Our routine was actually sort of fun. We'd come home from school, finish our homework, and debate about what we'd do. And although I debate legitimately, more often than not he wins.
"Let's go canoeing," he pleaded, his eyes searching mine.
"No," I harrumphed. "I can't even swim! How am I supposed to not die?"
"I don't know, just stay afloat?" Alex quipped, raking his fingers through his hair.
"Come on. It'll be fun. For me?"
I relented, and ten minutes later, Alex and I were padding along to the forest near our yard. He was walking quite happily; I could actually hear the bounce in his step. I, on the other hand, was frightened.
We got onto the stupid canoe that was always in our shed, and he took the oars and started rotating them to get us upstream farther.
"No one treated me like the way you did yesterday," he said, looking down. "They treat me back home as a kicked puppy. They're disapproving. But it's not like they're the ones who even have the disorder. Hell, they think they're saints."
I stared at him. "All I want is for you to accept what you have. You're not going to change overnight and it's not a big deal."
With his eyes shut tightly, he said, "I just needed to hear that from someone."
"I really like you," he said softly once we neared the clearing.
I frowned, which probably wasn't the best reaction.
"You drove me all the way out here just to tell me something I already know?"
He grinned sheepishly. "It wasn't just to do that—I also needed an excuse to come back to this place. God, it's ethereal."
"Well," I started off, "Alex, thanks."
"For everything," I added quietly.
"You drove me all the way out here just to tell me something I already know?"
I growled and punched him lightly on the shoulder.
We went in circles, round and round. Him pulling the oars and me staring at everything I could get my eyes on.
The sky,
The green,
The water,
Us,
Me.
A/N: I UPDATED for all the people who wanted me to. Merry holidays! #269 right now which is crazy because I feel like it was literally in last a couple months ago. Thank you so much for all the reads, comments, and votes. I hope to finish this soon--I have all the chapters ready to go, but I'd like to allow for some literary digestion time. Be thankful for what you have and where you are right now, because you are right where you need to be :)
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In 31 Days
ChickLitWhen Alex, the new exchange student, steps foot into Ashley Manes' house in the suburbs of New York, her world is flipped completely upside down. They're opposites, but the secrets they carry are all but too similar. Alex would feel wanted again, d...
