Solace (completed)

Chapter Six

Alex Solace

   "Sweet cheeks."

   "..."

   "Solace?"

   "..."

   "My lurv," he bites his lip aggressively and raises his eyebrows.

   "..."

   "Okay, well since you're not answering me I guess I'll just tell you about what I want to do for our wedding." He puffs in a deep breath and starts listing off types of wedding cake.

    "Elias, with all the care I could possible have, shut the fuck up and let me sleep."

   Currently, Elias and I are in second period. I couldn't really sleep last night so I planned on taking a nap in this class but he's been very persistent on keeping me awake.

   I'm not even on my period anymore, so I can't use that as an excuse for my bitchy behavior. I'm just tired. Mateo was coughing last night and it kept me up because I was watching his breathing as he slept, making sure he didn't cough and choke on his spit or something.

   I know he's not a baby, but babies are so fucking accident prone and they're so fucking complicated, especially when sick. So I didn't sleep. The only reason I sent him to school today was because he was fine this morning, but I told his teacher just in case.

Saturday was surprisingly good. It was the first good day I've had in a long time. Mother was true to her word, father didn't come home until midnight. That day... for the first time in a long time I had no customers. I got to relax. I know it was only one day, but it felt amazing.

   "Hey," he soft voice reaches my ears and he nudges my shoulder. "Are you serious? Why didn't you sleep?"

   My voice comes out slurred from sleep deprivation, "Mateo was coughing...I was watching him breath. He's okay though... 's what matters."

   His hand squeezed my shoulder and moves down my back, rubbing lightly. I wore his jacket that he gave me today, and he had this 100-watt grin on his face when he saw me wearing it. "What about you though? Are you okay?"

   I snap my head to his real fucking quick.

   Did he just... ask if I was okay? I've never had someone ask me that before. It feels pretty- weird. How do I answer him? Is there a correct answer? What answer is he expecting?

   "I mean... um- well Mateo's fine so, I'm fine I guess. Thanks for asking." I give him an uneasy smile. Was that the right answer? What's the answer?!

   His deep sigh confuses me and his hand rubs my back deeper, but it feels really good. "I really wish you wouldn't associate Mateo's well being with yours. He can be fine, and you can not be fine at the same time, you know."

   His words make a scowl form on my face. That makes no sense. If Mateo is fine, then what do I have to complain about? If he's fine, then that's all that matters. What does it matter if I'm fine or not?

   His back rubs don't help my eyes from closing shut, getting closer and closer to sleep. "Elias, please let me sleep." I mumble.

   He scoots his chair closer to me, "Go ahead, Alex. I'm sorry I made you feel like you had to ask me in the first place."

   His hand moves up and massages the nape of my neck. Tingles shoot throughout my body and I shiver at his touch. Maybe it's the fabric of the jacket that did that.