Chapter 6

A/N: Thanks for sticking with the story. I apologize (again) for a long absence. But I come bearing good news: I'm graduating from undergrad soon! I'll have a biology degree and apply for grad school. Don't underestimate how a huge state college might affect you!

Just to remind you, this story isn't a traditional story, as I intended it to be snapshots with some oneshot chapters. Just keep that in mind for time jumps or future chapters.

Sabina walked out of her room shuffling towards the bathroom door. It opens ,and she squints at a fully dressed Alex.

"how the fuck are you already up," she mumbles sleepily past Alex before closing the bathroom door. Alex snorted. It had been the same routine for a couple days every week for the past four weeks of school.

Mrs. Pleasure, on the other hand, loved the days that he got ready early. And if Alex decided to be fully honest with himself, he'd verbally agree. It felt like the old days with Jack, even if he always slept in back then.

Besides Alex being the exotic "pet" Sabina brought to school, things were…okay.

Things were more blatant and loud in this American school. That odd Aaron kid in US History asked him if school was like Pink Floyd said (to which Alex rolled his eyes and muttered a "not really"). Speaking of which, none of his British History classes helped him much now, so he had to ask Sabina how in the bloody hell he was going to pass this class.

"Alex, I'm sure you can handle it. You're in such a high level math," Sabina said offhand, walking back from school with Alex.

"Sabina, you know it's not the same," Alex said in a slightly on-edge voice. "Should've just said I never took European History," grumbled Alex.

"Oh, so you could be a super teacher's pet?" Sabina retorted, giggling. It rankled her a bit that every teacher fawned over Alex, including "special treatment" from the young US History teacher Ms. Stearns.

"Oh Alex, would you like to stay after school for help? It must be soooo hard moving from the UK into US History," Sabina said, adopting a ridiculous falsetto voice.

Alex lightly shoved Sabina forward in jest. He'd definitely noticed the teacher's pet reputation starting to take hold in certain classrooms.

"Oh, Aaron asked me the other day if school is like Pink Floyd," Alex said dryly, causing Sabina to laugh again.

"He is so socially awkward, but he's also obsessed with them, so don't mind him. He asked me the same thing."

"You'd be surprised with how many boys are asking me about you," Alex carefully added. Sabina fell silent, creating a pregnant silence between her and Alex.

They saw their house but made no attempt to go up the drive.

"I don't know what to say Alex. I haven't really fancied anyone since coming here, to be honest." The ambled past the house, consumed with the conversation. "When I moved here, I felt so…different. I mean, what happened with us was fucking crazy!"

Alex scoffed but nodded in agreeance. "Things got even more fucked after each time you visited. Honestly, I don't even know who I am anymore."

"Oh Alex, I'm sure with some time—"

"Look Sabina…you don't get it, and I'm not sure you ever will." Alex turned and walked back to the house, leaving a hurt Sabina in his wake.

Alex was having another flashback. He was in Venice, slowly drowning in those horrid tunnels. He didn't ask for permission to leave Calculus, but got up and ran as his mind's eye was looking at the black, sightless water.

He felt like he was drowning in the school bathroom. His breaths became short and ragged, and he gripped both sides of the sink to prop himself up as he bowed his head while reliving the drowning.

As the visions of water receded, he thought about the unmonitored back exit of the school. Taking the back hallways, he avoided any other students or principals, wlaking out the back with nowhere to go. He knew that Sabina would pick up his bag before leaving school.

He would get tired throughout the day, and when he was tired, memories consume him. He tried to stay in the present, but once he got used to the school, it was harder to stay here, and he'd get thrown back into his past.

It was interesting to see her parents this way. Alex took the heat off her, something she has always envied of her friends with siblings. Her father's face when Alex mentioned the soccer team was interesting to say the least.

"How's the football team at the school?" Alex asked the table vaguely. Sabina looked at him suspiciously; surely he's had his eyes and ears open at school? But, predictably so it had gotten around here, her mum gave daddy a hopeful look.

"It's a fairly popular sport at the school, I'd say. Right Sabina?" asked her father, a little too excitedly.

"Oh yes, lots of kids try for the team. Our American football team isn't that good, so football is one of the main sports at the school."

"Right," replied Alex, elongating the vowel a bit.

He was mocking her silent derision! How dare he, although he always seemed to know how the say the right thing when he wanted something.

"I was thinking…" he trailed off, now having mum leaning toward him in anticipation.

This boy. Really roping in my parents when he wants to.

"I think I would like to try for the team. Is that okay?" Alex added.

Well, he's too nice to stay mad at for long.

"Oh, that would be fantastic! I'm sure Sabina could help you get to tryouts," Mum so graciously suggested.

"It's so nice to hear that you want to do after-school activities. Speaking of which…" Mum trailed off, giving her patented meaningful look at my oh so dear father.

"oooooh Alex what did you doooooo," Sabina said in a sing song voice.

"Well Sabina, you didn't tell us either, so you're in this as well."

Alex smirked at Sabina, only to receive a stuck out tongue. He chuckled before putting on his unreadable "Alex" face.

"Your 7th period teacher called. She said you let and never came back. She said that Sabina got your bag," Dad said evenly, finishing with a look at Sabina.

"…Right. Ummm…" Alex said quietly. Seeing him at the feet of parental worry and wrath was rare and interesting.

"Alex, we are going to insist on you going to counseling more frequently. No, you have to, Alex," Dad said, finishing strongly at Alex's silent protests and open mouth. It had been a while since they'd had a family discussion at dinner. Sabina realized with a bit of dread that this was going to become more common.

"We'll call those numbers that Agent Knight left us," said Mum, with her 'Mum' smile.

The next day after school, Alex and I came home and found out that out of sheer excitement, Mum had bought a boatload of cleats for Alex to try on.

Both of us were more shocked than anything, because Alex and I were just talking about the potentially annoying or fun trip to this first American mall for cleats since he grew out his old pair. Turns out there were at least 10 boxes on Alex's bed.