Picture Perfect

Seventeen

It was the middle of the night. Alexis was lying on the far side of the bed because I didn't feel right making him sleep on the couch. I was still awake because I was feeling really bad about getting mad. There was no reason I should be mad at him. He was honest just like I wanted.

I turned over so I could look at him. Even with the light off I could see that he was still awake as well, "Alexis," he blinked and I knew that he didn't have his contacts in, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have gotten mad at you," I scooted across the bed so I could snuggle up to him, "I'm sorry."

Alexis smiled as he wrapped his arms around me, "You were upset," he kissed my forehead, "Does this mean I can get some?"

I laughed, "Nyet," I looked over at the clock, "We have school tomorrow and it's late."

Alexis nodded, "I know. I was just trying to lighten the mood," he gave me another kiss, "So does this mean that I can actually lie on the bed now?"

I nodded as I scooted back across the bed, "How is it that you aren't irritated with me?"

Alexis sighed, "I am, actually, but there's nothing I can do about it. I could make it a fight, but I've never been one to dwell on things that I can't change."

I pulled back so I could look into his eyes, "It's not good to suppress it. We should at least talk about it."

Alexis sighed, "It just irritated me that you took out your problems on me. I really didn't do anything and when I tried to make it better you just threw that back in my face."

My eyes grew wide. Alexis made it sound so petty, which kind of irritated me. I bit my tongue. I had just apologized to him and I was getting irritated again.

Alexis cocked his head to the side before he reached over to his stand to grab his glasses and turn the light on, "Jo," he slipped his glasses on, "What's wrong?"

I shook my head, "Nothing," I sat up and ran my hand through my hair, "I'm still worked up about what you told me earlier," I pushed the covers off and got out of bed, "I'm going to go paint."

I stepped over to the door. My hand was on the door knob when Alexis put his hand flat against the door, "Jo, you shouldn't dwell on it."

I tried to pull the door open, but Alexis wouldn't budge. I sighed as I tried to keep my temper in check, "Please let me out, Alexis."

Alexis sighed, "You just said something to me about suppressing it," he turned me around so I was looking at him, "You can't be a hypocrite."

I leaned back against the door as I looked up at his beautiful face, "I just need time to digest. You can't make me talk about it before I'm ready."

Alexis shook his head, "Chert poberi (Damn it), Jo, this isn't something you'll ever come to terms with. You have to face it and the sooner the better."

I glared at him, "Alexis, you may be highly trained, but back me into a corner and I will fight. I don't care what will happen," I grabbed the doorknob, "Now, let me out of the room."

Alexis put his other hand on the door on the other side of my head, "I may be fairly easy going, but attack me and you'll see a side of me you will regret rising."

"Why didn't you do anything when your father hit you?"

Alexis' expression was dark and it actually scared me, "My father and I have gotten into fist fights that were so bad that both of had to go to the hospital for multiple stitches and a couple broken bones," he paused, "I will not let someone hit me for no reason."

I glared at him, "I will have a reason in a few moments if you don't let me out of the room."

Alexis shook his head, "You do know that if you even attempt to hit me we'll be over."

My eyes grew wide, "Why do you want me to talk about this!"

Alexis sighed, "Because it's upsetting you."

I shook my head, "Of course it's upsetting me! What else would it do?"

Alexis stepped back from the door, "Go ahead and paint," he walked across the room and grabbed his jacket, "I'm going to take a walk."

I glared at him as he slipped his jacket on and found a pair of socks, "What's wrong with you now? I'm the one that should be pissed. You just threatened me!"

Alexis glared at me, "Only in response to your threat. I do have a right to defend myself," he stepped over to me, "Now, you go paint and I'll go take my walk," I stepped aside so he could open the door, "Don't wait up for me."

~School was over the next day and I still hadn't seen Alexis. At first I was furious at him because he had threatened me, but as the hours went by I started to feel bad. I feared that I had lost him. I couldn't lose him. I loved him. I needed him.

I stepped out of the school building and froze when I saw Alexis leaning against his car. The man looked stunning. He was wearing a pair of black pants that were tucked into a pair of calf high black boots. He had on his typical form fitting black shirt and his leather jacket. He was wearing his contacts and he had his hair pulled back in a ponytail.

I dropped my bag and ran across the parking lot to him. When I was within a few feet of him I jumped at him and he caught me. He pulled me close as I wrapped my arms around his neck, "I'm so sorry, Alexis," I buried my head in his chest, "Will you ever forgive me?"

He kissed the top of my head, "You don't have to apologize. I was the one that was wrong. Mne zhal' (I'm sorry)."

I shook my head, "No, I was wrong," I pulled back so I could look up into his beautiful eyes, "I'm sorry. I feel so bad."

He sighed, "I'm sorry," he let go of me and I stepped back, "I came to a decision last night," he took a deep breath and I was terrified. I thought he was going to break up with me until he went down on one knee in front of me, "Last night made me realize that I can't be without you. I love you, Jo, I can't live without you. The mere thought of losing you tore me apart last night," he took another deep breath as he pulled a silver ring out of his pocket, "How do you feel about spending the rest of your life with me? Will you marry me?"

I looked around to see that every student had stopped what they were doing and watching the two of us. I didn't care. I was going to say yes. It just made me think that Alexis must feel the same. Who would propose in such a way in such a crowded place with thoughts of withdrawing in the end?

I looked back down at Alexis to see the expectant look on his face, "Yes," I nodded and he slipped the ring on my finger, "I love you so much," he stood up and I wrapped my arms around his neck again, "I couldn't concentrate at all today without you."

Alexis wrapped his arms around me and held me tight, "I don't care what happens. As long as I have you I'm okay."