This World's An Ugly Place

After avoiding going back to the home for as long as I could, I finally walked back to the house. Sebastian kept sending me texts to see if I was okay, but right now I just wasn't in the mood to talk to him. I knew it was illogical on my part to think our band would make it and things would be okay just from there, but how could I deny something my heart wanted so bad?

I finally walked into the home, trying to be as quiet as possible but I was soon caught anyways.

"Angelica Rose, what time is it?" Ms. Wendy's voice cut through my thoughts and I let out a sigh.

"Look, it's 8:55 and I didn't break the curfew," I explained myself.

"Just by five minutes," she scolded, placing her hands on her hips. "I'll have you know your brother called here wondering if you made it here all right two hours ago. Where were you? Even Jack stopped by!"

"I was just out walking around." I shoved my hands into my pockets. I usually got into a fight with anyone that was lecturing me like this, but I never had the heart to yell at Ms. Wendy. She already went through so much with taking care of all the foster kids. "I'm sorry, Ms. Wendy, I should've called."

She went quiet at that, taking in a deep breath. "Well, I guess there was no harm done. I put all the youngsters to sleep but I think that Alexander is still up. He still hasn't said much," she worried.

"Don't worry about it, I'll talk to him," I said, walking up the steps.

"Don't stay up too late, it's a school night!" she called after me.

"Got it," I replied, walking into my room first and checking myself in the mirror. The last thing I wanted was to look gross in front of Alex.

"Why are you fixing your make up?" I turned to see little Lily standing at my door.

"None of your business," I responded. Slightly harsh, but I treated her as if she were my own little sister. The rest of the foster kids...not so much.

"You think the new kid is cute," she accused.

"Aren't you supposed to be in bed?" I asked, walking from the mirror and towards the door.

"N-No!"

"I'm going to tell Ms. Wendy on you," I threatened in a 'monster' voice.

"No!" she said through a giggle, backing away.

"Better get to your room or I'm gonna get 'ya!" I said and she quickly ran off.

I chuckled, walking out of my room and closing the door behind me. "You better be in bed," I called after her, stopping next to Alex's door.

"I am," she called back.

Feeling content enough with that, I knocked a few times on Alex's door but received no answer. There was no way he was sleeping already. I knocked again and this time I heard shuffling in the room and then the door opened, exposing a half naked Alex.

"Oh, sorry, I didn't think you would be in bed yet..." I trailed off and he blinked at me. His chest was bare and I was doing all that I could to not blush. And with him standing, I never realized how tall he was.

"I, uh, wasn't sleeping yet," he mumbled quietly and then my spirits were once again lifted. Every time I got to hear his voice I knew I was getting closer to him, even though I've only just met him.

"You care if I come in?" I asked. "I don't want to wake up any of the little kids if they're already sleeping."

He nodded his head, taking a step back and opening the door wider. His room looked more open now; less boxes everywhere and more things decorating the place. He closed the door and took a seat on his bed, watching me quietly as I looked up at the posters he put up.

"Sick posters," I commented, pointing at the Green Day poster. "So, you're a fan of pop punk?"

He nodded his head.

I moved over and sat at the other end of the bed, crossing my legs Indian style. "You listen to any other bands like them?"

He shrugged.

"Well, I like Blink 182," I started but I saw a gleam form in his eyes. "You like them?"

A hint of a smile poked at his lips and I felt my heart begin to flutter a bit. It took all of my power to not let my eyes travel down his bare chest.

"Yeah, they're pretty rad," I admitted. "You like any of the oldies?"

He shrugged again.

"What about Guns N' Roses?"

He didn't answer.

"Oh, come on, I totally need to get you into them. I love Blink 182 and all, but they're nothing compared to Guns N' Roses."

His eyes widened at that. "You kidding? Blink 182 tops all," he said, and even he seemed shocked at his own teasing voice.

I smirked. "Well, tomorrow when I go to my brother's house I'm going to pick up my mix CD and I'll show you the best oldie songs."

But now it seemed Alex was done talking and he went quiet once more. I paused, letting my eyes travel across the room until they rested on an acoustic guitar set right beside his bed next to him.

"Aw, no way, you play?" I asked, leaning over him to reach for the guitar.

"Stop," he said quickly, pushing my hand away from the guitar. "I mean, please don't touch it..."

I froze my body and looked to him now. This guitar was obviously something he held close and I wasn't going to push the subject at all. But it was then that I realized how close I was to Alex and his exposed skin and I quickly leaned away from him again.

I coughed awkwardly. "S-Sorry," I mumbled, looking away.

Alex swallowed. "It's...okay."

I looked towards him now, offering a small smile. I wasn't going to let this awkwardness ruin everything. "So, you done with schooling for the year?"

He bit his bottom lip and shook his head.

"No?" I asked, raising my eyebrows. "You've got to be kidding me, they're making you come to school for three more weeks before it's over?"

He shrugged his shoulders.

"You're being enrolled in this district's school or you're still going to your own?" I asked now, not sure what exactly he meant.

"This district."

I shook my head. "You've got to be kidding me," I said under my breath. "What's the point? It's only three weeks until summer break."

"The judge that assigned me to the foster home said I had to go." Again, he shrugged.

"Well, it'll work out fine. You know any kids from around here?"

He shook his head.

"Well, first thing tomorrow I'll come with you to the guidance office and we'll change your schedule up to match mine and my friend Jack's. You won't have to be alone or anything," I said, standing up.

A smile spread across Alex's face and I could feel my heart begin to melt in my chest. Geez, I was such a teenage girl.

"T-Thanks," he mumbled.

"Well, I'm heading off to bed. Big day tomorrow, right?" I joked, walking towards the door. "Remember to set your alarm, I'll see you tomorrow."

***

I woke up with a start to screaming. The clock to my right read the time to be two thirty in the morning and my heart was beating quickly in my chest. I jumped out of my bed and stumbled towards the door only to find the rest of the house still silent but the kid rooms were beginning to stir. The source of the screaming came from the room next over; Alex's.

I quickly opened his door and my heart clenched. Alex was screaming in his sleep.

I rushed over to his bed, grabbing his shoulders and shaking him. "Alex, wake up," I spoke loudly over his screams. "Alex."

His eyes flew open and he focused on me but he looked chilled. His body began shaking and tears began spilling from his eyes.

My heart froze at the sight and I pulled him against me, rubbing his back gently. "It's okay, it's okay," I mumbled softly. "It was only a dream."

Alex was sobbing into my hair when I heard someone approach from behind me.

"I-Is everything all right?" Ms. Wendy asked in her sweet southern accent.

I nodded my head quietly and that was all the confirmation she needed. She left the room and closed the door behind her.

Alex leaned heavily against me, his arms loosely around me and I clung to him tighter. I hardly knew the kid but I definitely knew the pain he was going through.

"It'll be okay," I said gently as his sobs became lighter. I pushed him gently backwards, back to his pillow, until he was laying back down. I gently ran my hand up and down his arm, something Lexus did to me to calm me down.

"I don't want to be alone," he whispered, his voice still shaking.

I nodded my head in the dark. "I'll stay tonight."

He scooted over and I laid down beside him, but I stayed above the covers. I hardly knew this guy and, although he was extremely attractive, I wasn't going to get under the covers with him.

And that's how we fell asleep together that night. Both on our sides; facing each other. Just two strangers who just met who have both experienced the same pains.

Notes

Poor Alex </3