The Walter Boys Assistant

Chapter 3: I Owe You

Katherine ended up having to leave shortly after dropping you off. The foreign body surgery ended up needing to be immediate and she left without much more to say.

The group ends up dispersing after a little bit of time and Alex picks up your bag, trailing up the porch steps alongside you, as Benny and Parker yell out with laughter while kicking a soccer ball around. Your eyes watch for a moment, remaining on the steps with a warm smile evident on your face.

"They've gotten so big." You say and look to spot Alex waiting at the door, still holding your bag. His eyes skim over his younger siblings before dipping his head.

"Yeah, I guess they have." He responds. Your smile quickly dissipates and you follow after him inside. The house was just as homey as you remembered it. But the atmosphere felt much different. More... tense.

"Mom set your space up in her art studio. Hope you don't mind." He says while walking up to the second floor and you have to skip steps in a light jog to keep up with his pace. So much so, that you have to slam into a halt on your tippy toes when Alex abruptly stops while taking the turn to go into the shortened hallway that leads into the art studio. You stumble to his side, glancing up to assess him. His focus is glued to the door, seemingly lost in thought. You watch his throat bob as he shakes his head and turns back to look at you. Alex gives you a closed-lip smile, but you can tell it's forced.

"I don't mind, but… do you?" At your question, his attempt of warmth drops from his face. Jackie. That must have become her room while she was staying here.

The light from his eyes was nowhere to be seen, revealing his darkened disposition to the bedroom. Your frustration bubbles as you reach over and grab ahold of your suitcase, making him snap out of whatever thought was transpiring through his head.

"I can handle my stuff." You say in a curt tone before opening the door and walking in. You pause halfway towards the bed, taken aback by the changes that had been made to the studio. It looked so different. It felt strange to find a bed in the middle of the room with a makeshift closet formed to the side of it. Wow. She really lived here. It took seeing it in person to believe for yourself that another girl had moved in while you were away. Part of you hated to think about it, but it had always seemed as if time stopped whenever you were gone. Like their lives didn't continue and evolve while you were away. It was a ridiculous thought, but still crept in whenever you returned for each summer.

"I'll let you get situated then." Alex speaks from where he stood at the staircase railing. You turn heel, facing him.

"Why didn't you tell me you were dating Jackie?" You manage to spurt out before he can consider walking away. Alex freezes up and meets your eyes. It's mesmerizing and difficult to break the contact. But when you do: one,... two, three... Stop counting his freckles.

Focus. You're upset with him. Even if seeing him with a black eye and busted lip burned your heart to its core.

"I didn't?" He questions, stuffing his hands into his back pockets. You set your suitcase down at the foot of the bed before trailing forward, leaning against the doorframe and waiting for a better response.

When he doesn't speak, you clear your throat. "I think I would remember you telling me about getting into a relationship after the Paige incident. When you, and I quote, told me, 'I don't think I could ever date another girl in this town again'."

His lips purse while pondering on the words until he slowly rolls his tongue against the interior of his upper lip. Your eyes narrow while watching him, anticipating every movement and sound he makes. He finally seems to sink into the moment you are currently in and approaches, grabbing at your arms. Your eyes do not budge. You refuse to let him get out of this one even if you feel like your legs could give out with his intense stare.