The Walter Boys Assistant

Chapter 36: Riding Out The Storm

Being so uncomfortable in your own home can be tiresome. It's something you have grown well acquainted with when it comes to thunderstorms.

By the time Alex came inside and secured the front door, another jolt of thunder rattled through the structure of the house. Your skin crawls under its wake, hands beginning to tremble.

With your heart battering against your chest, it makes it difficult to hear your own thoughts, let alone anything else going on around in the living room.

No matter how hard you tried, thoughts continued to swarm faster and faster. It was difficult to understand a single one as it spiraled past.

"Geez. It's really coming down out there." Alex breathes, staring out at the pouring rain as it batters the window. "Looks like we got here just in time."

You outwardly sigh, picking the cuticles on your fingers. It has been a nervous tick that you have had for as long as you can remember.

As you move to speak up, your phone starts ringing. Alex looks back over his shoulder, observing as your screen lights up with an image of your father smiling.

"Hey, dad." You answer.

"Hey, kiddo," he starts off gently, "Cole told us that he took you home. Are you okay?"

"Yeah... Alex actually stayed here with me. He wanted to keep me company until you and mom get back."

Alex has now fully turned around to face you while you speak, eyes meeting yours for a moment.

"Okay, good. Well, it looks like your mother and I won't be getting back home anytime soon." You note Alex straining to listen and decide to place the call on speaker for him to hear everything. "...the streets are flooding, so we ended up having to stop at the Walters' house."

There is a poignant pause before your dad starts again, "I guess what I'm saying is that we're going to have to stay the night here. Are you going to be okay?"

"Yeah," you answer and lock eyes with Alex once again. "Alex is here. I'll be just fine."

There's a silence that falls over the room, the only sound being that of the heavy rainfall against the house.

"Your mother and I trust you two to be smart. Alright?" A rather stern tone comes through, the one that your dad uses when he is in 'Dad Mode,' as you dubbed it.

"We appreciate that, Mr. (Y/l/n)," Alex chimes in effortlessly. "(Y/n) and I will be okay."

An earnest smile plays on your face at his words. He looks back up to meet your gaze.

"Thank you, Alex. Have a good night, kids. We will call in the morning. We love you, (Y/n)!" Your mom enters the conversation.

"I love you guys. Goodnight." Your words bring a swift end to the call, and once you hang up, a large boom of thunder shakes the house.

Startled by the sudden crash, you jolt in place and accidentally throw your phone. Thankfully, it lands on top of the sofa cushions... but that's the last thing on your mind right now.

Your breathing becomes minimal, as though all of the air has been vacuumed out of the room and left you with nothing. Each gasp of air you pull feels shorter and more abrupt than the last. Tears blur your vision instantly while your hands grip at your chest, acting as though they would be able to claw open a new path for air to fill your lungs back up.

"Whoa, whoa, hey," Alex's voice slithers into the chaos that has your mind in a haze. "(Y/n), I'm right here!"

His hands, vaguely calloused over from the years of ranch work, take ahold of yours and remove them from their grip on your shirt. It's enough of a gesture to return you to the present. You blink, tears straying at the motion and clears your vision to see Alex clearly.