Pop - Ch.7

                Alekk was glad to finally be home. He thought about his performance, which had been plastered across almost every television for the whole world to see. Only a couple of hours ago. And Niv. Alekk was locking the front door of the house now, as quietly as he could ever achieve possible. Maybe, just maybe Niv was sleeping. After checking to make sure the door was locked, Alekk picked up his bags and turned.

                And Niv for once surprised him. He stood only a couple of feet away. Alekk opened his mouth to speak, but no words would escape.

                “You like her, too?” asked Niv, who obviously look hurt. He was still slightly sick, and his voice sounded more vulnerable than usual. Alekk sighed deeply.

                “I didn’t mean to. I mean I didn’t want to take any more from you.”

                Alekk felt guilt, now more painful than he had ever felt. Niv was his best friend. It was always like this, and Alekk hated it. It was always him that took away Niv’s joy. It was always him that got the better end of every outcome. Now he wanted Max when Niv was the first to gain her happiness. Niv was Alekk’s best friend. He never wanted to hurt him like this.

                “But you do – you like her,” repeated Niv, almost sounding defeated. His world was caving in. Questions he never bothered to ask before now flooded his mind. Why did Alekk express his feelings about Max – why now? What had happened during the Shakespeare Festival that he wasn’t aware of, when he was lying sick in the cabin?

                Alekk hadn’t said anything yet. For once Niv felt angry at Alekk. He wanted to punch him in the jaw – hard enough that the redness following would take more than a few minutes to disappear. He wasn’t mad when Alekk was picked first for the soccer team and he wasn’t, those many years ago. He wasn’t mad when Alekk had enough talent to become famous, and he didn’t. He wasn’t mad when he had to travel with Alekk and forego seeing his parents for an entire year. But the slight chance of Alekk taking Max for himself – that Niv couldn’t handle.

                “It’s a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer Alekk, spit it out,” Niv glared at Alekk with cold eyes. Alekk looked back at Niv apologetically.

                “Yes.”

                Niv sighed deeply, disappointment read easily on his face. He turned and started walking away.

                “Wait, Niv I’m sorry!” exclaimed Alekk, running to catch up with Niv. It felt like needles were making their way under his skin. He couldn’t lose Niv. Not Niv, he was his best friend.

                Niv stopped and looked up at Alekk, who had muttered a silent “thank you” under his breath.

                “Get away from me Alekk. Go get some sleep, or something. I just need some space. Being tired doesn’t suit you so well.”

                Alekk nodded in understanding, before leaving Niv to himself. He pleaded silently that soon this would all blow over. That somehow everything would work itself out.

                I woke up not to an alarm, but to the smell of breakfast. This was a first in a while. I padded my way from the bedroom to the kitchen, where Wes was making something for us to eat. The entire house smelled so good. It made me miss when it was just Wes and I – even with the hurt of having Aunt Karen leave us. Wes and I took care of each other. We always would.

                Wes smiled as he brought the food over to the table.

                “You haven’t been used to this in a while, have you? Someone making breakfast for you, that is.”

                I smiled.

                “No. I miss this though. I don’t know if I’ll ever go back!”

                Wes laughed. What I said was a complete joke to him. I wasn’t sure if it was to me, though. Of course I couldn’t stay, but with all the awkwardness that I had waiting for me from both Niv and Alekk, staying here didn’t sound too bad at all.

                “So that was weird, what happened last night. Are you sure Alekk isn’t just trying to play you? You did say that Niv was his only friend. Maybe he just wants the company.”

                “Don’t talk about him like that, Wes,” I jutted in, preventing Wes from talking any more about the subject. Wes gave me a quizzical look, eyes wide and brows furrowed. He didn’t understand why I snapped that way. Why I stood up for Alekk, who had at one point caused pain to the both of us.

                “I owe him so much – with everything that he’s done…,”

                “What did he do?” interrupted Wes.

                “He’s helped me so much, Wes. He helped me land a spot in a play at the Shakespeare Festival. I have an acting career now, thanks to him,” I gushed. It still didn’t fully sink in that I was in the show business now, just like that. Just in a few days. Wes just looked shocked. His mind was still processing what I had just said.

                “I can help take care of us now. We’re going to be okay, and it’s all thanks to Alekk.”

                Wes grabbed my hand.

                “I understand now. I’m so proud of you.”

                A smile emerged across my entire face. We had done it. I think now was when we understood more than ever that this was where we were meant to be. That it was okay we had left my Aunt Karen two months ago.

                Niv had found himself on a living room couch the next morning. He didn’t know how he got there, and not in his bed. It was really starting to stump him how he didn’t remember. How did he not have the slightest clue about anything that happened after he and Alekk had their fight? He always remembered everything.

                Niv rose from the couch, trying to not fret over the blank space in his mind that consisted of last night. He was about to walk to the kitchen when his gaze allowed him to then freeze in place at the sight of a glass bottle on the floor half-full with a golden liquid. Was that Alekk’s brandy? Niv had never had a sip of alcohol in his life! He was very against underage drinking. So why was Alekk’s bottle of brandy on the floor and not in the cupboards?

                It slowly all started to make sense. The brandy. His lack of memory from last night’s events… whatever they were. And then Niv gasped. He drank Alekk’s brandy. It must have been because he was so upset. He quickly ran his fingers down his neck, apt to make sure that his pulse was still normal. He knew what alcohol could do to the heart – another reason for never drinking it in the first place.

                Niv sighed in relief to find that his pulse was normal, in fact, quite fast due to the adrenaline that was now pounding through his veins. He had to put the brandy back, before Alekk found out and expressed the same concern of Niv’s underage drinking.

                As he picked up the bottle and walked briskly to the kitchen, Niv noticed thankfully that not too much was missing from last night. Usually when Alekk ended up “blacking out” after a big party, the entire bottle of brandy was gone. Right now it basically looked as though only a small glass was poured. Niv was glad the missing content wasn’t so noticeable. And then he regretted being thankful, knowing well what it meant.

                “Lightweight,” he grumbled to himself.

                It was weird, however, how clearly Niv began to think – even with the missing eight (or so) hours from his memory. As he sat down at a table with his bowl of cereal, Niv began to think of how stupid it was that he and Alekk fought last night.

                They had always been friends. Best friends. It was ridiculous that they were fighting over a girl – one he really wanted to be with nonetheless, but still – even after all of the years they had spent doing everything together. Niv really owed Alek his life. He had to get this resolved somehow. He thought he would be brave and call Maxine, who was still at Wes’ house.

http://youtu.be/c4SJ0xR2_bQ < Monty Python link.

Minstrel: [singing] Brave Sir Robin ran away...
Sir Robin: *No!*
Minstrel: [singing] bravely ran away away...
Sir Robin: *I didn't!*
Minstrel: [singing] When danger reared its ugly head, he bravely turned his tail and fled.
Sir Robin: *I never did!*
Minstrel: [singing] Yes, brave Sir Robin turned about, and valiantly, he chickened out.
Sir Robin: *Oh, you liars!*
Minstrel: [singing] Bravely taking to his feet, he beat a very brave retreat. A brave retreat by brave Sir Robin.

               

                Wes and I were having a long overdue movie marathon. After breakfast we watched Edward Scissorhands, and now we were watching Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

                “So, this Niv guy. You like him, right?” asked Wes. I wasn’t expecting that. I blushed slightly.

                “Yea, I do,” I replied in a humble, small smile. I wasn’t sure what I’d expect from Wes. I wanted him to like Niv because his approval meant everything to me. With only ourselves to be each other’s mentors this past year, it would have killed me to know that we weren’t thinking on the same plane anymore.

                “Good,” said Wes, “he seems like a nice guy.”

                It was like opening the curtains and allowing the sun to flood in. I was settled in a comfortable warmth, knowing that Wes approved of Niv. I smiled at Wes.

 

 

                We were almost done watching the movie, when Wes gave me a look. The one where he wanted to ask me more questions. I had a feeling I knew what he wanted to ask. He had asked about Niv. There was only one other person I had been living with. My heart beat fast. While I was sure of what Wes could ask next, I wasn’t quite sure how I would answer it myself. But really, the timing couldn’t have been better.

                “So… about Alekk. It sounds as though he likes you. I mean, do you like him too, Max?”

                I froze. I didn’t know whether I my face was ghostly white or blushing madly. Was I in love with Alekk? Was it possible? I liked Niv. I liked him a lot. But then Alekk, and this last weekend. He surprised me.

                Luckily my cellphone ringing woke me up from my daze. My fingers fumbled as they struggled to reach it from inside my pockets. I answered the call as quickly as possible, not even bothering to look at who had called me in the first place. I didn’t care. I had to get away from Wes’ impending stare. This was the perfect distraction. Or was it?

 

                “Max?”

                It was Niv, his innocent voice like a gentle breeze that coursed its say through my nerves, tingling gently on my fingertips. I missed the simplicity of just him. Of just us. So my heart just about broke with the next words he said.

                “Do you like Alekk?”

                I think the heavy amount of guilt I felt answered the question. If it had been only a few days ago, if everything were normal, the outcome wouldn’t be like this. One small change and I wouldn’t have felt a thing. I quickly would have given a sarcastic “no.” But I didn’t, did I? No, I just stood there, allowing Niv’s slow-released sigh to break the tormenting silence.

                “Well, do you still like me?”

                That I could answer easily.

                “Of course I do.”

                I knew I couldn’t expect him to be entirely relieved. I liked him – but apparently I liked Alekk, too. I couldn’t ask him to understand how I liked two different people at once. I couldn’t ask him to stay – with me. But I wanted him to stay. I wanted him to be mine.

                “Okay,” mumbled Niv, “so when are you coming back?”

                “I don’t know.”

                Alekk finally had emerged from his bedroom, clad in some of his usual clothes which were more expensive than one would think. He saw that Niv was in the living room, watching television. He gave Niv an apologetic smile that Niv had returned with a hint of sadness. Alekk wasn’t sure what that was about, but he came out of his room for a reason. And it had something to do with Max.

                “So, we’re both in love with Max, right?” Alekk asked as he joined Niv on the couch, who nodded in reply. Niv wasn’t sure where he was going with this.

                “Well I was looking at the calendar in the kitchen while you were swimming. And guess what I saw?” Niv continued to stare at him suspiciously. Alekk rolled his eyes.

                “It seems that this next weekend is Max’s birthday. She wrote it up on there in her tiny handwriting. I think she was trying to be discrete… either that or just assumed that none of us step foot in our kitchen anymore.”

                “Surprise party,” piped Niv.

                “Exactly what I was thinking,” winked Alekk, “now back to you. Why do you look like you’re about to unleash a flood onto my expensive couch cusions?”

                “It’s Max,” sighed Niv, “I just called her.”

                “Good for you buddy. NEVER in my whole life have I seen you call up a girl before.”

                Niv gave Alekk a cold look. Alekk shrugged his shoulders.

                “Well, what did she say?”

                Niv looked at Alekk with his big blue eyes, which were now slightly moist. Then he looked down at his hands, as they were studiously being controlled to be clasped and still on his lap.

                “Alekk she likes us. She likes the both of us.”

Alekk couldn’t hear the rest of what Niv was going on about. His head filled with something like a warm, cloudy fuzz that blocked off everything. Everything but Max. His heart felt suddenly full, big enough to expand across his entire chest. It surged and hurt, it was beating so hard. All he knew was that he wanted Max. He mostly wanted Max all to himself, but his mind would tell him that he’d want Max by his side no matter the cost. He wouldn’t, couldn’t allow anything to hurt her. She liked him and so she was his to shed love and protection.

                A sharp pain scorched its way into his lungs as he remembered Niv and gasped. So this was how Niv felt. Niv liked Max. But he liked Max. And Max liked the both of them. It hurt. Alekk wanted Max to himself – but he also wanted to protect her. To never hurt her. He realized that if he took Niv away from Max, he would hurt her. He couldn’t do that. He would allow himself to be in pain for an eternity if it meant Max was happy.

                Alekk composed himself.

                “Well Niv, I think you and I agree that this fighting is ridiculous,” he smirked, “I mean, it’s been us forever. You and me. And I think I have plan to fix this, once and for all.”

                “Max, it’s getting pretty late. I’m sure they’re beginning to get worried that you haven’t come back yet.” Wes flicked off the television. It was the end of our movie marathon but I just sat there. I should have left already.

                “I don’t want to go.”

                “I don’t get why not. It’s a nice house. Very nice. And you have Niv waiting there for you. Alekk doesn’t seem to be a pain anymore. I mean, if I were in your same situation – but with girls instead of course – I wouldn’t mind going back. Especially if one of them liked me. Unless-,”

                Wes paused. Then looked at me as if he finally understood something. I didn’t know where he was going with this.

                “Oh. Oh…,”

                “What?” I asked, slightly irritated at his ambiguity.

                “It makes sense now. You like the both of them. I knew it! It would make sense that you wouldn’t want to go back, you know, if Alekk was still a jerk. But you told me he changed. So the only reason why you wouldn’t want to go back is because you like the both of them, and don’t want to hurt Niv. It makes for a really awkward situation.”

                “Thanks, for that Wes.”

                He kind of looked guilty for just laying that all down on me. It would have been a lot for someone to take in, especially if they didn’t know they liked two people at once. But I already had it figured out. So it was more like a reassurance of how utterly lame I was. Because seriously, how hard could it be to just like ONE person? Why couldn’t I be normal?

                “You know what you have to do then, don’t you?”

                “I know. I know I have to go back. We can’t take care of each other, Wes. Not yet.”

                “Eventually,” smiled Wes in understanding.

                “Eventually,” I repeated. I picked up my backpack full of clothes. It was the only thing I had brought with me last night when I saw Wes for the first time in a month. The painful part was coming again, where it felt like someone was clutching at my heart. I was leaving Wes. And who knew for how long this time. Wes seemed to wear the same expression I wore.

                “One more month to go, Max. And try to have a good birthday. I’ll make a wish for you.”

                “Okay,” I replied, before turning the knob to Wes’ front door and exiting out onto the breezy deck. I had to leave, now. Before Wes could see me cry.

                I walked up the last step of Alekk’s beach house. It made me remember the first time I had walked up these steps, how excited and naïve I had been. Before all of this happened.

                My legs were so tired, and so they dragged as I made my way to the front door. I don’t know why I hadn’t called Alekk’s driver beforehand. But I guess I wanted a walk. I needed some time to think. I slowly opened the door, custom now to the familiar smell of the house as the air warmed my face. I quickly urged my legs to walk towards my room, when I was stopped at the site of Niv and Alekk.

“Well hello there,” smirked Alekk.

                “Hi…” I replied. What was going on? Nothing made sense. Weren’t Niv and Alekk supposed to be mad at each other? Why were they here together?

                “So,” Niv started out.

                “We realized you have a birthday coming up. Turns out I’m more observant than you give me credit for,” chimed Alekk.

                “It uh, was supposed to be a surprise party. But we switched things up.”

                Niv was adorable. Trying to be coy like Alekk. They both just kind of stood there. It looked like they weren’t sure of what to say next.

                “So, what’s the catch?” I asked.

                “You see, we’re BOTH going to help set up this party. But you only get one date. So you get to choose.”

                Alekk and Niv looked at each other, then back to me. My eyes widened as they both came closer. My heart was beating a million times a minute.

                “Me,” breathed Niv.

                “Or me,” smirked Alekk as he raised his brow.

                I was caught off guard. I didn’t know what to say. All my mind could think was “look at them.”

END OF CH.7