Three Hearts Left Intact

Chapter 33: Nervous Mess

After breakfast the small group of friends had rallied together in the living room to discuss more about their plan. Still with so many holes left to fill and ideas needed to be made, they spent over five hours researching and talking through things.

During the earlier part of their planning, with Mallix still being slightly hungover from his exciting night he wasn't of much help or paying attention for the matter. It wasn't until his mind was completely sober and he was able to think clearly again.

Five hours had passed by in the blink of an eye to everyone, but Alex. His mind still wandered off into its own train of thought. He couldn't help but feel butterflies in his stomach thinking about the conversation he would have with Zander and Nina later on.

The entire time Nina could see him daydreaming. One moment Alex would be actively participating and throwing out different ideas for the group, while others he stared off blankly in Zander's direction. She couldn't help but break a laugh out of the blue.

All the while Zander, Mallix, and James were oblivious to the matter. Alex had decided to wait until he talked to Zander before announcing it to the entire group. Just thinking about having Zander to himself caused his cheeks to flare a bright shade of red. Getting towards to the end of their discussion for the night, the group decided to wrap everything up.

As Mallix stood up from the couch he couldn't help but hide a large smile on his face. Tomorrow is the day the updated version of the blueprints for the facility is ready for them, and Mallix couldn't be happier. He said his goodbyes to the group, for the time being, as he nearly pranced to his room.

Once he was gone the rest of the group all broke out into laughter seeing how something as simple as a map could change somebodies entire demeanor. Turning back from his brother, James looked at the rest of the group.

"Alex? Everything alright?" James asked catching sight of how red he was. Shaking his head of his thoughts Alex's eyes went wide as everyone directed their attention towards him.

"Huh...yeah everything's alright. Just thinking about something." He stuttered out.

"Alright, well it's just about time for the news to come on so if you guys wanna watch it with me your happy to join." James said slouching back in the couch throwing his arm around Nina who was to his side, and pulled her in close to his body.

She instantly relaxed into his touch as he turned the tv on and began to change the stations. Nina lifted herself away from James momentarily as she looked at Alex.  Without saying any words she looked at him sympathetically. He smiled and the two of them exchanged nods already knowing that they meant.

While she waited for a sign from Alex that he was ready, Nina rested back against James side and began to watch the afternoon news with him.

As they were all doing their own thing, Zander had left the living room and gone to the dining room table that could be seen. He sat quietly reading a book to himself.

For a while Alex had stayed glued to the tv thinking it would blur his mind of the madness that was consuming it. But it wasn't long before the almost silent whispers coming from Zander's reading drew his attention in. Glancing over at Zander every other second only made him excited.

Just when he was about to signal for Nina that he was ready to finally bring the subject up to Zander, a stake nearly tore through his heart. 'What if he says no? What if he doesn't want this or anything to do with me afterwards?' All the doubt started to sink in.

He questioned every motive he had and followed multiple scenarios to find determine the different outcomes. And out of the hundred he could think of, there was only one option that he wanted. Every other option ended in rejection.

Thinking of dealing with an aching heart only made his doubts worsen. Trying not to make his anxious self known, he got up from his seat and walked into the kitchen to grab a cold glass of water. He chugged it down faster than he had ever drunken water before.

Feeling the cool liquid ease some of the tension from his body, Alex found some comfort again. Standing at the sink he used his hands to splash some of the cold water onto his face. Letting the water carry the remaining worries away he found himself standing confidently again looking out on the view of the lake.

Using a kitchen towel, Alex dried himself and took in deep breathes in front of the open window feeling fresh and ready. He knew there would be a risk of rejection from Zander, but he didn't want to focus on that. Not anymore.

Not letting his thoughts get carried away by failure, he began thinking of ways to celebrate. Or at the very least how he was going to explain everything to Zander. Finding the right words and phrases in his mind he had built an entire script.

Some for rejection, but most for success. Turning back from the sink he saw Zander nose deep into his book mouthing off the words as he read through them. He couldn't hide a small smirk that formed on his face.

Walking over to the table he put his hands on them, catching Zander's attention. Once he looked up, Alex locked eyes with Zander. "Can I...uh I mean Nina and I, talk to you about something?" He tried to hide the tremble in his voice.

"Of course." Zander smiled putting his book down and standing up to follow Alex. Leading Zander into the living room, Alex nodded towards Nina as he began walking down the hallway with Zander following closely behind.

"Of course." Zander smiled putting his book down and standing up to follow Alex. Leading Zander into the living room, Alex nodded towards Nina as he began walking down the hallway with Zander following closely behind.

"I'll be right back." Nina kissed James cheek as she grabbed her crutches from off the floor.

"Where are you going?" James asked raising his eyebrow while helping her stand.

"I need to help Alex with something. It shouldn't take too long." She sweetly smiled before beginning her walk over to them.

Nodding his head, James watched as Nina joined Alex and Zander into Alex's bedroom.

Inside they all sat down on the bed. Alex and Nina besides one another with Zander across from them both. He looked at the two in front of him confused when Alex's stare became intense.

They sat in silence for a few seconds. Every plan of action Alex had come up with had completely vanished from his mind without a trace. With the help of a friendly shoulder nudge from Nina, Alex cleated his throat and began to open his mouth.
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Let me know how you think Zander will react. Thanks Lexx signing off