Cedar Rapids, Iowa | Sunday | November 20

[fratboybitch]

It took Alex awhile to actually surface after the latest round of shit that had gone on for him. He'd taken to ignoring his phone (sorry, Emma) and concentrating on what was right in front of him so he wouldn't go fucking insane. It had...sort of worked. Things had gotten rougher (of course), his mom had pinballed from one extreme to another and

Comments

[icecoldfrost]

After her conversation with Rose at Homecoming, like hell Emma let one ignored text deter her. She was just going to pester him until he actually replied, or until she lost her patience, grabbed Rosebud, and went out there to shake him.

fuck thanksgiving, The text that she sent stated. come keep me company and get wasted, or hathaway and I will come find you.

[fratboybitch]

He vaguely heard his phone beeping from the spot it had landed in the grass. And, for a few seconds, he thought about ignoring but then he realized it could be Aaron or Amber so he pushed himself up and snagged the phone.

The fact that it was Emma was a relief (she wasn't gone) but the fact that it wasn't Aaron or Amber made his heart feel like it was in a cold, cold vice.

i can't come keep you company. At least he responded, right? bad day for it.

[icecoldfrost]

fine, we'll come out there for the weekend, she replied, before realizing she should, you know, actually ASK Rose. Or, shockingly, Alex. Details. or at least I will.

don't exactly want to stick around the campus ghost-town. what's up with you?

[fratboybitch]

everyone gone for thanksgiving? Alex wrote back, settling back down on his steps and blinking at what...looked like some blackness etched against the orange sky off in the distance.

[icecoldfrost]

pretty much, she answered. we have classes monday and tuesday, but everyone's blowing them off, even the teachers.

Emma would be there, because Emma was a nerd at heart, but it was too strange to have the bustling campus go telepathically silent so fast.

[fratboybitch]

well, at least they're there.

Alex took a few breaths to try and settle himself down.

could be worse. just rent some porn.

[icecoldfrost]

right. because sitting alone in my room with rented porn isn't pathetic or anything, Emma replied. my roommate dropped out or something, so there really isn't anyone here but little 'ol me.

[fratboybitch]

don't whine.

It wasn't whining but he had a slightly shorter fuse than usual.

go to the island. always people there.

[icecoldfrost]

right. because the last time I went to the island, I spent half the time at homecoming avoiding my ex. totally thrilling time. really. oh, wait, you didn't come. rose and I were sad.

Emma really hadn't wanted to deal with the Peter Issue then. She was there for fun, dammit.

also, not whining. what's got your panties in a twist?

Rose was so getting texted right about now.

[fratboybitch]

yeah, i didn't come. i bet you both cried.

He'd forgotten it was even time for homecoming, honestly. He didn't keep up with most of that stuff unless his focus was pretty damn good that day.

and i'm dealing with something and it's not going well.

He liked being vague, apparently.

[icecoldfrost]

sobbed into our punch, but we consoled ourselves.

He hadn't come! Emma and Rosebud had been sad! ....although they did not console themselves in the way he was probably hoping after that message.

...don't make me try and use telepathy over the damn phone, Alex.

Text to Rose sent.

[fratboybitch]

that's impossible.

Yeah, he didn't think she was that damn good no matter how good she really was. He was thousands of miles away and...he was gonna try and not think about what was bothering him anyway.

too far away. nice try, though.

[icecoldfrost]

I specialize in the impossible, darling, Emma pointed out. and don't try to change the subject. tell auntie emma what the problem is.

[fratboybitch]

and if i don't?

Stubbornness helped him put off telling anyone about his worries and it was just his way.

[icecoldfrost]

I get pissy because you're giving me the run around. If he wanted to be vague, Emma would do direct. and I'm actually worried about you enough to come out there and make sure you aren't doing anything ridiculously stupid.

There. She admitted to caring. And if he tried to tease her about it, she would turn to diamond and punch him in the face.

[fratboybitch]

i'm sitting on my porch. does that sound stupid?

She didn't mean that, Alex.