Searching For Serenity

Chapter 9

"Alec?"

He stood there with a soft sad smile as he waved at me.

I was definitely not expecting him. I was much rather expecting my mom to be there. And I couldn't help but feel a little disappointed that it wasn't my mom because it's been days since I last saw her.

"You don't look so happy." I heard Alec say. His eyes wrinkled around the corners in concern, "Were you expecting someone else? Or are you just mad at me?" He shook his head near the end.

I squinted my eyes a little before taking a step forward. Now that I think about it clearly. What was he doing here? How did he even know that I stay here?

Ignoring his previous question I asked, "What are you doing here?"

He rubbed the back of his head awkwardly as he looked around, "I thought you would be mad."

He thought I would be mad? I WAS mad. We literally knew each other for a few days and he wanted me to break my friendship with someone because of his personal issues.

"Shouldn't I be?" I said crossing my arms.

"Of course! You have all the rights. But hear me out."

"Do you want to keep the conversation going on the middle of a hallway?" I raised my eyebrows at him.

He looked sheepishly at me as I shook my head and stepped away a little so that he could enter the apartment.

He entered quickly as I closed the door. As soon as I turned around I saw him checking around. I could not help but let my mind wonder if he thought about my apartment as too small. Or too shabby?

"It's not as big as yours." I commented in a small voice.

He turned around and looked at me with his blue eyes, "It still seems better...wait," his eyes got caught on one the walls just behind the couch, "those are paintings!" He said in awe.

Without even waiting for anything he went and stood in front of it—just marvelling at it.

The paintings. I wonder why were they still here. I have been too busy to even notice them anymore. Before, just like Alec I would sit and marvel at them for hours with my dad. I guess that is how I came to feel the paintings. But now? The paintings on the walls don't feel home anymore.

What was the point of even having them hang there anymore?

"I can see how you got an eye for the paintings now." He turned to me and gave me his charming smile. I couldn't help but stare at him as I noticed his eyes brighten up.

"How?" I asked a little afraid of what he might say.

"Your family."

He said it. I felt my throat clenching as I forced my next words out, "Why would you think so?"

He kept his gaze stable on me, "You know the paintings you like are like a window to your soul. Just by looking at a painting in someone's house you can tell a lot about them. Do you want me to tell what this one says?"

I shook my head in firmness. I don't want him to tell me what I already know. He passed me a knowing smile before looking at the painting again,

"You love your parents, don't you?" He said without taking his eyes off the painting. I stared at the back of his blonde hair.

What was he trying to do?

"How did you get my address?" I asked trying to get him off topic from the paintings. Because they were the last thing I wanted to discuss with him.

He finally turned around, "I asked Max and Henry." He said non chalantly.

Damn those two. Why do they always think they are saving the day?

"And why are you here ?" I asked again.

Alec thought for a while before going and sitting on the couch. He patted the seat next to him for me but I shook my head—still standing there crossing my arms.

"We have concepts to cover. Of course I am here to teach you." He said innocently.

I raised my eyebrows at him. That's it? After storming out from the cafeteria he just casually shows up and acts as if nothing happened?

"Also," he continued. I looked at him hopefully, "I came to apologise."

Thank you! Was that hard to say? An apology is all I need. That's it. I am not greedy afterall.

"Apologise for what?"

He looked at me and he knew what I was doing because he closed his eyes momentarily, "I am sorry that I overreacted in the cafeteria today. I shouldn't have forced you to stop being friends with someone. I realised it late. But at least I did!"

Wasn't that good to hear? A good apology. It makes you feel happier and just good because the person finally acknowledges what they did wrong.

"But still in the future if she betrays you or anything don't say that I didn't warn you."

"I won't. She has changed." I said.

"Has she?"

"Are you picking up a fight again?" I asked in a serious tone.

He raised his hands in surrender shaking his head in denial. I couldn't help but laugh at his reaction.

Even though I don't know Alec much but I loved the fact that he came to apologise. Rather than acting like an arrogant jerk who is too embarrassed to apologise, he came to apologise because he thought he was in the wrong.

"Bring your chemistry book now." He said enthusiastically.

I couldn't help but make a face. Of course he was here to teach me. I stomped my foot lightly on the floor as I went to get the book.

As soon as I was back, I could see Alec's face turned around looking at the paintings. Again. The guy can't seem to leave them alone. It's been months since I even tried looking at the paintings for longer than five minutes.

"Here's the book." I said putting it on the table in the middle. I went and sat next to him as his attention went to the book. He leaned forward to pick it up.

As he continued flipping the pages he asked, "Are your parents working?"

I fell silent and the only sound I could hear was of the pages flipping and Alec's breathing.

He looked up from the book and gave me a questioning look.

I cleared my throat, "Yeah, my mother's a nurse so she is usually busy. Especially since she has a night shift. I don't even know if it's a night shift or what," I laughed half heartedly, "I mean it's kind of in the middle. She will leave for work before my school's over and will be back too late at night so when I leave for school she is usually asleep in her room."

Alec listened to me intently before nodding his head in understanding, "So you don't usually meet your mom?"

Exactly. And it gives me such a sinking feeling every time thinking about it because before I couldn't even go without talking to her for even hours.

"I guess I can relate. My dad is always working so I rarely see him."

I remember Mrs Brown telling me. I looked into his eyes and I could see he was sincere, I could tell that he knew how I felt.

And it was oddly comforting.

"Are you ready for the hits today?" He said referring to his punishment—trying to lighten up the mood.

I pursed my lips trying to keep myself from laughing and nodded my head at him.

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