Coming Home

Chapter 10

September 2004

Received at 2.07 a.m. from Alex:
U up?

Sent at 2.08 a.m. to Alex:
At college party - what's up?

Received at 2.08 a.m. from Alex:
Had a piss up with the lads.
Took a spontaneous decision to come home for the weekend.
Matt's here too

Sent at 2.08 a.m. to Alex:
You in Sheffield???

Received at 2.10 a.m. from Alex:
Will be in an hour.
Text me the address of that party, yeah?

-

At 3.40 a.m. I saw Alex' mop bounce through the door. I hadn't seen him for 5 months but he looked like he always had. Behind him was Matt. I couldn't decide who looked the most drunk.

Alex spotted me across the room and fought his way through my college friends and hugged me tightly.

"I can't breathe," I laughed as he held me in a very tight embrace.

"Fuck, sorry!" He slurred, "I've just been so busy that I forgot how much I miss you," he said before he let go of me. His eyes darted across my body a few times, "you look...eh...." he said and rubbed his neck with one hand. His cheeks were blushing slightly and he couldn't look me in the eyes. I was wearing black skinny jeans and a tight black top, accentuating the curves that had appeared over the course of the past months.

"I hope the ending of that sentence ends well," I teased him.

"It...uhm...it definitely does," he said and smiled nervously, cheeks still flushed.

I laughed at his silly expression, "Come on, Al. Let's fix you a beer!"

I took Alex' hand and pulled him towards the kitchen. I could feel his eyes on my bum. I knew that my curves had earned me some attention at college and I had even ended up snogging a few boys at most parties - but we'd never ended up doing more. Still, I was pleased with my many hook-ups: it was nice finally being noticed as a girl instead of just being the tomboy who always 'hung around that Alex-boy'.

Alex and I sat down on the sofa and he started telling me about how his and the lads' new demos at Domino Records were coming along. I tried to catch his eyes numerous times, but he kept his gaze away from mine. The few times he dared to look directly at me, his eyes burned on my body, and his face flushed. It was accompanied by him tripping over the words he was trying to say. I excused him with the fact that he must be really really drunk.

"Hey! You still have that bracelet I gave you!" I exclaimed excitedly as I noticed my birthday present for him when he had turned 17.

"Are you kidding me? I wear it everyday!" He beamed at me, "it's like having you on stage with me. My Issy away from Issy," he laughed.

"Al, do you...maybe...you know.. do want to do something tomorrow? Just you and I, I mean. It's been ages. We could hang out somewhere or you could play me some of your songs."

"I have to go back to London tomorrow," he muttered in a sad voice.

"But you only just arrived!"

"I know... I want to stay too," he sighed, "but our manager called us right after I had texted you. He says that Matt and I have to be back tomorrow afternoon.."

"I could go with you, yeah? I could stay with you for a few days"

"Don't you have classes?" He asked me.

"I'll skip them! I want to see your place in London!"

"It's just a hotel room for the time being," he laughed.

"I don't mind! I want to hear your music. I could stay with you and we could talk about old times"

"I don't think it's such a good idea," he said with furrowed brows.

"Why exactly not?" I snapped.

"I want to hang out with you," he said, "I really do! I just have a lot on my plate right now."

"It's fine. I get it," I said and got up from the sofa.

He grabbed my hand, "Issy, come on.. I'm here now. Why can't we just have fun while I'm here?"

I knew he was right so I sat back down, "I know. I'm sorry. I'm just a bit angry with your manager. He keeps taking you away from me. That's all!"

He smiled at me, "you'd like him. He's pretty cool!"