The Walter Boys Assistant

Chapter 25: The Wannabe Poet

Driving back up the driveway feels different from the thousands of other times prior. While you and Cole didn't mind your time shared at the store, you couldn't exactly label it as a great time. After that talk in the parking lot, not many words came from him. You attempted small talk, even trying to joke around. He wasn't in the mood, you came to discover quickly.

"What happens now?" Cole asks as the barn and the house comes into view. It feels like a trick question; that no matter what you answer, it won't be what he is looking for.

Does worrying about what Cole thinks truly rank in importance out of the many other troubles disturbing you? No, not really.

"We go back to how it was before." You reply. Just imagining going in that house and being confronted by Alex has your anxiety skyrocketing.

"Is that possible?"

You tilt your head against the headrest, forcing a breath into your lungs. It's been difficult to get a deep breath in ever since you kissed Alex last night. Ironically, you can say he took your breath away.

"It has to be."

~~~~~

Being as stubborn as the Walter's, you collect as many of the shopping bags you possibly can into your arms and manage getting on the porch without dropping a single thing. Yet, you somehow always manage to forget about needing at least one hand for opening the door.

A disgruntled huff breaks out from your chest while attempting to juggle the groceries into a different arrangement. It's a dangerous game, one that could end with several glass jars shattered on the floor panels, but you're willing to risk it. That was much better to deal with than asking Cole for help.

"You can't get the door. Can you?"

"Mind your own business, Cole!" You bellow. Continuing your lame attempts to open the door with your elbow, it jiggles and rattles but does not open.

Close to admitting defeat, you go to turn around but stop as the door swings open. Your eyes pin to Alex who smiles. It's a struggle to not return the gesture.

"I almost had it."

"I was just coming out to see if you guys needed help." He answers, his hand remaining on the door.

When you don't reply after a short pause, Alex takes it as an invitation and steps forward, reaching for the bags.

"I got them." You shuffle around him and head down the hallway. Things are already so awkward. You don't know how to act around him. Are you supposed to say something about last night or just act like nothing ever happened?

It takes most of your energy not to look back and see if he was watching you. To distract your thoughts, you take to putting the groceries away. Maybe just putting space between you and him will be for the better until more clarity shines on what the best course of action is.

"(Y/n)." His voice bursts your thought process. Twisting around, you come to find him setting down the last group of bags. You look over his shoulder, spotting Cole shutting the front door. His eyes are trained on the two of you, his lips drawn in a rigid frown. He has quite a talent at making you feel self conscious around Alex.

"If you take that half, I'll get this and we can be done quick." You sweep half of the bags to the other end of the counter. Alex noticeably keeps his focus on you, even as you go and set away the cereal in the pantry.

Silently cursing your short height, you lift onto your tiptoes, fighting to put the cereal box on the top shelf. Its weight shifts as your hand slips down the cardboard and it begins to teeter back. Preparing for a hit to the head, you throw your free arm overhead as a shield. However, Alex's hand comes into view just as the image of Tony the tiger makes its way down. In order to catch it, Alex had drawn close to you. Extremely close. You can feel his chest pressed firmly against your back. His familiar scent wafts over you. It's intoxicating for a brief moment.