Magnet Love

16. Clueless

LILY POV:
Alex, though much better than an hour before, was still in no state to drive when the time came for me to go home, refused to let me walk and so paid for a taxi for me, justified by his own words 'you would have been safe at home if it weren't for me anyway, it's the least I can do'.

I stayed for an hour or so after waking up, mostly just talking about random things rather than about the night before, though the scene never failed to linger in the back of my mind.

I wanted to ask more about the fight - why it happened and who the other guy was. Alex however was avoiding the conversation, obviously not wanting to reveal any details that were unnecessary or could upset me. He apologised profusely however, he didn't want me to be afraid of him.

I wasn't afraid of him was I? I mean he has never acted towards me in a way that would make me fear him, but the anger in his eyes and violent actions last night prove that he is capable of real damage. I also get the impression that the fight I witnessed wasn't a one time thing, Alex's certainty that the opposing man would 'be fine' suggests that this man has faced Alex before.

Not wanting to pry however, I didn't question the snippets of information Alex provided any further. I told him that I trust him and I do - I think I do. I'm just going to try and brush off what I saw and move on as if it hadn't happened, although I know subconsciously I will be more wary of Alex because of it.

When I got home I was exhausted and so napped for most of the afternoon. I declined Maddie's invite to the cinema with everyone on Saturday night so that I could watch a movie with Mason and Amelia then catch up on some more sleep. Alex text me however - worried about why I didn't meet up with everyone. He seemed to think that I was annoyed about Friday night or afraid to be around him, which I explained wasn't the case - but I'm not sure he believed my reasons anyway.

I did homework and studied all of Sunday, even shutting my phone in a draw for a couple of hours so that I could concentrate - something very difficult with text tone bleeping every few minutes from the mega group chat (consisting of Maddie, Eleanor, Ana, Max, Aaron, Blake, Ben, Alex and I).

The conversations that I did have with Alex were generally short and to the point. I wasn't avoiding him or trying to be rude at all, I was just busy and needed a bit of time to think through everything I guess. I wanted to know who the other man was, but I didn't know how to approach the subject with Alex without sounding really weird.

Monday morning at school passed slowly, English, Biology and Spanish all blurring into one. Maddie however was quick to snap me out of it when the lunch bell rang. "Right, you told me that you would explain where you were on Friday night after using me as an excuse and never have, you missed coming to the cinema to see Paper Towns which I know you wanted to see since you've read the book three times, and now you have spent the whole morning on Planet Lily. Tell me what's going on".

She was right, to her everything looked really odd, but it wasn't like that, I just couldn't stop thinking about Friday night and why Alex was so shady about the other man. I'd seen him beating him to a pulp already, surely it wouldn't matter if he told me who the guy was right? But all he said was 'I'll deal with it'. What is he hiding?

"I - I just had a rough night on Friday and ended up crashing at Lucy's house, Lucy from dance I mean. Mom assumed I was at yours when I wasn't home late because I forgot to text her and so I just went with that story. Saturday I was exhausted because I'd barely slept and today, I guess I'm just distracted that's all" I explained. It was mostly the truth.

Maddie and I walked into the cafeteria and grabbed some lunch, me just getting a chicken salad and bottle of water as she continued to question me. "Alright, I'll drop it this time then. So Alex mentioned that you guys have been getting pretty close, huh Lil? Missed out that fine detail didn't you?"

I just smiled and blushed as I paid for my meal. "He's a good guy, I like him" I replied. "Well he sure as hell likes you, it was like bloody question time with him, asking all sorts about you" she continued, walking over to our now crowded table at the back.

"Keep me updated from now on Lil, all the juicy details" she winked before sitting down beside Blake, leaving the one remaining seat for me between Alex and Ana. I had yet to see Alex again since Saturday morning and so I was pleasantly surprised to see that the cuts on his face had healed beautifully and the bruising was almost invisible, I doubt anyone besides me would have noticed that they were even there.

I stared at his face for a second too long, causing Maddie to cough and get my attention. I blushed, embarrassed to be caught staring and sat straight down, beginning to eat.

"No hello?" Alex whispered in my ear as the others engaged in conversation about narwhals. I met his gaze and smiled shyly "sorry, hi. How are you?" I asked genuinely. "Much better thanks to you and your magnificent first aid" he replied with a cheeky grin on his face.

I continued to eat in silence, dipping in and out of the others conversation, before Alex's obnoxiously loud ring tone blared, making me jump. Alex looked at the caller ID and furrowed his eyebrows, immediately getting up and walking out the cafeteria doors to take the call. I could see where he stopped to talk through the window and could see how angry he was. He began pacing and using his other hand to gesture his anger towards whatever was being said.

Nobody else has noticed what was going on, or when I slipped from the table to follow Alex out the doors.
"No, listen to me, I am not bringing her anywhere near that bästard. I don't care what he said, I don't trust a word that dïck says and am not about to put her in danger again. Right. Bye" Alex hung up and buried his face in his hands in frustration.

"Was that about the man you fought on Friday?" I bravely spoke, grabbing Alex's attention immediately. He shoved his phone back into his pocket before taking a hold of my shoulders and staring into my eyes intently. "Yes, but it doesn't matter. I've sorted it." He replied curtly.

"And you were talking about me as well? That man wants to see me?" I continued, curiosity taking over my words. "He is not going to be anywhere near you Lily. I won't let him - you trust me okay? Let me deal with this" he replied, obviously not going to reveal any details about the man.

"What aren't you telling me? You're hiding something Alex".
"The less you know the better. I'm not hiding things from you Lily, I am trying to protect you. I don't want you ever exposed to men like him. You have nothing to worry about, just forget about it" he replied, pulling me closer and into his arms, resting his chin upon my head and breathing out a deep breath.

I wish I believed him. I don't believe that he just hiding things and I don't believe that I have nothing to worry about. If Alex is so focused on keeping me away from this man, to the extent where he won't even reveal the mans identity to me, then that means it's serious.

This man is dangerous and he wants to see me. I just have to work out how much I trust Alex to deal with this on his own, and if, like he said, I will be able to forget and stop worrying.