Rescue From The Stars {An Alex Nichols Love Story}

Chapter 4: What's Going On In Mulberry Woods?

(Alia-Rose POV)

Alex was, admittedly, acting a bit strange during Technology class. He just suddenly fell silent when I started talking to him. Then again, it might just be him.

I try to change the topic. Something that he might not find personal. "So, what did you do last class?"

He doesn't get the chance to answer because the teacher starts the lesson. I do my best to catch up, with Munch being helpful and showing me a few tips along the way.

By the end of the class, Alex hadn't spoken to me again. He hadn't spoken to anyone, including his friends. I ask them what's wrong. I do my best in the process to keep my voice low so that Alex doesn't hear.

"Nothing." Tuck says, and Alex heard him, but he didn't seem to care.

Munch is more sensible, understanding that I don't want Alex to overhear. "He just does that from time to time. He used to not talk at all. He still goes back to it every now and then, but it's been awhile since the last time he did that. I guess the reality of moving away finally caught up to him."

I dismiss the notion that there is anything wrong with Alex. These people know him best. Why should they be wrong?

I keep to myself for the rest of the morning. At lunch, a pretty girl invites me to sit with her and her friends. I'm not sure why she even noticed me. Having to go to your locker and your seat next to some people and them striking up a conversation with you is one thing, but someone who is, by what I can tell so far, is the prettiest girl in the grade, randomly inviting you to sit with her and her friends when no one even know anything about you is a bit awkward, in my opinion.

"Emma. And this is Isabella and this is Georgianna." The girl introduces her friends.

"Alia-Rose."

I take the empty seat next to Emma. Even though she invited me to over, she seems to be more interested in talking with Georgianna. Isabella, though, is a lot more welcoming.

"I think I saw you earlier this morning. You were with a guy. Who is he? Your boyfriend?"

"No. He's actually my brother. Everyone thinks he's my boyfriend because he is so overprotective of me."

"I don't see him anywhere. I take it you guys aren't twins."

"Daniel's actually the younger one, which is ironic."

After a pause, Isabella comments "He's kinda cute." It isn't dreamily, like you would expect if she had a crush on him. She says it as-a-matter-of-factly. Like she's planning on doing something, and she isn't sure that she wants to let me in, but trying to prove that she isn't interested simultaneously.

"Yeah, well you better not say that to his face, though." I advise.

"Why not?"

"As much as he is paranoid for me, he is very confident about his abilities. It would be a bit unwise to raise his already huge ego before is gets smaller. He might get reckless."

Isabella laughs. "At least it's good to know that he isn't that stereotypical 'mean older', or well, supposedly older brother."

"Yeah, well, people will be themselves, and everyone is different. Daniel happens to be overprotective but not exactly limiting by nature. He doesn't have to act like he's someone else."

"Does it ever get annoying?"

"He does overdo it, and it's gotten kinda old, but I guess he can't help himself so I let him carry on."

After school, I don't end up talking to Isabella, mainly because she has to go to the school swim team. I'm standing outside waiting for Daniel.

I'm just leaning against the lockers when Munch starts talking to me.

"Where do you live?"

"Not too far. I think it's right next to your neighborhood."

"Oh."Out of the corner of my eye, I see Alex tale his place next to Munch.

"Just about how long have you guys been friends?" I ask.

"Eh, since fifth grade. Alex moved in the year before that, but he wouldn't talk to anyone, so I don't think anyone bothered. But you don't have to worry about that right now, right Alex? We've got your back."

Alex mutters something incomprehensible, but nods in reply.

"You know, once, Tuck told this bully that Alex had polio when we were in sixth grade, and then she didn't even bother him again. I don't know how, but it worked." After that, I start to wonder how Tuck came up with that, but Munch seems to believe it (it was him who described the situation). Then again, he might have been there. The one thing I rule out is lying.

"This bully must be a lot different from all the ones I know. If they, for whatever reason, though I had polio, they would probably add 'getting paralyzed' to their list of insults. Where did Tuck even come up with that in the first place?" I express my doubts indirectly.

"Good question." Alex comments for the first time that I've heard since Technology.

"It was going around, and my mom gave me a huge lecture about it, so I just said the randomest thing that popped into my head."

Tuck had made his way to us, and had heard the who polio thing, adding his part of the story when appropriate. I'm not sure when he had snuck up behind me.

"It wasn't really that funny." Alex informs. "It was a bit messed up. It sounded like you just made stuff up, but then again, you did. I don't know how Saundra fell for that."

"Because I'm awesome." Tuck gloats.

"Shut up. Not cool, dude." Munch defends.

Alex's phone rings. He looks at the screen briefly and takes a note of the text message he just received.

"I have to get going now. Bye, Tuck, By Munch. Bye Alia-Rose." He looks me in the eye when he says my name.

"What's up with him?" Tuck asks Munch. "He's acting weird a lot."

Munch turns to me. "I think he likes you."

"Ooh!" Tuck exclaims. "Alex has a crush on the new girl!"

Munch gives him a pointed look. "You can't blame him." I don't wonder what he means because before I get the chance to do so, Munch elaborates, and what he seems as a valid reason for Alex to like me is. "Everyone in the school would have to admit that you're pretty."

"Well, I suppose, thank you, though I do disagree."

I start getting a bit impatient. I need Daniel to come here quickly so I can find out what is going on in Mulberry Woods. Not just with the whole 'moving away' thing, but what's up with Alex.

Time for my first espionage mission. When I get home and Daniel goes to do his homework, that is.

Here is the second chapter I promised today.

I'm not sure what to say for my Author's note aside from 'Thanks for reading' and 'I hope I can update soon'.