"Curiosity Almost Killed the Cat"

It's Been a Little Rough Lately

"How do you do that with a rutabaga," I try to ask through laughter.

"I don't know but don't go to Mexico," Alec smiles back, laughing along with me.

We are stilling on my front porch steps laughing uncontrollably while he tells me about some of his more adventurous experiences working for the mafia. It's been two weeks now and I've started walking down to the café he works at and waiting for him to get off. He then walks me back home and we sit on the steps for hours just talking. Sometimes we talk about me. Sometimes we talk about him. Every day is something new and I began finding myself spending more and more time with him after school.

Alec places his hands behind him to brace himself as he leans back, scanning my body up and down. He brings his beer bottle to his lips and takes a small sip. Three empty bottles sit neatly beside him. His alcohol tolerant never fails to surprise me. I hug my knees to my chest and place my chin on top of them.

"What?" I blush.

"Nothing," he smirks.

"Come on, please," I playfully beg.

"You're cute Bunny."

I blush even more, "You think I'm cute?"

"Of course, I do. Why wouldn't I?"

"Oh well uhm...thank you..."

"Anytime Bunny."

I hug my legs closer to my chest, "Alec," I say not much above a whisper.

"Yeah?"

"I still can't read the file about your dad..."

His body becomes ridged and I notice his fingers dig into the concrete.

"You don't have to unlock it or anything," I quickly add. "I was just uhmm...letting you know that I haven't read it yet."

He still doesn't say anything, and his fingers only dig in deeper. I scoot back a little and hug myself tighter.

"Alec....?"

"Yeah...?"

"I think it's time for me to be heading inside. School and all ya know?"

"Yeah..." he says quietly. Standing up and holding a hand out to help me up also. I cautiously take it, but I end up staggering back. I reach my arm out behind me to brace myself with the door.

"I'll see you tomorrow alright?"

He doesn't say anything, only nods to let me know that he heard me correctly. He descends downs the steps and walks down the road. I watch him for a few minutes before going into the house. To my surprise, my mom is home and cooking dinner. I try to sneak up the stairs but unfortunately, she detects me.

"Hey Dear, you're home late," she says warmly, but she is too focused on the stove to turn around and look at me.

"Oh yeah, I guess. I was hanging out with a friend," I stammer out, still trying to go up the stairs.

"Michael and Sami?"

"No...uhmm...a new kid from school," I answer truthfully. This was a mistake. She turns around to look at me finally. The spoon she was using to cook with is tucking into her folded arms.

"A new kid? What's their name?"

"Alec. Yeah, I was just making sure he was situated here."

"Well isn't that nice of you?" she smiles. "Why didn't you invite him over tonight?"