The connection - New beginnings

Chapter Twenty nine - Tainted

Alex

It has been six weeks since Chase and Nate had rescued me, the past month had gone by in a blur. I sat at my dressing table and hardly recognised the girl looking back at me. I ran my hands through my recently cut hair. I still wasn't used to it's short length, I'd had it cut just above my shoulders and it honestly made me look like a different person. I smiled as I replayed the memory of Chase's reaction in my mind. He thought it made me look sexy. At first he was cross with himself for that being his first thought but I kind of liked it. I was glad he still found me attractive, I'd had it cut on one of my low days and I was still getting used to not tying it up in my signature pony tail or messy bun.

I reached for my cherry lip balm and slicked a layer over my lips, I had the smallest amount of make up on today for the first time since the party. I actually felt a little bit more human as I took another glance in the mirror. A quick spritz of perfume and I was ready to go. I grabbed my bag and made my way downstairs to find Chase flicking through this phone whilst sat on the sofa.

"Hey, I'm ready" I was surprised at how cheerful my voice sounded. I watched as Chase's eyes snapped up immediately to meet my own. I felt the familiar blush cover my skin as his stare burned into me.

"You look amazing" he gulped as he stuffed his phone in his pocket.

I was acutely aware that he wasn't letting me hear his thoughts, he was probably worried I'd find them inappropriate. I slight pang filled my chest before I reeled myself in remembering he could hear everything I'd just thought.

"Sorry" I mumbled as he walked over to me and took my hands

"I don't mean to upset you Alex, I just don't want to make you feel uncomfortable or anything. Sometimes my brain thinks things my mouth knows it shouldn't say" he confessed with a small smile and he squeezed my hands.

"Why have you started calling me Alex?" I asked, completely ignoring my first concern.

"What?" He asked confused

"You always called me Lex, now it's only Alex. I just wondered why the sudden change?"

"I er hadn't realised, sorry Al- Lex"

Something was up, he looked like a deer caught in the headlights. What was going on.

"Chase I know you're lying, tell me please" I pleaded with him

"It's nothing, babe don't worry about. We don't need to bring this all up now"

"Bring what up, what's happened?" I asked sounding slightly annoyed

"Mike" he responded sharply "he called you Lex"

"What!?" I asked shakily

"The video, he knew that's what I called you so he must have thought it would hurt me for him to call you that too..." he almost whispered as he let out a shaky breath.

"I don't remember" I admitted with tears in my eyes

"Maybe that's a good thing. I'm so sorry baby I didn't mean to bring this all up but I just didn't know if you would even want me to use that nickname anymore"

"He's taken enough away from me...I don't want him to take that too. I love that you call me Lex. You and Nate are the only ones who ever called me that. I don't want you to stop"

"Then I won't, I love you Lex, so much" he pulled me into his chest and I held onto him. He always made me feel so safe when he held me. I'd gotten used to it over the last few weeks. He felt like home.

"I love you Chase"

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"Is that Chase again?" Natalie asked as my phone vibrated on the coffee table. I leaned forward to pick it up and sure enough chases name flashed up on the screen.