Title: The Other Side, Chapter 2: Work
AN: *~*~ means that the story is now being told from a different point of view
Also, I'm really sorry it took this long to get this second chapter posted…a lot has been going on. Anyway…I hope you all enjoyJ
I don't know where to go. I can't go to Original Cindy…she would say it's all right that Alec and I – no, I am not even going to say it. And like I can go to Logan. I can't even go back to Crash. Not with Alec there anyway. But I can't keep riding around. I remember what happened last time I did that. Rafer happened.
I decide to just go to my place. As soon as I get there I take an ice-cold bath. I can feel that tonight will be the worst and as long as I survive tonight, I'll be okay. I decide to stay inside with Original Cindy as my keeper. I survive the night and wake up the next morning feeling calm. The worst is over.
"What's up, boo?" Cindy asks as I come out of my bedroom. "You still trippin'?"
"I think the situation is pretty much chilled," I say as I get some juice from the fridge.
"So you think you can make it through work without jumpin' Alec?"
I make a face and roll my eyes as I head back to my room, but I think about what she said. Last night I got a taste of Alec…and it was good. That's what scares me. After Rafer and I hit it I hadn't liked it. But with Alec it's different.
Oh, I so do not want to go in to work and face Alec. Everything's going to be all weird and awkward…and I hate awkwardness. I'll just have to focus on the job I am there to do…delivering packages. Maybe I should get there early so I can head out before Alec gets there. I head out of my room.
"See ya," I say as I put my jacket on and grab my bag.
"Where you goin'," Cindy asks.
"Just headin' to work early," I shrug.
"Oh…I see. You wanna get out on runs before your boy gets there." She nods knowingly.
"He's not my boy," I reply. "And I don't really care whether I see him or not". I turn around and head for work before I have to deal with OC seeing through my completely obvious lie.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
My boo's tripping. There is something going on between her and Alec even if she don't know it. Like when Alec was having a hard time awhile back. Max cared even if she didn't realize that she cared he was so spun. That night at Crash I had watched them. He had acted tough, shrugged her off like he didn't care about anything. He was jerkish toward Max, but she brought that on herself. But my girl didn't give up or get angry when he pulled away from her touch. That was the big clincher. She put her hand on his shoulder at Crash, an act of comfort, from the heart. He pulled away with a harsh comment, and normally Max would have just snapped back and gotten mad. But my girl kept her head…for him. I know about love and Max wouldn't have done that if she didn't feel for Alec.
*~*~*~*~*~*
"Bip, bip, bip! C'mon people…let's go! Lots of lonely packages today!" Normal yells to get people going. Nobody moves. With a quick glance around Jam Pony, I get up and walk over to him. "Here Normal, I'll take some," I offer. I want to get out before Max comes. That's all I need now.
"No, no. I've got other plans for you, mister," Normal shakes his head and tosses a package to one of the others. "1216 Ronhill Road!"
"Well, well, well…look who decided to show up, and early even!" Normal says as he looks over my shoulder. I whip around to see Max walking in. She stops in her tracks as her eyes land on me. Our eyes lock and we stand there watching each other.
Oblivious to what's going on, Normal continues babbling. "Now hold it right there missy miss. Don't you go far."
I stare into Max's eyes and she looks down, away from me. She walks forward, but Normal interrupts her. "Now just a minute, Max! You're working Sector 12 today…you and Alec."
Max's eyes go wide and she looks from me to Normal and back to me. "I can work Sector 12 myself," she replies quickly, the panicked look fading from her eyes and face.
"Nonsense! I'm not going to have just one of my workers going to Sector 12 to get beat up. That's a lawsuit just waiting to happen. Strength in numbers! Now get your packages and get going," he scowls at us as he goes to "bip, bip, bip" someone else around. Max walks past me gingerly to the counter to start loading packages in her bag. I come over to do the same and I feel her stiffen beside me. I wonder if she is still in heat. I can't sense it, but I definitely feel awkwardness. I don't know what to say so I sling my bag on my shoulder and grab my bike. I stand there and wait until Max has gotten her bike and we both stroll out.
It's a long ride to Sector 12 and by the time we get there it is cloudy. After we deliver the first few packages, the tension between us has lessened. By the time we get deliver the last package it is almost gone. We begin to head back.
"Alec," Max says suddenly. She looks hesitant as she goes on. "I'm sorry. About last night I mean."
"Max, it's all right. No biggie." I shrug my shoulders. Now with that awkward moment behind us we're back to normal. Ever since that deal w/ Berrisford Max and I have been civil to each other.
*~*~*~*~*
The problem with being out of heat is that I know when I'm attracted to someone it's just my hormones revving up. At least when I'm in heat I know I don't really like the people I flirt with. Now that my heat phase is basically over I'm more worried than when I was in heat. I have to deal with the fact that I like someone. That someone happens to be Alec. But now I can't act natural around him. It's like when I first started liking Logan. The dinner we had before Zack called when he escaped Manticore was so strained and awkward. That's what it's like with Alec now. I don't think he's picked up on it yet.
Alec and I ride back to Jam Pony later than usual and are more than ready to get away from work. I head to my locker and Alec to his and soon I have all my stuff and am ready to leave. I start to walk away, but Alec's voice interrupts me.
"So, will I see you at Crash?" I turn around rolling my eyes expecting Alec's familiar smirk that says he's teasing me over what happened last night there, but he just stares at me as he puts on his jacket, the sign of a smirk completely absent.
Realizing he's serious, I simply shrug my shoulders. "I don't know. Haven't really decided what I'm going to do tonight."
"All right…but if you feel like coming by, do." Alec says with a smile and I turn around to leave.
I don't know if I will go to Crash or not. It would be nice to have a night out hanging with OC, but if Alec is there…well, that could be weird. I ride home and Cindy is sitting on the couch. "Hey, girl. You got off early. How come?" I ask.
"No, boo. You just got out late. Look at the time." OC replies and I glance at my watch. "So what's the dealio with you and Alec?" she asks and I look up surprised. She rolls her eyes. "Girl, I saw the two of you standing there this morning. You looked like a deer in headlights. What's up?"
I debate for a second whether to tell her. "Well, I've got this problem…" I trail off, not quite sure how to put this. I make my way over to where she's sitting and continue. "I've got this problem and it has to do with Alec. The problem is that I like him…a lot." I let the last part out in a quick breath and tentatively look at OC. She's grinning and shaking her head. "What?!"
"Boo, I saw this comin' a mile away. Ever since he started at Jam Pony." She chuckles again, but is cut short by the pillow in my hand lightly hitting her in the face.
"OC, this isn't funny. I don't know what to do." I complain as I sink further down and lay my head back.
"Just come to Crash tonight. Something's bound to happen." Cindy gives me her advice.
I grin and head to my room to dress for a night out.
*I'll definitely try to get the next chapter out faster than this one! Thanks for all the reviews I got everyone!*