𝔼𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕘𝕣𝕖𝕖𝕟

Chapter 2 : Call it progress

Alex is bored.

He loves Los Angeles, he's starting to appreciate a glass of fresh juice after a day out in the heat, almost as much as he loves a warm cup of tea after a cold day in London.

During week two, Alex crossed some things off his 'to do' list, buying himself a car, some clothes and getting a trim of his curls.

He's made an effort to go out every day to discover new places, he tried new restaurants and strolled around the park, even spent an afternoon on a bench to read a book he found in a small library not far from the house.

But it's Saturday now, Alex is sat on the sofa and all he can think about is how much he misses going to work every day.

He's lucky he gets to do his job from L.A. with the business still in London, but that means staying at home, on a computer and that doesn't really help with the boredom.

Alex thinks of all the things he could get done before Tyler comes back from work - as it turns out, owning your own nightclub doesn't mean you can come home whenever you feel like it - and he thinks he has enough time to do the one thing he's been putting off since he got here.

Look for a place.

Alex picks up the newspaper and the pen that Tyler left for him on the coffee table, and settles down on one of the stools in the kitchen.

He isn't sure what he is looking for, but Alex thinks he would enjoy spending time in a place that looks like the one he's currently living in.

The Bellow residence is beautiful.

It isn't big, in fact the moment you step into the house, you already know how the entirety of it looks like.

The combined living and dining room area is on the left side of the entryway.
On the right side is a wall with a door that leads to the kitchen.

Connected to that same wall is a small staircase that leads to another level where three bedrooms - two of which have their own bathrooms - and a guest bathroom are aligned.

Alex had to take the guest room but he reckons he'd feel right at home with a house so light and open.

He's aware that with his job - even if the pay is really good - he would never be able to afford such a place, and for the first time he feels a bit jealous of his best friend.

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

Alex has been at it for over an hour, scanning different offers and he still doesn't have any idea of what he's interested in visiting.

Truth is, he isn't really trying much.

Alex missed his best friend and after years of not getting to see him regularly, he would prefer to spend more time with him. But he's conscious of the fact that his presence is affecting Ivy, and not in the best way.

For what reason exactly, he isn't sure.

He made peace with the idea that she simply doesn't like him, but Alex can't think of any reason that could explain such wariness.

He is getting a bit angry with himself, because Alex realizes that no matter what he's doing, his thoughts always drift back to her.

He feels like a psychopath with the way he's always watching her, trying to understand why Ivy is the way she is, and more importantly, why she's acting this way with him.

To make matters worse, said Ivy suddenly appears out of nowhere - and it's apparent she's upset.

Ivy gets her waterbottle out of the fridge before joining Alex at the table without a word.

He's trying to appear unaffected, so he focuses on his search and starts circling offers that he isn't particularly interested in.

He's nervous.

"What's this ?"

Alex needs a moment, because did Ivy just talk to him ?

Sure enough, when he looks up, Ivy is staring at him, awaiting an answer.
She doesn't seem troubled anymore, just tired.

"Uhm, these are, uh...houses. I'm looking for a place, and I need to start somewhere, so..."

"Why ?"

This is really happening, they are having an actual conversation.

Alex never pictured their first real exchange to be about a house.

He's been hoping for an interaction for two weeks and now that it's happening, he doesn't know how to reply without choking.

"Why ? As in why a newspaper ?"

"As in, why are you looking for a place ?"

Alex is confused.

Ivy sounds genuinely curious, and questions are running through his head ; Did she think Alex was staying permanently ?
Is that why she's so uncomfortable around him ?

Ivy clears her throat and Alex feels ridiculous when he finds himself just gaping at her.

"I mean, that was the plan ? That I come here, work for the company from L.A. and get my own place once I have enough cash. I've already bought the necessities, so now all that's left is the house, I guess."

Ivy bites her lip then she nods once.

Alex understands that this is the end of their conversation, so he goes back to his paper.

He reckons it went pretty well for a first conversation. Better than he expected, really, and now the psychopath in him is all giddy, because maybe Ivy doesn't hate him.

Twenty minutes later, Ivy is glued to her phone while Alex is only on the third page and growing frustrated with himself. So much so that he unconsciously starts clicking his pen a few times.

Ivy snaps after the tenth 'click'.

"Stop it !"

She's glaring at him and Alex cannot blame her. He used to hiss at people clicking their pen in a silent room, and now he's doing it next to someone who was already annoyed.

Alex mutters an apology, and because he doesn't want Ivy's mood to get worse, he gathers his things and stands up. He figures it's less risky to look for a place in the living room, or his room, hell the bathroom is an option at this point.

But before he can walk out the door Ivy speaks softly again.

"what are you doing ?"

Alex isn't proud really, but he looks at Ivy like she's insane. Her mood swings are giving him whiplash.

"I'm leaving ?"

"Why ?" she asks as if Alex is the odd one.

He doesn't really know how he's supposed to give his reasons without them sounding insulting, so Alex just stares at his feet.

He clears his throat, peering at her through his curls, "same reason I'm looking for a place."

"which is ?" she urges.

"I don't really want you to be uncomfortable in your own home because of me."

Ivy studies him with furrowed brows for a moment, but she recovers quickly, getting up and walking past him.

Alex almost misses the 'come with me' she throws over her shoulder.

Ivy leads them into the living room.
She settles on the grey sofa that's right in front of the T.V and looks up at him expectantly.

Alex doesn't push it too far and puts some distance between them when he sits down. Apparently the plan is to watch some shitty comedy because Ivy turns the T.V on and keeps the remote.

Ten minutes later, it hits him.

They are watching a movie together.

Alex thinks maybe this is progress.