Been awhile since I posted anything so I figured it was time for a change in topic. First Clexa story so hold tight. Short chapter to get things rolling,
"Hey kid, what's up?" I mumbled as I brushed the rain off the shoulders of my coat. I turned towards the open room next to me in order to seek a response. "Russ, you good bro?" I asked a little more focused this time. Russ glanced at me but dropped his eyes quickly and folded his hands in his lap. "Russ? What is it buddy?" I bent down to open the field for eye contact. I flopped down crisscross next to his chair.
"Hi, Lexa." He whispered still avoiding eye contact. He fumbled in his sweater pocket before pushing a folded piece of paper in my lap. I smiled briefly before stuffing it in my own pocket. "Are we still going to play soccer?" He was still whispering. He quickly looked at the rain outside and then back at the underside of the table.
"Well, here's the thing. I got permission for you to hang out with me allllll weekend." I nudged him in the ribs gently and smiled softly. His eyes fluttered to me and a giant smile took place on his face while his eyes brightened up. "So, we can play soccer all you want. But I've got a couple of surprises first. If that's okay?" Russ nodded and I laughed at his enthusiasm. I got up and grabbed a piece of paper from my wallet. "Here you go bud."
"You wrote me a letter?" His sad exterior was beginning to lift a bit. I nodded and walked around the table to the back of the house as he unfolded his letter and got comfortable to read it. I checked the front of the fridge for instructions and news. A note was left in his mom's chicken scratch.
Alexa,
Thank you again for taking Russ this weekend. I'll be back from the conference Sunday evening and I can pick him up from your place. Just send me the address in an email. Russ' medicine is in the usual spot in the cupboard. I know I tell you all the time but your time and love means the world to both Russ and I. The phone number for the hotel is written on the bottom if there's an emergency. There's cash in the knife drawer if you guys want to go and do anything special. Don't forget that he takes his medicine in the morning with breakfast and just before he brushes his teeth for bed. He did his homework. Bag is packed and by the front door. I think that's everything. Give him all my love. Thank you again honey.
XoXo,
Mary.
I slid the note into my back pocket and rounded up the medicine and his bag. "Okay dude, checklist. Ready?" Russ opened his bag and held up his toothbrush. "Toothbrush check. Phone charger?" I nodded as he put it on the floor. "Clean underwear?"
"Lexa!" Russ shouted as the embarrassment lit up his face. "I got socks, clothes, my headphones, Gameboy." He thought hard for a moment. "Should I bring my shin guards and cleats?"
"What kind of question is that! We're defiantly playing this weekend. Bring your hiking boots. We're going to be on the mountain this weekend too." Russ didn't say a word but ran out of the room faster than I could blink. He wasn't always this quiet, in a few hours I'd bet money I won't be able to get him to stop talking. "Okay, I've got your medicine. Oh in the knife drawer there's an envelope go grab it and then we can get going. Hopefully we don't forget anything because it's a long drive to my new house." I said slyly, knowing how excited he'd be about helping me move in. I haven't even seen the inside of the house yet.
"You got a new house?!" Russ practically jumped straight up in the air. I nodded and motioned for the door after pulling my hood on. "Are you ready for this new adventure Lexa?" Russ asked as he buckled his seatbelt in the backseat of my jeep. I smiled as I turned the radio on and punched the new address into my GPS.
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