Forgive Me

Alex was being abnormally jittery while I was oddly clam. It was strange since we were both about to board the airplane that would take us to Maryland, usually our roles would be switched. I would be the one freaking out about the plan crashing while Alex would try to calm me. Instead, Alex was nervous about telling our parents about the move while I had to serenely tell him how well our folks would take it.

“Alex, sweetie, please stop twirling your hair.” I smoothly reached for the hand that had been playing with a patch of his hair for almost an hour and laced our fingers so he couldn’t go back to playing with it.

“Yeah, please sweetie. Otherwise you’ll have a new bald spot.” Rian grinned while Alex shot him a glare. I sighed at the two and gently squeezed Alex’s hand before I looked up to check the board again.

“I just think this is too soon to tell them is all.” Alex defended through gritted teeth and I shook my head before starting to rub my thumb over his hand, back and forth.

“It’s better to tell them before we move, than after.” I commented, slightly distracted as the word delay vanished from beside our flight number. “Looks like we’re ready to go.” I looked over at the two boys to see Rian already up with his back over his shoulder and Alex shaking off the weird vibe over him.

“Strange how you’re the calm one now.” Alex chuckled and stood up slowly with me, our hands still together. “Planes always make you a mess.” Neither of us had bags since we were both planning on heading back up to New York.

“I don’t like planes.” I looked over at the long lines of people going through metal detectors and the whole shebang. It was only a matter of time before it sunk in, and how ironic that it’d happened just after Alex had recovered from his own nerves. My throat was starting to close up and the fear was hurting the back of my head.

“Ana?” Alex placed his fingers on my chin and turned my head so he could see my fear stricken expression. Comprehension was plain on his face as he saw my panic attack coming. “Ana, it’s just a plane. We’re going to get on it and get off of it just fine, okay? Just fine.”

“Oh Jeez.” Rian sighed and started off for the terminal.

“Come on sugar, you can do this.” Alex squeezed my hand as he started to pull me in Rian’s direction. “It’s okay, I’m here.”

“I fucking love you.” I exhaled and Alex chuckled as he shook his head, dragging me to our terminal.

“I love you too, whore cookie.” He winked and I smiled a little as we began the process of getting onto the plan.

Alex managed to keep me calm throughout the course of airline security and once we were in our seats he pulled out his iPod and quickly handed it to me. I smiled gratefully before putting the ear buds in and hitting shuffle all, letting my eyes close and the music take its full effect of calming me down.

“Ana Bana.” I hadn’t noticed that I’d dozed off until Alex’s cool voice was waking me up. I groaned a little without opening my eyes and felt the light pressure of his lips on my neck. “It’s time to wake up my love.” His warmth breath hit just below my ear and the shivers that went down my spine were involuntary. “Your mom’s here.” That was enough to get me jolting upright with my eyes wide open. Alex chuckled as I looked around frantically, slowly realizing that we were still on the plane.

“That’s a nasty joke.” I glared as alertness settled in and I also realized that my mom was not, in fact, here at the airport.

“I had to do something to get you awake.” Alex smirked and stood up, pulling me along with him. “And we don’t have enough privacy to do the other thing I was thinking about.” He winked at me and my mouth dropped open.

“Alex!” I shouted and slapped his shoulder though I knew it wouldn’t actually hurt him. He just laughed and kept a hold on my hand as we navigated through the people and security to outside the airport.

“Fresh, Maryland air! God damn it feels good in my lungs!” Rian yelled and threw his arms out while he took in huge gulps of air.

“Jeez Ri, it’s just air,” I giggled and cuddled into Alex’s side as the brisk air hit my cheeks.

“But it’s home air.” He grinned and then jogged to get ahead of us.

“Whatever, just get in the cab.” I rolled my eyes and pushed him toward the closest yellow car to us. It took another hour to drive from the airport to home sweet home. We stopped at Rian’s first and dropped him off, making plans to meet up later. Then Alex and I decided to start with my folks and then move to his.

“Are you sure we shouldn’t do this separately, like you tell them by yourself?” Alex asked cautiously as we walked up the clean cut sidewalk hand in hand. I sighed as I took in the big house in front of us. It was a new color, a bright, light blue with a tan color around the windows.

“We are going to tackle my folks first, grab my stuff and run like hell to your parents and hopefully they’ll let me crash over.” I explained the plan I’d already formed in my head. I noticed Alex cutting glances at me from the corner of his eyes.

“You and them still aren’t on great terms, huh?” Alex assumed right. My folks were a bit distant, mostly because they just didn’t know how to deal with kids, but over the years and as I grew up they got more and more distant.

“We’ve never been on great terms.” I mumbled and let go of his hand to grab my keys from my purse and unlock the front door. The front room was empty, but I half expected it. “Mom! Dad!” I yelled and took my shoes off; briefly checking to make sure Alex was doing the same.

“Anabelle?” My mother’s shrill voice came from upstairs, “Anabelle, is that you?” Her sickly sweet voice made me want to vomit. I just had to grab my clothes, give her the news, and then leave.

“Anabelle?” Alex muttered from behind me and I turned to see a clever smirk on his oh so kissable lips. “I haven’t heard anyone call you by your full name since highschool.” He chuckled and I rolled me eyes.

“Shut up,” I lightly pushed his chest and turned back around so I could jog up the steps. “Yes mother, it’s me!” I yelled and waited for her reply so I would know where she was.

“So nice of you to drop by!” My mother emerged from her room set aside for her clothes with her face caked with makeup. “I thought you were on that tour thingy with Alex and those boys you are always around.” My mother rolled her eyes as she said those boys with such distaste.

“Tour’s over mom, and I’m only here to grab my things.” I hurriedly told her with a smile. It’s better to jump in, right? “I’m moving to New York with Alex.”

“Oh, that sounds nice,” She smiled and I saw the corner of her eye cringe.

“Yeah, we’re dating now.” I was surprised by how giggly it made me to watch her wince from the thought.

“He was always such a nice boy.” She commented and I had to force myself not to roll my eyes. Neither of my parents would know if Alex was a nice boy since neither of them was around much growing up.

“Yep,” I sighed, suddenly tired of watching my mother squirm. “Is dad around?” I was torn between breaking the news with dear old dad and just grabbing my shiz and leaving.

“Somewhere,” my mom waved to the door and turned back to her racks upon racks of designer clothes.

“Right,” I muttered and left her to pick out her outfit for the evenings works. I strolled back down the stairs to see Alex standing in the same spot with his hands in his pockets and a nervous expression on his pretty face. “You look like you’re about to go on trial.” I giggled and rushed over to wrap my arms around his waist and bury my face in his neck.

“This place still manages to give me the creeps.” Alex shuddered as he wrapped his arms around me and gave me a slight squeeze. “It’s got this empty feeling.” He added and I remembered countless nights from our high school career when I would invite him over because my folks were out of town and I didn’t want to stay alone.

“Like their hearts,” I mumbled into his shirt before pulling myself out of grip. “You going to help me pack or just stand here and look awkward?” I quirked an eyebrow at him as I gripped his hand and started walking backwards, down the hall.

“How about you pack while I lay on your bed and watch?” Alex grinned and started to walk with me toward my old room.

“Sounds like somebody’s lazy,” I sung over my shoulder and felt him tug on my arm, drawing me toward his warm body. “Mmmm,” I grinned like a kid on Halloween while Alex’s arms wrapped around me, hugging me to him backwards.

“Mmm, I like it when you make that sound,” Alex started to kiss my neck through my hair, causing more giggles to come from me.

“Ana?” Both Alex and I froze as we were at my father’s stern voice. Alex jumped from me, quickly putting his hands back in pockets and taking at least five steps away from me. My father appeared from his den at the end of the hall. “I thought I heard you; and Alex?” His eyes wondered to the dark haired boy standing there looking terrified.

“Hey dad,” I greeted and continued to watch as he eyed Alex up and down as if he were a dumpster.

“What are you two doing here?” My father turned his disgust gaze to me.

“Just packing up my things,” I muttered and grabbed Alex’s hand, dragging him to my room before my father could say another word. Tears were starting to sting at my eyes and I couldn’t help but let out a small sob as I closed my door behind Alex and I.

“Babe?” Alex was cautious as he approached me.

“I hate it when he looks at me like that,” I mumbled and turned to throw myself into his comforting arms. Alex had always been the person I’d run to when I’d had fights with parents. He’d always done such a wonderful job at making me forget how they made me feel like shit.

“It’s alright Ana. He can’t hurt you, especially now that you’re coming to live with me.” Alex was almost glowing with pleasure as he said these last words, causing me to erupt in giggles again.

“You sound like such a girl sometimes,” I informed him as I tilted my head. He still had me pressed up against him with my hands lying flat on his chest.

“But you love me for it,” He grinned and bent down to lightly place a sweet kiss on my lips. I loved how perfect his kisses were.

“That I do,” I smirked, “for some strange, odd reason; I do.” I giggled as he faked hurt and let me go.

“That was uncalled for.” Alex crossed his arms over his chest as he strode over to my bed and laid down on it.

“Ugh!” I threw myself down on the bed beside him. “This is going to take forever!” I covered my face with my hands only to have Alex remove them seconds later, holding both my hands with one of his while his other caressed my cheek.

“Why don’t we start by getting some boxes?” He smiled as his chocolate brown eyes strayed from my eyes to my lips. The mischievous smile slowly appeared on my lips as I knew exactly what was going through his mind.

“Can we pack your stuff first?” I asked with my charming, innocent, little girl voice as I picked my head up and pecked his lips.

“If that’s what you want.” Alex grinned like a Cheshire cat as he bent down and kissed me again with a little more pressure behind it.

“I bet Mama Gaskarth has cookies!” My eyes brightened as did Alex’s as he quickly jumped off the bed and grabbed both my hands, pulling me up with him. I laughed as he grabbed my jacket and purse and threw them both at me.

“Hurry woman! We’ve got to get to my humble abode before the little elves still all the good cookies.” I shook my head as Alex dashed from the room and out of the house. I held my smile as I cautiously exited the house, only sighing with relief once the front door was closed and locked behind me. Alex was already waiting by my old Explorer in the driveway.

“You’re a nerd!” I yelled over the car as I unlocked my driver’s door and then hit the automatic locks.

“A hot, sexy nerd,” Alex winked and leaned over the middle consul to give me a sloppy, wet kiss on my cheek.

“Eww!” I wiped my cheek with the back of my hand. “Whore cookie!”

“Slut muffin!” Alex yelled back and stuck his tongue out. We both busted out laughing as I started the car and shook my head.

“Just like old times,” I put the car in reverse and let my hand rest on the gear shifter between us.

“Not just like old times,” Alex muttered lowly as he laid his hand on top of mine, making our fingers lace together. My cheeks warmed and a bright smile plastered itself on my face, which as I turned to look out my back window I saw the same huge grin on his lips.

“It’s better,” I quickly leaned over and kissed him before reversing out of the driveway.