Loving Us

Chapter 17-Gathering.

"Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you; spend a lot of time with them, and it will change your life.—  Amy Poehler 

***

I had grown closer to Alexander over the past few days and it was quite the opposite for my relationship with Matthew. Zavanna was very busy with the interschool volleyball tournament that we spent so little time together. She had been out of state for a week to be had not had the our weekly friends meet-up lately since everyone was so caught up with their business. Well, I was no exception too.

When we left the cafe the other day, the drive back to school was silent; not that I mind since it was peaceful- he didn't lash out as he wished. I asked him several things that went through my mind and his answer was curt. I recalled how his jaw clenched- that was my cue to not push his button further.

"Hey Alex, do you know why he called you brother?" I inquired, my voice accompanied by some music in the background.

"No," he just gazed out of the windshield, not bothered to look at me.

I took sometime phrasing out the right words. "You don't have to be so tense. It's just that I thought you guys know each other. Remember what happened back then in the woods-"

He cut me off. "I don't know him," he continued. "At all."

"That's interesting to know," I laughed humourlessly.

"I am glad you found it delightful," his blue eyes mesmerized me.

A tap on my shoulder jolted me out of my reverie. I immediately took my earbuds out of my ears as I turned. What greeted me next was a bright smile which belonged to Mrs. Jenkins, the head librarians in our school.

"Yes, Mrs Jenkins?"

"Nothing sweetheart, it's just that it's already 5 p.m. I'm going to have the library closed in five minutes," she smiled, crinkles visible on her face.

"Oh really! I'm sorry, I didn't realize. I was so caught up with my homework."

I explained as I stuffed all my binders into my bag. "There's nothing to be sorry about. I love you here; enlivening this dull atmosphere with your lively aura."

"Well," I looked at her awkwardly, dumbfounded by her statement. "I'm thanked that library is finally not a boring place to be at."

I took my leather jacket off the chair. "Remember child, those who find libraries boring are bored themselves." I laughed at her statement and waved her goodbye.

As I walked out of the school, I was taken aback by Alex appearance at the parking lot. He was leaning against his car as he scrolled through his phone. He stopped and looked as my footsteps halted to a stop. The plan was today I'd ask the driver to pick me up since I was too lazy to drive. That perfectly explained why his car was the only one in this vast space except those which belonged to the teachers.

"What are you doing here?" I walked towards him.

He welcomed me with a heart-warming smile. "No 'hello' or 'hi'?"

"It's just that I was caught off guard seeing you here," I hugged my bag tighter.

"Isn't it obvious? I was waiting for you, to send you home," he explained as he stuffed his phone into his pocket.

"No. I wouldn't have thought of that and neither do I need a ride home."

He opened the door of the passenger seat and gestured me to get in. "It's not a trouble. Just get in the car and we're good to go."