Toxic

>Six<

< Sweet about me - Gabriella Cilmi >

>> Aleksandr PoV <<

"Where you going?" James pestered me as I sprayed on some cologne. His eyebrow raised when I shrugged.

"Out" I stated emotionless and fixed my hair in the mirror. I groaned when it wouldn't sit right making James chuckle behind me.

"Out..where?" James smirked. He was trying to annoy me and I knew it. James knew exactly what wound me up, and he knows exactly when to do it.

"Just leave me alone, would you?" I snapped, my hands gripping on either side of the porcelain sink. I watched him in the mirror in front of me. James' eyebrows flew up and his hands went along with them in self defence.

"Jeez man you need to calm down." He said and I took a deep breath. I was nervous about this date with Veronika, I didn't want to mess it up. Withdrawal symptoms had started to kick in too. Me cutting down on the alcohol really affected my mood swings and James bugging the hell out of me wasn't helping either. "How long haven't you had a drink for?"

"I've been drinking less since my second meeting but I haven't had a single drop in three days." I explained quietly. Just talking about the substance made my throat burn, longing for the liquid. "I'm sorry for snapping man, I just-" I sighed again, turning around to meet the curly haired man's brown eyes. "I guess it's harder than I thought it was, especially with nerves kicking in too" I brought a hand to my face in shame and James smiled in sympathy.

"Dude, it'll be fine okay? It will get easier" He tried to comfort me in my distressed mood. His hand rested on my shoulder and gave it a light squeeze. I only nodded, not wanting to argue any more in my current state. "Good luck, asshole" He left the bathroom and wandered down the hall, his little corgi following his footsteps.

"Suck it up, Aleksandr" I muttered to myself before switching off the light to the bathroom.

I still had a few minutes to spare until I told Ronnie I would pick her up. In this time, I decided to check my phone for the first time this morning. I haven't even checked my phone this morning? Damn dude, what is this girl doing to me?

Unhooking the device from the charger, the screen lit up displaying notifications from both last night and this morning that I had missed.

I scrolled down the list, random tweets and Facebook notifications making up 90% of the screen. I stopped at a message from last night and groaned.

From>>Unknown Number

Hey Aleks, it's Ron. I just wanted to say thanks for today and I'll see you tomorrow.

Received 10:23pm.

I felt instantly guilty that I didn't reply last night. Quickly unlocking my phone, I saved her contact and typed out a reply, noticing that I should leave for her house momentarily.

To>>Ronnie😋

Hey Ron, sorry I didn't reply last night, I turned my phone onto airplane mode by accident.. I'm on my way and I'll see you soon xx

Sent 1:16pm.

------

My throat became increasing dry as I pulled out my keys from the ignition. I had pulled up outside Ron's house, the exact spot that I was in last night. I took a moment to build up my courage before opening the drivers door and stepping out onto the sidewalk.

The pathway to her house was white concrete and flowers nestled neatly around it in a range of colours. The actual building itself was a baby blue, the porch being a white colour to contrast beautifully with the rest of the decor.

My knuckles wrapped on the door gently three times and talking was heard on the other side. Doubts were about to fill my mind until the door swung open to reveal a short, middle aged woman with dark hair.

"Hello young man, can I help you?" Her tone was sweet and matched her soft face. She was a well rounded lady who wore simple clothing from what I could conclude. Overall, very friendly looking which settled my nerves a little.

"Uh good afternoon ma'am, is Veronika there?" I asked as polite as I could. The woman's face portrayed some confusion as she processed my words. My anxiety levels rose a little more at her expression and grew as every second passed. Did I knock the wrong house? Ron's house could of been a few more doors down..

"Oh! You must be Aleksandr! Ronnie hasn't stopped talking about you!" She chirped happily, her rosy lips forming into a bright smile. Her arms brought me into a tight embrace and I stood shocked at the shorter woman's actions. It took me a couple of seconds but my arms instinctively wrapped around her frame.

"Please, call me Aleks" I smiled and laughed nervously as we let go of each other. She welcomed me into her home and I followed her down the hall. Multiple pictures lined the simply decorated walls, some I could clearly recognise the familiar face.

"Just like Veronika, you are. 'It's Ronnie!' 'Don't call me that!' Blah blah blah" She waved off chuckling as we arrived in the living room. I laughed along with her and thought about all the times she had gotten annoyed with me referring to her full name.

My eyes paused upon a blonde haired girl who sat with her sock-covered feet crossed upon a coffee table. She seemed to pay no attention to me nor the woman as we entered due to her eyes being glued to her iPad screen. Her finger carelessly twirled around the string of her navy hoodie as her eyes glided along the screen.

"Viktoriya! We have a guest!" The woman smacked the girl's feet off the table to which she moaned at. Her blue eyes finally left the device and landed upon me. Her features looked extremely familiar yet, different at the same time. Her blonde hair cascaded past her shoulders in a similar fashion too, although curlier than Ron's.

This must be her sister.

"You must be the guy Ronnie talks about" She smiles and hops off her seat. I smile brightly and my stomach turns warm from her words. She..talks about me?

"I hope so, I'm Aleks" I held my hand out for her to shake, which she gladly accepts. She introduces herself as Vik, and we both let our hands drop to our sides.

"Listen hotshot, you better not hurt my sister-"

"Viktoriya, leave him alone will you?" An irritated voice requested making me look away from Vik. My gaze landed on Ron, who stood on the opposite side of the room with her arms folded.

She wore a black and white t-shirt striped that was loosely tucked in to her light blue skinny jeans with a black bomber jacket over her arms. She flashed me a toothy grin and plodded her way over to me in her black timberland boots. The closer she got, the easier it was to smell her sweet perfume that drove me crazy. She wore the same one every time I saw her, a fresh scent that made my heart flutter and a smile instantly plant itself onto my lips.

"Just making sure my sister isn't going out with a complete ass" Vik said making Ron roll her eyes and the woman gasped from behind us.

"Viktoriya! Language!" She scolded Ron's sister making me laugh a little and fiddle with my ring on my hand. Vik shrugged and crossed her arms, much like her sister did a few mere seconds ago.

"Sorry Aunt Rose"

"I can't promise you that, Vik" Ron smirked and looked up at me slightly. She wasn't much shorter than me, but it must of been a good couple of inches that divided us.

"Hey!" I pretended to be offended and she shoved me gently.

"Don't be so butt-hurt, Marchant"