you busy? 

no, why?

can you come over?

i need to talk to someone, and i don't want it to be cadenza. 

you don't wanna come here? 

i’ll explain why later. 

okay. i’ll be there in a minute. 

The Zvahls didn't live that far from the Ro’meaves. While they weren't down the street, they were in walking distance. 

Kandi didn't understand what was going on. After Alex left last night, it felt weird. She couldn't explain how, but something was off. 

The wind was a bitter cold as it slapped against her cheek. It hadn't snowed yet, but the cold wind made up for it. Kandi felt her jacket as close to her body as possible, trying to keep the cold wind away from her. 

She was only waiting a few seconds at the front door before Alex hurried her inside. 

“What's going on?” She asks the blonde, shrugging off her coat in the entryway. 

“Not here,” Alex mumbles, shaking her head and looking around. “Anybody could walk in. In my room. C’mon.” 

The dark haired female grows slightly annoyed, confused as to what was of such importance that Alex was rushing her the way she was. First she walked here in the cold and then she didn't even have enough time to warm up properly.

Alex shut her bedroom door, locking it. Laurance had the tendency to open a door without knocking, and she didn't want that to happen now. 

“Are you finally going to–”

“Garroth kissed me.” 

°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

It felt like all the books Alex had ever read. She was a sucker for romance, and it was crazy to her that it was being sent in her direction. 

Kandi hadn't said anything in what felt like minutes. She sat on Alex's bed, staring her in the face. 

An uneasy feeling settles in Alex's stomach. The quiet around them suffocates her. “Please say something. I don't like how quiet you are.” 

Kandi rubs the sides of her head. “This sounds like a terrible idea.” 

Alex stands there, dumbfounded. She thought of several ways this conversation could've gone, but she didn't think of this. “As my best friend, I thought you would've been happy for me. I'm happy for you even when I don't agree with half the things you tell me.” 

“I meant you and Garroth,” Kandi says, rolling her eyes. Garroth was a nice guy, and Kandi loved her brother dearly. She simply just knew him well. “You're a sweet girl, Alex, but I don't want to see you get hurt by my brother.” 

“I don't understand. A few weeks ago you were basically telling me to ask Garroth to Homecoming.”

Garroth seemed like the epitome of a golden retriever. He didn't like when others got hurt, and he adored his little siblings with all his heart. Sure, he was a flirt, but Alex was a bit of one too. Besides, she'd grown up with Laurance and Cadenza. She'd become accustomed to the sound of flirting. It was inevitable that she would become one herself. 

“My brother is a flirt, Alex,” Kandi tells her. “I've never seen him in a long lasting relationship. I don't want you to become some fling and discarded when he's done. You don't deserve that.” 

Silence falls between the two. Alex understood what she meant. She knew where she was coming from. But the new feeling inside of her was selfish, and she wanted to indulge in it. She couldn't see the end result being hurtful. 

“You wouldn't say ‘I told you so’ if we tried and it ended up in flames, would you?” 

°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

Look outside your window. 

It's already 8:00, and Alex hadn't expected to go anywhere that night. In fact, she was about to get dressed for the night.

Excitement pangs within her, and Alex walks towards her window. She opens the curtains, lifting the window. The wind blows in, picking up her hair with it. Despite barely being able to see him, the slight glow of blond hair peaks her interest. 

Garroth goes to talk, but Alex holds a shushing finger against her lips, quickly sending word that she'll come down quickly. She turns for her slippers, rushing them on and trying her hardest to be quiet as she goes down the stairs. She had her room's trash in her hand as a decoy, despite it only being half full. 

Garroth remained by the tree next to her window, waiting for the blonde. There's a slight smirk against his lips. “You came.” 

“You forget my father may be able to hear you,” Alex says, walking over to him. “I may be on the second level, but my father is currently reading on the first.”  

“You're cheeky.” Garroth grabs onto her hand, pulling her further away from the light of her bedroom window and away from any listening ears. “It's cute. How are you feeling after. . . yesterday?”

Alex furrows her eyebrows together in confusion. “What's that supposed to mean?” 

“Are you upset with me? You haven't said a word to me since then.” 

“It's only been a night. I'm not upset with you. Actually I'm. . . well. . .” Alex's cheeks blaze in a fire red. She turns away from him, looking for a distraction. She was happy for the light to be so dim. 

Garroth chuckles, caressing his hand gently along her cheek. She leans into his touch, allowing his hand to linger. “It's okay. I feel the same way.” 

Alex smiles widely, feeling Garroth guide her face back towards him. There's a soft smile dancing across his lips, eye focused on her. 

Foolishly, Alex allows herself to believe they'd continue. They could've if it weren't for her name being called from the front door. 

“Alex! Where are you?” 

She takes a step back, breath quickening. Garroth pulls his hand away from her, lowering it to his side. 

“I took my trash out!” Alex calls back, eyeing the garbage she had left feet away from them. She turns back to Garroth, quieting her voice. “Not the most romantic, I suppose. I'll see you on Monday.” 

She presses a quick kiss against his cheek before rushing quickly towards the garbage can to toss the half empty bag in it. Garroth offers a small wave to her before waiting for her small figure to retreat in fast footsteps before he'd leave. 

“You had me worried for a moment. I went to ask you a question, and you weren't in your room.” 

Garroth could hear Hayden's voice from the entrance. Alex was no longer in his sight. 

“I'm sorry. I just needed to take my trash out.” 

A little white lie, and it was for him.