The Innocence is Gone

You had a girlfriend.

April's POV

I looked at Marcus confused on what just happened. "What was that?"I asked Marcus who was putting the bags of snacks in the car trunk.

"I don't know."Marcus shrugged coming back to the driver's side. He definitely knew. I frowned then I looked at Alex. He had that nonchalant demeanour as if nothing just happened. I was still confused on what happened. Since both Alex and Marcus did not want to explain, I got in the car. Marcus was driving us to his place since I agreed.....no, Marcus agreed on my behalf to join his friend group.

He started the car and drove away in the night. The air was just too awkward and silent. Alex was quiet and so was Marcus. I sighed taking my phone out and scrolled aimlessly through the contacts. I smiled when I came across my big brother's. I was supposed to call him but I forgot. This was the perfect time to call him back so I pressed the call button and he answered in the second ring.

"Hey Landon."I greeted with a smile.

"Why are you calling now P? You are supposed to be sleeping since you decided to lead a boring life in campus." Landon told me and I fumed.

"Maybe I am at party now."

Landon chuckled mockingly. "You are funny."he continued to laugh.

I pouted my shoulders slumping back. Marcus glanced at me for a second with a smirk and I looked away. I looked outside the window waiting for my brother's laugh to die down. "Are you done?"I asked bored. I wish I never called.

"I can go on if you want me to."he told me.

"I will just hang up if you go on."I threatened. "It is not funny making fun of my life."

"I am sorry."

"You are not forgiven....."I trailed an evil grin forming on my lips. "but....I have a favour to ask you."I said and I heard Alex scoffing. I stared at him lifting my brow. He just shrugged and I wondered what was wrong with him.

"What favour?"

"I was kicked out of the dorm......"

"You were what?"Landon yelled at me in the phone.

I rolled my eyes. "Let me finish...."

He did not let me finish what I wanted to finish saying. "What did the other roommate do? I know there is no way it was your fault. You are too quiet to get yourself kicked out of anywhere let alone the dorm."he said and I smiled. It was so sweet that he trusted me.

"You are right. My roommate messed it up for me and now I kinda don't have a permanent place to stay. I have tried finding a roommate but I had no luck. Everyone has a roommate because the freshmen are joining."I took a deep breath readying myself to tell him the next statement which was the most important. "So...could you talk to dad and tell him that I will rent my own place?"I asked my fist clenched. I closed my eyes nervously.

Landon was quiet and I waited as my heart beat picked up a pace. "You know I can make that happen without asking dad for help, right?"he asked me and I opened my eyes surprised. I never expected that answer.

My family especially Landon were very clear when they said I should not live alone because they were worried I could turn out worse. Not worse in the way you think but worse in terms of detachment from real world. They wanted me to be around people to make me interact with them because I was too quiet and alone.

That was why I had to stay in the dorm. There I could meet so many people and interact with them but the truth was, I managed to just meet my roommate. I avoided anyone who got too close and wanted to be my friend because I did not want to disappoint them with my lack of commitment. I was only committed to my peace and my time alone. Talk about introverted introverts. Was that a word because if it was then that was who I was.

I did not think Landon would agree to my request of staying alone. "You mean it?"I asked just to be sure Landon was serious about his claim.

"Hell yes. I would not let my little sister suffer alone in campus. I will be there tomorrow to help you look for a place."He said and I nodded knowing very well he could not see me.

"Thank you. See you tomorrow then."

"Okay, goodnight and I love you."

"I love you too."I said back before hanging up the phone grinning from ear to ear.

Marcus cleared his throat to grab my attention. I adjusted my position to look at him through the review mirror. I was still grinning.

"I did not know you had a boyfriend."Marcus told me. Through the corner of my eyes I could see Alex's curiosity on his face.

I shook my head. "That was my brother."I announced and I saw Alex lean away pretending to not have been listening.

"Oh wow. Did he say he would come to help you look for a place?" Marcus asked but it seemed as if he wanted a confirmation of something he already knew.

I nodded excitedly. "Yeah,"

"Your brother is impressive for coming to campus to help you. I wish I had a sibling like that."Marcus said sadly and before I could say anything, he pulled up in a parking basement and he stopped the car.

Alex was the first to get out of the car. I just stared at him walk ahead of us as if we were not together. I wondered what was wrong with him. Why was he so full of himself? It was not cool at all. Why did people even find him attractive and cool in the first place? Almost every girl on campus was a fan of him. I had to question everyone's character for liking a guy like Alex.

"Don't mind Alex."Marcus chuckled getting the bags of snacks from the trunk.

He probably noticed my puzzled expression while I stared at the retreating figure of Alex. "Why is he like that though?"I asked Marcus taking one bag from him to help him carry it.

"I don't know. Maybe he has emotional detachment issues or just emotional problems in general." Marcus replied. "But he is a good guy when he wants to so don't hold his attitude now against him. He is a good friend."I side eyed Marcus at his attempt to praise and defend Alex.

"Have you ever heard of birds of a feather quote? You defending his character says a lot about your character and you being friends with him makes you just like him."I told Marcus as he lead the way.

"Hey, don't come for me because of who I hang out with. You know nothing about my friends so don't be quick to judge. They are great people, you'll see."Marcus became defensive and I just shrugged my shoulders.

I doubted I would get along with his friends in the first place.