Page 56 of Tell Me Everything
I didn't know what made me open up to them, but something about these two girls inspired my trust. So I answered, “The same as he does.”
“Does he know?”
“He will.”
Someone grabbed me by my waist to lift me up. I recognized Alex's scent and let him spin me around like a rag doll. I'd never admit it out loud, but his showing me affection in public made my heart beat a little faster, and that warmth I felt in my chest when Alex was with me spread a little further every day. When he set me down, he didn't let go. Alex rested his head on my shoulder, and I stroked his hair. It was still damp from the shower.
“How was your morning?”
“Hmmm. How's your wound?”
“It's fine, it doesn't hurt.”
Alex noticed that Nina and Sophie were watching. Nina was intrigued. Sophie, on the other hand, was uncomfortable. The poor girl was probably expecting Alex to shout at her again. He quickly looked away, as if struggling to face her.
“You feel guilty, don't you?” I asked in a low voice.
Alex let go of me, smiling apologetically. “I exaggerated, didn't I?”
“Oh yes, you made her feel guilty for nothing.”
Even though he'd overreacted and attacked someone who didn’t deserve that, I wasn’t angry with him. Alex just wanted to protect me; I couldn't blame him for that. If anything, it made me love him even more, and I didn’t know that was still possible.
“Maybe you should clear things up with Sophie now you’ve cooled down.”
“You're right.” Alex approached Sophie, rubbing the back of his head. I put my hand on his back to encourage him. “Uhm, I wanted to apologize for getting angry with you earlier.”
She gave him a sceptical look before turning back to me, waiting for my reaction. I nodded. If only the others could see him the way I did.
“Okay, I accept your apology.”
Alex let out a long breath, relieved she no longer resented him. Nina put her arms around Sophie's shoulders.
“Don't worry, Alex,” she reassured him with a smile. “We know that when it comes to Elena, you're not thinking straight.”
His cheeks flushed pink. “Touché.”
Nina laid out a blanket on the ground for a picnic. This time, Alex joined in our conversations and opened up a little more to them.
“Lena, Sophie and I are going shopping on Saturday. Wanna come?”
I hesitated. I couldn't remember the last time I went shopping with other girls. As tempting as their invitation was, I couldn't accept. Sophie and Nina had been best friends since kindergarten, and I was an intruder. Their kindness was precious to me, but I couldn't encroach on their friendship.
“No thanks, but I appreciate it.”
“Why not?” Nina insisted.
Sophie pouted. Alex bumped his shoulder against mine, nodding toward Nina and Sophie. Of course, he understood what I was thinking.
“They want to spend time with you. Don't be afraid to accept.”
“Are you afraid of us?”
Now being the centre of attention, I lowered my eyes. I could feel what little self-confidence I had crumbling away, my old insecurities taking over again. I'd always tried to stay out of other people's way, knowing that I couldn't be what they expected me to be. And yet, I really wanted them to like me.
Alex put his arm around my waist. “She's afraid of being a burden to you,” Alex explained, answering for me. “Elena finds it hard to understand that some of us want to spend time with her because we like her.”
As always, Alex had read me like an open book and pinpointed what I was feeling.Sometimes I hate his insight.
