I couldn't hold it together any longer. As soon as Alex pulled me into his arms it was like Niagra Falls, my body convulsing with sobs, tears streaming down my face. I had been strong all those weeks, but something triggered when Alex opened that door and I just let go.
"Shh," he hushed and lead me inside. He didn't even attempt to ask me what was wrong, he just sat on the couch and held me. I was shivering uncontrollably and my clothes were sopping wet from the rain. "Come on." He stood up and took my hand, leading me to the bathroom. He turned the shower on for me and helped me strip off my heavy wet jumper. He smiled a little at me and then left me to get undressed, shutting the door quietly behind him. I peeled off my remaining clothes and stood under the hot water. It cascaded over me and defrosted my body. I closed my eyes for a moment, letting the heat clear my mind. I took a deep breath and turned the shower off, wrapping myself in a towel. I looked down at the pile of wet clothes on the floor. There was no way that I was putting those back on.
There was a gentle knock on the bathroom door. "Neb, are you decent?"
"Yeah," I said quietly. Alex opened the door and, like he could read my mind, held out a huge jumper and a pair of sweatpants.
"Thank you." I smiled a small smile and took the clothes. He left me alone again to get dressed. The clothes smelt of him. I felt so warm and safe. Shyly I left the bathroom and found Alex in the kitchen making coffee. He handed me a mug and took me to his bedroom where we sat side by side on the bed sipping the hot drink.
"I'm sorry for all of this Alex. I didn't know what to do."
"It's fine, really. Do you want to tell me what's going on?"
I exhaled slowly and nodded slightly. "So that Sunday night..." I looked up at Alex and he nodded, confirming he knew which night. "Mom was..." I felt my hands shake and Alex noticed as the mug threatened to drop out of my hands. He took it and put it on the bedside table. He then held my hands in his, calming me a bit. I took a deep breath. "Mom was in a car crash." Tears rose in my eyes but didn't fall. "I'm sorry I never got hold of you... It was just... The funeral and everything..." My bottom lip quivered.
"Oh Neb," Alex said softly and wrapped and arm around my shoulders. "I understand." I knew he did. "I thought you were gone. Your neighbour said you'd moved away?"
"Sort of. I had to move out of the apartment because I couldn't afford rent by myself, so now I'm living at my dad's house..." My throat thickened. "I can't stand him. I can't do it."
"Live with me. You should have come to me straight away." Alex held me tighter.
"I didn't want to bother you..."
"You could never bother me. So you'll live here?"
I smiled a little. "Really?"
He smiled and nodded, kissing me gently on the forehead. I closed my eyes, leaning my head against his shoulder. Suddenly I noticed how exhausted I really was. Alex turned off the light and pulled the blanket over us. I fell asleep instantly.

-

"It's this house here," I said directing Alex to my fathers house. He pulled into the driveway and parked the car. "Thank you, for everything." My cheeks heated up a little.
"Any time."
"Um, I was wondering... Do you want to come over for dinner tonight? It's my brothers 16th birthday and... It would make his day. And take his mind off, y'know... And my mind too..." I trailed off. Alex's hand appeared on mine, squeezing gently.
"I would love to," he said with a smile.
"Be here at 7," I said before I got out of the car and hurried through the rain to the house.

-

I rushed downstairs to the front door as I heard Alex's car pull up. I greeted him with a smile and he gave me a quick hug.
"What's that?" I asked, notioning to the rolled up piece of paper he was holding.
"Um, I got your brother something. It's not much."
"You didn't have to."
"Yeah but... It's nothing."
"Alright. Well, come on then." I lead him to the kitchen where my dad and Elise, the step-monster, were preparing dinner.
"Guys, this is Alex," I announced.
"I'm Elise, nice to meet you," the step-monster leant across the bench and shook his hand. She honestly wasn't that bad, but I still hated her for marrying my father, and my father for cheating on my mom with her.
"Likewise," Alex said.
"Mark," my dad said and held out his hand also.
Alex shook it and smiled genuinely. "I've heard a lot about you." Dad grunted and turned back to cooking the meat. I rolled my eyes and lead Alex out of the room and up the stairs.
"Cody? Codez?" I knocked on my brothers bedroom door.
A delayed response made it's way through the door. "What?"
"Can I come in?"
I heard him sigh. "Yeah."
I motioned for Alex to stay where he was, and entered the room. Cody was laying on his bed staring at something on his phone. "Hey..."
"Mm," he managed to reply.
"Are you okay?" His eyes flickered up from his phone to meet mine, nodding his head slightly. "Um, I've got someone I want you to meet." He frowned and sat up. Alex entered the room and stood next to me. The look on Cody's face was priceless.
"Hey Cody, I'm Alex," Alex said and walked across the room to shake his hand.
"Y-yeah I know," Cody said faintly, weakly pointing to the many All Time Low posters stuck on the wall.
Alex laughed and handed Cody the large piece of rolled up paper. "Another one to add to your collection I guess... Happy birthday man."
Cody opened it up and grinned. "Oh my God this is awesome!" It was a poster which Alex got signed by all 4 members of his band. "Thank you so much! Um, Nebraska, can I speak to you for a minute?"
"Sure," I said and Alex smiled and stepped out of the room.
"Since when have you been with Alex fucking Gaskarth?!"
"Shush! Jesus!" I laughed. "I met him a few weeks ago..."
"Riiiiight. Are you two dating? Have you had sex with him?"
"Cody! Honestly!" I punched him lightly on the arm. "No, we're not dating, I don't think."
"Dude you totally need to go out with him, that would be the coolest thing ever!"
I laughed at him. "Glad to know I have your full support..." I sneeked a look out the crack of the door to meet with Alex's eyes, a smirk on his face.