Aleheather (Complete)✔️

One Shot (9)

Title: The Story Behind A Name

Rating: K+

**

It was raining outside.

Alejandro and Heather were on the couch together watching Twilight. They were sharing a bowl of popcorn and Heather had a bottle of Coke next to her. Every time she drank soda, Alejandro would give her a look and say 'I don't get how you can drink that! It's polluting your system!' She'd always roll her eyes and ignore him.

"Ugh, this movie sucks," Heather said halfway through. "Like, who falls in love with a vampire? Maybe Gwen. They both have pale skin and weird loser personalities."

"I could see that," Alejandro agreed. "Also, his skin sparkles in the sun. It should burn."

"Anything to make him more attractive to women. That just makes me less attracted to him. And he watches her while she sleeps?! I don't think so! There's no way I'd ever date that loser!"

"He doesn't even have any Latin warmth to offer."

She rolled her eyes playfully and shut off the tv. "Ugh, I was supposed to go shopping today at the outdoor mall but this stupid rain ruined it."

"You could go to the indoor mall?" He suggested.

"No. Last time I went there this old lady yelled at me because she thought I was her granddaughter. She chased me all the way to the parking lot. Someone needs to take her and put her in a freaking mental institution."

He smirked. "I would've payed to see that."

"Shut up!" She laid her head on his shoulder. "You wouldn't like it if a crazy old woman started chasing you."

"I'm used to it. Women chase me all the time."

"They better back off then!"

"Relax, mi amor. I ignore all of them. None of them are worthy."

"I feel the same way about other men. They all suck and you suck just a little bit less."

"Heather!"

"I'm just kidding," she laughed, kissing his cheek. "So gullible. You don't suck at all."

"Gracias, mi amor. I was never worried."

"You just were."

"It was a façade."

"Sure, Al."

He cringed. "...Please don't call me that."

"She laughed. "Wow, does your brother really bother you that much?"

"Yes. He's the bane of my existence!"

"Just because he calls you Al?" Heather found it entertaining.

"Ugh. Seriously, don't call me that." He rubbed his forehead. "And no, it's not just because of that. He just feels the need to be better at everything than me. It's kind of just...it's the association with the name." He looked down and fidgeted with his hands.

Heather furrowed her eyebrows. "Wait...so this is like, super serious?" He nodded. "Did he do something to you?"

"The first time he called me that was when it started. And ever since then, he has to say the name at least once every time he speaks to me. It's like he never wants to let me forget and move on."

"...What happened?"

Alejandro took a deep breath. "It happened when I was in the second grade. José was in fifth grade. I had a huge crush on this girl. I'd try anything to get her attention. I was desperate. I finally built up the courage to 'ask her out,' so one day I picked her a bunch of flowers during recess and I made sure I looked my best. My fashion sense was on point even back then," he smirked.

"Oh, I'm sure," Heather rolled her eyes playfully.

He chuckled. "Anyways, I was confident she'd say yes. My mom helped me plan on what I'd say to her and everything the night before. I was about to ask her when I saw this beautiful rose. And roses were rare by the playground, so I went to go pick it up. I made the mistake of leaving the flowers on the bench. I came back with the rose and saw that all my flowers were crushed. I knew exactly who had done it. By the time I could process what happened, José came back with the girl, saying he had to show her something. I was embarrassed beyond belief. I thought at least I had my rose. I handed it to her and before I could say anything, José laughed and told her I was a special needs kid and I'd pee on her if she got too close. I was too shocked and afraid to stand up to him so I just sat there like a complete idiota. The girl ran away and José...I remember the exact words he said: 'How does it feel to be retarded, Al?' He looked down. "The girl told everyone in our grade and they all called me names for the next three years."

Heather's face fell. She knew how it felt to be relentlessly bullied in elementary school. It was one of the worst feelings in the world. She felt sorry she ever called him Al. She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly. "I'm so sorry," she whispered gently. "You didn't deserve that. No one deserves that."

Alejandro let out shaky breaths as he hugged her back. "I...I've never told anyone that before. Whenever José calls me that, or when anyone calls me that, it makes me think of that moment. Every single time. It's so stupid though because it was so long ago, and I-"

"Shh, no!" Heather kissed his cheek. "Don't ever say that's stupid, because it's not. You have a valid reason to be mad, or...upset. I shouldn't have called you that."

He stroked her back. "It's not your fault, mi amor. You didn't know."

"It doesn't matter. I was insensitive."

"Hey," he gently held her shoulders and pulled out of the hug. He kissed her forehead. "It's ok, Heather. I love you. Don't apologize for that."

She smiled. "I love you too."

"And one more thing on that story. Could you...not tell anyone about it? You're the only one I've told."

"Yeah, of course. I won't tell anyone." She rubbed his hand. "Next time José calls you that, I'll make sure he's sorry he ever started calling you that."

He chuckled. "Do you know how adorable you are when you're plotting revenge?"

She kissed him. "Mhm. I'm proud of it."

"That's why I love you."

"That girl in the second grade was an idiot for rejecting you."

"Even though she was only eight years old?"

"Yep."

He laughed. Heather always made him feel better, no matter how bad he felt.

"I'm glad you told me, Alejandro," she whispered lovingly.

He ran his fingers through her hair. "Of course."

She snuggled back up to him. "Wanna finish watching Twilight?"

There was a pause before they both broke out in laughter.