The Truths that are Hidden Away [ANGST]

Part 10 ~ Friendship

It had been awhile since the two had their moment. Fiore was once again writing in her notebook and Alec was tidying up the room. It was around two in the afternoon so it'd be a bit before they were forced to see the others. The two were alike in a way, mostly introverted and good with being alone. But they shared this trait for very different reasons. Alec glanced at Fiore as she wrote, he was surprised she could write so fast. She was only eight, had barely been going to school for a few years, yet she could write like a high schooler, an adult even. Along with that, her vocabulary was very advanced. At least, for an eight year old. Did that boarding school really teach her that much? Alec seriously doubted it. The two weren't interacting much. When they did it was a simple "You doing okay?" "Mhm." And nothing else. It was so awkward. While she was writing, Fiore couldn't help but think. What if Alec never tried to look for her? Never saved her? She didn't wanna think about that, but the thought didn't leave her mind. It wouldn't leave her alone. Alec had finished cleaning and sat next to Fiore. It startled her, she forgot he was there for a while.
"What are you writing?" He asked.
"Just a journal entry." She shrugged. There wasn't much else to it.
"Do you write in that every day?" He asked, a bit intrigued.
"Not every day, but most days." She answered.
"That's impressive. I tried to keep up with a journal when I was younger, could never write for more than two or three days. It got boring. There wasn't much going on in my life anyway." He chuckled. Fiore smiled slightly.
"Really? I never thought you'd be the type of guy to write." She admitted. "I've always seen you as a reading only type of person." Alec chuckled slightly.
"Yeah, though I'm mostly just a bookworm. I much prefer reading a story instead of coming up with it myself." He said.
"Makes sense." Fiore shrugged.
"Speaking of reading, remember when you'd let me borrow your books back in season one?" She smiled. "Those were the days. I miss that time." She admitted, sighing. Alec smiled softly. He missed it too. Both of them had complications returning home after season one. Alec got divorced and Fiore got sent to the catholic boarding school. Neither of them had a very good time.
"Yeah, I miss those days too. We were such a powerful duo." He smiled. Fiore felt guilty yet again.
"I wish I never betrayed you." Fiore said. "I really only did it because it'd be easier to win against Miriam or Ellie, you know?" She said. Alec nodded slightly.
"I understand. I'm over it now." He said. Fiore smiled. She still felt bad.
"Uhhhh...There's not much to do here." Fiore said. Alec nodded.
"Anything you want to do?" He asked. Fiore shook her head.
"Nothing comes to mind. This place is so boring." She said.
"Hmmmm...There's no events at the moment, I don't think." Alec said. Fiore nodded.
"Ugh! Of course there's nothing going on tonight. The one night we actually want to do something." Fiore complained. Alec nodded.
"Want to go outside and see what the others are doing?" Alec asked. Fiore looked a bit uncomfortable.
"Not really if I'm being honest. The others don't seem to care about me." Fiore said. Alec sighed. He couldn't deny she was right. But then again, the others seemed more lost on things to say than not caring at all. Fiore looked back at Alec. "Actually, why not. It couldn't hurt." She said.
"Alright. Let's go." Alec said. The two walked out of their room, Hunter, Tess, and Lake were playing Pictionary. Aiden, James, Ashley, Connor, and Miriam were hanging out, talking. Gabby, Ellie, and Grett were playing a card game. Tom and Yul were on their own. Great. Every somewhat nice person was occupied with their friends. Alec looked down at Fiore.
"Well, anybody you want to hang out with in particular?" Alec asked. Fiore sighed.
"I mean...Gabby, Grett, and Ellie seem like the best pick." Fiore admitted. "But they're playing a game. I obviously don't want to see Tom or Yul, Yul's annoying as hell and Tom's too busy thinking about Jake to say anything interesting." She snickered. "So I guess...The group of five is our best bet." She muttered. She didn't want to be near Ashley again, but what other choice did she have? She also didn't want to bother someone's game. Alec nodded.
"Let's go, then." He said. The two walked over to them. Fiore grew more and more nervous as they Approached them. Finally, they stood before them. "Hello. Would you guys mind if we joined you?" Alec asked. The five all looked at each other.
"Go ahead." Aiden said. Alec and Fiore both sat down.
"So, how have you two been?" Miriam asked.
"We've been fine." Alec shrugged. "How about you?" He asked.
"I've been great. I didn't need to win another season. So I haven't really lost anything." She smiled. Alec nodded.
"Makes sense, James, Aiden, how have you two been?" Alec asked.
"We've been great. The year after our season was amazing. I loved spending every minute of it with Aiden." James said. Aiden smiled.
"Yeah! We had a great time! How was your life after season one?" Aiden asked. Alec sighed.
"Could have been better. I got divorced." Alec admitted.
"Sorry about that." Connor said. Aiden looked at Fiore.
"What about you? How was your life after your season?" Aiden asked. Fiore hesitated. She didn't want to tell the truth.
"Fine." She muttered. Aiden looked disappointed.
"That's it? Come on! Share something!" He encouraged. Fiore didn't know what to say, not much was positive.
"I went to school." She said.
"That's it?" Aiden asked. Fiore nodded.
"It's a school I stay at most of the time. I don't go home after school, I sleep there too." She said. Aiden nodded.
"I see." He said. Fiore just shrugged. She looked over at Ashley. She hadn't said anything since Fiore and Alec got there. Fiore knew Ashley still hated her. She didn't have to say it. It showed. The way she talked to Fiore, the way she acted around Fiore, her confessionals about Fiore. It was so obvious she hated her.
"Why are you staring at me?" Ashley asked. Fiore snapped out of her thought.
"Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to." She muttered. Ashley rolled her eyes.
"Whatever." She clearly still hated Fiore. Fiore didn't know why she hated her so much. It had been two years. Wasn't she over it already? Fiore understood being upset but Ashley seemed so angry. It bothered Fiore. That look on Ashley's face reminded her of her mom. She didn't want to think about her mom. She turned back to Alec who was talking with James and Aiden.
"Glad to hear your trip went well." Alec said.
"Thanks, we had a great time. So much to see, you know?" James said. Alec and Miriam nodded.
"You know, I can't believe the finale is already so soon." Miriam explained. Everyone nodded.
"I can't believe Riya is still in the game. How has she made it this far? It makes no sense to me." Aiden complained. Fiore looked at Aiden.
"I don't get it either. I hate that backstabbing bitch." Fiore snickered. Aiden smiled slightly. He could definitely agree with her on that. Alec nodded.
"She's so annoying." He said. Connor, Ashley, and Miriam nodded. Fiore laughed.
"Riya has nobody anymore! Hah! If she does win, she'll have nobody to celebrate with. Poor Riya!" She teased. Alec snickered.
"You got that right." He said.

. . .

After a good while of discussions and opinions, dinner finally arrived. Alec and Fiore, of course, went together. But they also went with Aiden and James. Their conversations actually turned into a friendship. The four of them picked up their spaghetti dinner and sat together.
"So, what are you two planning on doing after All Stars is over?" Aiden asked.
"Not much. I don't have anything interesting going on in my life." Alec shrugged. Aiden nodded.
"What about you, Fiore?" Aiden asked. Fiore was reminded of the fact her parents would definitely disown her after she didn't win All Stars. Shit. Why did everything good have to remind her of something bad? She hadn't even realized she spaced out.
"Fiore? You alright?" Alec asked. Fiore flinched.
"Oh, sorry. I don't know what I'll do." She admitted. Aiden looked a bit confused.
"Really?" He said. Fiore just nodded.
"What about you two? What are you two planning?" Alec asked.
"Probably going on another trip! It would be fun." James said. Aiden nodded. Alec smiled slightly.
"Well you two have fun." He said.
"Thanks!" Aiden said. The four of them finished their dinner and went their separate ways.

"Fiore?" Alec muttered.
"Hm? What's up?" Fiore replied. Alec sighed.
"I noticed you...looked pretty uncomfortable when being asked about your life after All Stars. Are you okay?" He asked. Fiores eyes widened. She was surprised he noticed, and even more surprised he cared.
"I'm fine." She muttered, clearly lying. But Alec knew arguing about it would lead nowhere.
"I'm gonna get ready for bed, I'm tired." Alec stated. Fiore nodded.
"Me too." The two of them began getting ready for bed like usual. Getting into their pajamas, brushing their teeth, tucking into bed, just before they drifted off to sleep Fiore whispered.
"I love you, dad..."