Just Following Orders

17 - Chocolate

ఌ𝙰𝚊𝚕𝚒𝚢𝚊𝚑ఌ

I shift uncomfortably on the couch, pulling my knees to my chest. Alex looks over at me, mildly concerned.

I wasn't watching my calendar. I've always been told I don't pay attention much, but this is a new low.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Alex whispers.

"I want to go home." I whisper back. I've wanted to go home since I climbed into his car, but more so right now.

Alex nods. "Let's go then." He gets up off the couch. I blink, not really expecting him to agree so easily. I know he doesn't know my parents very well, but I'm pretty sure he was just in the middle of a conversation.

I stand up. "Hey..we're going to head home." I announce. Alex throws in a quiet fake yawn for good measure which is a little cute.

"All right, hun. Be safe." Mom gets up to hug me, I hug her back.

"Fuck you." Noah scowls at Alex. I was hoping Noah might like Alex a little bit, but the moment they made eye contact I knew that wasn't happening.

Alex doesn't look affected. "Yeah, yeah." He dismisses. "Old man." He quietly teases. He seems to be amused by teasing Noah which really only makes Noah more frustrated.

Noah gasps, pressing his hand to his chest. "I'm not old!" He insists. We all know he's lying to himself.

"Well," Dad murmurs. Noah's mouth falls open. "I love you, Aaliyah. See you soon, sweetheart." He smiles at me, moving on quickly. I smile back at him and nod, grabbing Alex's wrist.

"Bye," I call as I tug Alex towards the door. He lets me, just following along.

"So, what's up?" Alex questions me as soon as we step outside. "Are you in pain?" He goes on as he unlocks the car.

I climb in, looking over at him when he gets in the drivers seat. "Kind of. I'm on my period." I decide to answer honestly. He's a big boy, he knows what this is. Maybe it's a little inappropriate to tell my boss that, but it's a natural human thing and I talk too much for my own good.

"Oh," Is all Alex says. "So, you are in pain?" He asks again as he starts the car. I shrug and nod. "Need anything?"

I laugh. "Chocolate would be nice, but no." I shake my head. "Thank you." I quickly add, a little warmed he'd ask. Alex sighs, seemingly a little unsatisfied with my answer.

I stare out the window as we drive. At first, I recognize where we're going. My place. But then, Alex makes a turn and I start to recognize less and less.

I wait a moment before saying something. Maybe he made a wrong turn. "Hey, where are we going?" I eventually ask when he doesn't fix his mistake.

Alex doesn't answer me for a second. He only answers when we pull into a store parking lot. "Store." He states the obvious as he parks and unbuckles. "You can wait here if you want." He tells me as he gets out of the car.

Heck, you don't have to tell me twice.

I've never liked going into the stores with people. It's never as fun as it sounds. I end up just awkwardly following them around the store, looking at things I can't get.

Well, I can get it. If I absolutely really really wanted to, my wallet would just hate my guts.

I kind of wish Alex took care of his business before hand. Not business business, but the business he has at the store. Maybe he forgot though.

I look out the windshield, watching a couple cross the street all cutely. Holding hands and everything.

Okay, frick you guys.