Never Too Late

Chapter 8.0: Leaving

It had been five weeks since we came back from Seattle. It was the fourth week since the new semester in UCLA started, and pretty much everything felt like it was going back to normal. As planned, Laura had taken a time off school since the doctor suggested that she should rest, and Harvey was working pretty hard lately. Alex and I were pretty much back on the loop, completely moved on from out meaningless sex and the whole dramatic thing with his mom. We promised each other not to talk about it again, so...

Anyway, it was a 6 o'clock in the morning of a Monday, and I had just finished cooking breakfast for everyone. I made some omelet and a side of bananas for everyone, and we were just eating when our little conversation took place.

"So Alex..." Laura started while we were eating. "How's school?"

"It's pretty weird hearing that from you, Laura. You sound like a mom especially because of the belly." He laughed. "But thank you for asking. I'm doing fine, a little exhausting, but fine."

"Yeah, you've been doing those calculation things on those yellow papers things." Harvey added while pointing with his spoon. "On the bright side, you won't get to do them anymore!"

"Yeah, I miss school." Laura said with her mouth full. I was just idly there, looking back and forth at Alex and my food. Alex was so busy talking to Harvey and Laura. It seemed a little like he didn't care about my feelings for him, not that he was aware of it, because even up until then, I hadn't told Alex that I was broken up with Ken for more than a month already.

"So, how are things with Janine?" Harvey asked. That drew my attention to Alex, thus I stared at him, waiting for his response to Harvey. Alex suddenly turned to me, and I freaked out that he saw me staring at him, so I quickly turned back to my food, hoping Alex didn't assume anything.

"We're fine, I guess." He laughed. "We're a little busy, but we're in a lot of same classes, so we see each other constantly."

"That's nice." Laura said. I turned to Harvey, and he was giving me this weird look, and I knew exactly what he was thinking. "I'm hoping to be friends with Janine. She seems really sweet. Maybe you could bring her over."

"Yeah, bring her over!" Harvey cheerfully said. "Maybe tonight... You know, before you leave."

"Harvey." Alex shook his head and stopped Harvey. "I haven't..."

"Before you leave?" I was intrigued. "You're leaving?"

"Look." Alex took a deep breath as my heart stopped. I couldn't even begin to describe how horrible it felt even just asking that. "I'm sorry I couldn't tell you sooner, but my dad's in a really bad shape after mom died, and he was in the hospital for two days now. The doctor informed me two days ago. He's going to be in the hospital for a few days. I have to go back and give him some company and all."

"Oh God, is your dad okay?" I asked. Laura and Harvey didn't seem too surprised, like they had already known.

"He's okay. He just needs to rest." Alex nodded. "Thank you for asking."

"I'm glad he's okay, but why couldn't you have told me sooner?" I asked. "I mean, did Laura and Harvey know this?"

"Yes." He nodded and blinked. "I told them yesterday. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner."

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"I'm sorry. I just didn't know how to tell you."

"You didn't know how to tell me?" I laughed sarcastically. "Alex, I'm not gonna get mad. I know your dad needs someone right now. You should go. It's okay. You can take as much time as you need."