Well, We're Not Alone Now - Book One - Alex Turner

Understand Me

-Understand Me-

"She needs wide open spaces

Room to make her big mistakes

She needs new faces

She knows the high stakes"

-Wide Open Spaces-Dixie Chicks-

25th of May 2012

"Wait, wait. I've forgotten my book."

"Oh for god's sake Alex."

Giving me an apologetic look, he opened the car door, jumping out into the light rain. I shook my head at his disappearing figure, then leant back against the headrest and sighed. This was the second thing he had forgotten to pack. You would think he would have a bit of a system by now, considering, but no. Then there had been trying to get him up in time. It was just ridiculous. I was tired, coldy, nervous and had, had just about had enough of his tardiness. The rain fell in soft rivulets down the windscreen and I watched it's silent journey. We were on our way to Wales, to my home. I was overly excited and extremely nervous, although I was careful not to show it, nevertheless I was sure he had picked it up. As Alex had got back from America on the 16th and that weekend, we went straight to see Penny and David, his parents, plus his Grandma and many friends back in Sheffield. It had been a nerve racking experience, but I had enjoyed it immensely. I had been welcomed with open arms and smiles into their small terrace house in High Green. It probably helped that I had talked to them a few times over Skype when Alex had been talking to them. I found it sweet that he kept in touch with them so much. Penny had been joyous and happy, reminding me of my own mother at times in her way of saying exactly what she means, when she wants. There was no time for bullshit with her. David was a whole other kettle of fish. He was mostly quiet, portraying a silent warmth that made you like him straight away, something I think Al had picked up from him. Although he didn't speak much, when he did everybody listened, just like Alex. I also saw where Al got his quiet confidence from. Although they didn't show it much, I saw that they were both immensely proud of their son's success and showed him in small affectionate comments and moments of support.

I was pulled away from these memories, when the car door opened and Alex slumped back into the seat next to me. I glanced at him, drops of silver in his hair, then away, back to my window.

"Rhea?"

"Mmm…?"

"Look at me love."

I slowly turned my head, my eyes hooded in annoyance, "What?"

"I'm sorry." His eyes were earnest, but I also detected a flash of humour in them.

"I know." I gave him a small smile, taking his cold hand in mine, "Now drive."

He raised an eyebrow, "First things first I think." I couldn't help smiling as he kissed me then let me go, turning back to the wheel and switching on the engine. I sneezed and he squeezed my thigh briefly. We were currently in a rental car, something sleek and shiny he had insisted upon getting. I did say to him that it was going to have a hard time on the track to my family's house, but he had shrugged. I gave in, saying that the only condition was that I would get to drive it. Que his surprise at my ability to drive. I had been driving since I was thirteen.

Getting out of London took a while and I watched the streets with a new interest, saying goodbye. It had been decided that I was going to temporarily move with him to LA. We were leaving on the first of June as us circus folk had our summer holiday early as the teachers knew we had to make money somehow. I neglected to tell them I was going to be whiling away the months on beaches in the sunny country, instead of working at festivals in the mud. I would be back by September of course, and back before then in July for the Olympics. It was still undecided as to what would happen when I came back. I had made it clear to him that I did not want to permanently move to LA because England and Wales were the places I loved and lived. Pus to be able to get a visa that said I could live there, I would have to be earning a certain amount of money ,which I sure as hell wasn't going to be doing anytime soon. So we still needed to talk about it, but I was pretty sure we could manage it one way or another.