Closed Down Ch. 02

*Hey, sweeties. I'm so excited to be writing this series, it's not even funny. Ha ha. I hope you all enjoy and thank you so much to the people reading. Feedback is always welcomed because I like to grow as a writer. Enjoy!

~Nicole.

*

It's been almost four weeks since Alex moved in and everything has been so damn awkward. If it wasn't me walking in on him in the bathroom, it was him forgetting to leave boxers on at night. We tried tactics with each other to make things easier, like let the other person know that they were going to go use the bathroom or try to put a sheet in front of his bed as to not have me wake up and see all of his glory every time, but we still walked in on each other regardless and the sheet almost always fell at random parts of the day. I couldn't fucking win with this dude.

"You seriously need to chain up your damn boxers from now on."

I said to the drowsy, naked Alexander as I closed my eyes and tried my best to pass his bed smoothly and towards the bathroom. Every day, every goddamn day. Fuck him and his boxers, just fuckin' fuck. Ugh. As I thought I had made my way through enough to open my eyes, I ran right smack-dab into the coffee table near the bathroom door and cursed like a sailor.

"Fucking mother of crackers, asshole - shit, fuck, shit! Fuck!"

Over all my frantic, unlady-like swearing and yelling, I could hear Alex laughing so hard he had trouble catching his breath. Good to know he was having a good laugh and I told him just that.

"Carla, you're such a riot."

"Glad I can make your day, ass."

"Oh, don't be so grouchy, you grumpypants."

That's one thing I'll never get about Alexander. He doesn't normally talk a lot and when he does, conversations don't last long. Not that that's a bad thing, if anything I hoped he would be sort of like that. Since my prayers of him having a shitty personality didn't work, he could at least be a quiet, charming hottie, but back to what I wanted to say: Though he may be quiet most of the time, when he talked he never raised his voice, never swore, and when he was to call me names it was always strange ones like "Grumpypants." A few days ago when I had tripped over his books, he laughed and called me a "Clutzy-Cat" after saying sorry three times while I cursed out a storm, again.

I was rubbing my big toe furiously, as to rub out the throbbing pain when I felt Alex brush passed me towards the mini fridge he brought a week ago for us. I froze for a moment and kept repeating in my head: Please have your boxers on, please have your boxers on. You better have your goddamn boxers on! With one swift, sneaky glance I saw that he was, in fact, wearing boxers and I finally relaxed, wincing a little when I stood back on my foot. I could never keep my eyes off him when he walked around topless. He had a few tattoos on him and that got me good, I've always been a sucker for tattoos even though I have none myself yet.

The only couple tattoos I could make out, was the one on his wrists that said something like: "Always Remember" and the one that was a tribal marking of some sort that covered half of his chest and side. The other three were a little too small for me to see well and it's not like I was gonna get up in his business just to see. I barely let myself sit next to him on the same couch for long. I was kinda starting to feel bad for the way I was treating him. I wasn't a cold-hearted bitch or anything, but I wasn't the warmest person to be around all the time either and sometimes he seemed to want to ask questions, but stopped himself. That was okay with me, less questions, less answers I don't even want to give.

After we both gotten ready for class, we parted our ways. Off to art for me and him off to English - not like I was keeping tabs on him or anything. Watching him walk away and other occasions where we went together to pick up some groceries at times, I couldn't help but notice the way he acted in public. He stuck out like a sore thumb due to his looks and yet no matter how many women and men gushed over him, he never let it get to his head. He even sort of politely ignored them, if that was possible. He walked with confidence, his head high and his eyes roaming around everything. He wasn't one to not enjoy the little things no matter where he went. I probably sound like a creeper, but I can't help but watch him when he's not looking.

I was five minutes late for my class, but my teacher, Miss Raver, didn't seem to notice because she was so into her lesson of the day that even when a kid dropped his text book on the floor it caused a loud echo and she barely flinched. I slid into my seat and listened to her as best as I could. Miss Raver was known for her speedy talking, a lot of people had trouble keeping up with her when she got really excited over something and today was no different while I tried to focus on her words that all seemed to slur together. Sighing softly in annoyance, I just gave up after trying to pay attention for ten minutes. My mind wandered to other things like my math test that I had next, my doctors appointment that I had to find a way to get to by next week, Alexander, and my late work I needed to get done after classes were over. Mainly I thought of Alexander, but lets pretend I care about my math test and all that other stuff too.

After classes were done, I headed to the library and took a seat at an open computer. For the next hour I spent getting my late work done in frustration and constantly taking "breaks" before finally stopping before I gave myself a headache from hell. Now I remember why it's even late work - I can't fucking understand any of it! I decided before I left, I would take a look at my email again to see if Abby sent me some sort of evidence that she was still alive. Browsing through and deleting junk mail, I came across a unusual email address that sent me a letter. When I opened it, I realized within the first few sentences that it was my mother. I wasn't happy or mad, I just didn't care for her much anymore. I can love her and hate her at the same time, people, so calm down.

As I kept reading, I came across something that shocked me: She stated that she was getting married soon to Timmy-Fucktoy-Greyston and taking his last name. Anger threaten to boil over in me as I continued reading. The date was the same day as Dad's birthday, which made me even less happy and she wanted me and Abby to be her bridesmaids, I laughed a little too loudly and got shushed by a few uptight kids when I couldn't stand reading anymore. I hit the reply button and ripped her a new asshole. Letting her know that she could go fuck herself sideways and there was no way in hell I would ever attend her pathetic wedding. I also asked her what's it was like to be a cradle robber and with that I hit sent, logged out of everything and walked briskly back to the dorm. So much hate for the woman that I raised me or at least for the woman who tried to raise me.

Once I stormed into the room, I barely noticed Alexander propped up on his bed, reading like always before I went into the bathroom and slammed the door as hard as I could. I really just didn't care about anything anymore. I stripped myself of my clothes, turned the shower on and dove in without waiting for the heat to kick in. Letting the water run over me, I tried taking deep breaths to calm down. Last thing I need is the cops called for breaking everything in my way. I must have stayed in there for a long time because eventually I heard Alex knocking on the door, asking if I was okay. I ignored him, leaning my head against the tile wall and this time I let my tears fall freely. I hadn't cried at all after the day I found Dad, not even at the funeral. Since then I made it a point to suck it up and keep turning my back on all the pain.

It was all too much to bare for me. Not only did I hate my mother for doing this to the family, if you wanted to fucking call it that, I hated myself for all these emotions churning inside me. I always use to be the girl that could easily get on with life when it got too much on her shoulders, I was always the go-to girl when friends needed a lending ear and shoulder. Now I can hardly make it through a day without shaking from all the stress and depression. I hated myself for not doing a better job at swallowing down my pain like I had been since the she-devil left. After awhile the water turned ice-cold and I had to get out, I poked my head out to see if Alex was still around and he must have left because he was nowhere to be seen.

I wrapped the towel around me and went to my dresser, pulling on my sweats and drying my hair. Once I had everything done, I crawled into my bed and hid under the covers. It was only 6:00 and on a Friday, but I didn't care. I was too into the whole "Self-pity" thing to want to do anything but sleep and hope I could dream away all the bullshit. It didn't take long before my eyelids became heavy, drained from all the emotions I quickly fell into a dreamless sleep.

///

As my eyes slowly opened, it felt like something was poking at my side. Groaning, I rolled onto my stomach in desperate attempt to go back to sleep. I didn't know what time it was, but it was no time for me to be up. The poking didn't stop and I heard that familiar soft voice calling my name in a sing-song fashion. I groaned again, louder this time in hopes he would understand my frustration, but he kept on doing it and later than sooner I rolled back onto my back and opened one eye, glaring at the pestering hottie.

"Alexander, I'm trying to sleep."

"Carla, it is now one in the afternoon. It's also a sunny Saturday."

"So? Let me rest in peace."

"No. Now sit up or I'll keep poking the hell out of you."

I rolled my eyes before creeping up onto my butt. I had a pounding headache from yesterdays meltdown, so I quickly placed my head onto my knees as Alex sat down next time, putting his shoulder around me. I stiffened and I think he sensed that because he chuckled, patting my shoulder.

"I'm not a biter, Miss. Relax."

"How do I know? You could be a mass murderer for all I know."

"If I was, I would be an excellent one."

"Mmph."

"So, what had you so upset yesterday?"

"Nothing, I was just tired."

"That has to be the saddest excuse I've ever heard."

"Yeah, well. I was."

"But - "

"Leave it alone." I growled at him and he got the picture, shutting his mouth on the subject.

"Well, I bought you something that I hope cheers you up some."

"Why?"

"Because even though you barely smile as it is, I would miss the ol' bitter-sweet Carla if this Screw-the-world Carla was to stay."

With that said he handed me a cheap card that had a picture of a woman arching her eyebrow and a speech bubble next to her that read: "Don't you have better things to do in bed?" I couldn't help but crack a smile and softly punch Alex in the arm. He faked being hurt and groaned out loud.

"Oh, no. Oh god - the agony of such brutal force!" He batted his eyes at me in fake shock and I fought to kiss him right there and then. He was always a nice guy, but he never acted so goofy around me before. I was grateful even through all my train wreck of emotions that he was trying so hard to make me smile when he didn't even know what I was hurt about.

"You're such a sillyfuck."

"Excuse me, but I don't think I fuck in a silly manner at all."

I laughed out loud at that because one) I never heard him swear before and two) just how he stated the whole thing had me not only fighting back some giggles, but also some naughty images that sprung up with that sentence. I sighed at him with a small smile and was even more grateful he was here because I don't even remember the last time I actually laughed. Alex patted my thigh, smiled big and stood up to go to the bathroom.

"Alex?" He turned half-way to me with a curious gleam in his eye.

"Thanks. You know, for this cheap-ass card."

He grinned evilly at me and bowed slightly.

"I do have my charming wits to get me by."

I shook my head, still smiling before getting out of bed and took a comfy seat on the couch, turning on the T.V. Just because I made it out of the bed didn't mean I wanted to leave the room at all. In fact, I was content just watching the Jerry Springer show and eating nothing but junk all day. When Alex came out he saw me lounged on the couch and shook his head.

"Girl, you are the laziest person I know."

I threw a small pillow at him which he caught with one swift motion before plopping next to me, watching the show with some interest. We stayed like that for most of the day and I'd like to think that Alex stayed just to keep me company and make sure I was okay. Even if that wasn't the case and he just didn't have any plans, I still liked the thought. It was a slow start, but Alex and I were gaining each others trust every day since that afternoon and soon we would be great friends, but that didn't help me at all. I wasn't planning on making any good friends here, I didn't even want to be my own friend, but what happened, happened and there was no turning back now. I still worried, though because I knew sometime soon we would start getting to know each other a lot more as our friendship would start to grow, but I didn't want my past to be brought up around him.

I was starting to like having him around more and as much as I liked it, my evil half was still trying to push away in attempt to save myself from more crap I didn't need. Thinking of actually opening up to him scared me because I didn't want to seem weak to him, I didn't want him to see me crumble apart again, up close and I sure as hell didn't want to be falling for him. Things were going good just as much as they were going bad.