My Gift and My Curse

Chapter 15

I sighed as I sat at the lunch table by myself. I was lost in thought when I felt a tap on my shoulder, turning to see a smiling Ren.

"You want some company?"

I shrugged slightly. "Sure," I replied monotonously as she sat across from me.

"Hey, you okay?"

I nodded. "Just thinking."

"About what?" I heard from behind, seeing Traitor come to sit next to me.

"My family," I started. "It's almost the anniversary of..." I looked down, hoping they'd get the message so I didn't have to say it.

I felt Traitors hand on my shoulder. "I'm sorry, Alex."

I shrugged in response. Letting us sit in silence for a moment, until Ren's squeal interrupted it.

"Wait, doesn't that mean it's almost your birthday?!"

I thought about it for a moment before nodding. "Yeah, I guess it is."

"When is it?"

"The thirteenth of January."

"That's a little over a month away! Have you thought of anything you want?"

I shook my head. "I haven't celebrated my birthday in a long time. Usually, we were too busy trying to survive to really care," I replied a bit more bitterly than I meant to.

Her once happy expression faltered. "I-I'm sorry..."

"It's alright, it's just a date on the calendar, anyway. Nothing special."

I could tell she was trying to cheer me up, but I just wasn't in the mood to try. They ate their lunch in silence, while I just sat in my own little wonderland until the bell rang.

----------

I sighed as I left my last class, still lost in thought when I felt the familiar aura of Dick-for-Brains.

"Hey bitch, shouldn't you apologize for breaking my nose?" Todd growled.

I rolled my eyes. "Shouldn't you apologize for being a douche?"

"You know, one day, you're going to be all alone. On that day, I will make your life a living hell."

I chuckled dryly. "Wow, so manly of you that you have to wait until I'm alone, just so you can tick me off some more."

He stepped forward, but I pushed him back, a darkness in my eyes as I glared at him. "I'm not in the mood for your bullshit, so back the fuck off."

Before he could protest, I turned and walked away. I groaned, wanting to punch something and cry at the same time. As I walked to work, I let the realization sink in.

In just over a month, it will be a year since my family died, and I was not handling it well. All of my pent up emotions were wanting to escape, but I wouldn't let them. I couldn't. I had to stay strong, or else I would just fall apart. And I couldn't do that, not yet...

----------

I sighed as I got home, dropping my bag my the door before crashing on the couch. I didn't have the energy to go to my room, so I just curled in a ball and let my mind wander.

After God knows how long, I heard a knock on my door. I stood up, cautiously going to the door and looking through the hole. I sighed in relief before I opened the door.

"Traitor, what are you doing here?" I asked, wrapping my jacket over my body before crossing my arms.

"I just wanted to make sure you were okay," he replied concerned.

I gave him a weak smile. "Thank you, I'm fine though. Just a little upset, is all."

"Upset is an understatement."

I sighed, not wanting to argue. After a beat of awkwars silence, he asked, "Would you like some company?"

"I don't think I'll be good company."

"That wasn't the question."

I looked up at him with a nod. "Okay," I replied, opening the door more so he could come in. I locked the door behind him as he sat on the couch. I sat next to him while he flipped on the TV, not particularly caring what was on, probably just wanting some type of noise. I sighed as I looked aimlessly around my living room, not knowing what to say.

"Are you hungry? I can make you something to eat?" He asked softly.

I shook my head in response. "I'm not hungry," I mumbled.

He sighed before pulling me closer to him. "Uh, Traitor, what are you doing?"

"You're depressed, and I can't stand watching you like this. I'm going to hold you until you feel better, okay?"

I looked at him confused, but decided it was pointless arguing with him, so I just nodded. I rested my head on his shoulder as he pulled me into his side. We laid there for what felt like hours, which turned out to be correct when I awoke to the morning sun piercing through my curtains.

I groaned as I rubbed my eyes, trying to sit up, but I had a heavy weight on my side. I looked down to see a large arm on my waist, so I snapped my head up to look at the peaceful Traitor that I had fallen asleep on.

God, this is so embarrassing.

I gently lifted his arm off of me, so I could sit up. I gently stretched my body before standing. As I was walking towards the kitchen to make coffee, I nearly jumped when I heard a groan come from the lump on my couch.

"G'mornin'," he yawned, stretching tiredly.

"Did I wake you?"

"No, I was just uncomfortable. What time is it?"

"Just past seven," I replied, looking at the clock. "We're gonna be late for school."

"Let's just ditch it," he groaned as he stood up.

I rolled my eyes. "You always want to ditch."

"Yeah, but if we're already going to be late, why show up at all?"

"That's some twisted logic you got there, buddy."

I poured us each a cup of coffee, keeping his plain, while adding some creamer into mine. I jumped when I felt his arms around my waist, pulling me to his chest. My face warmed at the action, but I ignored it.

I felt his chin rest on my head as I asked, "Uh...what are you doing?"

"I figured you could still use a hug."

I smiled slightly, turning and handing him his coffee. "Thank you, and thanks for staying last night. You didn't have to, you could've just left me on the couch."

"That seems a little rude to just leave you when you're upset and sleeping."

I shrugged. "It's whatever."

After some quite coffee drinking, Traitor spoke again.

"Hey, Alex, can I ask you something?"

I nodded. "Yeah, go for it."

He hesitated before asking, "Would you be willing to be my girlfriend?"

~~~~~Happy readings😊~~~~~