The Ride of a Lifetime

22. Alleyways

I had switched my phone off, ignoring the nagging sensation to answer Max's influx of calls and messages.

Javis saunters beside me as we wander the streets. Moonlight shedding its mercy upon darker parts of the road. Shivers crawled up my spine.
I didn't feel as safe as I had the previous times we've done this.

"Something wrong?"

"Well, besides having everyone trying to basically stalk my every move, nope."

"I'm sorry." He pauses for a few beats. "I apologised to Jayden, for ruining her birthday."

He seems a little awkward, as if exposing more than he should is uncomfortable for him. I turn to him, lifting a brow.

"That's.. Appropriate."

"Encouraging."

I shrug, smiling slightly, "It's what you had to do, is it not?"

"How is your sister?" I ask.

"She's coping."

The reply didn't satisfy me.

"And you?" Genuine concern spreads over my chest like a wildfire. I peer into his neutral expression, searching for anything that will tell me how he felt. He ignores me and continues walking. I stop, stomping my foot. "Come back here!"

He halts, turning around with amusement dancing over his features.

"I asked you a question." I pouted, frowning childishly at him.

His lip twitches before he chuckles. "That doesn't mean I have to answer."

Huffing, I crossed my arms, turning the other way. I began to walk down the empty street, littered with lit up houses and light gusts of wind.

"Hey. Ma'am! You shouldn't be walking alone in the dark." I hear footsteps approaching and my heartbeat quickens. Stifling my giggles, I broke into a sprint.

I could only reach the end of the block before I jump at the arms wrapping around my torso. We both laugh through our pants. I clutch onto his shirt to steady myself, his hands firm on my waist.

"If you want to accompany me, you better get on my good side." I tease. His dark eyes impaling my own with unwavering wonder.

"We both know that'll never happen."

I grin. He pecks my lip with a kiss and I hold myself back from diving in for more.

"I still want the question answered."

"I've moved out."

My jaw drops. "You- you what?"

"I'm renting a flat for Daisy and I. That hellhole isn't worth stepping foot in." My hand comes up to caress his cheek. He relaxes slightly at the contact, bitterness taming beneath those pupils.

"Where?"

He smirks suddenly. "Loretta Road."

"No wonder!" I drop my hand on his chest. "How do you have the money to live on your own? And to cover for your sister as well?"

"I work."

"Surely -with school- it can't be enough."

"Oh, no. It's enough." I didn't question him further, the certainty in his voice letting the conversation about that end there.

"If you're not feeling stubborn today, or any day, there's room for another person." He winks, pulling me closer to his body.

I narrow my eyes playfully. "You wish, Mister."