Forcing Forget

Chapter 4

Alice was foreign to me, and everything that happened with her felt strange at first. I hadn't an idea whether it was some part of the American culture, or if it was just a quirk, but Alice was suprisingly comfortable with me. While resting on the couch, watching Horrible Bosses, our legs both mingled under the covers, I couldn't help but feel like I was doing something wrong. The popcorn nested inbetween us both remained untouched by my hands (rested on my thighs, as I sat with the perfect posture I've always held), but rather intermediatley gropped at by Alice's journeying fingers, as she kept her eyes glued to the screen. 

 The credits start playing, and Alice turns down the volume to a soft background noise. "You didn't like it, did you?" she asks knowingly. I felt almost as if admitting my indifference toward the movie would hurt her feelings. 

"I'm not used to stuff like that," I say simply. "But it was funny." But 'funny' was a stretch. It was vulgar and innapropriate;  I felt like I needed to shower after watching it. 

"I forgot about the censuring in Tuskadel," Alice recalls with guilt in her voice. "I promise not all American movies are like that." I smile. 

Just as we start getting up, and I reach to fold the blanket, still warm from its use, the front door is shut quietly. I glance at Alice; would this be her sister? It was awful late for anyone to be getting in.  Only after Alice had helped me unpacked and we mingled over ice cream did we turn on the movie, so it was turning getting close to 11:00. 

The sharp thud of business shoes made its way over to the living room, and turned on the lights. After squinting for a moment, my eyes adjust, and I realize it must be Alice's husband. Like Alice, he is young, probably in his early 30's. He has a full head of blonde hair, and a fit physique. 

"Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot we had visitors," he says sheepishly  when he sees me. 

"Liam, this is Aubrey-Wren, Aubrey, this is my husband, Liam," Alice introduces us. 

"Hello, Aubrey," he says, taking a step forward to extend his hand. I meet his firm grip, and offer a small smile, which he returns with a flashier grin. 

"Well, Alice, I'm pretty beat, so I'm going to get to bed," he says, his smile dissapearing, turning back to Alice. 

"I'll be there in a few minutes," she says, folding the blanket she has in her hand. 

Once Liam is out of the room, I turn back to Alice. "Thanks for watching the movie with me," she says. I clear my throat. 

"No, I needed that relaxtion," I reply. 

She smiles. "I'll see you in the morning, Aubrey."

"Good night," I say, and make my way to leave. 

When I get upstairs, the light is on in Xaviers room. I ignore it at first, and go to the doorway of my guest room. Before I can enter, I sigh, and turn back around to his room. 

"Xavier?" I ask quietly, knocking softly on his door. When I hear a grunt, I open the door a little wider. 

He is lying face up on his bed, his hands resting on his stomach as he stares at the ceiling.  Even though he is awake, I think about turning around, but something pulls me to the edge of his bed. I perch nervously at his feet. 

"Hey," I whisper, unsure of what else to say. He just sighs, and pushes himself to sitting up position. I realize he looks drained, and he rubs his hands over his face, as if trying to clear away the stress. 

"Sorry," he says. 

"I saw the light on in your room, and wondered why you were awake," I murmur, feeling uncomfortable. It made me angry that after so many years of us being so close, I couldn't even talk to him like a normal person.