Elaine
It's not an everyday occurrence In my life when I find myself in the cafeteria sipping on a milkshake blessed to be sitting across two extremely friendly people who most certainly cares a lot about texting and eating with supreme concentration rather than human interactions.
"This is literal shit" Aiden said with his mouthful of burger. Crumbs falling everywhere as he spoke.
"Then stop eating it" April, still glued to her screen made a logical statement.
"Hah, it was your turn to make the breakfast and you escaped. How do you expect me to keep this muscles alive if I starve?" flexing his arms he resumed to stuff his mouth.
Now that I actually took a moment to notice Aiden, he did had a hunk of flesh buried under his baggy sweater and a chiseled jaw line and face behind those hideous glasses.
"And you were suppose to clean and wash dishes last night, I found your boxers on my dresser, above my hair straightener. I repeat your boxers." Her mobile was long forgotten as it lay solitary on table, her glare directed towards a scarlet faced Aiden.
He looked at me and then at April who smirked innocently. Who could have guessed such a harmless appearing face can reveal embarrassing stories about her brother in public.
"You know what" he growled at his twin "I am not contributing to pay the apartment rent this month"
April was about to argue with a hatching scowl when I cut them off.
"you guys live on your own?"
There must've been some impact of my words as they gawked at me a little.
"yeah"
"No"
They both replied simultaneously making me raise a brow in question.
"I mean yes and no, we live alone but our grandmother lives across. She helps when we need something." April rushed of answering as Aiden saw it better to stuff his mouth once again.
"we are eighteen by the way" April added smiling.
"Does Alex know her?" my question was met with Aidens unpleasant choke.
Few days back when Jace and Karly were expelled from school April and Aiden informed me of it. they told me how Alex convinced to have witnessed the act and reported it to higher authorities. Apparently, only the reporters name was enough for the council to decide on suspension.
They were the same members who asked for proof when I, the bullied myself wanted justice.
But the question here stands was, how did the twin know so much about him. he never even mentioned them until that day when I saw them with him.
When I phrased my doubts they laughed and coughed and finally when they saw how serious I was they told me he was their cousin from Mrs. Bryson's side.
And also that he was not much fond of them.
From that day I haven't seen him, Mrs. Bryson said he left for Florida. But assured me not for long, he'll be back before I knew it.
But only if she was in my shoes shed have known how hard it was.
He always pushes me away when he thinks what he did was wrong, but in this instance, he wasn't. it was time. They had gone too far. I wanted to tell him that, make him realize how much of a big deal he is for me. But even the technology fails when the user blocks your number.
"No, our grandmother has Alzheimer's" Aided wheezed a response as April patted his back, quite harshly.
"Forget about this, tell us about your first date, how my brother is when it comes to romance and stuffs" April wiggled her brows mischievously as now it was my turn to choke on air. Way to go.
"what do you mean, w-we don't see each other like that" I coarse in defense.
Oh Elaine, forgot what was about to happen when the song ended. You still dream of closing the distance which was left.
She just smirked and shook her head.
"The whole school knows about the golden couple, they have ship names and have been betting on how long you guys will last" now even Aiden left his food and was grinning like a loon.
"What?" I crack a confused frown.
"Oh don't tell me, honey that you haven't noticed the way Alex looks at you, it's like how girls look at zayn Malik, his eyes twinkle, lips smile and hormones go wild" her dramatic gesture caused my cheeks to adopt as much blood possible.
They both sat convulsing In laughter hi fiving at each other at my reaction.
When it subsided April added on a serious note "And coming this from Alex is a big thing, as far as we know he is a man of few words and in those words, you can write a history. Try to figure him out, but don't lose yourself while doing it."
"I-ill keep that in mind" a whirlwind of thoughts housed in me, but as I saw the students around, scared to approach me. For the fear of him?
He showed me how to live, but he is also a boy who can control lives.
And the worst part is he knows it, he knows how powerful he is.
***
"Ouch"
"Ouch ohh, ouch" squeaking I scrunched my nose as my reflection did the same. I could see The little hand enclosed around the hairbrush as it mercilessly combed over my sensitive strands.
"You're such a child" Ashley giggled. At least that's some worth to endure this pain.
After a while when all my embarrassing knots were clean she gently patted my head like I always use to do with her when she behaved.
But her Pat was dangerous because she now leaned to explore Mrs. Brysons lipstick collection.
If you are wondering why just why? am I letting a three-and-a-half-year-old girl play with my dignity?
Let's rewind and reveal the emotional and thick situation I was in twenty minutes ago.
I came to do my job, which I enjoyed a lot because I grew to love Ashley more than anything.
But Ashley started to cry, a hell lot of tears accompanied the thunderstorm of wails. She said she missed her brother.
She won't slow down. I got scared, trust me anyone would've if they were in my place. I gave up and told her she could doll me up into the glittery fairy that she always insisted on.
She stopped.
But a minute later she smirked.
She.
Smirked.
That little minion from kitten world.
I should've known.
The dark red lipstick smacked my lips. And she drew round patters, the coast off my lip line.
Please god , i silently prayed. Let this be over before Mrs. Brysons comes back or anyone else for that's matter. I may die of embarrassment. More over I'd die like a clown.
She was on the third coating of pinkest blush shade when an amused voice startled us both.
Me of shock.
Her of excitement.
"What on the heavens sake-" I shouldn't have turned to face him. Maybe bidding my face in a time capsule for the rest of my life would've been a better option.
But i did.
Our eyes met. Something sparked. It was merciless. It was beautiful.
He balled his fist upon his lips to stop his fits of laughter. But his shaking shoulders and teary eyes gave it away.
Suddenly i found my gaze tight on him accusatory at his amusement. I glared and glared and it went on.
His attention broke from me when Ashley hugged his legs. He let go of the backpack he was lounging with. To hug her.
"I missed you so much Buzz" she snuggled on with her arms around his neck as he carried her and walked towards me.
I tried to make a run for the washroom. Keyword being tried. He caught hold of my wrist and tugged me towards him.
Like a puppet, I stumbled over his right. As he held my waist tight in a hug with his free arms.
A whiff of his pleasant Cologne assaulted my nose in the most addictive manner. A what was I returning him with? a giant unlip like lipstick shade.
Wrinkling my nose is attempted to shift. But in vain. He was too stubborn.
In the midst of all irrational thoughts I failed to hear the plea of my racing heart demanding some medical aid.
It got worse when he firmed his hold on me.
"You can stop hugging us buzz, your hair is tickling my nose" she giggled lazily, sleep caught in up her senses.
He loses his grip on me so that I could stand still, but his fingers somehow interlaced themselves with mine.
I stood in daze as I watched him say something to Ashley as she laughed at him.
Before I know a yawn escaped her mouth and finally, he unlatched his hands from me to put Ashely to bed.
I took the chance to clean up and contemplated escaping.
The questions and queries were still there, fresh as the day. But I choose to keep it aside as I knew, somehow the way he saw me and looked at me with those unwavering intensity and acted, I know if I stayed, everything was going to change between us.
"Where do you think you are going?" I stopped midway while pulling my boots on. His voice was so close behind me. I could feel his warm breath across my neck.
I was afraid to turn around, to see him this close would make things more awkward.
"I-I am leaving? Since you are here" I stuttered as the shortness of breath was prominent over me.
I jumped with surprise as his strong arms circled around my waist, pulling me closer to his chest.
Oh god, what's happening. Please let this be a dream.
Oh yeah, seriously Elaine, you want this to be just a dream?
"Who said you could?" he said again, causing shivers, feathers, or whatever that tingles across my spine.
"Alex, you w-we -"
"Shhh, don't say anything, let me talk." He traced his touch of lips over my earlobe from behind, I shuddered in response causing him to chuckle mildly.
"I want this to be out, before I change my mind of cowardice" he sounded so thick of certainty, as if he was drunk with emotions.
"I used to think I was the most sane person in the world until you came in my life. You drove me crazy by everything you do"
I don't know why but the next thing I said seems to drive him crazier.
" I am sorry for that" as soon as he got hold of my words he erupted in laughter and whirled me around, but still held me captive by my waist as If scared that ill evaporate if he did so.
I was at awe to see him this close, he was simply beautiful. So young, so strong and so contagious. That even I smiled despite my best tactic on self-control.
"You have no idea what you do to me Elaine do you?" with an agonizing plea he looked deep into my eyes.
"Alex" I breathed as he brought his free hands to my lips, asking for silence.
"Don't, I have to say this out. Its now or never". His hold left me as I stumbled, my knees seem to have lost their immunity. Who's the one to blame? Of course the perfect species in front of me who else.
His eyes gleamed with amusement, and within few seconds he descended his steps towards me, I retreated till my back collided against the frigid tiled wall. He Framed his hands on either side of me, so that I am caged.
"I left for the city for few days, I wanted to clear my mind. I decided It was best to tell you what I feel, or else I'll explode " he leaned himself so that my face edged, providing him a way to reach close my right ear.
He was so close that I could inhale his aftershave. My cheeks almost brushing his, His lips causing fremd sparks to trek through my ear lobes.
I could sense confidence radiating off him as he whispers. But also something else which was new.
"I like you Elaine, if not more." He shifted so he could see me straight in the eyes.
How do people breath?
"You don't have to say any thing, I know you have a mountains of questions about me. I don't have to tell you how things work when I lose control, you saw it yourself." He heaved a sigh and ran a had through his hairs, making it go more dishevelled.
"But I want you to stick by my side for a month, I want to show you who I really am. From good to worse. I want you to know everything about me, then you can decide if I am worthy of you or not. But just this once, give me a chance." For some moments there was a pause with only his ragged breath filling the silence between us.
Then I slowly nodded, I was scared I'd sound like a chicken on drugs due to the dryness in my trachea.
His smile that lit up the place better than the lights had me dazed,
"Your lips looks so tempting for a kiss, but I don't want to scare you away. So this should do" with that he leaned on and kissed my forehead, longer than a few innocent seconds.
My mouth hung open at his words, like a hawk I stood there watching him smirk.
This was not the Alex I knew.
But this wasn't the situation either that I ever thought I'd be in.
***