The Hooded Figure

FORTY ONE

We walked over to their house where we would be alone. Apparently Alex's manager wouldn't be back until later.

We sat down on the chairs in the living room and I waited for one of them to say something. When neither of them did, Jamie elbowed Alex in the ribs. "Ow." He frowned and rubbed the spot where Jamie had hit him. After glaring at Jamie, he turned to me.

"I'm sorry about yesterday, I shouldn't have left you there or tricked you. Yesterday, Jamie forgot about his job interview at this high class restaurant and had to cancel. However, it was really last minute and he was in the shower so he asked me to text you for him, which obviously I didn't do. Instead I took his place which wasn't right and I'm really sorry." His speech sounded rehearsed and fake, leading me to believe that he didn't really care.

"You got anything from the heart, or did Jamie write the whole thing for you?" I asked right away, looking at him with a disappointed glare. Alex's expression hardly changed, though his eyes seemed to shine.

"I'm really sorry, Amy," Jamie cut in, looking down at his feet.

"For what? You've been nothing but nice to me. Sure, you both switched places on me, but it's not like you ever pretended to be Alex," I said, glaring at Alexander while I spoke. "However, even though we were never really a thing - I don't think, I have to tell you that I can't do whatever this is anymore. With either of you."

Jamie opened his mouth to speak, but I beat him to it. "I hope things go well for the both of you, and Jamie? Stop living in the shadows - specifically your brother's." With that, I stood up and headed to the door. Neither of them said anything as I shut the door behind me. I'd only made it to the sidewalk when I heard their door open.

"Jamie, I told you, I'm sorry-" I was roughly turned around as somebody put their lips to mine. I knew who it was immediately and shoved him away as hard as I could. Instead of pushing him away, I pushed myself away, falling onto the sidewalk. I hissed as little bits of gravel cut into my skin.

I looked up at Alexander who had a torn expression on his face. "Leave me alone!" I cried, getting up and dusting myself off.

"Wait! I wanted to apologize sincerely, it's hard for me to do," Alex defended, looking at me with sincerity.

"And kissing me is your way of apologizing? Try asking first, girls like guys with self-control," I snapped, muttering, "and a little self-respect."

"Sorry, I just- it usually works," he trailed off awkwardly.

"I'm sure it does," I scoffed, rolling my eyes as I turned around to walk to my house. Alex grabbed my forearm and I hissed, ripping my arm out of his grasp and inspecting the cut on my arm. Alexander looked pained, but didn't say anything.

"You're right, it was wrong. I want to blame it on the way I was raised, you know, with my father and the whole pop star thing, but I know you'll say it's bullshit," he paused. It looked as if he was searching for the right words. "I really like you. I've never really liked someone like this before, it's all been superficial. I don't know how to handle it and it's frustrating. I know I've really fucked up, and I'm pretty sure there's no way I can fix it, but I just wanted you to know. I'm sorry I couldn't tell you that inside, it's really hard for me to... communicate my feelings."

I tilted my head, wondering what to say. "You're right, feelings are frustrating. You're also right about the fact that you really fucked up, but I'm in the forgiving mood, so you're lucky," I said with a small smile on my lips. He was looking down at me, his bright blue eyes gleaming.

"Do you think we could ever have a chance?" He asked tentatively, looking away almost nervously.

"No," I said bluntly, making his head snap towards me. "Sorry, but-" I paused, a realization coming over me, "-I like someone else..." I trailed off distantly, lost in thought.

"What?" I snapped back to reality, seeing Alex in front of me.

"I know right? Weird..." I stated, squinting as I thought it over. I shook my head and focused on Alexander once more. "Here's the thing though. Before I go back to my house and scream into my pillow, I'm going to give you a list, okay?"

"What kind of list..?" Alex asked, still looking like a wounded puppy.

"One to live by, you ready?" I asked, dead serious. Alex nodded. "One, don't be such a pushover. I saw your dad on TV a while back, full partial control of your life? You're not an item, it's your life. Own it. Two, do what you want to do. You wouldn't have run away if you were happy with your lifestyle. Three, be thoughtful. As far as I know, you're brother dropped everything and moved to help you, what have you done for him? Four, it's okay to have emotions. As you've just demonstrated, it is incredibly hard for you to cope with them. I know I'm probably not helping, but feelings are important and you need to have them. Otherwise you're certifiably a psychopath. You can do it, I believe in you," I finished, patting his shoulder. I didn't know how much of a difference my little speech would make, but he seemed to be thinking it over.

Finally, he said, "okay." His face was neutral and his eyes held no emotion. I wasn't convinced.

"Alex," I thought over what to say, "it's your life and as far as I know, you only have one. Don't waste it." At that, I reached around his torso and gave him a hug, holding him there for about five seconds before he returned it.