Twenty four

Katherine Throne:

After Alexander dropped me at home, I immediately went to my study desk to get started on studying. I have already missed out on a lot of work and I needed to catch up or else it would be detrimental to my top grades, and I can’t have my mother get another reason to lash out at me again. No, never.

I was about an hour deep, buried in my books and study materials when I heard a knock on the door. I paused, arching my brows. The knock came again.

I groaned before removing my reading glasses and got up from my desk, I made my way to the front door to see who it was. There were only a few people who knew about my new apartment and those were my father, I knew he wouldn’t come here without calling first; the second pers was Katie, and I know she still had late classes and was probably still at school; and the last person was my mother, but currently we’re not in speaking terms and I doubt if she’s happy to give me an unexpected visit again after what she has run into the last time. That leaves me with only one person.

I pressed down on the door handle and opened the door to reveal correctly as I had guessed, Alexander Walters. What? Why was he back here? He had dropped me off and said that he was going back to his parent's house for the night and wouldn’t be returning back to the apartment today.

I had known it was him at the door even before I opened it, but actually finding out that it was him standing at my front door was overwhelming, I think it’s because he was staring deep into my eyes with those blue orbs of his, his eyes spoke volume and depth and I didn’t need him or any soothsayer to tell me that he had come here because he was feeling hurt. It showed vividly, written in his eyes.

I examined his features, he looked a bit downcast and a far stretch down the negative opposite of how he was earlier when I had accepted to date him.

“Hi,” I said to him, realizing we had been staring silently at each other. The next thing that followed which I still can’t comprehend was Alexander pulling me closer to him and hugging me tightly.

I was taken aback by the suddenness of the action and almost pulled away, but the sad look in his eyes, the downcast in his demeanor, and this hug that spoke a thousand words made me decide against it. He needed this hug, so I let him hug me. I slowly brought my arms around his back and embraced him as well. The feel of our bodies against each other felt foreign to me, I’d never hugged a boy this long before. Never, in all the years of my life. It was a new experience for me. My first.

My first kiss.

My first hug.

After a long moment, Alexander finally pulled away from me and I instantly missed the warmth his body had provided me. I enjoyed the hug.

“I’m sorry Katherine. I know you said no contact and no touching, but I couldn’t hold it in. I really needed it, today has been really shitty for me.” Alexander explained and I wondered what would make the high and mighty Alexander Walter feel sad and downcast about. It must be something serious, he seems like the type who always wears a hard, impenetrable armor and doesn’t allow things to bother him easily. But today, I’m seeing him so broken.

“No, it’s fine. Remember, I allowed hugs.” I reminded him and he nodded.

“What happened? Why are you looking so sad?” I questioned the obvious, I needed to know what had broken his seemingly unbreakable walls so badly.

He shook his head in naught, obviously faking a smile. “It’s nothing, Katherine. Like I said, I had a shitty day and it messed with my head.” He answered vaguely. I didn’t want to press further. The thing about guys like this is that they try their best to never let other people see their weaknesses, and when it is mistakenly seen, they refuse to be open with it.

They would either deny anything being wrong or blatantly refuse to open up. So I had decided it was best for me to let him be and not press further, it would yield no results.

“Okay, uhm. Is that all then?” I asked, unsure of what to say next. He came here for a hug and he had gotten it, and he refused to tell me what was bothering him. So I didn’t know what else he was doing here or wanted from me. The last thing I wanted was for someone to catch us here together.

“I want to stay here with you Katherine. Please.” He stated and I was stunned. Hell no. No, no, no. I’m not letting him into my apartment, no matter what. Even though he looks so pitiable in this state, I’m not letting him in. Nice try.

“Alexander, I can’t let you into my house. I’m studying.” I used that as the perfect getaway excuse. I was studying and I didn’t need interruption, it was as simple as that and I hope he takes the hint and leaves.

“Please Katherine, I won’t disturb you or say a word. Just let me stay with you for a few minutes to clear my head. I won’t distract you, I’d just be quiet and watch you study.” Alexander promised dearly, he continued to beg and it was getting hard to refuse. Well, he has promised that he would be quiet and won’t distract me, so I would take his word for it. I will let him in, he looks so sad.

I sighed in surrender, “Fine. Come in.” I agreed and opened the door further to accommodate him. He gave me a small smile and then entered my apartment.

“You can sit here.” I pointed at the couch and he nodded, lowering himself on it.

“You have a very nice house, Katherine. It’s beautiful.” He complimented and I smiled.

“Thank you,” I said. “Let me go get my books.” I was previously studying in my bedroom, on my study desk. But I can’t bring Alexander into my bedroom, it might be an unspoken rizz for him and I still don’t know if he’s being genuine about his intentions and reason for being here. So the bedroom is a no go area.

I picked up my books and my glasses and came back to the living room. I drew the center table closer to the couch opposite the one Alexander sat on and set my books on it. I sat down on the couch and opened my books to where I had stopped, but then I remembered I hadn’t offered Alexander anything yet and that was rude of me.

“Do you want anything to drink?” I looked away from my books and asked him. He said nothing and shook his head in naught. I returned back to my books.

And for the next thirty minutes, there was silence. He wasn’t joking about being quiet which is very strange for Alexander. There’s no way he’d have nothing to say, he must’ve made a few sarcastic remarks by now or come sit with me on my couch or do something distracting. But no, he hasn’t even moved an inch. A few times, I would look away from my books and catch him staring deeply at me and I would look away. But when I raise my head the next time, his gaze is still fixated on me.

Whatever was bothering Alexander Walters that made him this silent and speechless, was a great deal.

I got tired and couldn’t take it anymore. I dropped my pen and stared up at him, “What’s wrong with you Alex? Why haven’t you said anything?” I snapped.

“I promised I wouldn’t distract you.” He answered that’s a lie right there. Since when did Alexander follow the rules? Since when did he follow instructions?

I sighed, “Alex, I’m worried about you. Please tell me what’s going on, please. Just tell me.” I pleaded, it was sad seeing him like this. Mute, distant, and in low spirits.

He took a long moment before replying and then he heaved a great sigh, “My parents, Katherine. Their actions are messing with my head and I can’t fucking take it anymore. I want out.”