Chapter 15

Later that night

I was lying in bed thinking about Alexis. We hadn't spoken much for the rest of the night; she was under the impression that I didn't like her for some reason or other. Bill had tried to convince me to tell her how I felt but I couldn't, I didn't know how and she thought I hated her which probably wouldn't make for a very good reaction, not to mention the fact that I was 5 years older than her and her friends brother. I heard a floorboard creak quietly and smiled to myself, almost positive it was Alexis making her way to the roof. I debated with myself for a few minutes before deciding to follow. As I suspected, I found Alexis sitting on the roof. She was crying, as she often did when she made her way up here. I took a deep breath before going to sit beside her, putting an arm around her shoulders. She jumped at my touch and turned to look at me, her eyes red from crying.

"What are you doing here? You should be in bed."

"So should you. I was just coming to see if you're okay."

"I'm fine. How did you know I was here?"

"You always are."

"How would you know?"

"I've seen you before, the floorboards just outside my room creak every time."

"So you just decided to follow me and spy on me?"

"Alexis I just wanted to make sure you were alright."

"I'm fine."

"Lex you can't sit here and cry and tell me your fine and expect me to believe it."

"Well what do you want me to say?"

"I want you to tell me what's wrong so I can fix it."

"There's nothing to fix Charlie. Everything is fine."

"Alexis please. I just want to help"

"I know Char but its okay; I don't need your help. I don't need anyone's help." She said, pushing my arm off her.

"Lexy just talk to me. Tell me what's wrong."

"I told you there is nothing wrong, why can you not accept that?"

"Because there is something wrong. Something's happened to upset you otherwise you wouldn't be up here."

"It doesn't matter." She sniffed.

"It does, if it didn't matter you wouldn't be crying over it."

"Well it matters to me; it doesn't matter to anyone else."

I put my arm around her again, "I'm sure it matters to someone other than you."

"Doubt it."
"It matters to me."

"You're just saying that."

"No I'm not. It does matter to me, even though I have no idea what it is. I hate seeing you cry."

"Well don't look."

I shook my head, "Lex just tell me what's going on please. Its Christmas, you love Christmas and something happened to upset you on your favourite day of the year, so it must have been something big."

She buried her head in my neck, "I hate fighting with you." She whispered before bursting into another fit of tears.

I pulled her close and stroked her hair, "I'm sorry Lexy, I didn't mean to snap at you like that, I just hate you saying things about your scars. It makes me feel horrible for taking you there and getting you hurt. I'm not angry at you, I'm angry at me."

"I like that you took me though. I've wanted to go for ages, it was amazing."

"Sorry I ruined your Christmas."

"You didn't ruin it."

"I did, if I wasn't here you wouldn't be upset."

"I'm happy you're here though. You're never home for Christmas."

"I'm happy I'm here too, I don't get to see you often enough."

"Me?"

"Yes you. And everyone here." I kissed her head lightly, "Now, you need to go back to bed."

She nodded and we both stood. I led the way back to the window.

"Charlie?"

I turned, "Yes Lexy?"

"Thank you." She said simply before hugging me.

I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her close, "Anytime Lexy."

She stood on her tiptoes and kissed my cheek before heading through the window and back to her bed.