Never Too Late

Chapter 7.1: Alex's Family

At the cab, we were silently waiting for our arrival at his family's house. His house was somewhere in Madison Valley. I didn't know exactly. Alex was always the one who took care of the transporting methods, so I never really got to it. So, in the silence of our ride, I decided to talk. Alex was sitting in the leftmost of the back seats, me in the middle, Harvey in the rightmost, and Laura beside the driver's seat.

"It's been a while since I've seen Seattle. The snowy weather is nice here." I started to talk to Alex because he was pacing out in the window.

"It's January, so it's beautiful." He smiled again, but I could see him forcing himself. He turned to me, and I smiled at him. It wasn't to flirt or whatever. I just wanted him to smile back, the way he normally smiled. "Not for the occasion, I guess."

"Hey." I continued to smile as I held his hand, and he gazed back. "We're here, okay? It's gonna be okay. I know it sucks now, but just think that someday we'll look back, and we'll be smiling."

Alex nodded for a second like he was absorbing what I said, then came out a smile, his real one, the one that drove me crazy. It felt like a while since I last saw it. I felt like I wanted to tear up, but I wanted to be the one that comforts him because it was always him that cheers me up.

Anyway, a few more silent minutes, and we finally arrived at his family's house. We went off the cab and carried our luggage from the trunk. We stood outside the door for a moment for a little talk as the cab drove away after we paid.

"So, uh..." Alex started. To be honest, I've never seen him so lifeless before. "All my grandparents are dead. It's just gonna be my dad, my cousin, and my aunt. It's a big house, and the guest rooms are enough, I guess."

"Thank you, Alex." I said as I held his arm. "We'll be here."

"Alex, I know it's hard to lose a loved one." Harvey said. "If there's anything we can do, we'll be here."

"Yeah." Laura added.

"Thanks, guys." He chuckled and smiled. "I really, really appreciate it. I'll be fine. It's just not easy to get over it now, but I'll be fine."

"So, how's the whole thing with your dad?" I tried to change the subject. "If you recall, the last time I was here, it didn't go pretty well."

"Yeah, there's a bit of a catch to that too." He replied. "He doesn't know we're broken up... pretty much like how your parents don't know."

"Alex..." I sighed. "As much as I want to play sweetie again with you, I don't think it's okay to lie to your dad about this. You know, after all these things happening... I just think it's wrong."

"Yeah." He nodded. "I get that. I'll tell him later, I guess."

So, when we entered the Johnsons' house, it was pretty quiet, and I was getting really nervous. I didn't know what Alex's dad would say especially after he would've known that I was no longer with Alex, but I knew I wanted to support Alex during this harsh time, so I came in with no fear. I was there as Alex's friend and nothing else.

"Hello?" Alex went ahead to the living room, but the remaining three of us stayed.

"Alexander!" His dad came down from the stairs.

"Dad..." somehow Alex didn't sound too much like he missed his dad, but they gave each other a hug. "I'm sorry about mom, dad."

"I'm sorry too, son." His dad replied. "But at least she's in peace now. So, the others aren't here yet, so maybe you could rest here for a moment."

"Hey uhm, dad..." he moved and introduced Harvey and Laura to dad. "These are my roommates Laura, Harvey, and you already know, Liyah."

"Hello, sir. We're really sorry for your loss. If there's anything we can do, you can ask us, sir." Laura started.