Change of Heart

Chapter 9

**

It was the next morning, and I had just finished getting ready for school. Caden called just as I woke up informing me that the tire for the car wouldn't be replaced until after school today. So, I guess it's time to take the bus for once.

It was 6:27 when I headed out the door. The stop by my house was the last to get on, and it didn't get there until 6:40. Walking out the door, I saw Alex standing at the end of the walkway leaning up against the mailbox dressed in a hoodie and a pair of dark jeans. My heart skipped a beat when he looked over at me.

Alex stood straight and waved to me. "Yo. Took you long enough."

I began feeling flushed again, but I tried not to let it show. "What are you doing here?" I asked curiously closing the distance between us.

"Your brother's not here right? I thought I'd keep you company." He gave such a warm smile causing me to melt away. He's making it impossible for me not to fall for him any deeper.

I pushed my lips together for a moment and smiled. "Well, I can't say no to that."

His eyes made a slight motion, as if they were about to open, but was suddenly paused. Alex quickly turned his head and started walking forward. "Let's go."

Nodding, I followed, but, what was that just now? It was as if he was trying to avoid me.

As we walked to the bus stop, I tried to bring it up and ask, but I couldn't form the words. What is it that makes me suddenly speechless when I'm around him? I can easily spill the words with Caden, but not with Alex. Damn, I think I'm blushing again. Looking down, I didn't notice Alex stop and I ran straight into him. I lost my balance starting to fall back. Alex grabbed my wrist pulling me back up.

"You should be more aware of your surroundings." Alex projected sending me a smirk of entertainment.

I averted my eyes. "S-sorry..." There's that stutter again. Can't I just talk normally for once? My ears caught a whiff of the noises coming from behind Alex. Everyday that Caden and I pass, there are always five people standing here waiting. No doubt they were the ones snickering in the background. I gritted my teeth, and stepped back a few steps.

"Hey," Alex shouted as he looked straight at me. "If you guys have something to say, then say it to my face." He turned around facing the other guys. They instantly got quiet, and you could just hear the crickets in the air. This only made Alex seem even more amazing than before.
Instinctively, I took one more step back, and Alex grabbed my wrist. "Where are you going?"

I shook my head. "Nowhere. I just..." Another pause...just spill it already! Opening my mouth again for a second, the bus stopped in front of us. I let out a sigh of disbelief. I feel so overwhelmed, I can't even think.

Alex pulled me onto the bus. He stopped at the front of the bus for a moment, and began walking again. I followed him down the isle avoiding everyone's stare. When we reached an empty seat, Alex walked past it, and escorted me in. I scooted all the way over until my hip touched the cool metal wall where the window hovered over. Filling the empty seat next to me, he sat there.

Swallowing hard, I looked out the window. Snap out of it! I can't be this dominated that I can't even look at him. My body began to tremble. I was trying too hard I couldn't control it.

Alex placed his hand over mine wrapping his fingers around. I shut my eyes tight trying not to think about it. Why did he have to do that?

"Hey..." I managed to finally say.

"Yea?" His expression was a mystery to me.

After a long pause, I forced out the words. "I'm going to take a nap. So..." Before I finished, Alex wrapped his arm around my shoulder and rested my head on his shoulder. The butterflies in my tummy went on a rampage. I wrapped my arms around my body, holding my stomach and tightly closed my eyes. I kept my head down the whole time, but in the end, I wasn't able to get a wink of sleep.

**

As the bus finally came to a stop, I sat up slowly as if I had just woken up. Looking around, I noticed that Alex was letting everyone get off first. After the last kid got off, he finally stood to his feet. "Come on." Grabbing my hand, he pulled me up and guided me off. I stared at our hands intensely. I expected him to have let go already, but he didn't.

"Hey!" A couple of girls shouted as they ran toward us. We both stopped as they both approached. "You're Alex, the new guy, right?" One of the girls asked all flirty-like. She had long wavy black hair, with a summer dress on. Even though it was my hand he was holding, I still felt uneasy. Almost a tinge of jealousy.

"That's right." He smiled back at them. It only drove me higher up the walls. I turned my head away trying not to watch them flirt.

"You wanna go somewhere, just the two of us?" The other girl asked with a much higher voice. She was blonde and dressed more sporty. I ended up biting my lip without realizing until the taste of blood landed on my tongue.

Alex's grip on my hand got tighter as he replied. "No thanks." Walking forward, he dragged me with him. They both began snickering, and the girl with the higher pitched voice called out. "You've gotta be kidding me? You're hanging out with that freak?" Stop. "What a joke!" Just stop already... "I didn't notice her hiding behind you like a coward."

The grip on my hand was suddenly gone. I looked up and Alex walked right past me. My eyes were wakened as I turned around and saw him grab her from her shirt collar.

"Next time you think about calling someone a freak, take a good look at yourself in the mirror. I'd say you're already there." His tone changed in an instant, and the girl was frozen with fear. The other one started backing away, giving me a dirty look. Swallowing hard, I took a couple steps back myself. "Maybe I should start calling you a freak too. Or how about a much fitting word. Yea. How about bitch?" He released her collar and walked away.

The girl was in complete shock, she ended up peeing herself. Is this Alex's true nature? No...I believe I still haven't even seen him at his worst. There's a much more scarier side to him buried deep down. Compared to that...this is nothing. Suddenly, goosebumps covered my body.

I felt the grip on my hand again, this one tighter than before. "Let's go." Alex demanded as he jerked me forward. I took one last look behind me at the two. Both of their eyes were glued on me, and I felt like I had just made two hostile enemies.