The Unextraordinary Life of Alexandra Jane (Editing)

Chapter Six: The Truth

I eyes take in the woman before me. Her hair is glistening with water drops, her eyes are wide and full of something I've never seen, panic? Her frown tells me otherwise.

"What's wrong?" I ask standing up and awkwardly side step away from Harry whose eyes have once again focused on the carpet 

Was he going to kiss me? Would he have kissed me if my mother wouldn't have interrupted? Would I have let him?

"I think it's time you go home Harry" My mother says in a stern voice as she closes the door behind her never taking her eyes off Harry

Harry snaps his head up at the sound of his name to look at my mother his eyebrows pushed together in confusion his jaw set

"Is there a problem Mrs. Murray?" he asks as he slowly stands up placing his hands behind his back like he does when he's around adults

"I just need to have a talk with Alex Harold and it's getting late" 

I don't have time to point out that it's only six thirty because Harry just nods curtly and strides across the living room and is out the front door. He doesn't even turn to look at me once 

As the door slams shut my mom closes her eyes and exhales loudly as if a weight has been lifted off her shoulders.

My eyes follow the outline of Harrys body as he stomps out into the rain down the driveway and into his truck. I watch as he slams the door shut and turns the key in the ignition. He looks back towards the house one last time before speeding off. His green eyes looked watery but I tell myself it was just the rain 

"What was going on between you and Harry?" My mother asks pinching the bridge of her nose

I peel my eyes away from the window to face her

"Why does it matter?" I retort rolling my eyes at her always nosy personality. I walk to the kitchen and sit down at the spot where I left my plate of food before Harry had his outburst. I look over at the spot I set up for him, I wonder if he did go home. For his sake, I sure hope so 

"I just wanted to know" She asks in a lower voice than before

I stuff a spoonful of mashed potatoes into my mouth so i don't have to answer her quickly

Awkard silence fills the room as I chew 

"You can have his plate, he didn't even touch it" I say, lazily gesturing with my fork at the plate packed with too much food for her

She slowly sits down and places her elbows on the table resting her chin on her hands. She stares at nothing in particular in front of her the way she does when she's thinking. 

"My day was grand thanks for asking" I break the silence as I take a sip of my root beer 

"Hmmm" Is all she says 

"So what did you want to talk about?" I ask with a curious tone even though I'm pretty sure my brain has gone through enough today to process anything else 

"Just how your day was that's all" She says picking up her silverware 

"Well before you awkwardly stormed in here Harry told me he had feelings for me" I say indifferently stabbing a piece of steamed carrot 

"He what?" My mom asks her voice raising again 

"He told me he likes me mom" I say lowering my head as heat rises up my face to my cheeks. A smile playing on my lips 

I look over too my mom when she doesn't answer. Her eyes are wide and her lips are parted slightly. Shock obvious in her face 

"What, you think I'm not likable?" I joke 

"Alexandra" She breathes as tears begin to appear at the corners of her eyes 

"Mom it's okay" I try to calm her but the panic in my voice is evident "Nothing happened I swear"

I say reaching for her hand as she lowers her head 

"There's something I need to tell you" she says her voice cracking

I pull my hand away from hers her words instantly sending panic through me making my mind race with worse case scenarios 

"You and Harry can never be romantically involved okay?" She half asks half demands as she lifts her head to look at me. Her eyes and nose are red, her lips quivereing 

"I think I'm old enough to make my own decisions" I snap 

"Alex you don't understand, it's not that I don't want you to, it's that you can't" her voice cracking again

"Oh really and why is that? I've known Harry since we were five years old, he's slept over so many times and you've never had a problem with it. Why now?" 

"That was before!" She screams pressing her fingers to her temples in frustration

"Before what!" I shoot back standing up. Why is it such a big deal to her? What if I want to be with Harry, would she stop me? Do I want to be with Harry? 

"Before he began having feelings for you!" she's now on her feet and the vein on the side of her forehead is pulsing 

"And why does that matter now!"

Our voices have risen to the point where i'm pretty sure the neighbors can hear us

"Because he's your brother Alexandra!"