I Choose You

JEKYLL AND HIDE, Pt 2

Are you Jekyll-and-Hyde-ing me?
Silently, I can't see in the dark
Are you Jekyll or Hyde this time?
Where's my mind? I can't sleep in the dark

Jekyll-and-Hyde-ing me

- JEKYLL AND HIDE by Bishop Briggs

***

By the light of my lamp, I was about to fully see who my intruder was. Alexander stood in front of my window with his lips pressed into a thin line. Anger rolled off him, causing me to fight the urge to recoil.

Needing a change in subject, I looked over at my clock to see that it was nearly midnight. "What are you doing here?" Rubbing my eyes that had gathered gunk, I realized that I had actually fallen asleep for a brief moment before Alexander randomly showed up.

Why were people so intent on using my window as a means to see me? I thought after a short moment. As if there weren't a thing called a phone. Or, better yet, a front door.

"Does Icarus also come in through your window?" A certain detectable rage leaked in Alexander's tone. By his body language, I could tell that he was still simmering in fury.

I was puzzled at the anger directed my way. "What's it to you?"

Alexander made it clear that we were friends and not lovers. He had no business knowing if Icarus comes through my window.

In just a couple of long strides, Alexander reached me at my bedside. His body loomed over me creating a shadow over me. Without warning, Alexander grabbed my chin. I was forced to look him in the eye. Vexation swam in the depths of his dark eyes. "Does. Icarus. Come. Through. Your. Window?"

My chin felt like it was on fire from his touch but in an oddly pleasant way. His contact with my face sent tingles down my body. Going against every fiber of my being, I found myself leaning into his hands.

As if knowing I was enjoying his touch, Alexander snatched his hand away like I had burned him. "Answer me, Grace." His tone was unwavering and demanding.

I couldn't say no. I could not lie. "We're no longer together, Xander." His nickname rolled off my tongue, despite the fact that he hated any other form of his name except his birth name. As always, I managed to play with fire when it came to Alexander.

At that point, it no longer mattered. I had accepted the fact that I was going to call him whatever came out of my lips. He was not going to physically hurt me. Even with his attempts to threaten me, a part of me always knew that he would never lay a hand on me in a violent way.

Relief seemed to wash over Alexander as he took a seat at the edge of my bed. He appeared to relax and get comfortable as he leaned back against one of my bedposts. "When did that happen?" His tone had changed dramatically to curious and airy.

"The day before yesterday," I explained.

Moving my legs up to my chest, I rested my head on my knees. "Why? Are you concerned? 'Cause, you shouldn't be. My business is none of your damn business." I spat the same thing he had told me at The Maine Tearoom. I wanted to show how it felt. Payback is a bitch.

Alexander narrowed his eyes. "Don't test me."

"Meow," I said, indicating he was acting feisty.

Alexander did not respond. Instead, he walked back over to my window and opened it. Before I could ask if he was leaving, Alexander leaned over and grabbed something that was on the other side of the window. Coming back in, Alexander showcased a tub.

My eyebrows nearly linked together. "What's that?" I questioned.

Walking over to me, Alexander placed the tub on the floor beside me. Pulling out a comforter, Alexander tossed it on my bed. The smell of Alexander, spearmint and cigarette smoke, invaded my nostrils. My legs immediately warmed from the thickness of the comforter combined with the other blankets I also had on top of me.