Getting to Normal

Chapter 4

The movie was over before either of them wanted it to be. They sat there, looking at the Tv not moving a muscle until the credits were done. They still didn't move for about 2 minutes after that.

"We should probably get some sleep. It's already 10:00." Cody knew he was always going to have to be the one to break the silence. Even when he didn't want to.

"Already?" Alexa was surprised that so much time had passed. "You're right, we have school tomorrow."

"What do you mean? You want to go to school tomorrow? After... Everything today?" He was hesitant to say more. He didn't know how she would react.

Alexa just remember all of the events from today. She had been in a little bubble ever since she had gone into Cody's room. She had forgotten about most of what happened. Remembering all of that also made her realize how tired she was.

"I don't know if I'll be able to sleep. I don't want to be alone." She was scared of what she might dream if she fell asleep.

"I'll sit with you until you fall asleep if you want. There's a chair in the corner of your room." He wanted to suggest she stay in his room with him but he felt that would be too much. It would be good for her to transition into sleeping in her new room.

"Okay. Only if that's okay with you. I don't want to make you uncomfortable or make you stay up later than normal." She wanted him to get enough sleep too. She cared about him.

"I usually stay up way later than this. I'll be fine. And you're not going to school tomorrow. I won't let you." Cody was scared of what people at school might be saying. He wanted to go back first to smash any bad rumors that might be going around. But he also didn't want her home alone in his huge lonely house the day after the worst day of her life. He would stay home with her the rest of this week. It was only two days after all. He'd go back next week and shut down any rumors. He would let Alexa come back the following week. She needed time. Cody was determined to give it to her.

The next morning Alexa woke up and for a moment was disoriented. She had no clue what I where she was. But then it all came back. First the bad memories. The ones she had tried to ignore. She didn't think she could take it. She thought she was going to break down. But then she remembered what happened when she got to her new house. All the good memories. It almost made her smile. But then she looked over at the chair Cody fell asleep on and noticed he wasn't there. At first she started freaking out. She wasn't thinking rationally. Then she started to collect herself. He probably went to sleep in his own bed after I fell asleep. She thought to herself. She decided to go see if he went to school or not. It was Thursday after all. She should be at school right now too. She knocked on his door with no answer. At first she started to panic. She didn't want him to be at school. She didn't want to be home alone for 8 hours. She checked to see if he was in the family room. Then the bathroom. No one was. She had almost forgotten about his other bedroom. She knocked on that too with no answer. She really didn't want to be home alone right now. She decided to see if anyone else was home. She walked down to the second floor and checked the living room and bathroom but no one was in that either.

She was just about to go upstairs because she really didn't want to run into Mr. or Mrs. Adamms this morning when she heard her stomach growl. She decided to raid the cabinets for something to eat. Right when she walked onto the first floor, she smelt something she hadn't in a long time. Someone cooking actual food. She really hoped it was Cody. She walked into the kitchen and was relieved to see Cody standing at the stove. He hadn't seen her yet. She got caught up with the scene that was in front of her. Cody obviously knew what he was doing. Or at least he looked like he did. He was making bacon in one pan and eggs in another. He had his headphones on. She smiled when he started dancing to the beat. It was the best thing she'd seen in awhile. He was still in his camo pajama pants and plain v neck tshirt. It was a little tight and she could see through it a little. He didn't quite have abs but he was noticeably defined. She noticed that she was staring at him from behind the corner and decided to walk in and sit at the bar. He didn't notice her at first because he was flipping the bacon but he looked up and jumped back startled.