Alex
Drumming my fingers lightly upon the steering wheels, I pondered over the reminiscence of the day spent.
After dropping Elaine at her home, I comprehended upon my advise. Back in Orlando, I was eminent among my friends for wacky suggestions that mostly left us grounded.
Never did I entertained the idea of Elaine considering it, let alone acting upon it. Literally.
Not that I am not proud of her, it was time she stood up for herself, but I doubt my own fortitude, will I be of any protection if all I could do was punch someone when the situation arises?
From punch I recall the face of Jace, he was present at school today, though it was not all him, I quite felt he deserved what he got.
A broken nose.
Tyler and his group of jocks do not appreciate my existence anymore, evident by their hostile looks, contrary to that I am at peace. It's an impression of laceration between us. It was exceptional, the feeling of finally being hated by the people I loath. At least now they know whose side I was in.
According to Elaine, Friday was the worst of all days, the bullying burgeons a day before the weekend. She wouldn't have told me if it wasn't me noticing how restless her movements were and my constant pestering brought me the answer.
Even after all these days, she still wasn't used to it, to talk about it, she catalogs her thoughts as if it's her who is at fault like all this persecute was somehow because of her.
I see the spark fade off her whenever she sees someone intimidating strolling around the corridor, like she promptly makes herself seem small, putting her head down and clutching the books close to her.
Wish I could someday make her understand that she's not born to hide, but to shine.
I heave a sigh, it has been a long day making sure Jace was not up to something stupid. I had been with her in most of her classes, not leaving her side despite her endless protest. But I do apprehend the fact that I cannot be with her every time.
As I got off the car, the cold sun rays of the evening welcomed me with a fresh gust of air. Running my hands over the hair I made a mental notice to trim them soon, haven't been to a hairdresser since I came to this town.
The door to my home was open formerly, it was more than two months yet it felt strange to call this place my home.
The high walled iron gates and acres of land as the garden with voice recognized lock opening to a protracted doorway to the mansion never felt like home either.
"Mom, I am home" I holler upon entering, I was used to scream I am home in Orlando, only to meet with my own resonated intonation.
Though most of the time I preferred the academies dorm, the little ache to call a home my home had always been there in me.
It was crazy how I was accustomed to admitting my weaknesses so easily these days.
It was dumb. But humane.
"In my room" came a faint voice from my right as I walked in the direction of her room.
Thereby the dresser she sat on her wheelchair, her smile never faltering. Always genuine and warm. How could I have ever misunderstood her? Was I that bad of a son to not see the love behind her own mother's eyes, his own blood?
"Alex, If I ask for something will you please promise me to understand," she asked with a trifling pinch of pleading in her tone.
I stand by the doorway perplexed, "sure, is everything alright?"
"Your dad is here"
Without a thought, my nails dug into the strap of my backpack as I clench my jaw.
"Why? What does he want now?" it takes me a hefty will to stand still, did he miraculously remembered he has a son.
"Please Alex, you promised to understand. Just listen to what he has to say. You don't have to do anything" how can she be so forgiving, after all, shit she went through because of him? But this was the first time she asked something from me, and I just cannot ignore the hope in those brown eyes.
Reticence lingered in the room as seconds passed.
"Fine" I grumbled looking away.
"He's upstairs" with a sad smile at my way she pushed her wheels, facing the other way so that her son won't see the glistening tear threatening to spill out from the corner of her eyes.
Each step while climbing up felt like a weight was attached to my sole. I recalled The last time we were in the same room, let's just say it was not all rainbows and flowers.
Had it been a year?
I could see his broad shoulder in a grey tux, he had his back facing me as he leaned over the balcony at the end of the hallway. One of his hands clutched his phone pressing it to his ears as he instructed something over the line.
As I neared the words were clear.
"I don't pay you two to watch him from afar, you are to be by his side. Always" his tone was commanding and yet the content does not felt business-like. I was not a fan of eavesdropping but I couldn't help but overhear his conversation.
"Get a job where he works, it's not just school I pay you for."
My breathing came out heavy, Why was it so relating?
He won't do it.
He wouldn't.
He shouldn't.
"He is my son, an heir. And I won't tolerate any negligence towards his safety"
My hands were balled into a fist as my nails dug deep into my skin.
He seems to have sensed a presence as he whirled around. His eyes gave away his surprise, he knew it was too late to mask it with petty excuses.
"Look, I can explain" and there it was, the tone of negotiation. When will he realize that business and relationships are two different entities? one cannot be handled like the other. When one is assented with power the other is fragile, it floats upon the weak pillar of trust. And he, Failed miserably at that.
How could he spy on my life? Did he ever come across the word personal space?
"Yes, you can. You can do anything" I raised my hands in surrender with a mock smile.
"Stop being such a child Thomas, think logically and come back to Florida. You can still get in Stuart and everything will be fine like before" he said pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Child?" I tested the highlight of his sentence bitterly "I stopped being one when I was a child. Its you who's a kid, so stubborn to call me Alex. How hard is it to respect the name I chose for myself?" by now I couldn't help the grin, the smile of a person accepting his defeat.
"I have enemies Thomas, and they can get to me through any way possible, and the only thing that is not secure is you. I want you safe so you're coming back" he says taking a step towards me. My sick smile is now replaced by a frown I raise my palm to halt his initiative.
"No" I nod my head sideways, like making a point. "I won't, you heard me? You can't control me anymore" I retreat my steps as I stand at the edge of the staircase.
But before I could leave, I ask the question about people concerned over my supposed lingering danger in exchange for money.
"The names?"
Confused his head tilts at me.
"The personal space invaders" I raise my brows, did he thought I'd let it go?
He doesn't hesitate. The blue eyes, similar to mine goes cold, the temperature drops as they meet my pair, he knows if he was inexorable, then I was his own son.
Cunning. Ruthless and perfection at its best.
I wait, but he doesn't stray for a blink. Like already not caring enough for the brewing argument he speaks up.
"Aiden and April Beckett"
***
I sat leaning on the seat of my car at an empty gas station, the cold night matched the emotions inside me.
I recognized the Aiden guy from AP English, the mousy-looking guy with a curly mane for hair, but who April was, I had no idea. For me, everyone was new in the school, and remembering each of them with their names was not feasible.
I'll look into the matter tomorrow, and for now, I was worried for the night. I don't want to go home though I know he would've left by now I still need some time to collect my thoughts.
I can't stay In a hotel as I forgot my wallet at home. Great job Alex.
And the car was out of option as I have a better image of dying rather than hypothermia.
I don't know anyone else in town, other than
Elaine.
So that's what I did, with the little fuel in my vehicle I force a drive to her home. After an eternity of contemplation, I rang the bell with my cold, blood-frozen finger.
But out of expectation, a gorgeous woman with chocolate brown skin opened the door.
Wait. Was I expecting Elaine to live alone?
I think I lost my rationality this night.
"May I help you" when I stood mum, gaping and eating air she questioned.
"Who is it Diana?" Behind the woman, Elaine peeked her head surprised,
The woman whose name I assume is Diana slides away leaving us to face each other. But she still scanned our faces for answers. While I divided my gaze between the two ladies alternate seconds.
"Alex?" Elaine's face contorted into confusion, then concern. I think the day is wearing on me.
"Can I stay here for the night?" Without a thought, I blurted out. I was tired and in remarkable need of a place to crash.
There was a pause between the three of us. Is this how rejection feels like.
But before I could start on with my internal monologue, Elaine interrupted "yeah sure, god come inside you're freezing." She said cracking the door wide open as I stepped into the toasty room.
"I assume he's your friend, he can stay for the night. But no funny business" the lady with her hands folded across her chest smirked. But there was also happiness and love when she eyed Elaine who's eyes were still glued to me.
Elaine rolls her eyes and takes in my frosty hands on her small ones. It startles me a bit.
"To move towards guest room, you got to walk" she dissected the words to a bewildered man. Unfortunately, that was me.
I followed her like a puppy as she took me upstairs. She left my hand after few steps, but it felt weird. Like a piece of puzzle detached.
We entered the room at the far end. It was a plain room with yellow and cream-colored walls and a bed at the corner. But this place felt more lavish than the spring mattress in a king-sized bed for the brain cells endorsed with sleep.
"Wait here" she raised her index finger and hopped back off the room. Her two-sided braid, light blue pajamas, and nightshirt made her look more of a kid than a teenager. It bought a bemused smile as I waited for her to come.
She came back with two granola bars and handed them over to me.
"What's this for?"
Smiling she said "since I'll not pester you with questions now as you look as if you may pass out any second"
Her index points at the bar on hand as she resumes "But for now I'd like to stop that unpleasant sound erupting from your stomach" she quoted the same words which I said when we met under the tree when I gave her my sandwich.
With a wink, she walks out of the door frame.
After munching on the bars. I lay down in bed welcoming the blissful night of sleep.
Who cares if I was in my jeans and with shoes still on. Or the day turned out to be shittiest as it could be.
In the end, it was better.
She made it better.
***