ALEXANDER'S POV
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Thank you for shopping at Minute mart please come again.
The robotic sound of the speaker travelled throughout the supermarket monotonously.
I sigh in relief as the last customer walked out the door.
My feet were killing me and I already had a feeling a bruise was steadily forming there already.
Ignoring the pain I take off the green working apron around my neck and fold it.
My aim was set simply to change out of my work clothes and back into my regular ones as fast as possible. So I could go home faster and see the girls.
It was a Sunday and not counting the morning breakfast we had, I haven't see either of them since.
It was rather unsettling.
I checked out and walk out of the store, face greeted a gust of cold wind whipping around me, making me to involuntary shiver.
"It's cold."
My voice sounded exhausted, the cold air felt like just another annoyance in my already long day.
My body was exhausted and I was ready to head home.
"Alexander!"
I pause, heard my name being called out from behind me, and turned around to see Mr Smith, the store owner, walking towards me. Mr Smith was a short, stocky man in his late 30's with dark skin and a friendly smile.
Too friendly.
"Hello, Alexander," Mr. Smith said with a wave. "Did you have a good day at work?"
I nod, "It was alright."
but I'm glad it's over.
"I hear you," Mr. Smith replied sympathetically. "Retail can be a tough job."
"Hmm."
Silence.
The atmosphere suddenly turned awkward.
Glancing at Mr smiths fidgeting fingers which held onto a white plastic bag. I knew he wanted to say something.
I stare at him my gaze intense and unreadable, and Mr Smith began to feel a little uncomfortable under it.
He fumbled with the plastic bag, trying to hand it over to me, and I took it without an expression.
"I just wanted to give you this," Mr. Smith said, stammering slightly. "It's nothing special, just a little something to say thank you for all your hard work."
I took the bag, but didn't say anything. I seemed to be considering something, my mind working behind my stoic expression.
Mr Smith shifted his weight, feeling awkward and unsure.
My catlike green eyes glance down and observe Mr. Smith's furrowed brows, sweaty palms, and unsteady feet with calm detachment, and I reached out to return the plastic bag to him. "Thank you, but I can't accept this," I said politely.
Mr. Smith smiled a little less uneasily and shook his head. "No need to be so formal," he said. "This is a gift, not charity work. Consider it a bonus, or an early birthday present, if you like."
His voice softened, "your working hard kid... But I don't want you to tire yourself too much."
"Just accept it, okay?"
I pursed my lip calculating and says a light 'Thank you.'
Mr Smith smiles widely his slightly chubby cheeks bulging a little.
He raises his hand guessing he wanted to pat me on the back then reevaluated and awkwardly dropped his had back down. Ungracefully dusting his trousers.
"Take care, kid," he said with a half-wave. "And say hello the girls for me."
"Will do."
Mr. Smith disappeared back into the store, moving with a rabbit-like skittishness. I watched him go calmly, feeling subtle.
He's always been scared.
Seconds later I stood alone, eyes fixated on the large plastic bag that fluttered lightly in the chilly wind.
The street lights flickered above me, casting an unsteady glow over the deserted parking lot.
Dazed, I was lost in a moment of stillness, like a frozen snapshot of time.
How unnecessary.
Like all dreams, I woke up a moment later, clutching the plastic bag in one hand.
I turn and head to the bus stop to catch a bus ride home.
The sound of the bus pulling up to the stop broke me out of my trance.
Glancing at the crowd of people getting on and off the bus, I headed over to board it myself.
As the bus stopped to let a few people off, I turned away from the window and looked down at my watch.
10:45 PM
I'm late.
The passengers chatted and jostled, to me it was all a blur of sound and movements.
Bored, my eyes fixate on the world outside the bus window, as if the humdrum blur of the city lights were the only thing that could hold my attention.
I sat still, my gaze listless, as the world drifted by in a haze of color and light as the city traffic faded into a dull hum.
The world looked boring and static.
I felt a strange sense of detachment, as if I were floating above it all, watching it all happen without being a part of it, yet somehow still tethered to the world by the blinking hands of my Deadpool watch.
The bus lumbered on, stopping twice more, disgorging a handful of passengers before finally reaching my stop.
I pulled the cord and the bus came to a halt. I shuffled to the front, eyes still locked on the world outside.
As I stepped off the bus, the sounds of the city grew louder, and I became aware of the bustling life around me.
I walked down an all too familiar path, and as I did, the neighborhoods grew more and more rundown, the houses looking increasingly worn and weathered.
You could heard the meows of stray cats that roamed around and I caught a whiff of garbage.
Even though my body felt like it was on autopilot, my senses were heightened as I took in the sights and sounds of the familiar streets.
Suddenly, I came to a stop in front of a two-story house, the only one on the block with a well-kept lawn.
I push open the small white gate fence and I stepped onto the wavy tiled path, carefully navigating the dips and curves as I made my way to the front door.
On either side of the path, you could see a beautiful garden filled with colorful flowers.
The begonias in particular seemed to be in full bloom, their scent filling the air.
I breathed in deeply, taking in the freshness of the night.
I reached the door and took one last look at the garden before ringing the bell.
With a creak and a whoosh, the door swung open. I looked down at the short elderly woman who greeted me with a warm smile.
Mrs Cynthia or as she tells me to call her Granny C's smile was like a ray of sunshine, and her wrinkles seemed to add character to her face rather than age it. Her brown eyes were full of life and energy, and I felt a sense of comfort just looking at her.
"Welcome home, dear," she said, her voice warm and welcoming.
I nod at Granny C, and walk across the threshold of the house without bothering to take off my shoes.
I knew I wouldn't be staying long, and she would understand.
"The girls are upstairs," Granny C said, still smiling. "Let me call them for you."
She walked over to the stairs, and called up, "Ava! Athena! Alexander's here!"
There was a loud thump from the second floor, followed by the sound of rapid footsteps.
A moment later, a 7-year-old girl came barreling down the stairs and launched herself into my arms. I bearly had time to kneel as she nearly toppling me down.
"Alex!"
I stare down at Athena who was dressed in a sky-blue dress with her signature Doraemon bracelet around her pale wrist. Meeting her smiling Light brown eyes, her long curly blonde hair as unruly as ever.
"Alex"
I gaze up and stare at the 14-year-old girl standing at the foot of the stairs with a lazy smile on her mouth.
She was the exact photocopy of Athena, but had brown curly hair instead of blond.
"Ava"
She rolls her eyes, "took you long enough."
Granny C smiles, "Weren't you the one who was constantly asking if he was back."
I raise a brow at Ava and her lips twitched avoiding my gaze with a scoff.
"I don't remember that!"
"You were more worried than me Ava and you know it." Athena blew a raspberry and Granny C chuckles while I shoot the three of them an amused look.
Ava's whole face twitched. and she glared at Ava, "Say shit like that again and I'll drown your Doraemon Plushies in the toilet I swear."
Athena became vigilant, instantly shoots me an aggrieved look. Her hands tug at my black t-shirt, lips formed into a pout "Alex, Avas threatening me. scold her."
My lips tug into a small, almost insignificant smile, I reach out a hand and rub the top off her head messing her wild hair even more.
I Shoot Ava a threatening look, "don't scare Athena"
Ava rolls her eyes to the heavens. Waving her arms dismissively, "yeah yeah whatever."
She turns to Granny C, her tone soften and said "Gran Gran, we'll be going now."
She glances at me. And I nod, standing up. Athena pulls from my grasp and runs over to Granny C, barrelling her with a hug as she pressed her head into her stomach with a smile in her face. "Good night Gran Gran."
Granny C smiles fondly at Athena, returning the hug just as tight.
"Well we'll be going. Ava, Athena."I call them over.
Ava walks over picking hers and Athena' schoolbag from the stand at the doorway, while Athena pressed Granny C into one last hug then returns to my side. Habitually holding my hand.
Our small unit walks out of the house I took one last look and spot granny Granny C standing at the door with a smile on her face.
I turn around and the three of us head home. As we walked, the comfortable atmosphere of our visit to Granny C's house evaporated. The silence stretched out, only occasionally broken by a remark from Athena or a quip from Ava.
Soon we approached our own house, and unlike Granny C's well maintained house the paint on the walls were faded, and the front lawn was simply cut, without any of the beautiful flowers that adorned Granny C's house.
As we reached the door Athena instantly quites down and Ava became tense.
I reached for the door handle with the items in the plastic bag jingling, and for a moment, the silence was complete.
Then, the door swings open, and we step inside. The house was darkly lit and quiet.
"Were home," I said, my voice sounding hollow in the house.
"Yeah," Ava replied, her voice tight.
She dropped her bag on the floor and headed up the stairs without another word.
Athena lingered by the door, her eyes fixed on the floor. She looked up at me, and I could see the worry in her eyes.
"You okay, Athena?" I asked, crouching, as I placing a hand on her shoulder.
She nodded, but I could tell that she wasn't being entirely truthful.
"Do you want to talk about it?" I pressed.
She hesitated for a moment, then shook her head.
"Okay, If you change your mind, I'm here to listen."
She gave me a small smile, pecking me in the cheek and then followed Ava up the stairs.
My gaze stayed on the stairs for a few seconds. Then I stand up, turn, and made my way to the kitchen, placing the plastic bag on the island.
I walk over to the fridge. Swinging the door open and reach for a can of coke.
Eagerly gulping it down, my eyes inadvertently drifting back to the counter.
Pushing myself away from the fridge, I returned to the plastic bag, gently setting the empty can on the counter.
My fingers hesitated, but being out a packet of steak, cheese, and a few other stuff.
I paid no mind to the vibrant green card that exclaimed "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" and instead gravitated towards a dainty pink box.
Inside, a small yet delicate looking coconut cake laid at the center with another happy birthday sign in the center.
I hate coconut.
I stowed away all the items in the fridge, leaving the card behind on the island.
With purpose in my steps, I ascended the stairs, making my way towards a room at the end of the hallway.
However, just as my hand reached for the doorknob, I found myself frozen in place.
I heave a sigh and turn the knob, With a soft click the door opens. Revealing a darkroom, the curtains are drawn only reveling a sliver of light. as I step inside, I gaze at the figure on the bed, curled up under the bedsheet.
The woman appears thin her skin pale and wan.
She looked like a beautiful ghost, there's a sense of peace on her face, if not for the tear streaks on her cheeks.
Slowly I approach the bed, gently tucking the stray blonde strands of hair away from her forehead.
With light footsteps, I move towards the nightstand, opening the drawer, revealing a medicine bottle. It's still full, the pills untouched.
"She didn't take it," I murmur to myself.
Turning back to the woman, I pick up the tray of uneaten food from the nightstand. Then, without a word I leave the room, closing the door behind me.
I stand still for a moment. The hallway outside is silent, the only sound being the faint ticking of a clock.
Then, with a heavy heart, I make my way down the stairs and drop the tray in the sink and sigh my forehead throbbed with and my bruised feet felt numb.
But I deserved it.
I trott back up the stairs and go into a room.
It's bare with only a bed, wardrobe and a desk filled with books and an old computer.
I walks straight to the bathroom and take a quick shower.
Habitually, I glance at calendar on the desk and spot the two marks on Saturday and Sunday.
I raise the towel and wipe my hair recalling what I have planned.
Tomorrow was Friday. Which means that Ava's recital on Saturday morning and then there's work at the mart till 7:30 and I need stuff in a couple hours to study.
On Sunday was a morning shift at moxie's. I also had to drop Athena at the dance studio and I have a night shift at Louis pub.
Beat tired, I was about to plump myself onto the bed until a knock was heard and the door swung open not a moment later. Ava was there leaning on the door way staring at me in the room.
I raise a brow.
"Aren't you supposed to be asleep."
Ava doesn't respond, instead continuing to stare at my face as if searching for something. Eventually, she gives up and speaks.
"You need to take a break."
My hands on the towel I paused, knowing where this conversation is going.
"Ava go to sleep."
That seemed to aggravating her and she scrunched up her face looking angry, her arm flinging in the air angrily.
"You need to listen to me, Alex," she raises a finger pointing at me. "You'll get hurt if you keep going on like this. You'll collapse."
"I'm fine."
"No, you're not," she protests, staring at me with a challenging expression. "And you know it."
"We could split the work," she continues. "I could get a job, too. You don't have to shoulder everything just because you're older."
I throw the towel onto the bed, my migraine beginning to pound in my head. I massage my temples, trying to soothe the pain.
"We've had these conversations before, Ava. And as usual the answer is and will Always be NO."
"Your only aim is to study in school and do nothing else. That is the only thing I expect of you."
She scoffs exasperatedly. arms akimbo, "You're also a highschool student! Do you really have the face to talk? "
"You're pushing yourself too hard, and it's not healthy," she says, worry evident in her voice. "I don't want you to get hurt."
I I sigh and run a hand through my wet hair, knowing she's right. But I can't stop now. I have to keep going.
"I appreciate your concern," I say. "But I have to do this. I have to make up for my mistake."
Ava's expression softens a bit, but she still looks concerned. "I understand that you feel responsible for what happened..." She trails her voice turning into a whisper. "...but you can't work yourself to the bone."
"It's my responsibility as your elder brother to do this. So naturally, the burden of taking care of this family will fall on me."
"As you just said we're a family." She points out stomping her feet on the floor exasperatedly. "Then why can't I just freaking help."
"I couldn't protect any of you then but I can at least do it now." I turn to her my his eyes soft but firm.
"So let me do this, by myself."
Ava bit her lip, her eyes still held opposition but she didn't say a thing.
Later her shoulder sag in defeat as she rubs her forehead clearly stressed.
"Fine," she says, her voice resigned. "But I still don't like it."
I look at her, my expression softening. "I know you don't like it," I say. "But I have to do this. I have to make things right."
Ava sighs, and then she walks over to me, unexpectedly giving me a tight hug. "Just promise me you'll take care of yourself too," she says, her voice muffled against my shirt.
I hesitate, then wrap my hands around her tightly.
"I'll protect You and Athena."
Even if it's the last thing I do.
She didn't say anything else, and we stood at the center of the room, both of us enclosed in a tight embrace.
Minutes later, She pulls away heading straight to the door. And as she was about to close it she glances at me with he usual lax smile.
"Happy birthday."
I felt a bile stuck in my throat, but I nod regardless.
With that she left. And I slump face first into the bed.
Happy birthday?
what's so happy being born by mistake?
I shut my eyes, curling my self into the dark red mattress. Pressing a pillow into my face hoping I'd suffocate.
My vision spins, and I close my eyes blearily. But they snap back open when a sharp ring pierced the room.
I heave a long sigh and press my face harder into the pillow hoping if I ignored it enough it would stop ringing.
It didn't.
I toss the pillow to one side of the bed, and lazily roll over to the other side to pick up my phone from the night stand.
The bright screen made me squint, and they then narrow even further when I see the name displayed on the screen.
Lorenzo.
I sigh even longer, contemplating on answering or blacklisting him.
But I pick the forner knowing I would eventually see him at school tomorrow.
With great reluctantce, I answer. And
the first thing I'm greatest with is and earth shattering, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"
I wince. Moving the phone away from my ears, my migraine turning into a full blown headache.
I turn to my side, my phone resting on my ear as I traced the pattern of the duvet.
"What do you want Lorenzo?"
I heard movements from the other side, guessing he was sitting up on his bed he asks voice sounding incredulous from the other line.
"What do you mean, what do you want Lorenzo?"
"What I want is to wish my best friend a happy birthday. Dai! Normal people say thank you. Why are so hard to get a reaction from?"
Lorenzo complains, now fully speaking in Italian. Noting it as an unconscious habit he does when he rambles.
".... You could just say 'thank you Lorenzo' or 'you're the best Lorenzo' would sound more humane you know?"
"Siamo amici, no? At least treat me with some respect do you know how hard it is to get such a title..."
Lorenzo droned on and on and I could feel my eye lids getting heavier.
A yawn escapes my mouth and Lorenzo pauses.
"Your tired Alex? dude you should have said so and I wouldn't have bombarded you with all my rambling."
What a lair.
"You would have talked on end regardless."
There was a pause on the line and I could vividly imagine him scratching the back of his neck, his lips formed into and awkward smile.
"WELL GO TO SLEEP! Ciao."
Lorenzo bellowed through the phone. And before I could react there was a beep -the line was cut.
I scoff softly, removing the phone from my ear and glance at the screen.
Friday, February 14th.
12:23am.
Less than 6 hours to sleep.
Smacking my phone face down into the mattress, I stretch out and retrieve the only pillow on the bed. Instantly my body curls and I press the pillow into my chest. My face pressed into the mattress.
I have a bad feeling this will be a long day.