Fall For You (EDITING + UPDATING)

(5)

"Mum it's not a big deal." I hear Alex say. For a moment I consider, walking back in the opposite direction which I came in. I do not want to get caught up in family drama. Especially if his mum has made a trip down from whatever posh area of Los Angeles to be here.

"Yes, it is Alexander. You need to switch dormitories. I don't want you around those people." His mother screeches. Her voice high pitched and irritating. I hear Alex sigh.

"Dad. Can you please tell her that she's overreacting?" Alex practically begs. So his father is here too? Maybe it would be fun to barge into the room and create an explosion of tension. The mischievous side of me is coming out.

"Your mother is right Alex. You need to focus on your studies. You can't be distracted or influenced by those people."

"I agree! They're aren't good company. The tattoos and piercings. Not to mention the clothes and the purple in that girl's hair. What must her mother think of her?" His mother is screeching again and she's dragging me into it.

My mother doesn't know that I have purple in my hair, unless my father told her which he probably did when he gave her all the details about my life. She hasn't actually seen it though. I was very clear when I came here that if I saw my mother, it would be when I'm ready and now nearly a year later, I still haven't seen her. Actually that's not true. I have seen her, from a distance.

"Mum, I didn't call you so that you could have a go at me. I just wanted to check in before my first class."

It's Wednesday morning and Alex is just about to attend his first class. I laugh at the thought of how anxious Alex was the last time I saw him and how he's probably even more nervous now. Feeling desperate to make a good impression on his professors.

Wait, he said call. His parents aren't even here. The mischievous side of me feels disappointed that I can't go in there and watch as Alex's mother's face goes red with embarrassment knowing that I had heard everything she had said about my friends and I.

"I know that. I don't mean to yell but you have to know that it's not smart for you to associate yourself with those people." His mother's voice calms a bit but there's still an edge to it.

"Seriously? It's only been a few days. My roommate is hardly ever here anyway." Alex's tone is calm now too. Reassuring.

"Darling," Alex's father's voice says, re-entering the conversation. "I think that Alex should stay in the room he's in. You heard him, his roommate isn't there and Alex is big enough to make his own decisions."

Alex's mother sighs through the phone. "Okay, I guess you're right. But if anything happens, you are out of that dormitory straight away, you hear me? Straight away!"

"Yes, mum I hear you. Okay? I gotta go now."

"Of course, darling. Go. I don't want you to be late for your first class. Call me afterwards and let me know how it goes."

"Sure mum." Alex says and I listen to the sound of the tone of the call disconnected. Alex groans loudly and then sighs.

I wait for a beat before turning the door handle and entering the room. Alex sits on the bed his face buried in his hands. He looks up when he hears the sound of the door closing.

"Great, just great." Alex mutters and I don't think he intends for me to hear but I do. He turns his attention back to the wall across from hm running his hands through his hair and letting out a deep breath. He stands from the bed and walks to the desk.

"I have a class to get to, could you please leave?" Alex asks me politely. He begins to sort through the stack of books that sit in a neat pile on his desk, looking for the ones that he needs.

"Leave? But I just got here."

I had come to see Harley. Well, not really. That was just the excuse I was going with if anyone felt like questioning why I was here in the dormroom when Harley wasn't here. I knew he wouldn't be. He spends most of his time either with Kiera or at the car garage.

The truth is, since my conversation with Harley about Alex and how Alex finds himself uncomfortable around me, I've wanted to see him. Just to annoy him and get under his skin a bit more. Now, here he is kicking me out of the room a total of, two minutes since I walked through the door.

"I don't think that you should be here when Harley isn't here." Alex tells me. He puts the books he needs for class in a book bag.

"Oh and why's that?" Because your mum and dad don't want you hanging out with the rebellious kids. I silently answer my own question and watch as he struggles to come up with a reason.

"I just think that you're better friends with Harley and you'll probably get bored hanging out with me." He lies through his teeth but it doesn't sound that unbelievable. He's right. I'm better friends with Harley than I'll ever be with him and I would get bored with him. "I'm not that exciting." he adds looking down at the floor.

"You're right. You're not that exciting." I tell him. "But you said you're going to class anyway and Harley lets me chill here. So, I'm going to stay."

"I don't want you here when Harley or I aren't" Alex says, glaring across the room at me. I take a seat on the edge of Harley's bed and cross my legs.

"Is that because of what your parents said when you were on the phone to them just now?" I question, letting him know that I had overheard the conversation between him and his parents. Alex's face goes bright red.

"That was a private conversation." He snaps at me.

"If it was really so private then you shouldn't have had it on speaker." I snap back, matching his harsh tone. 

"You shouldn't have eavesdropped when you realised that I was on the phone." Alex complains.

"Do you agree with what your parents said?" I ask, ignoring his comment. "Do you really believe I'm bad?"

"Please, just leave!" Alex yells completely ignoring my question. "I don't want you in here! It's fine if Harley's here because he obviously likes you but I don't."

"Fine! I'm going!" I yell back at him. I stand up from the bed and make it a point to storm to the door. When I open the door, I'm met with the warm Summer air. I step out of the room, slamming the door shut behind me. The sound echoes down the hall.