The next morning, Alena woke up, her mind a whirlwind of hope and confusion. The memory of Alexo's unexpected gentleness in the garden clashed violently with his usual cold, commanding presence. What was real? What had she missed? She couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to him than she could understand.
At school, she felt his eyes on her, sharp and unyielding. His gaze was intense, almost possessive, sending an electric shiver down her spine. What does he want from me? Why is he so impossible to read? Who watches someone like that and doesn't even speak?
Was their moment in the garden a facade? A false promise? Her chest tightened with the thought. For a brief, foolish moment, she'd allowed herself to believe he was different—maybe misunderstood. But now, doubt clawed at her, leaving her uncertain of everything.
At lunch, Lexy joined her, his usual cheeriness a welcome balm. "Hey, Alena! How's it going?" His concern was palpable.
Alena offered a tired smile. "I'm okay, Lexy. Just trying to figure this all out."
His face softened, but he kept his voice gentle. "If you need to talk, I'm here for you. You don't have to face this alone."
Gratitude surged in her chest. "Thanks, Lexy. I really appreciate it."
With his ever-present grin, he added, "How about a movie tonight? It's a public holiday tomorrow, after all."
The suggestion made her smile, even though her heart felt heavy. Lexy always knew how to cheer her up. But something nagged at her—she never saw him with anyone else. Does he even have friends? Or had she simply never noticed?
As the day dragged on, the unsettling feeling of being watched never left her. She caught Alexo's gaze from across the halls, his intense green eyes following her every move. It was unsettling—and yet, undeniably magnetic.
After school, Alena needed air. She declined Lexy's offer for a ride, needing space to clear her head.
"I just need some time alone," she said, her voice soft but firm.
Lexy's face softened with concern. "Okay, Alena. Take care of yourself," he said, pressing a quick kiss to her hand. His affection was unmistakable.
"Thank you," she whispered, forcing a smile as guilt twisted in her gut. It wasn't easy to find someone like Lexy—someone who cared so deeply.
She wandered the school grounds, trying to shake off the unease. It wasn't long before she found herself in a secluded corner, face-to-face with Alexo. His unreadable expression only deepened her sense of dread, but there was something magnetic about the intensity in his eyes that made her heart race.
"Alena," he said, his voice a low command. "We need to talk."
Her heart skipped a beat. "What is it, Alexo?" she replied, frustration tinging her words. "I don't want to talk."
"But I do," he insisted, stepping closer, his presence overwhelming.
Alena let out a bitter laugh. "So now you want to talk? After acting like I don't exist? Suddenly, I'm worth your time?" Her voice cracked slightly. "I'm tired, Alexo. I never planned my life this way."
Before she could say more, Alexo interrupted, desperation creeping into his voice. "I can't stop thinking about you."
Alena froze. "What?" she whispered, her heart pounding.
"You're always on my mind," he confessed, his green eyes locking onto hers with a kind of desperation she hadn't seen before. "It's driving me crazy. You make me feel things I've never felt before."
She stood there, speechless, as confusion flooded her. "Alexo, I don't get it. Yesterday, you were so gentle, and now you're acting like this. You barely talk to me, push me away, and now… now you're saying this?"
His eyes flickered with guilt before he briefly looked away. "I know," he said softly. "I know I've been distant. I'm not good at this… but I'm not lying to you, Alena."
Her anger softened, replaced by an unfamiliar sympathy. For once, he was open—raw. No walls, no pretenses.
"Why, Alexo? Why do you keep doing this?"
He hesitated, his expression torn. Finally, he spoke, his voice barely above a whisper. "There's a reason. A reason I push people away."
"What do you mean?" Alena asked, her curiosity piqued despite the flood of emotions churning inside her.
He drew a sharp breath, his fists tightening. "There's blood on my hands," he said, the words tasting like acid. "I've ruined lives… people who didn't deserve it. That's why I push everyone away. If you knew everything, you'd hate me."
Alena stared at him, her heart sinking. Blood? Lives? The weight of his confession crushed her, but it was the anguish in his eyes that made her chest tighten.
"Alexo… you ruined lives?" she whispered, unable to grasp it.
He nodded, jaw tight, his guilt a tangible thing. "Yes."
Her mind raced, torn between fear, confusion, and empathy. "I don't know what happened," she said slowly, her voice trembling, "but if it's hurting you this much, you can't keep it all bottled up."
He met her gaze, surprise flashing in his eyes. "You're not afraid?"
"I am," she admitted, her voice softening. "But I'm also… worried about you. No one should carry something like this alone."
He looked at her, stunned. "I don't deserve your worry."
"Then tell me," she urged, her voice firm. "I want to understand. But you need to trust me."
He shook his head, the conflict evident on his face. "I don't know if I can."
"We'll figure it out," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "You're not alone in this."
Before he could respond, she glanced at her watch and cursed softly. "Oh no! The movie!"
"What?" Alexo asked, his brow furrowed.
"I promised Lexy we'd go tonight," she said quickly, standing up. "It's already late, and I don't want to keep him waiting."
Alexo's expression darkened immediately, his jaw tightening. "You're going out with him? At this hour?"
"It's just a movie," she said, exasperated. "Lexy's my friend, Alexo. He's just trying to cheer me up."
"You can't go," he insisted, his voice sharp.
Her brows furrowed. "Why not?"
"It's not safe," he muttered, his voice low.
"Not safe?" she repeated. "Lexy cares about me. He's my friend, and you don't get to decide what I do."
His frustration bled into desperation. "I'm just trying to protect you."
"I don't need protection," she said, her voice softening, "at least not from Lexy."
The tension between them was thick, suffocating. Finally, Alena sighed, her heart heavy with everything she still didn't understand. "I have to go," she said quietly. "Lexy's waiting for me, and I… I need time to think about everything you've said."
Alexo's shoulders slumped, a silent resignation in his posture. "Be careful," he murmured.
Alena nodded and walked away, the weight of his eyes on her back heavy with unspoken emotions. As she left, she couldn't shake the feeling that there was so much more to him than she'd ever guessed.