I'm wide awake right now. So by the time you guys read this it'll be just a few hours after I written the last chapter, and not too longer after I updated it as well. I'm getting tired of my cats smothering me, I love them and all, but I need my space, I'm losing my mind with all the love they're trying to give me. Yes, I'm a cruel person, my writing has its limits and I need my space to stay consistent. Anyway, enjoy.
Also, what moments do you want to see more of, and less of. I want both please, because sometimes scenes do drag on, but if you like it, then I'll just keep it the way it is. I'm excited for you guys to see the end of the story, but I won't rush it, I promise.
Oh and : thousand lies, you saved me from losing my mind. I was waiting for my first review since last night, so I checked every hour on the hour almost, driving myself insane. And then you reviewed once I was about to leave my inbox, so thank you, thank you, thank you…I was really losing it, ha.
Silence. Its great to hear nothing when you first wake up, it lets you stay in your dream state just a little while longer before the reality of the world kicks in. I take a deep breath, a smile creeping over my face as I open my eyes.
"Alex!" I sit up, patting the bed where the girl should be. "I swear you're never here when I wake up." I mumble to myself before crawling from the bed. The room is empty, or Alex less if I should put it. The hallways is the same, quiet, lifeless, and Alex-less all at the same time.
"Hey Mitchie." Max walks out of his room waving at me as I cross my arms.
"Hey. Do you know where your sister is? She's never here when I wake up."
"Aw that's sad." Max frowned before hitting his head with the palm of his left hand, "she went out for a while."
"Out? Out where?" I asked as he shrugged, moving into his room as I stood clueless. "Max!" I sluggishly trailed the hallway before spotting Max lifting things in his room. "Where did she go?"
"She didn't say."
"So you don't know where she is?"
"No, I'm not psychotic."
"Um. Do you mean psychic?"
"No." He was serious. His face showed no lines of breaking into a laugh, as I nodded only to please the boy.
"Well do you think Justin knows?" I gaze down the hall at the last door. Its closed, the sign reading, 'No-Alex-Allowed," in red letter painted across the middle.
"I think he knows where she is."
"Okay." I move away from the door and made it to Justin's room, knocking a few times as Max followed me.
"What are you doing?"
"Asking Justin where his sister is."
"He's not here."
"What?" I shook my head as Max nodded.
"Yeah, they both left together."
"You could of said that before I made a fool of myself just now."
"Oh, its cool. Everyone makes a fool of themselves here, its kind of expected."
I only shook my head before heading down the spiral steps and into the kitchen. Teresa was painting a small figurine while she sat on a stool in front of the counter.
"Good morning Mrs. Russo." I waved, heading towards the fridge as Teresa looked up at me.
"Mrs. Russo is Jerry's mother, please don't confuse me with that woman."
"Got'cha." I smiled before pulling an orange from the fridge. "So do you know where your daughter is?"
"Uh, nope. Justin and Alex left before I got up. They seemed very determined today."
"And you didn't see them when you got up?" I questioned as Teresa shook her head, going back to painting her figure. I sat next to her, admiring the bright greens and blues that she was using.
"I have no idea what I'm doing today." I truthfully state.
"No?"
"Nope." I peeled the orange layers back, letting the smell fill the air as I heard my stomach growl.
"You can take Max with you to the restaurant up the block, it can be our little secret. We don't have to tell Jerry." Teresa stood to grab her purse as I nodded, only looking towards the steps.
"I don't have any clothes over here."
"You usually wear Alex's clothes don't you?"
"Yeah, but I cut my knee yesterday, wearing jeans will kill me." I exposed the bandage as Teresa tapped her chin.
"You know, she does have skirts."
"No she doesn't." I sat up excitedly as her mother nodded. I couldn't imagine Alex in a skirt, besides that one time she decided to wear one.
"Check in her closet, there's a dresser in the back, the last one at the bottom has a few skirts in them. I should know, I still wash and put up her clothes." Teresa walked over to me, money in hand and sat it against the table. "Can you tell Max to get dressed as well?"
"Sure. Thanks." I wrapped one arm around her, hugging her quickly before making it back up the stairs. Every step movement caused my knee to sting in pain, but I ignored it. I walked into Alex's room first to check in her closest for sed skirts her mom was talking about. Jeans brushed against my arms on both sides as I lowered myself before tugging on the last drawer in the back of the closest.
"I don't think you're suppose to do that." Max whispered from the archway.
"Max." I faced the boy, "don't sneak up on people."
"I didn't sneak, I lingered."
"You weren't just here."
"Then how would you be able to call Max, and me not be here?" He rose his eyebrow as I sighed, tugging on the drawer once more, before it opened. It was true, a few skirts, basically all black or green sat folded neatly with tags running across them.
"Wow. Your mom wasn't kidding."
"Oh the skirt thing? Alex never wears them."
"I know. Oh can you get dressed, we're heading up the block for some food."
"Does my dad know?"
"It's a secret." I told the boy as he shot a fist into the air.
"Yes. Real food and a secret." He darted out the door as I shook my head and began pulling the skirts into the air. They all were the same in one way or another. One dark green skirt was flat with a black belt around the waist, and a silver buckle. I tilted my head, thinking about wearing it before sighing and pulling up other ones. Everything seemed new, or in other words, old but never worn. I decided to go with the first skirt I had and one of Alex's black tops that would match the boots I wore yesterday. After My mid-calf boots were on and I was dressed, I patiently waited for Max downstairs. Teresa was done with her figurine and was now cleaning off a book shelf.
"So, does everything seem normal again after quitting CR?"
"Yeah." I nodded. "Things just feel way better."
"That's all I want to hear."
"Hey…" a voice echoed from the bottom of the spiral steps. We both turned to see no one coming up. "Teresa a little help down here." Jerry called to his wife, as she dropped the last few books she had and made it downstairs. Max joined me a few seconds later dressed in some tan shorts and a bright orange shirt.
"Wow. You're bright today."
"Oh cool, thanks." He stared at himself as best as he could before I wrapped my arm across his neck.
"Lets go."
….
Alex's P.O.V
Justin and I had been running around town all day to find a perfect spot for Mitchie's birthday party. We decided against the bowling alley, it would be too noisy and too many people could just walk into it, private or not. The lake was off limits, too many dirty memories surfaced for me, even ones that somehow weren't kinky came up that way.
"Lets just try the small banquet hall down the block." Justin was driving my mom's truck as I leaded against the passenger side with a map in my hand. I sighed before nodding.
"I guess so."
"You know Alex. This is going to be insane."
"Yeah."
"You're insane." Justin told me, as he parked the truck in the back.
"I like to think of myself as an insane girl." We both left the truck, walking into the banquet place to get a good look. The place was all white, whitewashed walls, plain white tables, a white floor, and oddly enough, a disco ball hanging from the ceiling.
"Dude." Justin smiled.
"If you make one pose." I pointed at my brother. I knew him like I knew the back of my hand, I knew him enough to know he was going to do a disco pose. We took a quick look around the place before I handed Justin my map.
"So is that a yes or a no?"
"It's a definite maybe." I tilted my head trying to envision a party with no more then fifty people, outlining the place.
"So is that a green for yes?"
"Yeah." I nodded as we followed one another back into the street. My back was killing me. We had been searching places for more then four hours and I already felt like I was dying. But the search was still on as we climbed back into the truck.
"So you didn't really do anything for your birthday and yet you're going all out for Mitchie."
"You wouldn't understand."
"Oh no you explained it, but…I mean…never mind." I focused on my brother as he scratched his eyebrow. I didn't say anything as he made it down a few blocks. We passed the mall just seconds ago before I smiled.
"I have an idea."
"And that is?"
"Ice-cream of course." I nodded, sure of my little plan as Justin faced me. He was clueless, it was always easy to spot out his confused face then any others he made.
"For the last time, I don't speak girl. Give me more then subtle hints here."
"Justin. We need to order special ice-cream, how much clearer do you want me to get?"
"I don't know. Maybe if you would of said that the first time."
"Just be the designated driver will you." I faced the window as we turned around, heading towards the mall entrance. Its weird how everything seemed to be falling in place just at the right time.
"So, do you want me to pick up the gift on Mitchie's birthday or you?"
"I don't know yet." I honestly didn't know. I just decided to do this party thing last night while I was laying next to Mitchie. Waking up this morning I only had one plan, but suddenly I changed everything, it had to change. I tapped my fingers against the dashboard as the music from the speakers slowly drifted into the air.
"We need music!" I told Justin as he parked once more.
"I know Alex."
"Oh. So you can be in charge of the music."
"You hate my choices."
"Its simple, if you pick something stupid, I'll hit you." I smiled, as he stared blankly at me. I was serious, hitting him was something I loved to do.
...
Mitchie's P.O.V
Max and I sat at the small diner on the corner for a few minutes scanning out menu's. I was sitting directly across from him as people whispered back and forth at their tables. I could see a few people looking over at us, and others nodding their heads.
"So this is fun." I said, lifting my menu as a waitress walked over. She smiled brightly at me, and then at Max before lifting the pad in her hand.
"What will it be?" She asked to no one in particular.
"Well, I think I'll have a coke, and he'll have orange juice."
"Yup." Max nodded as I scanned the menu over once more.
"And can we both get some chicken strips and fries, and that'll be all."
The woman nodded, grabbing our menus and walking away just as quickly as she came. I ran my hand over the small kiddy coloring sheet before me. Max piled our table with them.
"Aren't you fourteen now?" I asked the boy as he looked up to me.
"Mitchie, I'm fifteen, you should know this."
"No you aren't."
"Yeah I'm lying." He laughed as I shook my head, lifting a blue crayon into my hand before coloring.
"You know, you're like a little brother to me."
"Yeah, you've said that a million times."
"Well here's to a million and one. You really are like a little brother to me, and I'm glad we can just hang out sometimes, even if it was just for free food." The talking people around us grew louder before I spotted a girl I noticed in the crowd a few days ago. She didn't move my way, she only signaled someone towards me before they faced our table.
"How long will it take for your fame to blow over?" Max asked as I shrugged.
"Soon I hope. I like being normal."
"Psh. You'll never be normal, especially in our family." I smiled nodding.
"You're right, you Russo's are something else."
The waitress returned with our food and drinks before walking away. I slowly ate away at my French fries before spotting a truck drive past that looked a lot like Teresa's.
"I think Alex and Justin are back."
"They're done already?" Max asked as I faced him.
"Done with what?"
"Huh? Nothing." He shook his head, "nothing," he whispered. I only rose my eyebrow before eating, shaking my head. I knew they were up to something, all the Russo's, Max included.
….
Alex's P.O.V
Justin and I made it back into the house, just a little after twelve. My mom and dad were in the sub shop, but the house seemed as if a tornado smashed through it. I stepped over everything, taking myself to my room only to find it empty.
"Mitchie?" I questioned, hoping she didn't go home already. "Mitchie?" I walked into the bathroom, into my closest, and even to Max's room but every place I went was empty.
"She's not here?" Justin asked.
"No." I pulled my phone from my pocket, not seeing any new messages. "Guess I'll call her."
"Cool beans, I have to do something."
"What?" I asked Justin as he shook his head.
"You'll have to see in the next few days now won't you?" He smiled as I narrowed my eyes until he disappeared. He was up to something, and I wanted to know what it was. I lifted my phone back against my ear after hitting the speed dial button. The only thing I could hear was a faint ring. Wait, a ring? I hung up the phone and went into my room, looking around for Mitchie's phone. It was still on the night stand from yesterday. She had to be somewhere close.
"I'm going to the sub shop." I yell to my brother before heading down all the stairs into the crowded restaurant. My mom was bussing tables while my dad made sandwiches. I saw a blonde girl, who I knew was Claire, sitting at a back. I had no idea what she was here for. I ignored the girl for the time being and made it to where my dad was.
"Have you seen Mitchie?" He was barley paying attention as he cut away on processed meat.
"She's upstairs."
"No she isn't."
"Oh, then ask your mother." He went back to work as I tossed my hands into the air and turned around. My mom was now behind the register, ringing up an order.
"Mom have you seen Mitchie?"
"Alex, you're being rude, I'm with a customer."
"It's a simple yes or no."
"Yes." She said, making change for something before moving back out to the tables.
"Oh, then where is she?"
"You didn't ask that."
"I'm asking it now." I took a deep breath as I spotted Mitchie with Max, heading back this way. "Never mind." The wind outside began picking up. The air was still warm though, which was a good thing, I needed good weather.
"Hi miss disappear." Mitchie greeted me as I rose my eyebrow.
"You're the unreachable one." I told her as she parted ways with Max.
"So what we're you doing?" She asked me, crossing her arms.
"Nothing."
"You're a bad liar Alex."
"I wasn't doing anything." I told her before re-facing the sub shop. I could see that Claire noticed Mitchie and I. "Stay here, I'm gonna' get my mom's keys and we can pick up Coco."
"Um..okay."
…..
Mitchie's P.O.V
Alex went up to her house as I a few people left the sub shop. I stood out in the open as people passed by before I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned around but before I could get a good look at the person, arms gripped me tightly.
"Hi Mitchie." Claire was hugging me, her voice echoing in my ear as I patted her back.
"Hey." We pulled apart as she sighed.
"So are we going to hang or what?"
"You're acting creepy." I truthfully stated as she shrugged.
"I'm just being me."
"Yeah. Well Alex and I are heading out so, maybe some other time."
"Oh boo you, come on." She grabbed my hand in a pleading motion as I watched her. Any reaction besides yanking my hand away would have been nice, but I couldn't think of anything else.
"Claire, you're not good for me to be around." She dropped my hand after those words. Her eyes only focused on mine before she looked around.
"Is it Alex? Because I'm not lusting after you anymore."
"Whoa, lusting?"
"Yeah. I mean, I was in lust with you but now, you're just Mitchie."
I didn't know if I was better off saying something smart to the girl, or just letting her be.
"Look Claire, we can't hang out. I'm sorry." Once I spoke those words Alex made herself present in front of us. She didn't say a word. Her fingers wrapped around my wrist and she gently pulled me along to follow her, which I did. Her mom's truck was just out front, and so we both climbed in.
"What did she want now?" Alex asked.
"She wants to hang out. I told her we couldn't."
"That's why you shouldn't have karaoke'd with her." Alex started the car, pulling from the parking spot as I sat up, noticing a map on the floor.
"What's this to?"
"No!" Alex tapped my hand as I released the map. It returned to its normal spot, before I faced the girl.
"Um, Ow."
"Sorry Mitch. It's a secret." She told me as I questioned her with a quick glance. Alex only stayed quiet, driving towards my place as I watched her from the corner of my eye. Now I knew she was up to something, but what?
"No birthday parties." I re-informed her. "I'm serious, I hate big crowds."
"So do I." Alex confessed as I rolled my eyes.
"I didn't know you owned skirts."
"What? I don't."
"Yes you do. I'm wearing one now." I point to the fabric I'm wearing, its unique design apparent.
"Then I have to take it off."
"Don't you mean me?"
"No." She faintly smiled as I playfully tapped her hand.
"No touching. I have a sore knee."
"Oh crap." Alex gasped as I giggled not knowing what was wrong.
"What?"
"If you show up in the house with a bad knee your parents may think something was going on."
"No they won't." I laughed before sitting up. "Actually, they just might."
"Yeah, I know they will." Once we stopped at a red light, I lifted my leg as best as I could.
"I can check if it's healed a bit."
"Gross, don't do that. Besides, your knee will still be red."
"So, it's just one knee."
"I know a lot of things you could do on just one knee." My mouth dropped open when Alex said that, before she refaced the street as the light switched.
"You pervert." I swatted her hand over and over again.
"Mitchie stop, I'm driving."
"What in the world would I be doing to scrape one knee, and get a deep cut?"
"Please stop asking questions that make my mind go to very bad places." Alex gripped the steering wheel tighter as I crossed my arms.
"You nasty girl."
"Yes I am." Alex nodded as I giggled, poking her hand as we neared my house. I didn't see my mother's truck, nor her car or my dad's, so I sat up.
"I don't have my house keys."
"I think your mom is here, if not we could just break in, muahaha."
"Yeah, no."
Alex parked out front as I climbed out first, heading over to the house to knock. I never liked knocking on my own house door, it made me feel like I didn't belong for some reason, like I was out casted or something. The door actually opened but it was neither of my parents. It was Conrad and Mackenzie, smiling straight at me.
"Um." I couldn't speak as Alex spoke to both of them and we all made it inside. My mom was laying on the couch, her eyes closed slightly as Coco sat across from her, staring at her.
"Alex, we're here to help." Conrad smiled as I stood confused.
"Help with what?" I asked as the boy shrugged.
"I don't know, just to help."
"Great cover-up." I told him just before clapping my hands for Coco to come to me. She stuck her ears into the air first before barking loudly. Her tail wagged as she ran to me, leaping up against my leg as I lifted her into my arms.
"So how are we going to do this?" Conrad asked Alex.
"Not in front of Mitchie, please."
"I hate being left in the dark." I whined.
"So do I. What are we doing again?" Mackenzie asked as Alex sighed.
"I'll explain it again later. Lets get Harper and then we all could go out for a night of bowling or something." Alex announced as everyone agreed. Coco followed Alex out the door as I walked over to my mom.
"Where's dad?" I asked as she smiled.
"He's out doing something."
"Not you too. What secret could be this big?"
"Mitchie, have fun today." My mom smiled, sitting up as I stared at her.
"I will. Should I not come back today? Cause you know, I don't want to be caught between a sex thing with….you know." She knew exactly what I meant.
"What? Honey. Never would we have sex in the house."
"Its still gross when you say sex." I told my mom.
"And hearing from you is no better."
"Ew are you like one of those people who like…do it in the park?"
"Mitchie, go with your friends, go." My mom waved her hand at me a few times before I stepped back.
"Ew you are." I gagged a bit from the image I tried not giving myself. "I'll get clothes anyway." The steps to my room seemed shorter then usual. I glanced at the wall to notice a few of my pictures were hanging against it again. I haven't seen a picture of myself in, who knows how long. My room was the same since I left it yesterday. I quickly grabbed a bag from my closet, stuffed random things inside, and pulled the strings to close it. I noticed my laptop was sitting up, obviously off, but still open. I ignored it for the time being and ran down the steps.
"See you later mom, love you." I yelled as I heard the smile in her voice when she repeated.
"Love you too."
A little info on me, when I was a kid my grandma use to call me a 'nasty girl' and it meant nothing like it sounds. One night I fell to sleep in my play clothes and my grandma was livid and called me and my sisters 'nasty girls,' and I will never forget that day. It stuck with me and so now my sisters and I laugh about it to this day…oh grandma. Thanks for reading my 'peeps' of delectable candy :P RockGod (that's me, for now.)