actually injure you. I like to think he has our best interest at heart!"
"you're too pure for this world, Emily, he's a sadist!" Victoria sat down next to me and threw her bag on the cafeteria table, "he made me do eight laps on his own free time. Think about it; he could have let both of us gone home but he stayed after class to make sure I suffer...", she spit out before grabbing a fry from my plate.
Christ.
I rubbed my temples as I kicked the door to my room shut and threw myself on my bed like a dried up starfish.
I grabbed my daily calendar. Where used to be a free two hours spent in the library catching up on homework was now replaced by gym class and possibly a weekly asthma attack.
Great.
I mean, on the bright side. I get to see Alexander in action, right? He looked like the sporty type. I always wondered why he wasn't on the football team.
I got up from my bed and went straight to my dresser. I dug out my gym uniform. I never even bothered to try it on. A white t-shirt with Eastwell's emblem on it on the left breast and black shorts that went up a few inches over the knees along with white knee high socks.
I tried it on then looked in the mirror before sighting.
I look like a 12 year old boy. I let my hair lose and it was just so much better but I can't have my hair in my face when I'm running around and dying of asthma.
I took it off again with a frown, right as I was shoving it back in the dresser in my bra and panties, my door knob twisted and I jumped.
Thank god the door was locked.
I heard knocking shortly after and you want to know how I know the difference between mom and Markus when someone's at my door? It's because...
"Don't be locking doors in the house. You think you're paying rent or something?" Markus shouted while banging on the door like a five year old on a drum set.
..Markus doesn't knock before opening.
"I'm getting changed and no I don't pay rent, do you?" I snarl back right back while getting my sweatpants out of my dresser.
This is my mom's house. How dare he even?
"Open the damn door before I break it down!" he threatened and I felt myself enter stage 2 of hypertension.
I will cut you up into tiny bite sized pieces and then drive my happy asthmatic ass to the police station to turn myself in.
I slid my pants and shirt on before yanking the door open and glaring at him. He was standing there with a spaghetti bowl in his hands, smacking away like a stupid twitch thot.
I felt jealous of the people who didn't know this nauseating prick.
"What?" I said, feeling my blood pressure going up two more digits.
Shock me, say something interesting!
"Your mom said to tell you she's taken a night shift !" he smirked, jerk, "it's going to be just the two us tonight so you may wanna watch your tone when talking to me.."
wATcH YoUr ToNe wHeN tAlKiNg To mE.
As if I was going to spend a night in the house alone with him. He's delusional.
"I'm sleeping over at Emily's anyway" I lied before closing the door again, gently, hoping he won't knock again to start shit with me.
He didn't. Good!
Here's what happened the last time we were alone together. It was seven months ago. He got high then tried to grope and undress me. It's not like I was even hanging out with him. Simply leaving my room to go to the bathroom results in me getting pinned against a wall. It was like spending the night alone with a shark.
This behavior was getting worse and worse lately. I don't want to get molested.
I grabbed my phone to text Emily if I could stay over at her house. Emily usually was the one who invited me first so me asking so bluntly was new.
I had three options.
Emily, Hung or sleeping under a bridge.
I'm not staying alone with Markus. There's just no way in hell.
I ended up calling Emily because she wasn't answering and I needed an immediate "Yes" or "No" so I could move on to asking Hung before nightfall.
"Hello!" I started as she picked up.
"Hey, I just saw your text", she started and I heard a crash sound and children noise in the background, "I'm at aunt Glenda's house right now and ...hey, I said no shifting inside, and you, get down from the table!!.." she scolded what seemed to be a younger boy and I had no context of what she meant by "no shifting". I heard what seemed to be animal growls as well and I frowned.
Where the hell kind of war was going on in there?
"I wanted the green one!!", an adorable girly toddler voice shouted and then more growling happened in the background accompanied by dog whimpers, it sounded hectic as hell, "I'm watching my baby cousin and her two brothers because.." she said to me before a sound of something smashing against the floor interrupted her, "I SAID SHIFT BACK NOW!..." she yelled at someone and I never heard her lose her temper before "...their mom won't be back until morning, did you need a place to stay?!..."another crashing sound was heard and I blinked, holy hell, is she babysitting Satan's spawns? Looks like I'm not the only one spending an awful night.
"yeah, my mom's out for the night and I didn't want to be alone" I answered, leaving Markus out of the equation.
Ok, I guess we're gonna have to ask Hung then.
"After their mom comes back, I have to leave with dad to my grandma's. I'm not even sure I'll make it to school tomorrow, sorry!", she apologized.
"who're you talking to?" I heard Victoria's voice on the other side, "and why's Kyle in fur? Glenda said no shifting inside.."
"it's Alexa, her mom's out, she doesn't want to spend the night alone at her house..."
"it's fine Emily, thanks anyway..." I started but I was interrupted by Emily yelling "put that down!! " at one of the kids.
Oh my god. Are these kids high on sugar?
"Tell her to come by my...", Victoria said then I heard Emily yell something about giving back a green crayon to the toddler before Victoria took the phone from her. "Hello?", Victoria said and I smiled.
"Is Emily okay?" I was now amused. That looked hectic but it also sounded fun.
"Let her suffer so she learns her lesson, she's the one who volunteered to watch them!", she droned, "Hey come stay at my place tonight. My parents are out with Aunt Glenda too, I'm alone!"
"Is that okay?", I asked. I've never been to Victoria's house, "what about Jay?"
I'm pretty sure if she had to make a choice between Jay and I, he would win. Hands down.
"Xander's been hogging him up lately. He'll pick you up! Let me give him a call!"
"Who?", I asked, suddenly confused and eager.
Call Jay or Xander to pick me up? Because there's a huge difference between the two.
Last time she sent my uniform with Alexander, so I got a little hopeful.
"Jay! Who else?" she said like it was obvious and I felt a huge cloud of disappointment crash upon me but then shrugged it off.
Come on! She is offering to let you stay at her place for the night. What are you disappointed for ?
"okay cool! Thank Victoria, I owe you one!"
"no problem, just get ready I'll send him right over!"
We hung up and I smiled. Markus can go to hell.
I got my bag ready. It had my school uniform, my books for the next morning. My toiletries and a t-shirt and shorts to sleep in.
I texted my mom to let her know. The very few times she had taken night shifts, Markus wasn't even in town. I usually have no problem staying alone. But alone with him?
Never again!
07:00 PM rolled around and I heard car honks outside. I looked at my window and saw a car parked at our driveway. I grabbed my bag and headed out. Not even telling Markus. He can hear it from mom if he asks. I made my way out then took a closer look at the car.
Oh god...
I knew this car all too well. This was Alexander's black Range Rover.
I felt my heart beat faster. She said she was sending Jay. Is he driving Alexander's car?
There was no way to see who was driving through the tinted windows so I was going to get inside to find out. Before I could even open the car door, the window slid down and my heart leaped from joy as I was greeted with a gorgeous face I knew all too well.
"Get in, little tiger!" Alexander smiled at me and I kept a straight face while opening the door of the car. I would jump at his arms if he opened them up for me right now.
No, I wouldn't but like I would want to.
"Where did you even go today?" I said sitting down nonchalant and putting my seatbelt on. Hardly looking at him, "you skipped fourth and fifth period" I finally glanced his way. He was wearing a white button up shirt and dark denim pants. His watch glinted in the light as he put his hand on the wheel and his golden framed sunglasses reflected the sunlight.
"Some things came up..." he turned the car engine on. I struggled to put my bag at the bottom of my feet and he glanced my way before looking back at the road.
"I'll stop so you can put that in the backseat.." he suggested and I shook my head.
"Nope, I'm good." I pursed my lips. Last time a bag of mine was in the back of his car, he burned the content.
I saw the corner of his lips twitch in a little smile and I bit my bottom lip, he knew what I was thinking but said nothing.
This is good. I'm not suspicious at all. I'm cool, collected and coy. My usual self. He can't hear my heartbeat. Can he?
Everything's fine.
"Where's Jay by the way?" I asked and he put his elbow on his car window and rested his head on his hand while keeping his right hand only on the wheel.
"Already at the sleepover.." he said.
"Sleepover?", I repeated, "is he staying the night with us?"
I thought she said it would be just me and her.
"We both are..", he continued and my coy attitude went through the window.
"Wait what?" I shouted and he turned to look at me.
"Do you have a problem with that?" he asked and I shook my head.
Oh my god, I was getting happy and anxious at the same time. Alexander and Jay were now staying with us?
"No, I mean...it's not my house, but she said it'd be just us two since you were hogging Jay."
"I'm not hogging him, he works for me, I gave him a night off.."
"Fair enough, but why are you staying?"
"I think the better question is, why are you?" he simply retorted and I blinked.
That is not the better question. I have a reason, unlike you!
"Mom's working and I didn't want to be alone..."
"So you called Victoria?"
"I called Emily and she was busy, I was going to call Hong but then..." Before I could even finish talking. It felt like he stiffened at the mention of that name and I stopped talking. Scared that he'd drive off into the country side again and burn my bag.
"You would rather spend the night at a man's place than alone?", he broke the silence and I blinked.
"It's complicated...", I gave up. I wasn't going to explain. There was no way to truly justify this without bringing up Markus.
After a few more silent moments of driving on the highway into the sunset. He let out a sight.
"You didn't want to be alone, or rather you didn't want to be alone with someone...", he asked, his tone was slightly threatening, but not towards me.
Honestly? How perceptive can someone be?
I instantly tensed and he noticed it.
"No, I just...would rather spend the night with a friend" I lied, looking away.
He already saw my bruises once. I'm pretty sure he's smart enough to piece things together and he just didn't want to make it awkward and ask.
"Very well then.." he reached into his pocket with one hand still on the wheel and got his Iphone out. He pressed a few buttons and then my phone rang.
I looked down and saw an unknown number on my phone screen.
"That's my number!", he indicated and my jaw dropped, he had my number this whole time?, "next time you'd rather spend the night with a friend, call me and I'll pick you up!"
"First of all", I snapped, "you're hardly a friend and second..", I raised my phone to him and wiggled it, "How did you even get my number?"
"When I replaced your phone ."
"Did you go through it?!" I asked, outraged. I mean, there really is nothing juicy in there except pictures of Simba and lessons. Relatives' numbers and boring texts.
"Not really...", he answered and I couldn't tell if he was lying or not. It's either a "yes" or "no".
"That is an invasion of privacy!", I barked, "why don't you just break into my house while you're at it?!"
"You know who actually broke into my house back in Greendale?...you...", he smiled, amused at my irritation and I shook my head.
"I didn't break in, the door was open and I heard wolves outside...", I shrunk back into my seat.
"Wolves or not, you were on my private property, I could have called the cops..", he continued and...whether I liked it or not, he had a point. I pursed my lips and stayed silent.
I guess he's right. I did break into his house technically.
He noted my silence and I think he didn't enjoy it at all because he glanced my way annoyed and almost regretful, I looked at my reflection in his golden sunglasses while he smiled at me.
"I would never have called the cops, truth be told, you could decide to live in my own bedroom and I wouldn't even mind, I'll give you a key to every single one of my properties if you want..."
I don't know why but I felt the need to actually crawl into his lap and just hold him tight.
What is it about him? This morning during lab class I stopped myself from sliding my fingers through his and hold his hand in mine.
God damn it Alexa!
"No. I think the point you were making previously was excellent. From now on, If I ever find myself in that situation again, I'll just stay outside and get mauled by wolves instead of looking for shelter..", I sarcastically conceded and his jaw clenched.
"Don' joke about getting mauled by wolves.." he did not enjoy that statement.
"It was a joke.." I clarified and he ran his tongue through his teeth.
"Don't joke about it..", he simply ordered and I frowned.
What's his deal? He can patronize me about breaking into his property but I can't joke about why I did it?
I stayed quiet up until Alexander pulled up into a gas station.
"I won't be long!" he simply said and I nodded. He filled the tank and went inside to pay. I just stayed on my phone until I heard a knock on the window of my door.
I glanced outside and saw what seemed to be a teenager wearing a Hoodie that said "Whamen" on it. He knocked again and signaled for me to open the window. So I did. Reluctantly.
"Fellow 9 year old! Are you doing your part?" he asked seriously and I had never been more confused in my life. I silently watched him for a moment before tilting my head.
"Excuse me, I'm 17?" I tried to correct but it came out more as a question than a statement. Do I look nine? I reached for the door and locked it discretely while keeping eye contact with this potential maniac, just in case.
He reached down the pocket of his pants and gave me a card. I took it out of courtesy and also because I didn't know if he had a gun on him or whether he was intoxicated.
"Sub to Pewds then dislike YouTube rewind, do your part, memster!" he shouted those words like a war cry as my confusion increased.
What is happening to this youth? I'm not a cool teenager so I'm not caught up with whatever new drugs they're on.
I squinted at him as he left. I looked at the card he gave me and it seemed to have lyrics to a song called "Bitch Lasagna" written on it.
Should I google this ordeal or am I blissfully ignorant?
Alexander opened the door of the car and sat back down after a few moments. He looked at me curious and I just shrugged it off and put the card in my pocket.
We made it to Victoria's house not even five minutes later. Alexander pulled into the driveway and turned off the engine. Before I could even open my own door, he walked out and opened my door to take my bag and then waited for me to get out. That was such a gentlemanly gesture I got slightly flustered. I forced myself not to look at him and instead turned my attention to the beautiful mansion in front of me.
"So that's how the first top percent lives?" I voiced and Alexander chortled before shooting me an amused look. He walked to the front door. I've never been to Victoria's house. It seemed bigger than Emily's.
She opened the door and Alexander gestured for me to go ahead.
"You made it!" she smiled at me and I nodded while getting inside.
Ok, it's been over-said but I'm friends with rich ass people so her lobby was breathtakingly beautiful. I might be jaded but I still kind of preferred Alexander's house though.
I stood at the door and Alexander walked in behind me before closing it shut.
"Jay?" he asked her and she rolled her eyes while pointing her thumb over her shoulder to a door behind her.
"Living room, can I at least have him for one more hour before you hog him again?" she pleaded and he smirked.
"You can have Jay for the whole night if I can have her in exchange..." he suggested while pointing his chin at me and I gave him drained look, but Victoria seemed interested.
"Are we trading Alexa and Jay?" she asked, "because I will sell you in a heartbeat.." she raised her eyebrows at me with a sly smile and I rolled my eyes.
"Of course you would.." I droned.
"Come on, let me show where you're sleeping.." she took my bag from Alexander and gestured for me to follow her up a flight of stairs.
I gave Alexander one last look and he was heading for the living room with somewhat of a serious face.
I wondered what kind of work Jay did for him.
I didn't have time to dwell on it because the room I was staying in was so incredibly gorgeous. All of the furniture was mirrored but it reflected the white and gold of the walls and the carpet in such a breath taking way.
I just stood in the middle and looked around. God I hope I don't spill anything anywhere.
"This is a guest room?" I asked and she put my bag on the bed.
This looked like a master bedroom.
"One of them", she stood in front of me and put her hands on her hips, looking around, "Bathroom's over there" she pointed at a door next to a dresser, "My room's at the end of the hallway and Alexander's room is one door to the left of yours, although I don't think either of them are planning on sleeping..." she said innocently and I didn't know how to take it. Ok, if Jay's not planning on sleeping, I get it, he's at his girlfriend's place.
If Alexander's not planning on sleeping, what the fuck is he planning on doing? Cause there's just me here, unless he's bringing some other girl I don't know about, which I'm not too thrilled about.
Now that she mentions it.
"Why is he spending the night here?"
I mean, I get why Jay would be here, but Alexander has no reason, right?
"My parents don't mind him, he spends the night here sometimes. I'm moving in with him after graduation anyway..." she shrugged.
"I was talking about Alexander" I corrected.
And also, I didn't know Jay and Victoria were this serious. Her parents are either really cool people or Jay's planning on sticking around for life.
"Oh, it's kind of complicated..."
"Explain anyway?" I asked. I really wanted to know.
Was it because I was here? I mean, not to toot my own horn, but Alexander seems like he'd look for any excuse to be near me for some reason.
Before she could say anything, the doorbell rang again and she wiggled her eyebrows at me.
"Takeout's here!" she sang and headed for the door, she looked at my orange sweater and black pants before nodding towards my bag, "you can change into your PJs if it's more comfortable..."
And then she left.
I brought shorts and a black band T-shirt to sleep in. Last time I wore something that showed my legs and back in front of Alexander, he took it as an invite to fondle me.
I mean, these do count as PJ but I'd rather be in my jeans and sweater for now.
I went out the door to follow her and she was paying the delivery guy, Alexander was next to her.
Before I headed for the living room I saw her turn towards Alexander and hand him the credit card.
"You didn't have to pay!" she started.
"I don't mind" He shrugged as I walked inside the living room.
That was nice of him.
Jay was in front of the TV but he was on a phone call. I sat next to him quietly and plastered my eyes on the news channel that was on, he gave me a nod to say "Hey" and I smiled at him. I could still hear Victoria and Alexander at the door.
"If you spoke sooner, I could've gotten Pizza instead of Chinese, do you want me to order something else for you?" she asked.
Oh, so he wasn't thrilled about the menu tonight.
"It's fine, don't mind it" he simply said. He was surprisingly not fussy about it. I'd imagined Alexander to be a spoiled brat who whined and demanded to have everything go his way.
"Well then" she closed the door after the guy left, "Thank you daddy!" she cooed and he smiled before putting his card in his wallet.
"I would rather hear those words from the other girl in the house.." he said and Victoria narrowed her eyes before screaming "ALEXA!" through the hall. I frowned and turned towards the door but I couldn't really see any of them, Jay gave me an sympathetic smile "What would it take for you to call Xander "daddy"?" she screamed.
I swear if Victoria wasn't the sweetest, nicest girl ever, I would chew her face off.
"Death." I answered simply and Jay chuckled.
"Too bad, the other girl in the house isn't interested in you, must be refreshing for once.." She teased and I stiffened.
I was interested in him. Very. I was just good at acting.
"Truly refreshing.." He responded but the annoyance in his voice was apparent.
Jesus Christ.
They came in the living room and Victoria spread the boxes on the table. I looked down at the white carpet and got kind of bothered. It's not even my house and I'm worried someone would spill soy or duck sauce on it.
Why am I like this? It's like I enjoy worrying.
Victoria handed me my box and I thanked her. We were eating while Victoria was literally on Jay's lap and I couldn't help but wonder how that didn't bother him but he seemed to not care. Plus he was twice her size and was rather enjoying it.
Relationship goals, man. I was facing them sitting on a spinning sofa, Alexander was across from me, they were chatting and I was half listening to them and half listening to the TV until I did a full spin on my chair to face the TV because of the story on it.
"On the next story, lifestyle Vlogger records herself as she is viciously attacked by a wild wolf in Minnesota..." the anchorwomen said and everybody kind of raised their head, not really at the TV but at me because I sort of got way too interested in the story.
I turned towards Alexander and it clicked.
Oh, I get it now. Earlier in the car..
"Is that why you told me not to joke about getting mauled by wolves?" I asked and he kind of half-smiled and half glared at me.
He saw the story? Is that's why?
"That's a little odd, wolves don't usually attack random hikers.." Victoria put her empty take out box on the table and snuggled against Jay.
"Maybe she wondered close to a female den" I continued and Jay looked my way with interest.
"That's actually a smart speculation..." he praised and I frowned.
"The fact that you're surprised hurts my feelings?" I pursed my lips and he chuckled.
"No, I meant the average human doesn't have a reasonable grasp on animal behavior..." he continued and I agree to that.
I read a lot.
I will read just about anything. I don't have a specific genre of books to tie myself to so I ended up reading about animal behaviors a lot of times. Wolf pack mentalities were one of them. It's fascinating.
As the story on the news came back I turned my attention to the TV. They were showing a phone footage of a girl walking through a wood area by herself and answering chat questions while the anchorwoman voiced over.
"The 28 year old vlogger was recording herself live on Instagram to her thousands of followers, as she was exploring the woods in Minnesota when she stumbled across a wild wolf feeding on a deer. The footage, that went viral, shows the social media celebrity as she attempted to approach the animal to record it as demanded by her followers, ignoring the clear growls ..."
Alexander grabbed the remote to change the channel and I looked at him, surprised.
"Hey, do you mind?" I yapped and he leaned on the back of the sofa.
I wanted to see the attack. That's the good part!
"I don't want you to watch that.." he simply said and I lifted my hands in a questioning manner.
"What, the news...?" I asked and he nodded simply.
"They tend to exaggerate" he stated and Victoria chuckled.
"Can you truly exaggerate a wolf attack? It's just as bad as it sounds and there's clear footage of it..." she answered and he shot her a glare and her smile got bigger while she turned my way with a malicious grin, "Alexa are you scared of wolves?" she asked.
Alexander almost growled at Victoria and Jay gave her a look that said "stop what you're doing now" but she seemed more amused than anything.
"um..duh.." I said like it was obvious, Alexander rolled his shoulder blades annoyed and she raised her eyebrows at me.
"Oh really?" she stretched her words while looking at Alexander, as if she was antagonizing him, "Would you ever go near one?"
"uh...didn't we just watch the same news story?" I answered again, obviously, "Who goes near a wolf? Especially a feeding one? That's basically suicide..."
"Even a domesticated one?" she continued and I shook my head.
"Victoria, you can't domesticate a dangerous, unpredictable predator.." I announce, Jay looked like he was about to agree but then glanced towards Alexander and decided not to move, "you need a license to even own a wolf-dog.." I stabbed inside my noodle box with my chopstick. Strangely, they all finished eating so quickly I was the only one who still had only consumed ¾ of my food.
"Some humans do raise wolves.." Alexander seemed like he really didn't want me to dislike wolves and I didn't really get it.
"Those are trained professionals who have the state's approval. That girl was insane to walk up to one with a camera.." I disagreed, "people watch documentaries about people owning tigers and wolves and think it's cute..", Come on, be realistic for a second, "a wolf doesn't bite and hold like dogs do, it bites and thrash, meaning it won't just puncture your skin, it'll detach your limb and kill you, It pains me that people think wild animals can be pets."
Alexander and Jay smirked at my comment.
"Well, it's not like she could have ran anyway.." Victoria grabbed the blanket off the sofa to snuggle herself more into Jay's arms, so far, only her and Jay seemed to agree with me and Alexander was keeping to himself, "That would have triggered a chase response and there's no way a human could outrun a wolf..." she continued.
"She could have backed away slowly, if it charged at her anyway, she should have fought it for dominance!.." Jay intervened and I considered it for a second before frowning and putting my box on the table.
"Fight it for dominance"
Ha, men.
"Wolves sometimes fight to death to insert proper dominance. If you want to fight a wolf, you better be prepared to get split in half. They don't back down, definitely not to humans..." I lectured. I mean, Jay is a big guy so he probably thinks he can take on a wolf but he's delusional.
Alexander's grin got bigger as he grabbed my arm and tried to pull me to him.
"How do you even know all this.." he reached for my waist to try and drag me across the sofa to where he was so I'd land on his chest but I backed off feeling my heart beat in my rib cage.
Damn. He came at me for a second. I panicked.
"I had a similar encounter and I decided I wanted to read about them just in case.." I tried not to stutter or show that he got me flustered.
He tried to get me to cuddle.
WHY DID I BACK OFF!!!
IDIOT!
"You did mention you met a wolf before" Alexander added and I widened my eyes at him.
Dayum, he remembered.
That goes to prove he actually listens and registers what I say.
"I got lost back in Greendale once when I was little and I met a wild wolf in Black pine wood"
Most likely the same wolf they called the "Hellhound".
Victoria seemed excited for the story, she shot up from Jay's arms and nodded her head at me. He purple hair fell from her topknot into a ponytail.
"Seriously? You met an actual wolf?" she smiled at me then looked at Alexander, "Please tell us what was going through your head!" She looked like she was about to enjoy whatever nasty comments I was going to have against wolves and Alexander rubbed the back of his head, uncomfortable.
Why are we diving so deep into a wolf conversation, it's so weird.
"well..um..." I blinked, trying to remember exactly what I was thinking, "Like any little girl, at first I was like "a little wolfie!" and then I snapped into reality once I realized it wasn't little at all" I smiled at my own stupidity as I said those words, "It was actually taller than me standing on four legs, and then I thought... wolves are carnivores...and...also pack animals, so if there's one, there's probably 10 more close by, and then...I panicked...and I realized, I was most likely on their territory...and then I thought "I'm going to be his meal", so technically, I faced my mortality at 7 years old" I concluded before taking a sip of my apple juice. Alexander was biting his lower lip, his head down, his hands in his pants pockets and Victoria was waiting for the rest of the story while Jay frowned, as if trying to remember something.
"How did you survive?" Jay asked. I think he almost hoped I'd say I fought it for dominance.
Nope. I just got really lucky.
"I just stopped moving all at once and I couldn't help but like... stare at it? Even thought now I know that you shouldn't do that. A wolf would interpret that as a challenge, especially if you're face to face with like an alpha, but really I was starring at it because I've never seen one up close.."
"Yep, people sure do freeze and stare, some even scream really damn high.." Victoria spit out annoyed and Jay smiled at her like some kind of inside joke between them.
"I didn't scream, I didn't want to provoke any aggressive reaction. It was huge, it could have chewed me up and spit me right back out.." I put my juice down, I was getting kind of nostalgic telling the story, "You guys want to know what's funny, it actually showed me the way back to the highway, to my dad's car..." I smiled at them, I knew they weren't going to believe me, no one ever did, "It didn't even growl at me or anything, it stood there, watched me for a moment then it walked a few feet into my left and looked back at me as if waiting for me to follow, so I did..and I was right to do so."
They all froze for a second and I swallowed, wondering whether I should say what's in my mind and not look insane but I was already deep in the story so I continued.
"This is going to sound insane, but it almost looked like it had... emotional intelligence" I say carefully and they all just looked at me without moving, "like it wasn't just a dumb beast in the forest, it looked like...it understood my situation, almost in a human way...which is why I followed it in the first place..."
I hoped I didn't sound like a crazy bitch but I probably did. Still, that one encouter was so uncanny that I always looked for people to share it with and see what they thought. I'll never forget those wolf eyes staring straight into my soul.
..That wolf was gourgeous too.
Jay frowned and before he could talk I lifted my hands to stop him, "I know, it was dumb but I didn't see the point of running the opposite direction, and I didn't feel threatened or anything, its body language was relaxed and playful even..." I tried to justify before anyone commented. But I knew I sounded like an unconscious dumass. And there he was, three minutes ago, praising my sensible grasp on animal behavior.
But I mean come on, I was 7 and I was right too.
Victoria breathed out then turned towards Jay like something clicked in her head "Emotional inteligence? It didn't attack, was bigger than average, playfuly showed her the way back to her parents, you said you were seven?" She turned my way and I nodded, "In Greendale...wait..." she looked at Alexander like it had just hit her, "BLACK PINE WOOD?" she almost shouted and I nodded again, "This was ten years ago?.." she said it like she was trying to piece things together and Alexander threw his head back on the couch and rubbed his face, annoyed as hell.
"What did it look like, what eye color did it have?.." she asked.
"Don't answer that..." Alexander interrupted before I could answer and I looked at him confused.
What's going on?
"It was all black and had red eyes.." I said without a second thought, "I mean" I caught myself, not wanting to sound stupid, "most likely brown but they looked red with the light..."
I mean, they sure as hell looked red to me but that would be impossible. Red is an atypical eye color for wolves.
For a second, the entire house went silent. You could hear the cars outside driving by. The clock ticking in the hallway. The fridge engine going on and off in the kitchen.
Victoria licked her lips slowly before turning to look at Alexander's face to try and read his expression. Jay dropped his head at the ground and just watched his feet. Alexander just watched me in silence with no apparent emotion.
Jesus.
Why is it so tense in here?
"so..." I tried to break the silence, because since I was the last one to speak, I felt awkward to receive no response, "my theory is that it might have been an intelligent female who recognized I was a lost child.." I explain further "therefore she didn't attack me, other than that I have no idea why it helped me.."
"a female would have mauled you. It was an Alpha, they don't prey on children..." Alexander corrected and Victoria tilted her head down to rub her forehead, slightly exasperated.
Excuse me, I'm telling the story. Shut the fuck up!
He was talking like he was there.
"I meant a female is most likely to have some sort of motherly drive that would make her help me instead of slice and dice me..." I grumble at him and he ran his tongue on his teeth, this whole time he was reluctant to talk and just twitching in annoyance but it felt like he didn't care anymore, "you think an alpha would have showed me the way back? You're dreaming, they're the deadliest of the pack!..."
So..that statement didn't sit well with Alexander for some reason. He cracked his neck to the side likehe was about to get up and beat my ass.
"So let me get this straight..", he turned my way and looked at me dead in the eyes, he was so handsome I stopped myself from biting my lower lip, he seemed really fucking aggravated though, "regardless of its gender; It didn't attack you, showed you the way back to the highway, most likely stalked you for a while in the woods before you even noticed it was there, probably didn't leave you until you got to the car and yet you can still sit here and tell me you won't go near a wolf because they're dangerous and vicious creatures who'll split you in half?"
I grimaced. Why was he going off on me?
Who died and made him the spokesperson for wild animals?
"Well I was one lucky kid in a million. You just watched the news didn't you? The girl got mauled to bits, I'd rather assume it'll be attacked and backoff than assume I'm safe and risk getting decapitated.." there was no point arguing with me, my logic was infallible, "Having no idea doesn't hurt, it's having the wrong idea that does!" I concluded.
"She's prudent, I'd say it's for the best.." Jay coaxed and Victoria nodded.
"Yeah, that's solid thinking. I'd rather you be cautious and back off instead of walking up to a wolf with a camera in your hand."
"Thank you!" I threw my hands up, "now, what the hell is your deal?" I asked Alexander and he got up from the couch to head for the door.
"Nothing..." he mumbled before leaving.
I'm sure there's something but do I want to find out?
Again, am I blissfully ignorant?