december ➳ clifford au

2.0

[Alex]

There was no way in hell this was happening. Of all days, why did Zeke choose her first date with Michael to be the day he practically rose from the dead? He could've at least done it when she was alone, which was more often and more convenient for Alex's situation.

It had been four years since she last saw him. Fourteen year-old Alex had no idea that she would have to go that long without getting in any sort of touch with her older brother. Now was her chance to change that, and the current, eighteen year-old Alex wasn't going to let anything get in the way of her doing that.

Alex looked up nervously at Michael with worry evident in her eyes. "I don't know if I can face him."

Unlike her, the red-haired boy she was with was calm and collected. He had already done so much for her, but Michael was still willing to help Alex with her problem, he even thought of what they were going to do in order for her to get to Zeke. He was exactly what Alex wanted and needed; her rock.

Michael gave her a smile of reassurance and took her by the hands. "You can, and I'll be right there probably restraining Zeke so that you can tell him you miss him, and that you also hate him because he's been a dick to you for so long."

Somehow, a small part of Alex calmed down with Michael's words. She knew she probably couldn't have functioned properly if she was alone, and Alex was glad that it was Michael who was there to give her that extra push.

"I gotta go and run after him now so you actually get to him before he drives off or something, okay?" Michael took money from his wallet and gave it to Alex. "Just wait here for the bill and I'll get him, you'll see him in no time."

He placed a kiss on her forehead, smiling and rushing out of the restaurant right after, leaving Alex to impatiently and anxiously wait for the bill. As she called the attention of a waiter and did the gesture for getting the bill, Alex couldn't help but imagine all possible ways her confrontation with Zeke could go.

What if Michael can't catch up with him? What if Zeke's too strong for any restraints from Michael? Alex's thoughts piled up on her head. What if he's a totally different person now, I can't take this shi.t anymore! I hate my life.

Alex let out a rather loud sigh as she contemplated just leaving the money and running after Michael. Much to her relief, the waiter finally came after what seemed like the longest six minutes of her life. She quickly put down the money and told the waiter to keep the change, hurrying out right after to catch up to Michael and her brother.

As any person who would be in her situation, Alex wasn't in her right state of mind. That led her to desperately call out for Michael's name, completely forgetting that texting was a thing already. Thankfully, he was actually close enough to be able to hear her calls and she sprinted over, following the sound of his voice.

Her heart was beating faster than ever. The combination of nervousness, anxiety, and fear wasn't doing Alex any good. She knew that in less than a minute she'd have to face Zeke, and every second that passed by was one closer to getting answers. She wanted to hear what he had to say, and Alex's desire to hear an explanation gave her an adrenaline rush like no other.

"Dude, what the f.uck?" Alex almost stopped when she heard the awfully familiar voice resonate through the air. It was almost as if he was groaning in pain..

Another voice pierced through her ears. "I told you I can't, just leave me alone!" Those words made Alex stop running.

It was Zeke. The sound of his voice which she had been longing to hear was already there. Alex was getting so close, so she quickly shrugged off the feeling of shock that had just hit her and carried on sprinting towards where she heard Michael's voice.