But You Love Her (Alexheed)

Chapter 18

yar guys im back! so i wrote this chapter a year ago so im sorry if the writing is mid BUT im gonna try to finish this book for you all and so that alex and sam get the justice they deserve ;) enjoy!

Swinging on his backpack with a granola bar in hand, Samheed made his way to the front door where Lani pleasantly waited. Her hair was tied back with a ribbon, smooth and silky like her hair.

"Ready to go?"

Samheed smiled. "As ever."

The two started down the drive-way and walked their regular path to school. The plants around them finally began to regain their color, flowers sprouting from every groove. Despite the long sunlight hours, yesterday felt too short. Even if there wasn't much to say, every moment mattered. It never felt like enough time with Alex.

"Someone is in a good mood," Lani nudged him. "Did everything sort out?"

Samheed nodded, and tucked his hands into his pockets. "Thankfully. I was scared I may have ruined things. We met up yesterday though and it all worked out in the end."

"That's great to hear," Lani responded. She looked up at Samheed and squeezed his palm. "You seem happy. It makes me glad."

"Do I?" Samheed didn't even recognize it. "It also has to do with you. Thanks for staying up with me that night. Really. I know my arrival was completely uncalled for--"

"Hey," Lani interrupted. "I couldn't care less about how late it was. I wanted to be there for you. And I won't lie, your appearance was a bit thrilling."

Samheed shrugged. "Should've known what you got yourself into when dating me."

Lani rolled her eyes playfully. "Really, though. You climbed my fence?"

"I've actually had a lot of practice. When I was younger, I used to jump the fence a lot to get out of Alex's place." The memories were old now. A little ragged boy jumping wired fences to escape just before his friend's parents would come home.

Lani tilted her head. "You guys couldn't get enough playtime during the day?"

"Well we would mostly camp out in our little nature camp. But Alex got grounded once, and we had to be sneaky. The habit never ceased."

Lani listened intently. Samheed had noticed ever since the beginning Lani was a person of questions. Curious about the things she lacked information about. Samheed let her indulge a bit more. It was fun in a way to recover those memories. But a tinge of dull pain arose with each story. It was always present. No one could get rid of the fact that things weren't as sweet and childish as those memories were now. "My visits would be so frequent, Mr. Stowe would think raccoons were constantly coming in and out of the backyard, by hopping the fences."

"Racoons?" Lani laughed.

"I loved visiting and hearing him grumble about those so-called racoons. Alex and I couldn't stop eyeing each other."

"Wish I was around for that," said Lani. She paused to contemplate something for a moment, and turned back to Samheed. "You both seemed so close." A light silence overhanged them as if for a vacant spot for Samheed to speak. But Lani continued. ". . .Did Alex ever reveal why he was acting the way he was?"

The change in conversation was slightly unexpected. "I think he tried to. I stopped him, though. It wasn't in my place to have Alex feel pressured to share," Samheed answered. "Trust me though, I'm as curious as you."

Lani didn't respond, to which Samheed could only believe she was thinking. Their high school gate was coming closer now, along with the faint figure of two twins. Alex and Aaron were already there.