Oblivion

Chapter 61

Ivy Moore

~~~~~~~~

I waited outside on the library stairs for Alek, the warm breeze was blowing through my short black hair. I pulled my leather jacket tighter around my body as I watched people walk in and out of the library. I still couldn't believe I was doing this, it felt wrong to do this to Paxton. But he was dead. I couldn't do anything about that, I didn't want to sit around and mourn for him and Alek was a really nice guy.

I stared down at my lap, trying to calm myself down, I was so nervous for some reason.

"Hey bookworm." I hear a familiar voice call.

I look up and see Alek standing at the bottom of the steps looking at me. He was wearing a grey sweatshirt with a white dress shirt underneath, his pants were plaid and casual. His hair was messy as usual, which I adored.

I stood up and smiled at him, I could feel my heart race faster as he walked up the stairs till he was right in front of me.

"You look amazing, as usual." He admires my outfit.

I looked down at my clothes, I was wearing Paxton's leather jacket that I stole from him the night when we slept in the car. I wore a black shirt underneath it, I decided I'd wear a skirt today so I wore a black and white plaid skirt. My shoes were basic black converse, I didn't feel like wearing heels.

I thank him as I feel my face turn red.

"Ready to go?" He questions as he holds his hand out for me.

I nod before placing my hand in his palm, I felt a warm feeling throughout my body as he guided me down the steps.

   We walked down the sidewalks talking about random things, mostly about books. We stopped once we reached a nice fancy restaurant. Alek held the door open for me as I walked in, I was hit with the smell of freshly cooked steak making my mouth water a bit.

"Table for how many?" I hear a voice say.

I turn to my right and see a lady smiling at us.

"Just two." Alek replies.

"Just two."

I remember Paxton saying that when we went to that diner and got into a little argument. I shouldn't be thinking about Paxton while I'm on a date with someone else.

"Ivy?" I hear Alek's voice, breaking me from my thoughts.

I look over at him and see him growing at me.

"Sorry, zoned out."

"I can tell." He laughs.

I smile at him.

We follow the waitress through the packed restaurant until we reach a small wooden table with two seats.

I take my jacket off and place it on the back of my chair before sitting down.

"What can I get you guys to drink?" The waitress asks.

"Lemonade please." I answer.

"I'll have water." Alek replies.

The lady nods and smiles before walking away.

I look at Alek and see him staring down at the menu.

"I heard they have really good food here." He states.

"That's good to hear." I say to him as I look down at my menu.

Why was it so awkward? It wouldn't be like this if I was with Paxton. Of course, it wouldn't, it's Paxton. He never stops talking and making jokes.

"So, Ivy, where are you from?" Alek questions.

I look up at him and meet his eyes.

"Wisconsin. What about you?" I reply.

"I've lived here my whole life."

Of course, he did.

"That's nice." I say.

"So how is your job going?" He asks, changing the subject.

"I start Monday." I tell him.

"That's exciting."

"Yeah, but I'm a nervous wreck." I note.

"You'll be fine. Trust me." He reassures.

I smile at him.

                                                        ~~~~~~~~~~

I let out a loud laugh as Alek and I walked out of the restaurant.

"That's so embarrassing." I laugh as I pull my leather jacket onto my body.

"Tell me about it." Alek says as he takes my hand into his.

This whole date actually ended up being pretty good, we kept telling each other funny stories from our childhood.

It went silent for a moment as we walked down the sidewalks.

"So, do you have any exes I should know about?" Alek questions.

I feel my heart racing as I think about Paxton.

"Uh, there's one guy. He and I were sorta complicated at first but we eventually figured out that we were in love, and it was going good until he... died." I explained.

"Oh I'm so sorry, Ivy." Alek says as he squeezes my hand gently.

"It's fine. I'm better now, I still miss him every once in a while but I'm good." I tell him.

"That's good to hear." He says.

I nod and look down at my feet.

"How did he die?" Alek asks.

I look up at him and then look back down at my feet.

"He got into a car accident." I lied.

Alek doesn't say anything and looks down at his feet.

"Are you okay?" He finally asks.

"Yeah." I answer.

No, I don't think I'll ever be okay.