-Thanks for the reviews, but the more the merrier. They make me feel special. Anyways, on with Ch. 5. More from the Alex front.

Ultimately

Ch 5.-Air Full of Tension

June 2; 5:30am

After Alex got a hold of herself, they headed back to her place. This coming after about a half an hour of crying, followed by 10 minutes of pleading from Parker to Alex to tell her what was wrong. Of course Alex replied with nothing every five seconds. So Parker dropped it; for now. She didn't want to push Al. She knew when Alex got this upset, to just walk away and let her talk on her own when she was ready; like all the Kelly women do. That and she didn't want to get her head bitten off, or Alex to call their parents. She came here for a reason and didn't risk her freedom for nothing. So, Parker decided to wait at least until they got some sleep. Seeing her strong and independent sister so pained and disturbed in the car was brutal for her. She didn't know what was worse; being that hurt or watching someone you love that hurt. Parker kept stealing looks at Alex and Alex was just staring at the road the whole time like it was mesmerizing her into oblivion.

It was like Alex was made up of two people; two completely, different people. One was the vulnerable, fragile, helpless little girl that only Parker knew of, and the other was the strong, tough, hard-hitting, young woman who could kick anyone's ass in a split second that everyone else knew. She was a girl who could be crying her eyes out for hours and the next minute could be walking around with her head held high, like nothing in the world could touch her; like nothing happened; like her heart was still in her chest and not some black hole rotting her to the core. But that was Alex; one-of-a-kind Alex. Parker was the only one who knew the real one.

When they got home, Alex snapped out of it a bit, relieved the guy left; whatever his name was. "So, you hungry?" Alex asked Parker, desperately trying to hide her anxiety.

"Why? You offering?" While hopping onto the counter, Parker responded back slyly acting as normal as she could.

"I got Hot Pockets."

"You hate Hot Pockets." Parker questioned suspiciously.

"I know, but… I bought them yesterday… for some odd reason. It's kind of weird actually. But I know you love'em."

"You're strange. But you know me best.., I guess." Parker, still dumbfounded by the strange Hot Pocket thing, paused contemplating if she wanted to ask her about the incident in the car. The question was eating at her, but she still decided against it. Instead, she asked her something different. Somehow, she knew the thing in the car had nothing to do with Jodie. "So… when did you break up with Jodie?"

"What?" Alex was caught off guard.

"Jodie. Or are you not going to tell me about that part either since you didn't tell me about you two in the first place." Leaping off the counter, Parker suddenly got somewhat demanding. It's that damn 'Bi-polar' again. She brought up things at the most peculiar times out of the blue. Something made Parker remember her hurting when it came to the 'Jodie Thing'. It was constantly on her mind. The subject always made he temper boil.

"I did tell you." Alex countered defensively while punching the 2 on the microwave.

"When you told Mom and Dad. Boy did that make me feel great. Real special." Parker said, almost yelling, sarcastically while getting in Alex's face as much as she could. Parks wasn't the tallest girl in the world; especially compared to her big sis. But she could hold her own. "I mean, we told each other everything." Alex turned her back on her, not wanting to see the hurt in Parker's eyes. Parker was getting worked up at this point. She was starting to feel dizzy. Al didn't notice.

"Can we please not get into this right now?" Alex's voice was starting to strain. Thinking how she kept Parker out of the loop so long ago made her realize; Parker was right. But she didn't want to argue. She was tired and exhausted. She also had to work at 1.

Before Alex could see, Parker calmed herself down, and her head started to feel better. She didn't want Alex to see her weak. She also didn't want her to worry about her headaches like her mom does. She didn't even know if Alex remembered about them but she didn't want to remind her if she didn't. She caught onto her voice, and dropped it, just like that. "Fine. But Lexi, it's not over; none of it." She knew she crossed that line she didn't want to quite yet. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay Polar Bear." Alex giggled to herself at the name she hadn't called Parker in awhile. Ever since Parker was born, she always complained that she was hot all the time. The AC had to constantly be at least on medium everywhere. So, she started calling her Polar Bear. Parker hadn't heard it in forever. Only Alex called her it. She always gave a look of hate every time she heard it, but secretly loved. Alex knew this. She knew it made her feel special. Unfortunately, that was the only light of there slightly broken relationship.

By the time Parker finished eating and the silence just about got to both of them, it was almost 6:30am. But they both needed some sleep. After they got comfortable, they laid down. The silence was still killing Parker. Alex wasn't herself this whole time and the only way to get through to her was to ask her what her breakdown was all about. Make her talk. The agonizing question kept eating her, piece by piece no matter what she tried doing. She worried about her sis. Alex has never cried like that. EVER. But her head was starting to ache a bit again so she finally, once again, just let it go for now and fell asleep quickly.

Alex on the other hand, was struggling to fall asleep. Every time she shut her eyes, she saw Marissa. She heard her angelic voice; felt her lips on hers. She could taste her. But still just out of reach. Alex's eyes shot open and she grasped the idea that she broke into a cold sweat and her eyes were stinging with unshed tears. Fighting to even out her breathing, she looked to her side to see Parker laying there looking content. But she knew Parker had a right to know everything; no matter how painful it was to talk about. Maybe it would help to talk about what was on her mind. Parker was willing to listen; the only one Alex had right now.

'Just let her in.' was Alex's last thought before drifting off to sleep. She was determined to mend the secret grudge between them they both knew was there.

-I know its taking a long time for actual Malex action, but I have to build the story up. So Just be patient. I also have to build up Alex and Parker's relationship. So tell me what you think so far. And Review.

Ej