Another chapter I couldn't get out of my head. So I guess this story is continuing.
WARNING: There are some offensive terms used in this chapter. These are not my own beliefs; I am very keen on other cultures, And have friends from all sorts of cultural backgrounds. If any Asian people reading this are offended, I apologize, that was NOT my intent.
Sirens drew closer and the blue lights flashed through the windows, as the sound of engine being cut came from outside. A few moments later the door swung open and two Police officers came striding into the pub.
One of them was an older man, very grey hair a and very stern look adorning his face.. His shoulders were back and his head was high. His eyes darted over the scene. The second was a younger man. No more than thirty, but his dark hair was noticeably graying at the temples. He didn't appeared as jaded or melancholy about his position.
The older one spied Lara and Alex behind the bar, then spotted Paul on the floor. He strode over.
"We got a call about an attempted robbery." He said, his voice had a thick Dorset accent.
The younger of the two officers, crouched down and checked the unconscious Paul.
"He's still alive." He announced. "There's a lump on the back of his head the size of Wales, but he's alive."
"Yeah...I hit him." Alex said timidly, raising his hand. "In self defence of course...He had a gun, I kicked it over there somewhere." He pointed towards the back of the bar.
"I'll take a look." The younger officer said.
"Have you called an ambulance?" He asked. "This poor Chap appears to have received quite a wallop."
"Poor Chap!?" Alex yelled. "Are you fucking kidding? He started this."
"Alex..." Lara pleaded. She didn't want him to get into any trouble, and avoid any possible confrontation.
"I'm not disputing that young man. However, he is the one who is lying here unconscious." The officer said. "I must insist that you remain civil."
"Yeah, there's an ambulance on the way." Alex scoffed. He was annoyed that so much attention was being given to the perpetrator as opposed to Lara, who only a few minutes ago, had barely been able to breath. Seeing the state she was in, Alex was regretting not kicking Paul while he was down.
"Sir, I've found the gun." He said. Walking towards them with the gun in an evidence bag. The older man nodded.
More sirens could be heard, and judging by the different sound they were making, it was the ambulance. Additional blue lights, flashed through the window.
"Speak of the devil." The older officer said, as the sirens stopped outside. A moment later the Paramedics arrived, a young black woman, and a middle aged man. Both carrying Trauma kits. They rushed over.
"Call it." The woman said.
"IC-1 Male, aged between, 20 years old. Weight is approximately, ninety kilos. He has a large lump, on the back of the head, and a broken nose." The man listed off.
Alex smirked a little when he heard that. At least he'd be in pain when he woke up.
As the paramedics continued their analysis, Paul began to stir.
"He's coming to." The male paramedic announced.
"Ow. What the fuck happened?" Paul asked, his voice sounded as nasally, and he reached a hand to his face. "Why does my nose hurt?"
"Sir, please don't move." The female paramedic stated. "You've taken a nasty blow, and had a fall."
His eyes opened and he quickly glanced around; He panicked when he spotted the two police officers.
"Shit!" He pushed the paramedics, away and scrambled to his feet. He attempted to run, but in his disoriented state, he was foiled by table, crashing back down onto the floor.
The younger officer made his way, over and picked him off the ground. He put a pair of handcuffs on him and stating his rights.
"Hang on a second. I know this guy he said." He told his superior.
"Is that so?" The older police officer turned towards him.
"Yes sir. He fits the description of one of the men believed to be behind the shooting at that Chinese Take-Away earlier this evening. Apparently the proprietor is in critical condition."
"Which Chinese Take-Away?" The older officer grimaced inspecting Paul.
"The Golden Dragon."
"You shot, Mr Cheung?" Lara screamed, horrified. She had been going to his take away since she began her first year at University.
"I didn't shoot anybody." Paul sneered. "And who cares if some slanty-eyed gook gets shot any way. There's a billion more where he came from."
Lara felt her blood boil. If the police hadn't been there she would have hit him again. Mr Cheung never hurt anyone; he was one of the nicest people Lara had met.
"Well, CCTV is being inspected, and ballistics test will see if your weapon is the one that fired the shots." The young officer began. Holding up the gun in the evidence bag. "So we'll see."
One of the Paramedics cleared his throat. "I believe that we should bring this man to the hospital. He could have a severe concussion. He should get a CT scan."
The older gentleman nodded. He turned back to Alex and Lara. "You two will need to come to the station to make statements about what happened here. Lara looked at Alex, they both nodded. Despite the circumstances they both felt as though they were children being told off for stealing biscuits.
"I'll go with the Paramedics." The younger officer said. "It'd be unwise to leave this one unsupervised."
"Very well." He agreed "You two to shall accompany me to the station."
The Young officer grabbed one of Paul's arms and began to lead him from the building; When the door opened for a third time. Declan stood there, looking enraged. when he caught sight of Paul, his face contorted into an expression of rage.
"You fuckin' Ratbag." He roared. The two paramedics halted him as he began to charge, with great Difficulty, they managed to hold him back. Sam rushed past them and made her way over to Lara, and threw her arms around her.
"Oh sweetie, I was so worried." Sam said.
"Sam, It's okay. Thanks for sending Alex to check up on me. I don't know what would have happened, if he wasn't here." She shuddered, thinking about Mr Cheung.
Sam turned to Alex.
"Jeez, Alex. I'm so glad I called you. And even gladder you stayed."
"Hey, Lara asked me to help her study." He shrugged. "I know how difficult it is to test yourself."
"Nerd." Sam chuckled weakly.
Declan strode over to the bar, he reached over the counter for a bottle of whiskey; he uncorked it, and took several large mouthfuls. Before he turned to Lara.
"I'm sorry, I left ye here alone Lara. I should've known, better."
"No, Declan." Lara began. "It's not your fault. You couldn't have known this would happen."
"I knew that wee bastard wouldn't just take it lying down. But I never imagined it'd go this far. Jesus, Dad is gonna flip." Declan said. He turned his attention to Alex. "So you wanna explain what happened Superman." He said, trying to joke in order calm himself.
"Well, he came in and, Lara tried to get him to leave. I tried to help, so he hit me." He indicated the band aid. "And that's when he pulled the gun. So I hit him with the bottle, when I got an opportunity." Alex said indicating the Bottle of Scotch.
Declan was nodding, he seemed satisfied.
"Okay, I'm glad you were, here." he extended a hand.
"Thanks. I'm glad I could help." Alex grimaced, shaking Declan's hand.
"I'd like to buy you a drink some time. To thank ye properly."
"Sure. Okay." Alex said. "Now's probably not a good time."
A cough caught their attention. They turned to the Police officer still waiting on Lara and Alex.
"We should go." Lara said.
"I'm coming with you." Sam declared.
"No, Sam." Lara said. "I'll be fine. You have that test tomorrow. And I don't want to be the cause of you being late."
"But..." Sam attempted to argue.
"Not buts. I'll be fine." Lara assured her.
"Fine." Sam admitted defeat. She plonked herself down on the stool Alex had vacated moments before.
"I'll see you later Lara." Declan grimaced.
Lara grabbed her coat and bag and followed Alex and the police officer, outside. He opened the back door of the police cruiser. Alex climbed across and occupied the seat on the far side. Lara sat beside him. She reached for Alex's hand instinctively.
Alex could feel his cheeks burning at the contact. He turned and tried to give her his best reassuring look.
The journey to the police station was silent except for the officer radioing the station requesting two separate interview rooms to be made ready.
When they arrived they were escorted into the building. They were brought into a small waiting area. They took seats. And waited the only sound was the ticking clock on the Wall.
"You look nervous. " Alex acknowledged. "Is something wrong...I mean...other than...well...y'know."
"It's nothing it's just...I hate police stations." Lara admitted.
"Really? You don't seem to be the type to have in for the cops." Alex joked weakly.
"Not the police it's just...I remember being taken into a police station when I was ten...after my dad...Well...I'm sure you've heard the stories."
"Oh...jeez, Lara I'm so sorry." Alex had heard the stories. Lara's father had taken his own life, and Lara had been the one to find him.
"No it's fine...I was...In the company of the most intolerable man ever. He was so callous, he acted as though a child shouldn't be horrified about finding one of her parents...I was there for ages, before Roth collected me. I couldn't be at the house...I stayed at Roth's. I cried all the way there, then I locked myself in his room and cried myself to sleep." The reminiscence has spark a fresh round of tears.
Alex felt like an idiot. He just made light of something that clearly still clearly affected Lara.
"Lara, I'm sorry." Alex said. "I didn't mean...I can't imagine anything more horrible..."
"No, it's not your fault." Lara sniffed and wiped her eyes. "You didn't know."
"Do you want some tea?" Alex said, desperate to change the subject of the conversation and possibly make her feel better. He remembered Sam once telling him that tea was Lara's immediate go to when she was feeling down.
"If it's not too much trouble." Lara nodded.
"Sure. He got up and made his way over to table with the supplies needed to make hot drinks. "How do you take it?"
"Just with milk." Lara stated.
"Okay." Alex smiled. "You're sweet enough, I guess." Alex joked.
"I think you're talking to yourself Alex." Lara said giving him a small smile. "I'd be careful, people say that's a sign of madness."
The water in the kettle began to boil. A small stream of steam poured into the air. A small click indicated the water was ready to use. Alex poured a cup of tea for Lara and coffee for himself.
He looked towards the clock. It was only eleven forty. It had been less than half an hour since the attempted robbery. It felt like much longer. He walked back to his chair handing Lara her tea.
"Thanks." she took a small sip and hummed in approval. "You make a great cup of tea Alex."
"I worked at a coffee shop, over the summer, a few years ago." He laughed. "I guess it just stuck."
"Starbucks?" Lara asked.
"Pfft. That crap isn't coffee." Alex scoffed, causing a smile to be wring from Lara's lips, and utter a small laugh.
"Roth says the same thing. He was doing business in America a few years ago and said he went once, it was the first time he ever threw coffee away."
Alex silently wondered who Roth was. That was the second time Lara had mentioned him. An relative perhaps?
The door swung open, the old Police Officer from the bar, stood in the doorway, behind him was a younger female officer. "Miss Croft if you'd follow me. And Mr Weiss, would you please follow Constable Cartwright to Interview room number 5.
They pair stood. They gave each other a worried look. They followed who they were told each one feeling alone when they took their seats in the interview rooms.
"Okay Miss Croft. First off, I never properly introduced myself. I'm Sergeant Ian Jones, I'll be taking your statement. He took out his pen and inserted a tape into the recorder on the desk. Would you please State your name for the Record.
Lara took a gulp of air. "My Name is Lara Croft."
"Miss Croft, would you please tell me in as much detail as you can recall the events of tonight.
Lara spoke of how the bar had been quiet that night, how Paul had groped her, and Then Declan threw him out. She said how Declan left early, leaving her in charge of the bar, how Alex arrived and helped her to revise for her upcoming exams. She stopped, not wanting to talk about the incident.
"Miss Croft, I know this can't be easy. But, we need to know what happened."
Lara Shuddered. "I was getting ready to close the bar. When, Paul came in. He was acting like he wanted to apologize. I asked him to leave but he wouldn't. Alex tried to get him to leave. But he hit, Alex. Then he pulled the gun out." tears began to well in her eyes again as she remembered looking down the barrel of the gun. "He told me to empty the til. I was cooperating. I had what I think might have been an asthma attack, I couldn't breathe, I was really scared. He threatened me, and then, He hit the floor. Alex had hit him with a bottle. Then he called the police." Lara hoped she wouldn't be asked to disclose, the details, of Alex, taking care of her.
"That's all the information we need. Is there anybody, we can call for you?" The officer wrote everything down.
Lara thought of Roth, who was in the middle of an expedition, in the middle of the Atlantic.
"No, My emergency contact is...overseas."
"Very well. You may go when you're ready. You may wait on your boyfriend if you wish."
"What?...No, no. Alex isn't my boyfriend." Lara blushed.
"My apologies. It's just you seemed rather attached to him." He raised an eyebrow. Lara felt her face burning.
There was a knock on the door. A young man poked his head through the door. "Excuse me sir. But Miss Croft has a visitor."
"Very well. Miss Croft if you'd follow Sergeant Daniels."
Lara sighed; she should have known Sam wouldn't listen. She rose from her chair and exited the room, following the officer out into the hall.
Alex was pulling apart his polystyrene cup. He had just finished giving his statement.
"Thank you Mr Weiss, this should help our investigation."
"What's going to happen to him?" Alex asked, contempt was evident in his voice.
"Well it depends. He'll be charged with possession of a firearm, assault and battery and If he's proven to be the one who committed the shooting at the take away earlier tonight, attempted murder. Either way he won't be out for long time." She informed him.
'Lara's gonna be glad to hear that, Mr Cheung is all right.' Alex thought.
"If he is the one who shot the proprietor of the restaurant, there's no telling what might have happened at the pub. I'm sure Miss Croft is glad to have you as a Boyfriend Mr Weiss."
"Oh, no. Lara's not...I mean, we're not together." Alex stated.
"I hear a hint of disappointment in your voice." She remarked.
"It's that obvious huh?" Alex's voice fell. Part of him was embarassed that she was able to read him so easily, another part was annoyed she wasn't minding her own business.
"You're free to go Mr Weiss. And far be it from my place to say, but you should at least ask her." She opened the door and held it open. Alex Rose from his seat, and made his way to the door. "Ladies like a man who makes the first move."
Lara was lead down the hallway, to the front desk. Standing in the middle of the room, looking incredibly worried and angry, was Conrad Roth.
"Roth." Lara exclaimed and rushed past Sergeant Daniels, she threw her arms around Roth. "I thought you were out at sea."
"It's good to see you girl." He said, returning the embrace. "Long story, short; the expedition was a wild goose chase. I thought I'd surprise you. Then I show up at the Nine Bells, with an angry Irishman about to throw a table, and a worriedd Sam, telling me there was a robbery."
"Heh...Surprise." Lara said weakly.
"It's not funny, Lara. God, I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to you." Roth said seriously.
"Roth, I'm fine." Lara half lied. "I...had some help."
"So I heard." Roth replied. "Some young lad with a whiskey bottle."
"Yeah..Alex." Lara nodded. "I don't want to think about what might have happened if he hadn't been there." Lara shuddered thinking of Mr. Cheung.
"Lara?" Alex voice came from across the room.
"Alex." Lara rushed over to him wrapping her arms around his midsection. Alex reflexively wrapped his own arms around her shoulders. "I felt so alone in there."
"You and me both." Alex whispered. "Fuck. The woman conducting my interview made me feel like I was the one who committed a crime.£
"You shouldn't." Lara whispered. "You're a hero."
"I assume this is him?" Roth asked, standing astride of the the pair still locked in a hug.
"Oh...Um...Yes..." Lara said finally breaking the hug and taking a step back. "Roth, I'd like you to meet Alex. Alex, this is Roth." Lara looked slightly worried. Roth was very imposing to those who didn't know him. Sam swore the first time she met him she nearly wet herself.
"It's nice to meet you sir." Alex said, extending his hand. Christ, he was terrifying. Alex had met some scary people, but Roth was on another level, his face seemed to be incapable of smiling, and stuck in a perpetual scowl, and his eyes were focused and sharp as he scrutinised Alex. He seemed like he was military, or possibly ex-military. "Lara has told me a bit about you."
"You're American." Roth stated matter of factly, his tone neutral.
"I...yeah. I am." Alex nodded. He was suddenly wondering if Roth was one of those really up tight British Nationalists who didn't like foreigners, that he'd heard about.
"So," Roth started callously. "You're the lad who attacked that robber with a bottle of Scotch?"
"I...yes sir." Alex said. He wasn't sure, what Roth was thinking. "I just did what I had to do."
"You know son, I served, with guys in the Marines, who wouldn't have reacted to a situation as quick as that." Roth said nonchalantly. "So many people over think things instead of just going with their gut, and can't act when a situation calls for it."
"I...Thank you?" Alex said, his words clearly a question. He wasn't sure if he was being complimented or not, his words seemed complimentary, but his tone...He was suddenly being back in high school being yelled at by the principal, only the principal was the Gunnery Sergeant from Full Metal Jacket, minus the constant swearing.
"Thanks for lookin' out for her." Roth said, his face finally breaking into an appreciative smile. "I hope you gave that bastard a concussion."
"What was I gonna do? Let him get away with it?" Alex asked.
"Ha! I suppose not." Roth grinned. "I must buy you a drink some time, to thank you properly."
"Well, the way things are going tonight it looks like I may never need to buy another beer again." Alex joked.
Lara tried her hardest to suppress a fit of giggles. Roth noticed.
"Is there a recurring gag that I'm not gettin'?" Roth asked, arching an eyebrow.
"It's nothing." Lara said. She opened her mouth to speak again, when a loud yawn interrupted her.
"Right, home time I think." Roth said. "Alex do you need a lift? Or is someone coming to collect you?"
"No it's fine, I'll get a cab." Alex said, not wanting to impose. "Don't worry about me."
"Don't be daft lad." Roth scoffed. "I owe you, a lift is hardly even a start to paying you back."
"Alex. Why pay to get back to get homr, when we're going that way anyway?" Lara gave him her best puppy dog look.
"Yeah, I guess, sure. I'll take a lift." Alex agreed.
"Great. Shall we go?" Roth said turning on his heel, leading the way to the door. Lara and Alex followed.
Outside the rain hadn't stopped, It had actually gotten heavier. There were still very few people on the streets. Roth quickly led them to his car. Alex noted the age of it. As well as the discoloured door.
"Roth you really need to get a new car, this one belongs in a museum." Lara teased. "Or a compactor."
"Oh, I'm sorry princess. Your car is clearly much better." Roth said the sarcasm was clear in is voice, as he climbed into the front seat.
Alex made his way, to the back door of the car while Lara walked round. He was surprised to see when she opened the back door instead of the front passenger door. He climbed in deciding to just accept his run of good luck, while it was lasting.
Roth twisted his key in the ignition and the car sprang into life, much easier than the exterior of the car would imply. For as battered as the exterior was, the engine was clearly kept in good condition.
"Anyone want to listen to some music." Roth asked as he put the car into gear and pulled out of his parking space.
"Sure." Lara reached in, to the middle glove compartment, and withdrew a stack of old cassette tapes, and began to flick through them.
"Wow," Alex exclaimed. "I haven't seen one of those in years."
"Roth refuses to update, his collection." Lara explained. She selected a tape, and handed it to Roth, who pushed into the radio. Classic rock began to come through the car speakers in surprisingly good sound quality.
"And with good reason," Roth stated. "The shite from the charts today, isn't available on tape."
Alex considered arguing for a moment, before realising Roth had an incredibly valid point. He made a mental note to get a casette player.
"So Alex, what is it you do?" Roth asked sincerely. "You're a long way from home lad."
"I'm studying Electrical Engineering." Alex stated. "And I'm doing some software design as well."
"Really?" Roth said intrigued. "Well...Are you any good?"
"I'm...okay I guess." Alex said. Roth seemed like the type of person who didn't like people who boast. He decided against blowing his own trumpet However Lara decided to do so for him.
"He's being modest. He's great with machines." Lara stated. "He fixed our fridge last week."
"Is that right?" Roth said. "You know my Technician is retiring at the start of summer. Hands on experience always looks good, on a CV, employers like to see, a man who knows how to apply himself."
"Are you offering me a job?" Alex asked shocked. "In the past he'd been rejected from dozens of jobs without even getting to the interview stage, and now one was just being offered like it was nothing.
"I'm just offering an opportunity for you to consider." Roth said. "I'm sure you'd fit in aboard the Endurance."
"The Endurance?"
"My ship." Roth stated. "I work at sea salvage, and treasure huntin'. Recovering what's been lost to the ocean."
Alex thought for a moment. He'd never really considered employment on a ship, except for when he dreamed of being a pirate as a child. Alex thought for a moment. He'd never really had much experience on open water, though he'd been jet skiing before. He was half afraid that he would be the type to get seasick simply by standing on a boat. Then again, it would be honest work, A big difference from hacking gambling sites.
"I don't know..." Alex said.
"We'll be on an expedition, to Norway, for a few weeks over the summer." Roth said. "Great part of the world. Nice people, some fine lookin' women." Roth added, slyly, though Alex seemed disinterested. He saw Lara looking at him from the corner of her eye.
"Alex, you should do it. It's a great opportunity."Lara whispered to Alex.
"Can I think about it?" Alex replied.
"Sure, you've got two months to decide." Roth said pulling up at the traffic light. "But I must advise you to pack warm if you decide to go."
The rest of the journey they discussed, the weather, class and Roth sang along with a few of the songs of the radio. Eventually they reached the apartment building Lara and Alex lived in, and Roth pulled up outside and applied the handbrake.
"Fare is twenty quid." He joked looking into the backseat at the pair.
"I'll owe you one." Lara laughed. Once again she let out a load yawn.
"Right, enough. You get to bed Missy." Roth ordered.
Lara pulled the handle of the door and made a move to get out. "Oh, Roth. Lunch tomorrow?"
"Sure." He smiled. "I'll give you a call in the mornin'. Have a good night, both of you."
"Will do." Lara replied.
"Good night Mr Roth...It was nice meeting you." Alex said.
"'Mr' he says." Roth barked with laughter. "Jesus that's the last thing I need." Roth extended a hand into the back. "Good night, lad."
Lara and Alex both charged for the cover of the small canopy that hung over the door. It didn't stop them from getting absolutely drenched, they watched as Roth rounded the corner, and disappeared.
"I knew I should have brought an Umbrella today." Lara moaned, she took the scrunchie out of her hair, causing her wet hair to cascade around her shoulders. She bent over and began to wring her hair out.
Alex swallowed. Lara looked gorgeous with her hair loose, not that she didn't always.
"You know you should wear your down more often. It really suits, you." Alex blurted out before he realized what he was saying.
"That's sweet, Alex." Lara, beamed at him. She shook her head, to loosen the strands of hair. "Maybe I'll start now." She grinned tucking the scrunchie in to her pocket.
They headed towards the elevator. Alex was about to press the button, when he spotted the 'Out of Order' sign.
"I guess, we're taking the stairs." Lara groaned. "Damn thing is always broken."
"Do my ears, deceive me." Alex teased. "Is the out-doorsy, mountain climbing Lara Croft, complaining about exercise."
"I suppose you need it after that cheeseburger."Lara giggled, as she swatted his stomach, she was surprised to feel how toned it felt. She quickly turned so Alex, couldn't see her blush. "Come on, I'll race you." She half ran half skipped to the door that led to the stairs.
Alex jogged after her. When he got to the door he saw that Lara had paused, At the top of the first flight of stairs. Alex smiled. "I say Miss Croft. Such behavior is very unbecoming of a young lady." He said in the poshest accent he could.
Lara giggled, as began to make their way to the top floor, talking and joking all the way. Lara was panting slightly when they arrived at the top floor.
"Are you all right, Lara?" Alex asked clearly concerned. "I mean...it was only about an hour ago..."
"Yeah, I'm fine...I haven't had a chance to go jogging for a while. I've been bogged down, by essays."
"Yeah. I know the feeling." Alex said as they arrived outside Lara's door.
Lara reached into her pocket and fished out her keys, and inserted one into the lock. She pushed the door open. But didn't enter, she turned around to face Alex again.
"Thank you again, Alex. For everything."
"What, was I gonna do?" Alex asked. "Let that jackass rob you? And possibly hurt you?" When he'd said it to Roth earlier, he'd been as jokey as possible, now however, he was being completely sincere. Lara was clearly touched, Alex saw it in her eyes.
"Good night, Alex." Lara smiled stepping inside.
"Yeah, you too." Alex said. The door began to close. 'It's now or never, Alex.' He thought to himself. "Hey, Lara."
The door stopped and began moving in the opposite direction, revealing Lara once more.
"Yeah?"
"I...I know it's kind...sudden and now's probably not the best time...but...uh...I was wondering...if you know...if you don't have any plans...on Friday...if...you know..." even after everything else that had happened tonight, Alex was so nervous he couldn't even string a sentence together. "You know what...never mind, I'll see you-"
"No." Lara interrupted him. "And yes."
"Wait...What?" Alex wasn't sure he understood her. "No...Yes..I'm confused.?" Alex said
"I...No, I don't have any plans...and Yes...I'll go out with you." Lara blushed. "I'd like that."
"R-really?" Alex half yelled.
Lara merely nodded, suddenly very shy.
"Okay...great. I'll call you tomorrow?"
"Okay, sure." Lara agreed.
"Okay. See you...Good night." Alex, said turning to walk away, nearly tripping over his own shoelaces. He suddenly heard footsteps, as he turned he caught a glance of Lara, dashing towards him. She hopped up and planted another kiss on Alex's cheek, before rushing back into her apartment. With a small wave she was gone.
Alex let out a small laugh and fist pumped the air.
Lara shut the door, and leaned back against it, closing her eyes. Alex, asked her out, well not technically, she answered the question, before he even asked. She thought it was cute the how he acted when he was nervous, she wondered for a moment if she acted the same way around when she was confused.
"Ahem."
Lara's eyes shot open, to see a smirking Sam, standing there with her arms crossed.
"So, Alex huh?" Sam teased as Lara made her way into the kitchen. "Y'know, you kept a lid on that better than I thought you would. I mean I didn't suspect a thig."
"I don't know what you're talking." Lara said as nonchalantly, as she could. She made her way past Sam into the kitchenette, as expected Sam followed.
"Sweetie, you left the door opened. I saw he whole thing." Sam pointed out.
"Oh, right." Lara realised. She poured herself a glass of water. "Nice to know I can't have a chat without-"
"Don't even try playing that card. You were in a public space." Sam stated. Sam hopped up to sit on one of the counters. "Anyway, he's pretty cute." She added innocently.
"Yeah, he is." Lara admitted, though she wasn't about to admit her opinion on his level of attractiveness went a few steps beyond cute.
"You know he's crazy about you. right?" Sam said.
Lara didn't answer and merely thought for a moment. She never really thought about how Alex felt before now. She had been too confused about her own feelings to consider his. She'd suspected he had a crush on her for a while, she was a little slow on the uptake when it came to relationships., she turned to face Sam, who's face contorted into an incredibly smug smirk.
"What?"
"You like him too." Sam stated.
"Of course I like him. We're friends." Lara said rummaging through the fridge for a snack.
"Lara, you know what. I mean." She grinned. "You're crushing on him."
"Maybe a little." Lara lied, turning away, trying to avoid giving Sam too much detail. She pulled out the ham and mustard out of the fridge before turning to the breadbin and bread bin and withdrawing the half used loaf. She began to make herself a sandwich. She glanced over at Sam who was watching her intently, it was unnerving, and Lara knew there was only one way for it to stop. "Okay a lot."
"How have you kept this secret? You're usually so easy to read. Come on spill." Sam demanded. "How long?"
"I guess...since September..." Lara didn't want to answer but knew Sam wouldn't let up. She gave in.
"Which September, Lara?" Sam teased.
"Freshman year." Lara sighed, having basically admitted to Sam that she'd fancied Alex since she first met him.
"A Year and a half?" Sam's jaw dropped. "All this time, both of you were crushing on each other. And neither of you made a move? You guys are a walking cliche." Sam held her hands out in front of her, in order to frame Lara and began to speak in a dramatic voice. "This summer, comes the most awe inspiring love story since Titanic. Two shockingly good looking nerds will make the discovery of each other, in a tale of Romance, books and social awkwardness. Lara Croft. And Alex Weiss. In The Date Equation...Shit that's terrible, let me think of a different title."
"Okay Sam that enough." Lara laughed taking a bite of her sandwich.
"Come on. Everyone loves nerd stuff now." Sam said. "It'd be Summer hit."
"Thanks but I'd rather keep my private life private Sam." Lara told her. "Besides, I'm pretty sure Alex wouldn't want to be in a romantic comedy."
"Okay, we'll film it like a classic comedy. That way it's a comedy, but that wants to be taken seriously, not self aware, and the cast don't just spend time mugging between jokes that aren't funny." Sam smirked. "So it'd be more like Ghostbusters, and not like...well 99% of comedy movies that are made nowadays."
"You know Lara, If I'd known all it took for you two to get together was Alex foiling a robbery, I could have staged on so you guys would get together sooner."
"SAM!" Lara yelled. "Christ...That's not funny!"
"You're right sweetie. I'm sorry, that was inappropriate." Sam said, hopping off the counter and hugging her best friend. "I'm just tired. And pissed off, that my date was cut short."
"Oh, Sam I'm so sorry." Lara sighed. "I completely forgot you were out with Declan."
"No, Lara it's not your fault." Sam "You didn't ask to get robbed. Besides, Declan asked me out again on Saturday. So this time, I don't have to come home early."
"Great." Lara said rolling her eyes. Another loud yawn and Lara was defeated. "I'm going to bed. You better get some sleep." Lara made her way to her room.
"Okay Mom." Sam said mockingly following Lara down the hall. Both turned into their rooms."Good night, Lara."
"Night, Sam." Lara said, pulling her door closed. Behind her. She stripped down to her underwear, and pulled an old shirt on and crawled under the sheets. She thought of Alex. The prospect of a date with him made her nervous. But in a good way. She felt herself being tugged by the calming call of sleep.
Alex shut the door as he entered his apartment. The TV was on. His roommate, Jack and several other guys, were watching football highlights. All yelling in unison to the goals being scored.
Jack turned on the couch to see Alex in the small kitchen area.
"You're back late," He noticed Alex's happy state. "What happened."
"Oh, you know...stuff." Alex said simply not wanting to discuss what had happened. He got along well with Jack, but his friends were another story. Besides they'd probably never believe him. About thwarting a robbery, or getting a date with Lara.
"Jesus. What happened to your face." Jack said noticing the band aid. He got up and made his way over to the kitchen.
"Bar fight." Alex shrugged taking an apple from the fruit bowl in the middle of the table.
"You were in a bar fight?" one of the boys called over disbelievingly, as expected.
"Yeah. He was fighting a table and lost." Another mocked.
"All right that's enough." Jack warned them. "Seriously, what happened? I mean you look way too happy for a guy who was just in a bar fight. So come on."
"You'd never believe me." Alex laughed.
"Come on mate." Jack pleaded. "Tell me."
"Maybe in the morning." Alex yawned. "Look, I'm really tired. And I've got a lecture first thing in the morning I'm gonna hit the hay." He began to head out of the kitchen.
Jack decided against arguing.
"All right." He said making his way back to the couch. "We'll keep the noise down."
"Thanks. I'll see you in the morning." Alex called as he made his way to his room. He quickly got into bed and gazed at the ceiling, trying to brainstorm ideas fro what he should do with Lara, for their date that Friday. He yawned loudly, and closed his eyes. A content and peaceful slumber soon washed over him.