Behind The Screens

9 | Cold Autumn Air

Alex

At the moment, being kicked out was a good thing. It felt like a huge weight had been lifted off of my shoulders. No more wondering where my mom was going and who she was bringing back, so much less stress and headaches. The only weight on me now was my baby brother. His tiny backpack was fitted on his back and he waved his superman toy in the air with a smile. We stood at the blue, wooden door of Tyler's house and Jack took it upon himself to press the doorbell.

"Just a second!" I heard a woman's voice yell. I assumed it was Tyler's mom- she's like a second mom to me. During my middle school years, before mom had Jack and would come home drunk every night, I'd crawl out of my window and run to Tyler's place. His mom would hug me and tell me that it was just a phase and if I needed someone, her and Tyler were here. When I was 15 and mom had gotten pregnant with Jack, Tyler's mom convinced her to stop drinking, at least until she had Jack. She helped me take care of her because the guy who had gotten her pregnant had disappeared. She was managing two hectic lives at once, but she never let go, as she promised.

"Hey, Alex!" Ma squealed when she opened the door. She hugged me with one arm really tight so she wouldn't hurt Jack. "And I haven't seen you since you were just a little squirmer!" She told Jack and pinched his cheek. "Come in!" She said, taking Jack from my arms.

"Wow, you're such a big boy!" She said. Jack smiled at her. "Ma," I said, clearing my throat. "Yes?" She said. "We have to talk." I told her. Her smile faded.. "Okay... everything alright?" She asked. I shrugged, not really knowing how to respond. She nodded, understanding, and said she'd be back.

While she was gone, I looked around the house. I knew I'd be comfortable here, but I didn't want to be in the way, so I thought about making the couch my bed. I ran my fingers along it's peeling faux leather. Seems... alright. I sat down, put my face in my hands, and let out a long breath. I heard Ma's footsteps coming back into the room and lifted my head. 

"Alright, what's goin' on, babe." She said, taking a seat in front of me on the recliner. "I got kicked out." I said. She sat straight up in her seat, alarmed. "What?"
I nodded. "And she told me to bring Jack because I'm responsible and she can't handle us herself. She told me that I basically raised Jack on my own and that she's doing a bad job... so she told me to get out and don't come back." Ma raised an eyebrow.

"That might be the worst, but most intelligent thing that woman has ever said." She told me and laughed a little. "Not good... but not bad."
I shrugged. "Are you trying to stay here?" She asked. "Because you're always welcome." I rubbed my arm and looked down. "Trying." I said quietly.

"When did this happen?" She asked me. It was like being punched in the chest when Britten's name sprung into my mind. She was the one who witnessed this mess. She was the one who saw me break down in the driveway, and she was the one who cheered me up with her gentle voice, convincing me it would be okay.

I explained everything that happened over the past day and a half. I made sure to include Britten, but when she started squealing and smiling and forgetting all about my current situation, I regretted it. Soon, though, we got back on topic and she took in and analyzed everything I said.

"Tell me what you need and I'm here." She said. She stood up and came to sit next to me. She wrapped her arm around my neck and smiled. "Now we can have some fun." She said and threw a fist in the air. I laughed.

Britten

They left again.

It was a day long trip for a business meeting in Philadelphia. It may not have been far from New York, but they said they wanted to be there in my time of despair. I rolled my eyes at the thought, then quickly forgot.

When he's gone, I want to be close I wrote, and when I'm with him, I want to be closer.

Post.

I checked my notifications and saw a bunch of questions from my followers. It was only unusual because it's never questions, it's usually comments. I opened a few of them and all of them were questions about the mysterious guy I was bogging about.

I opened my page up after answering most of the questions and decided to make a deal with my followers.

First five people to guess who 'the mystery man' is gets a follow back.

Not even ten seconds after I posted, comments went off like crazy. I watched as notification after notification popped up on my screen and somewhere in the mix, I saw Alex's profile, comment 'Is it some pretty boy?' And a smiley face. I blushed and smiled.

It was the fifteenth person that guessed right. I grinned to myself just thinking about Alex's smile... the way his jaw flexes...

BANG, BANG!

I quickly jumped back, startled by the pounding on my door. I heard high pitched laughing- Mira. "Come in," I groaned. Mira walked into my room giggling.

"You okay?" She asked between giggles. I nodded. "I'm fine," I replied. Mira's face softened a little. "How are you holding up?" Mira questioned while walking over to my bed to sit. She scooched toward the side of the bed and sat against the wall.

"...Fine," I honestly answered. "I still miss being with him." Mira sighed. "That makes sense... you two seemed so happy together." She said. I tried to smile but it only came out half hearted.

--------------------------------

"Miss B!" Jim called from his bagel cart when he saw me coming. I attempted smiling again. "I haven't seen you in forever and-" He saw my face when I got closer. "What's wrong?' He asked. I waved him off. "Nothing..." I said.

"Usual?" Jim asked with the same worried look on his face. I nodded. He prepared the an extra bagel this time out of sympathy, I guessed. He handed me the wrapped bagels but instead of leaving I just stood there.

I stared at the bagels... felt the wind whip my curls across my face... "Miss B..." I heard Jim say my name. I didn't have the urge to cry.... I just needed to breathe in the cold, autumn air. I wanted nothing more but to relax and to not think about anything.... maybe not even Alex.