I Choose You

Weak

Unedited

***

"But I'm weak, and what's wrong with that?

Boy, oh boy I love it when I fall for that

I'm weak, and what's wrong with that?

Boy, oh boy I love it when I fall for that"

- "Weak" AJR

***

"What has got you out so late at night?" Alexander inquired as he reached me. Stopping a couple feet from me, he raised a dark brow in curiosity. "You know it's not safe to be out here alone at this time of night."

Unaware of where my boldness came from, I responded. "Then why are you out here?"

Alexander chuckled as if he had found humor in what I said. "I'm a big guy. I can take care of myself."

"And, I can take care of myself," I argued, displeased that he basically called me weak. It was started to really get under my skin at the fact that so many people felt the need to point out what they saw as my flaws.

"Right," Alexander replied in disbelief as he rocked back and forth on his feet.

When silence lapsed over both of us I could not handle it. "It was nice running into you," I awkwardly stated as I turned back in the direction of my home. "But, I should be heading home . . . I'll catch you around, Alex." I smiled at myself because I had remembered to say his name right.

A lightning-quick frown found Alexander's face but it washed away as quickly as it came. Alexander put on a blank expression before reaching into the back pocket of his jeans and pulling out a pint bottle of, what appeared to be, some kind of liquor.

His action had halted my attempt to head home. "Are you drinking?"

Alexander paused the bottle at his lips before grinning widely, "Guilty as charged." Alexander took a large swig of the amber liquid. When he was done, Alexander tilted the bottle in my direction. "What some?"

I had no desire to try any of the alcohol, however, I struggled to spit out a 'no.' "I don't drink," I replied, hoping he would take that as an answer.

"You have to drink to survive."

His sarcasm did not go unnoticed. "Yes. I drink water and that tends to keep me living another day."

The corner of Alexander's lips twitched up into a smile. "Funny, Grace. But, I bet you a million dollars that you have never had a sip of alcohol in your life."

I crossed my arms over my chest in a defensive manner. "I have."

Alexander's expression said it all, he had not believed a word I told him. "Really? Please, tell me. What kind of alcohol have you consumed recently? I'm fascinated to know."

I decided not to lie to Alexander. "My parents give my brothers and me a glass of wine, every holiday season." I neglected the fact that I would only take a sip because the wine was always too bitter. 

"Oh, you badass," Alexander jested.

Annoyed, I started to walk away and head back towards my mother's house.

"Whoa! Where are you going, Grace?" Alexander questioned as he followed me.

"Home," I answered, staring at the concrete that passed under my feet.

"Why are you running off so fast? We were in the middle of a conversation."

"No, you were in the middle of teasing me."