Dad, let’s get out of here! ” He said to Ben who stood up on his feet immediately.
Bobby looked at Ava to see her smiling ” We’ll be back ” He mouthed to her and Ava smirked, daring them with her eyes.
They ran off, Bobby leaving his father who had a little trouble sprinting off like his son.
Alex turned to Ava and his eyes was filled with questions like ‘ Are you okay? Did those fools touch you? ‘
Ava shook her head as she tried to blink back her tears. Unable to control the urge, she flew into his arms and finally let go of her tears. He had saved her from her nightmares, if not for him, she was sure Bobby would have hit her and probably drag her back to the hellhole they called home for more punishment.
She could read Alex’s expression so well as though he could talk. She had seen raw rage in his eyes when she was about to be hit. His eyes looked so fierce that she was shocked, she didn’t mean anything to him so why had he looked so protective and defended her? These were the questions going through her mind.
He held her and nuzzled her neck, making her moan softly. She liked this new feeling, she thought as her face broke into a soft smile. They stayed that way for more minutes until they heard some footsteps coming in their direction. Ava drew back so fast that she almost tripped but for Alex who held her steady in place. Her cheeks reddened in embarrassment , she felt she was being clumsy.
Jack emerged from the house and he looked Ava over thoroughly in search of any bruise. He visibly relaxed when he saw none.
” Are you okay? ” He asked her.
She nodded ” Yeah I’m cool, thanks ”
Jack turned to Alex and repeated the question. Alex just nodded, his gaze unwavering from Ava. Jack heaved a sigh of relief.
” You didn’t tell me you have some issues with your family ” He reprimanded her in a light .
Ava shrugged ” It’s nothing worth talking about and certainly nothing to be impressed about ” She scrunched up her nose in irritation.
Jack sighed ” But still, it would have done us a lot of good if we knew the kind of family you lived with ”
Ava sighed too ” I know, and I’m sorry about that. I just felt it’s nothing to be impressed with and I didn’t want to put you in an uncomfortable position ”
Jack nodded ” I understand and it’s very thoughtful of you to think that way ”
” Don’t worry about them, they won’t be allowed in here anymore, is that okay? ” Jack added.
Ava nodded ” Thank you ” She whispered.
Turning to Alex, she whispered ” Thank you ” and he nodded. She seemed to be doing that a lot lately.
” Come in ” Jack said and led the way back into the house.
Ava took Alex by the arm and they went in.
” Here ” Jack intoned and handed a package to Ava.
Her eyes widened slightly in surprise ” What’s this? ” She managed to ask.
” What else? A phone of course. You need one, remember? ” Jack asked coyly.
Immediately, her eyes became cloudy with unshed tears of appreciation. Unable to hold herself back, she drew him into an embrace. His eyes went huge in surprise as he didn’t expect her to react that way.
He blushed ” It’s okay ” He muttered.
She withdrew from the embrace and smiled up at him, holding the phone up close to her chest.
” Thank you ” She said softly.
He nodded ” It’s nothing ” and got busy with his phone.
Ava looked over to Alex to see if he shared her happiness. But she frowned in confusion when she saw his eyes had darkened to a deeper shade of their color. He clenched his jaw and she saw his mouth twitched with something close to rage, if not anger. What was the matter with him? She asked herself. He was obviously okay a few minutes ago so why did his mood changed suddenly? She was sure she didn’t say something that angered him, neither did Jack.
Summoning up a smile in his direction, she said enthusiastically ” Alex see, Jack got me a new phone! ” And she held the package up.
Her smile disappeared when he didn’t return her enthusiasm or smile back. Instead, he turned and went up to his room.
Her frown deepened as she turned to Jack, raising her eyebrows ” Is something wrong with Alex? He was okay just before we came in ”
Jack smiled knowingly ” Oh don’t worry about him, he’ll come around eventually ” He looked completely relaxed and not at all bothered by Alex’s sudden mood swing. She nodded but was still perturbed, she contemplated going up to inquire what was up with him.
Jack seemed to have read her mind as he nodded and gestured in the direction Alex took ” You can go on up to meet him, if you want to of course ” He said smugly, a smile playing on his lips. He knew why Alex had acted that way but chose to keep quiet.
Of course she wanted to go to him, she thought as she replaced the phone package on the table and went towards the direction he took in a hurry. She bumped into Margaret who held her by the arm before she could run past her.
” Whoa! Where are you running of to? ” Margaret asked.
Ava took in deep breaths ” I… I wanna go see Alex ”
Margaret mouthed an ‘oh’
Ava nodded and proceeded to Alex’s room.
” Come down later to get your food! ” Margaret yelled but Ava barely heard her as her mind was on one person, Alex.
She got to his room and stood at the door, taking a breath of courage. She knocked and when he didn’t give any sign or opened the door for her, she entered the passwords and went in.