John's POV

"Hey John! Benny, Betsey, and I are going to head to that new roller skating rink today, do you want to come?" 

I sigh softly and set my phone down, putting my earbuds in so I didn't wake Alex up. "Sorry, Carrie, I'm spending the day with Alex." 

"Just bring him with, come on it's opening day!" She says from the other side of the phone. 

"No, not today. Maybe another time." 

She groans slightly. "Fine, but if he gets boring, you know where to find us." 

I chuckle gently and hang up the phone. As much as I love Carrie and hanging out with the others, I love Alex more. And I've done a shitty job of showing it lately. 

I was going to try and make it up to Alex today. 

As I make breakfast, he comes into the kitchen, still half asleep clearly. "John, what are you doing?" He asks, wrapping his arms around my waist and sitting his chin on my shoulder. 

"Well, what does it look like I'm doing?" I ask, chuckling softly. "I'm making breakfast for us, and then we're going to hang out all day today." 

"But you have work." He points out. I turn towards him and let out a couple fake coughs. 

"I'm sick." 

He rolls his eyes and I peck him on the lips. "Go sit, I'm almost done." 

"Ugh, fine. But I'm making coffee first." He mumbles. 

"Make me some too, please." I say, returning my focus to breakfast. 

"Hmm, we'll see if I feel generous enough today." 

I chuckle softly as he makes his way over to our overused coffee machine, the familiar sound filling the awkwardness in the air. I didn't realize how awkward I made it between us. I'm just thankful it didn't take us breaking up for me to realize how I've hurt him.

We sit down at the table and I set down two plates, while Alex sets down two coffee mugs. "Aw, you made me coffee after all, thank you." 

He chuckles softly and sits down across from me. "Well, you know, I was feeling nice." He picks up his fork. "Since you made breakfast and called out of work for me."

I shrug and look at my food shyly. "Well, I want to make it up to you. I know what I did was wrong, I'm so sorry." 

"Well, I appreciate your apology." He says, sipping his coffee slowly. 

It wasn't quite forgiveness, but I'll take what I can get. Just as long as we're not fighting anymore. At least I hope we're not fighting. 

We eat our breakfast, mostly in silence, and then I get up to wash our dishes. While I do this, Alex sits in his chair, still sipping his coffee. 

"So, where are we going?" He asks. 

I look over at him. "It's a surprise." I say. 

He groans. "I hate surprises, John."

"You'll like this one, though." 

He raises an eyebrow at me and then sighs, shaking his head. "Mmkay John, if you say so." He takes another sip of his coffee. "But I do have some work I need to finish, so we have to be back by at least six."

"You're a workaholic, you know that?" 

"I'm aware." He chuckles. "There's just something so soothing about writing.. Or based on modern technology, typing."

"You sound so happy about being able to type everything." I tease, putting the dishes away in the cupboards. 

"I just miss only being allowed to use a classic paper and pencil, it was so satisfying to write everything down." He sighs. "I don't know, call me old fashioned if you will, but I prefer it." 

"Well, alright, old man. I quite enjoy autocorrect, so I'm going to have to disagree with you."

"Hey, I said old fashioned, not old man!" He laughs, sipping his coffee still. "I'm younger than you, you know."

"Well yes, physically. But you have an old soul, Alex." I tease, setting the dishes in the dishwasher. 

He rolls his eyes. "Oh, whatever, John. It's not my fault I was born in the wrong time." 

I chuckle. "Born in the wrong time? Alex, please don't be one of those "wrong generation" people." I say. "Besides, if you were born earlier, our relationship would be very, very weird."

He shudders after thinking about it. "How dare you put that image in my head, Laurens." He says, finishing his coffee and walking over. 

I shrug. "I just said something, you're the one who put it in your head." I say, leaning against the counter to face him. He smiles at me and I can't help but smile back at him. 

I know people are probably doubting it, him especially, but I am so in love with this man. He's the only person who I could be around all the time and never get sick of, as crazy as that sounds. 

"Alright, let's get ready so we can head out. I think you're going to like our little date today." 

He sighs dramatically and then walks to the bedroom, and I chuckle. I head to the bathroom and brush out my hair, finding it as difficult as always. 

Once we're both done getting ready, I take him to the Liberty Hall museum. He had not shut up about it since we planned on moving to New Jersey together, so I knew I had to take him eventually. It felt like the perfect place to make amends and pick up where we left off. 

I pull up and Alex gives me a look that reads, 'how basic.' 

"What? Don't give me that look, all you've talked about is going to this museum!" I say, worried he hated it.

"Oh, yes I have. But really? We haven't had a date in like a month and this is where you take me?" He asks, the same look displayed on his face.

"Yes, really. I thought you'd love it." I say. He finally chuckles and shakes his head. 

"Of course I love it, I'm just teasing you." He kisses my cheek and I pout. "You know me so well, ya know."

"You didn't have to worry me like that, ya know." I say, mimicking the last two words the way he said it. 

He shrugs and opens the car door. "Let's just call it payback." He says before exiting the car and closing the door.

I sigh at this. I knew it would take more than taking a day off to get Alex to forgive me, but I didn't expect him to constantly remind me of it. But maybe he wasn't, maybe that was just my mind being cruel to me. Either way, it sucked. I never meant to hurt Alex, it was never part of my plan. 

Sometimes I wish we could have stayed in high school forever. Living with my dad was rough, sure, but Alex and I were our happiest then. 

Or even if we just stayed in the summer before college. That was a fun time, working mornings, spending time together nights. Nothing to worry about but paying rent on time. 

But alas, we are in college now. And I know the stereotype is that high school relationships never work out, but I really do think Alex and I could make it work. Sure it has been a little rocky recently, but we're getting past it. Aren't we?

1240 Words