Fading

Chapter 13

He took a wide look around like he was reminiscing something, he looked relaxed and had a small smile on his lips.

"How do you even know this place, you don't live here, right?" I asked curiously.

"I don't, but I've lived almost my entire childhood here, in this town" he smiled down at me. "And I only remember a very few places around here, this town isn't exactly the same as it used to be anyways."

"Yeah, that's true" I remember when I was small and I used to visit Grana sometimes, this town didn't exactly have big buildings or shops. But now it's more developed, nothing like the big cities out there but much more flourished than it used to be for sure.

"So, what about those cookies that you promised?" He drew an eyebrow up questioning me.

"I'm done making them, I can bring them wherever you want." I said. "What about that painting though?" Now I raised one eyebrow and asked.

"Patience sweetheart" he said in a playful tone.

My face heated up at that endearment. I know he used it just to tease me but I couldn't help but feel flustered.

"Paintings take time you know, it isn't going to be made for a while so just have patience." He smirked when he noticed my face.

"Okay okay!" I huffed looking at some rock on the ground.

"Umm. By the way, that painting, you know the one I saw the other day of that woman, w-who was it?" I was debating whether to ask this or not but it just got out in hopes to change the subject.

His expressions promptly changed, his mood went from playful to serious in a second. "Why?"

"You don't have to tell me, it's okay. I didn't mean to ask that out of the blues" I said in a panic.

"Yeah I don't." he frowned thinking about something then took the cage from the ground and started walking away. " I need to go, I have some work." He said.

He seemed so relaxed a minute ago, I shouldn't have brought that up. He obviously doesn't like to talk about it. And now how am I supposed to go home? This forest isn't the most appealing place to walk through. Damnit!

Luckily he turned around half way through when he saw that I was standing on my place and said "Come on, I'll walk you home first."

I breathed out of relief and followed him. The walk was certainly very silent and uneasy, he didn't say a single word and kept walking looking straight ahead until we reached the house. I said a very awkward bye to which he didn't even answer, he just turned around and walked away.

I made my way into the house silently cussing myself for bringing up something he didn't wanna talk about and making everything so awkward.

Why am I such a dumbass?

The other half of the day just went by me slouching around in my room watching TV and eating some cookies that I made. How do I even give these to him now? He seemed really upset. Maybe I should quickly hand it to him and run back in the house.

That would be weird though, right? Yeah definitely weird but I don't think I have any other option, maybe the cookies would make him feel a bit better? Cookies can make anyone feel better. I mean at least they made me, I don't know about him.

I looked outside the window, it was dark already. He should be back home by now. I don't know what 'work' he even had, but it would be over by now or at least I think it would be. If not I'll just give it to him tomorrow.

With that thought in my mind I went into the kitchen, took a marker with me, packed some cookies for him and put a tag with a 'sorry' and a smiley face on it.

My head was starting to pound again, I should take my medicines. I'll just hand him the cookies quickly, it wouldn't take that long, I thought.

I then walked to his door took a big breath and knocked slowly. When I didn't hear any commotion I knocked again, a little louder this time. Still nothing. I guess he wasn't home, I sighed sadly. I was about to turn around when the door abruptly opened up and there he stood wearing a black full sleeved t-shirt and some grey sweatpants.

"Alice?" He looked confused, he's probably thinking why the hell am I here at night at his house all of a sudden. His eyes were red and it seemed like he was barely able to stand. I flinched a little when I smelled alcohol on him. He was drunk.

"I-I Umm I brought some cookies?" I said but it sounded more like a question.

I was surprised seeing him like this, he looked totally wasted and I didn't know if he was angry still or not. I could clearly see what 'work' he had now. But it also made me sad that me asking him about the painting made him so upset for him to be drinking or maybe it was something else, I couldn't tell.

"I can come later." I said slowly not to make him more upset or angry.

He looked at me for a second before making the door wide open. "It's okay, come in" he gestured with his hand.

I was going to hand him the cookies and bolt into my house, that was the plan. But I didn't wanna think too much about it, so I stepped inside his house as he closed the door behind me.

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Hmm 🤔

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