Page 132 of The Perfect Spiral
“Yeah, I’m fine, Knox. Sorry, I just can’t handle that kind of stuff. I’m not Lauren who thrives on it—”
“I know you’re not like her, baby doll. Jesus, you scared the shit out of me! Don’t do that again! Where did you go?”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to—I just panicked. I don’t know where we’re going. I’ll be back soon. I just need some air. I need to think.”
“Alright, come back soon. I want to see if you’re okay. Fuck! Please don’t do that again,” he pants, laughing at the end.
“I’ve never seen you sprint that fast in my life. You gave me a run for my money there! You might get a contract from a team soon. I’m pretty sure people recorded it,” he jokes, causing me and Eric to laugh down the phone at him. We can hear laughter in the background on his end.
“Good to know I can outrun you, which means I can escape more often!” I smile, glancing over at Eric who’s eyes are focused on the road. I recognize the place.
We’re heading to the ice cream shop where not many people go. Exactly what I need. Some alone time.
“I can catch you no matter how fast you run, baby doll! You can’t escape from me.”
“Well, I successfully did a few minutes ago, so you’ll just have to run faster. Although, I don’t think I can run that fast again because I surprised myself by how quickly I made it to the house!”
I laugh with Eric, who’s shaking his head in agreement.
“Gimme! Alex, come home soon. And don’t do that again, please!” My mom is fighting for the phone back. “Yeah!” I hear them all shout down the phone.
“Sorry, everyone! But yeah, I’ll come home soon. I just need to calm myself down.”
“Bye, guys. And sorry.” I end the call and smile at Eric, who’s parked outside the ice cream shop.
“You don’t need to explain, sweetheart. I know you, and I know what went through your mind. I understand why you did it.” He places his hand on my leg, giving me a reassuring squeeze.
“See that bench over there? You sit down and I’ll get the ice creams. We can sit for a while without you being bothered,” he says, opening the car door and stepping out.
I follow suit, heading towards the bench to sit and wait for him.
After a few long minutes, he returns with two tubs in his hands and a bright smile to cheer me up.
“Chocolate ice cream for you and honeycomb for me.” He hands me my tub and I start to eat it happily.
“Thanks, Eric,” I smile, touched by his kindness.
“Anything for you, sweetie.” He kisses my head and we sit in silence for a while before I start to talk.
“I’m just not used to everyone knowing me. It’s weird. Like they know who you are but you don’t know them. I don’t know how he deals with it. I’m just used to being in the background, you know?”
“I know, Alex. But he’s not used to it either. You really scared everyone, you know. Him in particular.” He giggles, licking the ice cream off his spoon.
“Please, he’s used to it. He tells me he doesn’t love the attention from all the girls, but I know he does. I’m not stupid... I got scared, so I bolted. I’m not used to the attention.”
“Really? I couldn’t tell?” he says sarcastically, poking my arm. “But listen, kiddo, you need to stop running away. People like you. Your commercial was a huge hit and the line sold out within minutes. Girls look up to you. Set a good example. Whether you like it or not, you’re known by most people in this country and you’ll be recognized wherever you go now. Just don’t let it get to your head like that girl... What’s her name?”
“Yeah, Lauren. The fame has gone straight to her head. She’s as dumb as a doorknob,” he says, leaning back on the bench, laughing. I’m relieved that someone else sees her the way I do.
“I remember meeting her at a company function a few years ago. I thought to myself, ‘Looks fade when you get older.’ Ace agreed, saying she’s as dumb as a doorknob. Knox told Ace she only went out with him so she could get recognized and build a career from it. Which she did. She’s pretty big in this country, but she got that from a hard-working man, not by herself.” “She’s a social climber.”
“Exactly! You’re intelligent, Alex. You could inspire young girls to pursue education in STEM fields. You could keep them engaged in math, physics, and the like.
“You’d be an incredible role model for them, and you’d look good doing it. Plus, you’re a talented surfer!”
“No, I want to be recognized for my scientific journals and published articles. I want to be known for my intellect and my accomplishments, not my appearance.
“I don’t understand the attraction to me. I don’t look like Lauren or Tori or any of the girls he’s dated.”
