Allen

"So let me get this straight, Allen. You want to teach me how to dance? Like actually teach me? To dance?" Alex gave me a small pout, "I don't see how that will be important for me. I don't do social events. Even if I could, I wouldn't. Not my cup of tea."

"You might not agree with me, but I think it's important. Everyone should know at least one dance. It's not that hard," I responded, "Even if you don't think you need it. You never know when some guy is going to ask you to entertain him again."

"Are you still upset at Soseki?"

"Of course. What he did was harmful. He dragged you into this. I admit that part of it is my fault. He was mad at me for Michelle rejecting him. He was acting completely out of jealousy. I don't know why he thought it would work. He must have looked down on you. That bastard. If I ever see him again, I'll going to tell him off. The nerve of him. But I don't he'll show his old face after what he did. I'm sure he's embarrassed."

"Let's just forget about him," Alex put one of my hands around her waist and the other hand with hers, "He's not even that important to me. As harsh as that sounds. I haven't really talked to him very much. A relationship with him was never on my mind. I only danced with him to be polite. I never thought I'd be in a love triangle. Even if it was for a short time."

"It wasn't a triangle," I put my forehead on hers, "More like a broken circle. But he's out of the equation now. We should focus on this. Just follow my lead. Take a step back."

"Like this?"

"More to the left."

"Do you even know what you are doing?"

"I've had classes," I told her, "I think I know how to dance."

"Is that so? Then show me your skills."

"Is that a challenge?"

"Maybe," she flashed her tongue at me, "I don't think you're that good of a dancer. You didn't dance during that party."

"That's because I had an ugly girl bugging me then. But now I have such a beauty in my arms, that I have no choice but to dance."

Alex's face turned bright red, "Are you trying to flirt your way out of it? Maybe you'll just trying to hide the fact that you actually can't dance at all. No wonder you wanted to get Michelle away from you then. You didn't want her to cling to you, but you had to convince her that you were good at it."

"Would you like me to show you," I smirked at her, "I'll make you swallow your words."

"Show me then."

"And now you can dance," I stepped away from my girlfriend, satisfied with how fast she had learned. It had taken me a couple of tries to get it right when I first got taught. My teacher hadn't been too strict because she was scared of my mother. I would be lying if I said that I haven't gotten some of my teachers fired as a kid. I was very spoiled, and I abused my power. I grew out of it as I matured, but my mother didn't seem to notice. It was like I was always going to be a child to her.

"Thank you Allen," Alex bowed to me, "I'll be sure to one day be able to use the skills you taught me. I don't play on dancing with anyone else but you."

"That's good. I might have to punish you for dancing with Soseki though."

"We weren't even dating then."

"That's just too bad then," I shrugged, "I guess we'll have to dance to make up for it."

"No more," she puffed her cheeks at me. After a second, I heard her stomach rumble. I guess all of that workout must have made her hungry. It was really adorable, so I had to laugh at it.

"Why don't you go make us some food?"

"You sure you don't need anything else?"

"I'm sure," I pushed her slightly, "Go on. Go eat something right now. No is not an option."

"See you in a bit."

"Allen, you in there?" I heard a knock on the door. After a few seconds, I saw Emma poke her head in. The older woman was holding some of my mother's laundry in her hands, so she must have just left her room. Alex and I were sitting across the table in my room, a chessboard between us. Alex wasn't too good at the game, but with my tutoring, she was slowly getting better. I didn't even bet her as hard.

"Yes Emma?"

"Your mother wants to talk to you. You might want to hurry. She was in a very bad mood. And you, Alex. Is all the chores in the house complete? You don't want to slack off on your work."

"Yes ma'am," my girlfriend bowed frantically, "I was just letting Allen know what he was going to be having for dinner tonight. I had to check to make sure that he didn't hate it, since I was going to make something new to surprise him." She left the room with one of the houses feather duster.

"Make sure you don't make her more upset than she is," Emma nodded to me, "Good day sir."

I got up as soon as she went back to her laundry. I had an idea of what she wanted me for. I just hoped that it had nothing to do with Alex. I took a breath before opening my mother's door. The woman herself was angry. She had her arms cross and her glasses on the tip of her nose.

"I got an interesting call today. From Soseki Westwood. He told me that he came to visit Alex yesterday, but you interrupted them and pretty much shoved him out of our house. I'm ashamed of you, Allen. Are you trying to soil our good name?"

"Not at all mother."

"Really? Because of how you acted, it sure seems like you do. You still haven't gotten a girlfriend, so did you feel the need to ruin Soseki's love life as well? Out of jealousy?" she slammed her hands down on the table, "I thought I taught you better than that.

I'm the one who's jealous? I glared at my mother as her words settled in. She wasn't there yesterday. She didn't hear Soseki tell me that he pretty much used Alex because Michelle likes me instead. I didn't make any of this happen. She didn't have to comfort Alex when she found out about that guy's true nature. I can still recall how she had cried on my shoulder. I've never seen her so defenseless.

"His love life is none of my concern. I don't need a wife, mother. I don't care about keeping our precious name in tact," I got up, "If that's all you wanted to tell me, then I'm leaving."

"No you will not. This conversation isn't over yet. I didn't raise you to be like this. You only do what you want. That makes you very selfish."

"And what if I am," I spat, "If you don't like it, then that's your problem. I don't care if Soseki's family doesn't like me."

"Well I do," she adjusted her glasses angrily, "I give up. I'll call Mrs. Westwood and let her know that you won't be attending anymore of her tea parties when she hosts them. I'll tell them that you're not home. Maybe you should go on another trip. That way you can't disappoint me."

I couldn't help flinching at her harsh words. Despite all that I said, she was still my mother. She was the only one in my family that I had at the moment. If I was just a disappointment to her. I looked away uncomfortable. She had turned herself around so she didn't have to look at me. I felt my heart sink into my stomach at the harshness of the situation. I felt lower than low.

"I think I'll leave. I'm tired."

"Fine."

"Are you alright?" Alex asked me as soon as I came back from arguing with my mother. I almost didn't want to talk to her. I didn't want her around me right now. Or anyone. But I couldn't ignore her concern. At least it showed she cared.

"It's just my mother. She got a call from Soseki."

"Oh god. Did he say anything about me?"

"Don't worry," I grabbed her hands, "He just complained about me. I may have ruined the relationship between our families, but at least I have you."

"True," she picked up a fork, "I did make you food though. I haven't made lasagna ever, so I was a bit nervous about burning it."

"It looks pretty good," the lasagna looked pretty good actually. Maybe food would help me feel better. I sighed as I sat down to eat. The maid gave me a hopeful look and I couldn't disappoint my princess, could I?

"Well, how does it taste?" Alex took some of it on another fork, "I actually had to ask Felicity how to make it."

"Pretty good," I took more bites to make her feel better. I would rather vomit, but I couldn't upset Alex as well. She was really the only person I could open up to. I don't want to disappoint her as well. I would work hard to make her happy, even if it made me unhappy. I guess that's what being in a relationship is like.