Chapter Two

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I stepped into the car mindlessly; just staring at the back of the car seat which my mother always occupied. It was around midnight, and all I could see were endless stretches of barren fields and the vast, starry night sky. I gazed longingly at the full moon, completely ignoring my mom’s chatter about the fantastic pizza place and how it was such a shame that I declined her offer, and just replaying the night’s events in my head, and then I found myself daydreaming about a boy who I just met.

I woke up to the sunrise and the smell of coffee and donuts. Buildings replaced the vast fields. My dad was sipping on coffee while driving, looking pale and tired; and I could hear my mom snoring as her head bobbed when we reached humps in the road. I peeped out the window. There were few people outside, walking their dogs, sipping coffee, and picking up newspapers from their front door. We drove and drove until my dad stopped in front of a white apartment with sagging paint and faded shutters.

This was my Alex’s apartment.

“Okay sweetie, take care of yourself okay?” my mom said as she kissed me good bye. “Don’t do anything stupid. Alex will come by sometime in the afternoon to watch over you kids.”

“Mom, we’re twenty,” I said, rolling my eyes. I swung the backpack straps around me and hauled my bags up to the steps, and I watched the Cadillac back into the driveway and disappear down the road. I pulled out my phone and attempted to call Alex. After twelve rings I shoved it back into my pocket and hauled my things into the rickety old elevator. The doors opened with a creaking sound and I kicked my bags in, holding the doors open with my hands so I wouldn’t get squished. I heaved a sigh of relief as the elevator door closed, and located the number 9 button. The elevator started to make its slow ascent to the ninth floor, which seemed like forever.

When the doors opened, I kicked the bags out once again, and knocked on the door directly in front of the elevator.

“Alex!” I called, knocking louder. “Alex! It’s me! Open the door!”

The door creaked open, and a brown head peeked at me. The eyes bulged with alarm and the door swung open, and I found myself dragged into the apartment room.

I laughed, stumbling onto the floor. Alex was grinning at me; he was wearing a plain gray V-neck t-shirt and faded jeans, and his hair fell lightly on his face.

“You shouldn’t shout like that, the old ladies will come after me with pitchforks,” he said, lifting my things effortlessly and dumping them into the teeny tiny guest room beside the kitchen. Its walls were stark white and squeaky clean. A window with black shutters gave me a great view of the sky. A small, single bed sat against the left side of the room, with a fluffy pillow and a comfortable looking blanket. There was a wooden bedside table that looked really ancient, and an even more ancient looking lamp sat lousily in top of it; drooping sideways like a wilted flower. I plopped onto the bed, hearing the springs squeak. I insisted on having a separate room for myself even if we were together, and Alex didn’t seem to mind anyway.

Alex scratched his head. “Well it’s tiny, I know. But at least it’s clean, yeah?”

I grinned at him. “It’s great. Thanks for letting me stay here.”

He chuckled, sitting beside me. “Of course, anything for you. Now you won’t have to be stuck with the old people all summer, eh?”

I crinkled my nose. “Well, yes, but if you’re gonna smoke, could you do it outside, though? I’ve had enough second hand smoke from grandpa.”

“Sure,” he said, standing up. “But I won’t promise you anything.”

He smirked at me and kissed me lightly on the lips. I smiled, pulling him closer, deepening the kiss. I felt the wall against my back and he climbed towards me, pulling me onto his lap, not letting go of my lips.

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