"Shhh," Alexander shushed me while we both hide in a dark alley.
"Damn it! Where did they go?" the gray shirt guy said.
"That bitch! How dare she kick my balls!" the red shirt guy said. They heard some rustle from afar and hurriedly went toward the opposite side of where we were hidden.
Alexander peeked to make sure if the two guys were still there or not. "It's okay, we can come out now," he said.
I sighed. "That was close." Then I suddenly feel dizziness.
"Amelia, are you okay?" he asked while he caught me in his arms.
I nodded. "I think it's because we ran too fast earlier." He chuckled then spoked, "Wait here, I'll be right back." Then he suddenly went off and run towards across the street.
I just wanted to eat and buy some snacks. Why is this happening to me? And on top of that... Why do I always encounter Alexander whenever I'm in trouble?
After a couple of minutes, I saw Alexander's silhouette across the street. "Here," he said while he hand over strawberry-flavored milk to me. "Thanks," I said.
"Actually I bought different flavors, look." I took a peek inside the plastic bag.
Geez! He really bought a lot. Chocolate, peach, mango, banana, and many more flavored milk drinks were there.
"You really bought a lot, but what will you do to all of that?"
"I actually don't know either." I laughed at him then he laughed as well.
"You can take all of it," he said. "I know you love milk," he added then chuckled.
I-I know? Why would he know? Wait, wait, wait. How did he know?!
"You probably thinking right now about how I knew that you love milk right?
Well, of course!
"S-so, how did you know?" I asked him shyly. "You always drink flavored milk at the cafeteria," he answered.
So that's why... Wait... It means... He was observing me? Well... As far as I remember he was also watching quietly but attentively Jake and Kei bickering earlier.
"Hello... Earth to Amelia?" he waved his hands in front of my face. "What are you thinking? You look serious and silly at the same time," he added then laughed lightly. "H-huh? It's nothing," I said.
He starts to move towards me. Alexander did not speak any words and silently stared at me still slowly moving toward me. He stopped and suddenly spoke with his deep, gentle voice, "Really?" I sighed, took a deep breath then look into his eyes. "Yes," I said. He doesn't reply anything and we both exchange looks in our eyes. Then he smiled and patted my head. "You started to become bolder," he said still patting my head and smiling like an innocent child.
He's so amazing. His eyes were sparkling as the moonlight reflects them. His red hair was dancing through a cool breeze that passes by. It seems like we are in a still picture from a webtoon. After that, I was still astonished by his words and actions.
"Alex."
"Hmmm?"
"Alex."
"What?"
"Alex."
"Amelia... What are you doing?"
"Alex," I said and then stopped in front of him and smiled.
He sighed. "Whatever, you silly little girl."
I laughed and walked first in front of him, happily skipping like a 6-year-old child.
"Be careful, Amelia, you might trip."
I looked back at him. I did not notice some small pebble so, I tripped. Luckily, Alex watched me. "See, I told you to be careful," he said with his gentle, deep voice.
"Hahahaha!"
"What's so funny Amelia? You might crack your head if you're so careless," he said then he helped me to stand up.
"Then... be my knight in shining armor, will you?"
He did not let go of his hands on my shoulders. He just quietly stared at me again.
"What's the matter, Alex?" I asked him in confusion.
He always did the same thing a couple of times today. First, at school. Second, when he gave me flavored milk, and now. Really? Such an interesting person.
He leaned his head onto my shoulder. "Alex?" He did not respond. I felt some wetness on my shoulders. "Alex... A-are you crying?" He did not respond again, but he lift his head this time. "I-it's just... nothing!" he replied with a teary eye and a smile. "Y-you..."
I wanted to wipe his tears but for some reason I... I think... I... I wanna cry too. I feel a little tingling sensation within my chest.
"You... why are you crying as well?" he asked.
"I don't know either... but I feel sad... and I don't know why." Then I bawled as loud as I can like a 6-year-old child.
"Silly," he said and wiped his tears. He put his right hand on my cheeks and wiped my tears. "You sure become bolder sometimes, but you're still a 6-year-old lovely girl to my eyes," he said while smiling and patting my head at the same time.
I did not even realize that I throw myself at Alex. I hugged him tightly, and for an unknown reason... I really feel something that I cannot explain. While hugging him I continue to cry as he hugs me back as well. I can also feel his hand at my back slowly calming me. He also hums a song, even though it doesn't have any words it made me comfortable and relaxed at some point.
After a while, I come to my senses and calmed down. We sat on the bench and I drink some of the flavored milk drinks left that Alex bought earlier.
"You know what's fascinating?" he asked.
"What?"
"Every time that I see you it's either the two. You are in trouble or you are crying," he replied then he laughed sarcastically. "So, I don't have any other choice but to accept your offer," he added.
"My offer?"
"You asked me to be your knight in shining armor, right?"
"Then... it means..." I did not even finish my sentence but he stood up from the bench and kneeled in front of me.
"I will be your knight in shining armor, lady Amelia," he said while reaching his hand to me as if he was escorting a princess.
That's kinda cool.
"Are you stupid? Don't do that! If someone will pass by they might think that you are proposing to me, so please."
He laughed at my reaction. "Okay, okay. By the way, shall we go? We ran too far from the convenience store. We need to get back it's getting darker." I nodded and stand up from the bench. We started walking back home.
"Amelia..."
"What?"
"Nothing, never mind."
"Seriously?" I stopped him. "There's something in your mind, what is it?"
"Well... why do you buy a lot of snacks in the middle of the night?"
I sighed. "I thought it was something serious. The thing is I was in my room and I got hungry, so, I went to the kitchen to get some food. But on the way to the kitchen, I saw Kei in the living room making his assignments, which is really rare for him. We talked and I almost forgot that I wanted to eat not until he asked me why I was out of my room. And my good brother finished all the snacks left that's why I went to the convenience store to buy something then, things happened."
Alex laughed. "What a journey of yours." I sighed. "Well at least, you have these snacks of yours when you get home." We both laughed.
It's almost midnight, finally, I arrived at my house. Alex walked me home. It really became a journey. What a night full of events.
"You can enter first, I'll go after I see you off," Alex said.
"Then, thank you for the adventure, Alex."
"It's also my pleasure, my lady."
I looked at him and he looked back. Our eyes have met. "Silly!" we both said in unison then laughed.
"Then, have this," I said and reached out to him my favorite chips. "I am really thankful for tonight," I added.
"I know," he answered as he get the bag of chips from my hand.
"Well then, good night, I think I'll head first."
"Go on, and good night as well, Amelia."
After hearing him say good night, I went inside the house without looking back, but I went to the window to sneak a peek if he already left. Seeing him walking away from the gate made me smile.
"It's been 11 years since I saw you give other people your favorite chips, that's interesting."
"My gosh! Kei are you a mushroom? Don't just pop up out of nowhere!" I was startled by Kei who just appeared at my back.
"Excuse me? I am here from the very beginning. It is your fault that you did not notice me. Besides, I told you not to be late, but here you are it's already past midnight. As far as I remember the convenience store was just about a couple of minutes walk from here."
"Okay would you please stop lecturing me, I've done enough for tonight. First, I did not notice you because who the hell is waiting for someone with closed lights, sitting like a buddha on the couch. Second, the reason I was late is that some perverted thugs gang on me and tried to do something really bad. Luckily, Alex was there he beat those guys and we ran away but they follow us and we ran so far. And also, things happened between us so that's why."
"And the chips?"
"Chips?"
"Yeah, why'd you give him a bag of your favorite chips? Not even me can touch those."
"Oh... I don't know. I feel happy. So, I give it to him. Anyways, I'll go back to my room."
"Wait!"
"What?"
"Can I have some snacks?" Kei asked with puppy eyes.
"Here." I handed over a strawberry cream-filled bun.
"Strawberry? You know that I..."
"If you don't like it then give it back to me."
"No, I want it," he said then hurriedly open the bun and starts to eat it. "See, strawberries are the best. It's so delicious."
"Well then, I'll head back to my room."
I head back to my room and change my clothes. I don't have enough time to finish what I left, but I'm so hungry so I eat some of the snacks I bought. After eating, I went to my bathroom and brushed my teeth. Then, I lay down on my bed.
Alexander Ross, who are you? Why is it always we have such a tricky encounter?
Without noticing, my eyes suddenly feel heavy, and I went asleep after reminiscing about the ridiculous situations that happened tonight.