-Chapter 5

 "Hey Jac- OH MY GOD! WHAT HAPPENED?!?" Mom ran toward us, a hand cupped over her mouth. 

 "I'm.. I'm ok.. I just.." I stammered, sighing. Alex rested a hand on my shoulder gently. I felt immediate warmth. I looked at my lap, hoping Alex would explain. I could hear the worry dripping from my mother's voice. 

 Alex sighed. "A few boys were.. bullying him.." he mumbled, caressing my shoulder with his thumb. 

 "Oh my god! I need to call the school!" She said, running over to the home phone. She lifted it from the reciever, then hesitated. I watched her, Alex running his gentle fingers though my curly hair. I felt safe within his touch to say the least.

 "Actually.. I'll call the doctor first.." she mumbled, taking a quick look at my facial injuries. I pursed my lips together as a cruddy attempt to smile. I nodded, and looked back down to my lap."

 "Yes, My son has had trouble at school today... Yes... Not that I know of... 6:30? Okay... Yes.." Mom gripped the sides of the counter, her eyes filled with worry. She had always been like this because of.. The Day Our Lives Fell Apart. Every time I got the smallest of a cut, she would go big about it. Even getting me candy to last for weeks at a time. I guess I could use that to my advantage if I really wanted to, but I could just buy candy myself with the money I make at the farmer's market with Mom.

 "Eleanor Laurens... alright, thank you.. ba-bye" She ended the call then looked toward us. "You'll be going to the doctors at 6:30, okay? That's t earliest they can do.." she said. I nodded. "Okay.." I said in a small voice. "Alex, you may stay as long as you like. Heck, you can even come with us to the appointment if you want!" Mom smiled at Alex. "That would be wonderful, Mrs. Laurens." Alex said formally. "Oh, just call me Eleanor, or even Mom!" Mom laughed, but her eyes still showed worry. 

 "I'm okay Mom don't worry.." I said with a soft smile. It wasn't very genuine because my body still hurt from the impact, but that was okay. It was going to hurt, obviously. 

 "I'll get started on some lunch.. is spaghetti ok, Alex?" She asked, getting ready to rush into the kitchen. "Yes, that's perfectly fine." "Great!" Mom ran into the kitchen, fumbling around for a pot.

 Alex wheeled me into the living room. "Hey that's cool!" Alex exclaimed, pointing to the ramp. "Oh yeah, the person that built our house included it for me. It was so sweet!" I said, smiling at the memory. Behind every happy memory is a dark one, however. My smile didn't last very long.

 "Do you want to go to your room?" Alex asked, snapping me from my thoughts, thankfully. "Yeah, sure." I told him with a small smile. "Cool beans," I giggled at his word choice. One minute he was trying, and succeeding, to be formal; then he was tryin, but failing, to be 'cool'. I didn't mind though, in my mind Alex was 'cool'. 

 Scratch that, he was hot..

 Where did that come from?! 

 Alex gently pushed my door open to be met with a clean room, but messy bed. That's how it always was, unless I crawled on the floor. Most of my things were just for decoration, except for my coin collection. Yes, I collect coins. It's actually really fun!

 "You wanna get on your bed?" Alex asked, ready to pick me up if I agreed. I pretended to think about it, then nodded with a small smile. He nodded, and picked me up bridal style, then gently lowered me on the bed. I sighed, staring at the ceiling. 

 "You're beautiful.." I heard Alex whisper, staring at me with loving eyes. I blushed profusely. I wasn't beautiful. I was a mess. "I look a mess.." I whispered. "Darling, you look perfect.." He mumbled, but I heard it. I blushed, and covered my cheeks. I never knew he felt this way.

 I guess that's a good thing..

 Oh, who am I kidding? I'm crushing hard on this boy...

 "Lunch's ready!!" Mom called from downstairs. Alex smiled. "How about I carry you there?" He asked. "You don't no have to.." I whispered, blush still on my cheeks. "Yes I do," he said smiling. "Princess" he muttered. I hadn't heard it this time. 

 "Well, if you insist.." I said, giggling a bit. "Oh, yes!" He smiled, lifting me back up bridal style. He carried me down to the kitchen. Who knew how strong he was? Well, I certainly found out.

 He set me down in a chair, then pushed it in like a gentleman. He then walked over, asking if mom needed any help. She handed him four plates, and he set them at the table neatly. 

 James came walking down the stairs and into the kitchen. "Hey Jamie, feeling any better?" I asked, turning my head toward him as he sat down. "Yeah, just a stuffy nose is all.." He smiled tiredly. "That's good.." I mumbled, looking down at my plate. I bit the inside of my cheek as I thought, but soon the warm smell of fresh spaghetti filled my senses, leaving me defenseless. 

 I loved spaghetti. 

 I looked up and smiled. "Alex gets first pick, since he's the guest." I said softly, causing him to grin. "I might be the guest, but you're the one who should be served first. Especially after what happened today." Alex said. I blushed, and smiled softly. My mom smirking from behind a vase of pink peonies. "I ship it..." James mumbled under his breath to Mom, who nodded. "Well, if you insist.." I mumbled loud enough for them to hear, then quickly grabbed a small serving of spaghetti. 

 "Hey, wanna hear a joke?" James asked, grinning. I nodded, "Sure." "What do you call ale spaghetti?" James asked. "Hmm.. I have no idea.." Alex said. "Neither do I" I responded. "A Im-pasta" James snorted. Alex chuckled. I giggled, wrinkling up my nose by reflect. Mom laughed. "That's the best thing I've heard all day, son!" She said, wiping a tear from her eye. 

 "Yep," I said, grinning. "I've got the best little brother around!"