Vol. II - And Teens We Became - Track 01 Part A
Warnings: Language, some adult concepts. (both parts)
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Today is the greatest
Day I've ever known
Can't live for tomorrow,
Tomorrow's much too long
I'll burn my eyes out
Before I get out
Today - Smashing Pumpkins
It was finally his birthday.
They were celebrating in the kitchen, with none of his friends around, but nothing would stop Alexander from enjoying that day.
His father was right there cheering up for him,
and he was now officially a teenager.
Dina had quickly finished the party by asking everyone to lower their voices, and ordering the butler to clean up the cake, but Alexander didn't mind. He was a teen, and she wouldn't ruin his day.
"So, do you have anything planned for today, son?" His father asked once Dina left the room.
"Well, no, not exactly" Alex answered hesitantly.
A part of him wished to go out and discover the whole world out there, but he didn’t have friends his age to go out with, and even going out alone, he wouldn't know where to go exactly, or what to do for that matter.
"Are you sure? Maybe you could go to the mall and get some new cloths or something. You'll be starting High School now. There must be... things you need." His father insisted, in a manner that sounded very suspicious for Alexander, almost like Mortimer wanted him out of the house.
Alexander didn't know what to think of it, but the idea of getting new cloths for himself, and by himself, really sounded quite tempting.
"Could I get a mp3 player too, dad?"
"Of course, son, anything you like, just be back early, there's something I want to show you." Mortimer added casually, but his comment only made Alexander even more curious, if not even slightly concerned.
"It's everything ok?"
"Everything is perfectly fine, don't you worry." Mortimer grinned back "Just go and get some presents for yourself, son, you deserve it."
***** *****
And so, after being almost literally pushed out of the house by his father, Alexander headed toward the local mall, located just a few blocks from his new house.
He knew the small town of Pleasantview like the back of his hand, but that day it felt like walking along the streets for the first time on his life.
And, in a way, it was. It was his first time walking those street alone, without the company of an adult;
and certainly the first time allowed to choose and buy something for himself, without no one else deciding for him.
Alexander entered the store,
distracted and excited thinking about the kind of cloths he would like to get,
but suddenly noticed the boy at the cashier, and for a second he almost forgot how to breath.
It was hard to understand why the mere presence of that boy was making him feel so nervous, and quickly moved to the closest rack to browse the cloths. Or at least he tried to keep his attention on the clothing, but soon found himself staring at the cashier attentively again.
He was blond, with light eyes, seemed pretty fit and...
"Hey, do you need any help?" The boy asked him from the counter making Alexander startle, wondering if he had noticed his stare.
"No, I... ehm ..." Alexander stammered nervously, feeling his face burn while his heart pounded fast, and pretended to be seriously interested in the first piece of clothing he could grab. Unfortunately this happened to be the most hideous yellow shirt, which made Alexander feel even more embarrassed.
Quickly he put the shirt back on its rack and took a deep breath trying to calm down. Why was he even worrying about the cashier boy, or what would he think about a yellow shirt?
They didn't know each other and most probably wouldn't even see each other again. Besides they boy worked in a store where people would come and go all day long buying all sorts of stuff. It was highly unlikely that he would even care about the clients' tastes ... as long as they buy something, and don't stand around looking like idiots!
Alexander sighed deeply trying to focus, and moved along to another rack that seemed to have more interesting cloths for him, but finding very hard to keep his attention away from the cashier, he simply grabbed a hand full of, mostly black shirts, and went ahead to pay with his heart pounding hard while repeating to himself "You just have to pay, and get out.
"You don't even know this boy, don't worry about him.
"Just pay and leave.
Just pay and leave. Just pay..."
"Hey, do you know ...where ... ehm .. I could buy a player?" The words came out of Alexander's mouth like said by someone else. He could almost see himself asking the most obvious question, and he could clearly see the boy looking back at him incredulous.
"Maybe in the electronics store by the market. It's just at the other side at the mall."
"Thanks..." Alex stammered shyly and rushed out of the store embarrassed, wishing he would, in fact, never see that same boy again on his life.
As he entered the electronics shop to equip himself with all sort of gadgets,
Alexander still tried to figure out why that random teenager working at the clothing store had caused him such a distress.
Not even the attractive cashier girl on that store was making him feel like before,
but he wouldn't fully comprehend until much later that day.
***** *****
Already on his way back home, Alexander stopped right at the crossing with Sim Lane, from where he could see his old house clearly. He wondered if he could just drop by there with any excuse, maybe he didn't even need a excuse. It was still his home after all.
But at that moment he was more intrigued about the mysterious something his father wished to show him, and decided to head straight back to Dina's house instead.
Once there, he stepped into his room,
which he disliked as much as the rest of the the house,
and started unpacking,
when his father entered carrying a suspicious grin on his face.
"Come. Follow me outside to the garage." Was all Mortimer said before heading outdoors.
Alex followed closely, but never expected the surprise his father had prepared for him.
"This is for you, son" The elder man said standing by a brand new car and holding a set of keys "Happy Birthday!"
"For me?" Alex asked still unable to believe his eyes "THE CAR!? THIS CAR IS FOR ME!?"
"I trust that you'll be a responsible driver, and that you'll always be back home before curfew"
"YES!! I promise, I mean ... Of course, I will ...Thank you, dad! THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!!"
Alexander hugged his father excited before running back inside to change,
and only a few minutes later he was ready to start the first day of the rest of his life.
(Continues on Part B)