Laurens

Tonight's the night I go home. I can just imagine myself in Alexander's arms.

Francis shoves me in the car. "Behave." He says. We arrive at the park and wait for my dad and Mr. Washington.

When they arrive, I swear I can hear another car running. They hand Francis the money and then he pulls out a gun. "Walk away slowly."

"You monster!" My dad yells. Then they make a face and Alexander comes out of nowhere and hits Francis in the head with a bat. He falls down and Alex drops the bat and pulls me into a tight hug.

"John," he says and holds me tighter and kisses my forehead.

"Ahem." My dad leans against the car then walks towards me.

"Are you alright, son?" I don't answer him. I just hug him and nod.

I let go of him and go back to Alexander.

"Do you want to go with us or Alexander?"

"Alex.."

My dad nods and gets back in the car with Mr. Washington and they drive away.

"God I've missed you so much," Alex says and kisses my cheek. He opens the car door and I get in. "Did he hurt you?"

I hold out my arms and he looks at them. "Is that all he did?"

I look away and shake my head. He holds my hand the whole way back to my house. He stops in the driveway and turns off the car.

"John, I'm so sorry I didn't come sooner. Mr. Washington and your dad wouldn't let me go because they knew what I would do. And if they would've let me go I would've got you sooner and-"

"Alexander, it's alright."

"No it's not. I feel like I'm responsible for this..."

"You're not."

"Stop trying to reassure me, John. He hurt you and I can't forgive myself for what he did to you."

I sigh. "How many fucking times do I have to tell you? It's not your fault. I broke up with him. You didn't cause it. It was a bad relationship, and I had to get out of it. So no, it's not your fault."

"You're too nice, John."

I smile and kiss his cheek. I crawl into his lap and rest my head on his shoulder. "I missed you."

"I missed you, too." He pats my hair. "You have no fucking idea."

I move my arm and wince.

Alex tenses up. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah. My arms are just sore."

"Francis better not show up to school on Monday."

"Don't hurt him."

"What do you mean, don't hurt him?"

"I mean, don't hurt him. He doesn't deserve it."

"Are serious right now, John?"

"Just report him to the cops or something."

"You're damn right I will. After I beat his ass first."

I sigh. "Whatever Alexander," I say and try to get out of the car. He holds me tighter.

"Please don't leave me. I've gone so long without seeing you. Just... let me take you out."

"On a date?"

"Yes."

"Alright." I kiss his cheek and go back to my seat. "Where are we going?"

"Anywhere you want," he says and pulls out of the drive way.

"Starbucks?"

"Perfect."

We finally get to Starbucks and we go inside. Alex holds my hand while we go inside.

"What are you gonna get?" he asks.

"I don't know maybe a hot chocolate. What about you?"

"Coffee."

"Jeez. You only drink coffee," I say with a laugh.

"More espresso less depresso."

I roll my eyes and we order our stuff and pick a table.

"Why'd you get a bowl of cherries?"

He shrugs. "They're good," he says and takes one out of the bowl.

I take a sip from my hot chocolate. "Do you know where my phone is?"

"Oh yeah. Your dad gave it to me. It's in my car."

I nod and put look out the window.

"John watch," Alex says and puts a cherry stem in his mouth.

"You're not supposed to eat the stem!"

He ignores me and takes the stem out off his mouth, tied in a knot.

I look down at the table and blush.

"What are you blushing for?" he teases.

I look up and smile. "Oh n-no reason."

After a few more minutes, we leave Starbucks and go back to my house.

"I had fun," I say as he walks me to the door.

"I did too."

I stand on my tip toes and kiss him and pull away. "Good night."