Alpha's Eyes [My One and Only]

[Chapter 13]

Augustus sat like a statue. I was all too aware of my every shaky breath as I waited for him to respond. After a minute, I grew tired of waiting.

"Well, are you going to say anything?" I asked him, my tone hopefully conveying my need for his answer. For any answer.

Augustus sighed deeply, then sat down upon the floor in front of me. He ran a hand through his hair. His eyes looked cautious when he made eye contact with me again.

"Leta," he started softly.

I immediately started rubbing my thumb and index finger together. That didn't sound like a good start. I think I knew that he knew that I wasn't going to like what he was going to say. . . but wait, there was no way that we could know each other so well, was there? I mean, we barely knew each other.

"I know that my actions may be hard to understand, and I may not communicate my intentions to you well, but I promise that everything I do is for you. For us."

I licked my bottom lip and tried to keep my mouth from grimacing. "I haven't asked you to do any of these things. If you really want to help me, then answer my questions. Don't just do what you want for me, but ask me what I want and help me do that. I'm not okay with everything that's been going on. I don't even know what's going on! I just, I feel like I've been in a coma and a new age has dawned. I'm still used to the stone age, and yet, everyone's talking about computers and movies, and I feel like I'm supposed to just catch on without a history lesson and without figuring out what happened. And I'm overwhelmed, and I'm PMSing, and you're confusing and aggravating, and I don't even know why you're here or what you want. And I'm still pissed that you kicked Grams out, and I'm mad at her for leaving me, and I just," I sighed, taking a break and figuring out what I really wanted to say.

And that's when a revelation hit me: Augustus' eyes were solely focused upon me. He was fully intent on hearing everything I said. His eyes looked like tiny recorders, memorizing every word I said and how I said it. I gulped. Oops.

I felt a blush creeping up my neck and over my cheeks."I don't know why I just told you all that. I don't normally talk to people. That's what my diary is for..." I trailed off, realising how quickly had I begin to spill my thoughts and myself to him.

Augustus nodded and slowly stood. He kissed the side of my head before moving to sit next to me on the couch. He put his arm around the back of the couch as if he were going to pull me toward him, but he let it sit there, a few inches away. His leg brushed mine, and he made no effort to move it. I was surprised to find that neither did I.

"You were very honest with me just now, Leta, and I thank you. As we move deeper into our relationship, I think it is important that we establish trust, communication, and at times, give and take. I will try to provide some light on your confusion. Where would you like me to start?"

"Polly," I answered automatically. I didn't even have to think about that. "I want to know about the accident."

He nodded. "That is what you called me at the accident. Polly was your--"

"My car," I gulped. Don't cry. Don't cry. Don't cry.

"This would have been," he paused to count in his head, "eight days ago on the 25th."

I quickly did that math. Holy crap. That meant today was September 2. Wait, wait, there were only 31 days in August, right? Think, Leta!

"Your grandmother told me that you had woken late. In your rush to get to school, you were speeding in the parking lot. I too had been driving fast, and our cars collided. Thankfully, you and I both walked away with no major injury. Our cars were not so lucky."