𝔼𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕘𝕣𝕖𝕖𝕟

Chapter 29 : VHS

Silent Ivy is terrifying.

To Alex, her silence is far worse than her anger, worse even than her sadness. He hadn’t known a person could sit so still. Ivy hasn’t said a word to either him or Mason. She hasn’t complained about Alex’s stereo blasting Linkin Park, or the air conditioning cranked way too high despite her always being cold. She hasn’t even raised her voice at him for telling her what to do, which Alex was sure she’d do the moment Mason left.

When they park in front of Mason’s building to drop him off, Alex turns to him. “You need any help getting inside?”

Mason snorts. “I’m fine, Al. First floor, and there’s an elevator. I should be okay.”

Alex narrows his eyes. “We’re not leaving till you text me you’re in.”

It’s then he notices Ivy watching him, her gaze flicking over his face before she looks away. Mason leans forward, ruffling Alex’s hair, and then reaches out to Ivy. She jumps, startled, but settles when she sees Mason smiling at her.

“How did I miss this? You cut your hair!? Finally!”

Ivy nods, letting Mason’s fingers slide through her hair, even as her hand wraps gently around his wrist. “Kinwo went to the store earlier to get you groceries. Luca cleaned up yesterday. Let us know if you need anything.”

So, she *can* talk.

Mason pulls his hand back, promising to reach out if he needs help, and gets out. They watch him head inside, waiting for the text that he’s back in his apartment before Alex clears his throat and drives away.

Ivy is mostly silent, save for the moments she hums along to the music she supposedly despises, though Alex knows she’s starting to like it. Still, she ignores him completely.

Finally, they get home. Ivy opens the car door slowly, walks to the front door, and waits for Alex, watching him from the corner of her eye as if there’s something unsaid weighing between them. Alex doesn’t know what he’s done this time, but the tension between them is thick.

He unlocks the door, holding it open for her. She moves inside slowly, and he nearly bumps into her with how she seems to be drifting through the space. The urge to appear unaffected gnaws at him, but he feels his own restlessness start to climb.

“So!” he blurts, maybe too loud. Ivy stops, not turning to him, waiting. “Lara mentioned you have an appointment this afternoon? I’d come, but I have work. Maybe Luca could go with you?”

Ivy glances back at him briefly. “He’s working with Coal. I’ll be fine alone.”

“Uh, okay. I’ll leave you my car keys,” Alex offers, but she frowns.

“I can take a cab.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” he huffs, trying to shake off the irritation. “Just take the car.”

She watches him with guarded eyes before giving a quick nod. They stand there, awkward, tense, as if they’ve just had a major fight without a single word spoken. Eventually, Ivy excuses herself, disappearing into her room and shutting the door with a quiet click, locking it.

Alex falls back against the door, staring up at the ceiling. He should get to work, or call Tyler, or maybe even get some sleep to shake off this suffocating feeling. Eventually, he decides on the latter, heading to his room and collapsing onto the bed without even shutting his door.

---

Two hours later, he wakes up sweaty and disoriented. He drags himself to the shower, stripping off his clothes and letting the cold water wake him up as he scrubs his face, trying to clear his mind.