Behind Closed Hearts

Chapter 11

It was a few days later, on Sunday, when James finally was able go over to Aleks' place. He walked down the road with his school bag over his shoulder and a smile on his face.

The last few days were nice; easy even. He was getting used to school, his home life was improving, and he was starting to feel happier these days. However, he did still feel the twinge of depression often on the edge of his mind.

He strode up the block until he arrived at Alsks' house and went to the door, breathing deeply, and then rang the doorbell. James was surprised to hear a manic barking becoming louder and louder to the door until it was just inside, scratching at the door. Backing up a little, he waited for someone to get the door.

It was Aleks that opened it and he was holding a small corgi back by the collar. "Quick, get in here!" Aleks cried, grinding his heel into the floor to keep the dog from jumping.

James rushed past Aleks and closed the door quickly behind him. Aleks sighed appreciatively and let go of the dog. It immediately jumped up on James barking wildly.

"Down, Ein!" Aleks called in a commanding voice. Ein didn't listen, so instead, Aleks picked the puppy up around the middle and set her into the bathroom in the foyer entrance and closed the door. Ein barked loudly against the closed door.

"I didn't know you had a dog here," James chuckled with a smile. "And why the hell did you name her, Ein?"

Aleks grinned back. "I dunno- It's a good name! We just got her today. The folks said that they wanted me to have something of my own or something like that." He shrugged, unable to wipe the smile from his face, and began to rub the back of his neck. "They are really going overboard, aren't they?"

"It's great, Aleks," James said. "I think I might be a bit jealous."

"Hey, you should ask Lily if you could get a dog. I'm sure she would."

James shrugged. "So what do you want to do?" he asked as he tugged at the straps of his backpack.

"Well, I figured I would show you around. Then we could play some video games; I've got movies... I don't know; anything, really." Aleks looked over to where James was tugging on his backpack. "What's in the bag?"

James' face heated slightly. "Uh... my homework... It's in case I got bored."

Aleks raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

"Shut up!"

"So you expected to come to my glorious home and be bored so much that you had to resort to homework?" Aleks exclaimed. "Who did you think you were hanging out with today? Seamus?"

"Uh..."

Aleks was on him an instant, wrenching the backpack from James' shoulders and throwing it onto a table in the front entrance. "Nope, you aren't being perfectly studious James today. No, sir! Today you are crazy, fun, and somewhat psychotic James."

James laughed as Aleks began pulling him away from the door by the arm. "What about Ein? Are you just going to leave the poor girl in the bathroom?"

"Laura!" Aleks yelled suddenly, giving James a jolt of surprise.

"Yes, sweetie?" her voice floated from somewhere further into the house.

"Can you let Ein out of the bathroom in a few minutes? James and I want to make it to my room without her taking us out!"

"Got it!" She called back.

The two ascended the stairs not long later, rising up to the top floor. At the top of stairs was a large living area complete with a comfy tan leather couch and a large flat-screen TV.

There was a hallway splitting off of the room that lead to first the master suite and then to Aleks' room at the end. Aleks opened the door proudly.

The room was totally decked out! The room was painted a dark red or maroon color and the décor was in shades of gray. The bed was huge; probably a queen size, James guessed, and it faced a TV of equal size to the one in the living room. There was an entertainment stand settled below with several game consoles and a dresser to the left. The closet was walk-in, too.

James glanced over at his brother. "You've got to be fucking kidding me."

Aleks looked embarrassed. "I didn't ask for them to buy it for me! They just kept giving me stuff, I swear."

James didn't reply and glanced around the room again with a little pang of jealousy in his chest. Once James had gotten past gaping at everything stupidly, he then noticed the picture propped up on Aleks' nightstand.

It was their family photo; the same one James had printed off for his own room. It was of better quality and was printed on actual film paper, but it was the same nonetheless. He smiled.

"I'm glad you reminded me of that," Aleks said, smiling a little sadder. "It will help me remember, you know?"

James' smile threatened to waver but he remained strong for the sake of his brother. "Yeah, I know."

Aleks clapped James on the shoulder. "Now I'm pretty sure I can beat you at Mario Kart, James. I've been practicing," he said, changing the subject quickly.

"One, I seriously doubt that," James challenged. "I am the reigning champion. Two, you've always sucked at Wii games. I'm pretty sure I'll win!"

Aleks pulled a falsely hurt expression. "I try my best, thank you very much."

James found himself full out laughing at Aleks' ridiculous expression and Aleks smiled at just seeing him so happy. "I'm glad things are getting better, James."

He knew Aleks wasn't referring to himself and he found himself agreeing whole-heartedly. "Me too."

--

A few hours later, James arrived home. He knew he would have to start on his homework soon... but he had to talk to Lily and Nathen. Luckily, he found them both in the kitchen, preparing for dinner. "Hey," he said, entering the room. Little by little he was feeling more comfortable around Nathen.

"Hey there," Lily said happily. "How was it over at my dear sister's?"

"Aleks is definitely spoiled," James said.

Lily laughed and Nathen smiled. "That's my sister. She smothers anything and anyone she loves."

"Yeah, and that's kind of what I wanted to talk to you guys about..."

Nathen gestured for him to continue. "Speak your mind."

"I was wondering if I could get a job once school lets out? It's only a few weeks away and I could use something to do after the tournaments in June. We have this big break in between the spring soccer season and fall season and I just want to fill it. I really-"

Nathen held up his hand to interrupt. "If you want to get a job, it's your choice. Actually, I think it would be a perfect idea."

"I think I heard the amusement park is hiring for summer jobs," Lily inputted.

James nodded, considering. "That might be a good one."

"Yes and maybe you could get a few of your friends to join you."

"Yeah," James said, thinking of his brother and his new friends. "That would be cool..."