Falling for the nerd

Chapter ten - First time going out

Elle's POV:

Finally, I met Alex's parents. They are not bad at all. Actually, I really liked them. They invited me for dinner, but I denied it because I know how uncomfortable Alex feels about these things. Moreover, we have enough time for this. I will not lie that I would love to have dinner with them, because Alex already had with my parents and not once. When the right time comes, this will happen as well. This is not the most important thing for us. I'm glad that they didn't give me the money back. He has done so many things for me. I want to do something for him as well. 

Sunday is the laziest day for me. I have nothing to do and it's only 10 am. I am lying in bed, scrolling through my phone like there is something interesting there. The only thing that I did was to open the door and let Martha in. 

- Good morning. How are you?

- Bored. 

- We can go shopping, but the malls are closed. 

- Thanks, but I went yesterday. 

- Oh yeah. How are things with Alex? 

- Good. I finally met his parents. They are very nice. 

- That's great. 

- Yes, they even invited me for dinner yesterday, but I denied it. I know how Alex feels about these things. 

- I understand, but maybe you have to make a movie since he won't do it. 

- What do you mean?

- That if he doesn't want to be more open, you have to be. 

- I am open. 

- But with him. You have to show him that staying at home is not the best thing, which he can do. I am not saying to bring him to a party or a place with such people. Start with something easy. 

- I tried to make him go out with me once, but he denied it. 

- Then try again. We don't want to pressure him, but only to help him. You have nothing to do anyway, so why don't you invite him for a walk. I don't think that he will deny it. Most of the people are at home getting ready for the new week. No one will see you. 

- Maybe I can use that. Thanks, Martha. 

- No problem. Now, I'll go back to my work. - she said and left

Martha is right. I have to show Alex that going out is not that bad. I don't know will he accept it, but it's worth a try. Who cares will someone see us or not. Well, except him. I'll try to point the positives out of it. He can't tell no to his only friend. I won't let him. Now seriously. I want him to have fun and to see that it's not bad to go outside. People don't bite. 

It's like Alex has read my mind because my phone started ringing and it was him. I quickly picked up. 

- Hey Alex, what's up?

- Nothing. I wanted to check how you are.

- Thanks and I am bored. What are you doing?

- I'm watching movies on my bed. 

- Can I come?

- What?

- I am kidding. 

- If you want we can go out.

- Really? I would love to. Are you sure about this?

- Well, there are not many people outside today, so I can do it. 

- Ok, thanks. You are the best. 

- Only when I say yes, right?

- You always have been. Ok, I'll go get ready. You can come whenever you want. 

- Good. Bye Elle and see you soon. 

- Bye Alex. - I said and hung up

With that, I started jumping around. I can't believe that Alex wants to go out and that I didn't have to do anything. I am so happy about it. 

Since I'll go outside, I decide to get ready. I went for a quick shower. Not like I need to dress official, but I want to look good. When I am in good mood, I pay more attention to the way I look. After my 15-minute shower, I walked out of the bathroom and went to get some clothes. I put on a white tank top with black ripped jeans and some sneakers. I brushed my hair and put it in a ponytail. Last, but not least, I put on a cherry chapstick and went downstairs to wait for Alex. 

Soon there was a knock on the door and I went to open it. In the moment Alex looked at me, he froze. I don't look at my best. He still hasn't seen me when I dress official. Dresses are not my favorite thing, but when it's necessary I can put one on. I lifted his chin and made him look into my eyes. 

- Alex, are you ok?

- What? Yeah, I'm fine. I'm sorry. 

- It's ok to check out a girl, but do it for the pretty ones. - I chuckled and his cheeks turn into light pink

I laughed, which only made it worse. I need to control myself more, but sometimes I just can't. Alex is cute when he blushes. Don't tell him that I said that. 

- Can we go out?

- Yeah, totally. 

Both of us walked out. I have no idea where are we going, but I don't care. I just want to make him feel comfortable. I suggested him go to one diner for drinks and then to one park to drink them. I ordered a chocolate milkshake and Alex vanilla with strawberries. I paid them and we walked out. He wanted to pay, but I didn't let him. Alex can help with something else and that way he will make it up to me for all the money, which I have spent on him. 

Later we went to the park and sat on one bench. I looked at the playground and saw a little girl with her parents. All of them were playing together. I felt tears in my eyes. My parents and I used to do the same when I was little. Now they don't have that much time for me. Not like I mind, but sometimes I wish that we can have a day for ourselves. Without all this work, which they have. 

Alex looked at me and I gave him a smile. He wrapped his hand around me and pulled me for a hug. I looked at him surprised but didn't say anything. I used the moment to snuggle in him. There is almost no one here and I don't care if someone will see us. Alex is my friend and I can do whatever I want with him. 

- Do you feel better?

- Yes, thank you, Alex. 

- I think that you should tell them how you feel. 

- Tell who?

- Your parents. Isn't this the reason why you got upset?

- It is, but I don't think that this will change something. 

- You will never know until you don't try. 

- That's true too. 

We were sitting when to us came the little girl. She looked at me and then grabbed my hand. Both of us walked to the slide and she told me to catch her when she slides down. I nodded my head and did it. The little girl slid down and I caught her with both of my arms. I don't know who is she, but it felt good to hug her. I let her down and gave her a smile. 

- Do you feel better?

- What?

- I saw that you are sad. Did this make you feel better?

- Yes. Thank you. - I said and tapped her nose, which made her giggle

- Do you want to do this again?

- If you let me. 

After the tenth slide, the girl walked home with her parents. I walked back to Alex, who was looking at me with a smile. I sat back down and snuggled. We were sitting for a while and then started walking home. To be honest it wasn't that bad. Yes, we were outside for not more than two hours, but I liked it. I think that Alex enjoyed it too. 

When we walked home, I went to the kitchen and saw a box on the table. Alex came and sat next to me. 

- What is that?

- I don't know. There is one way to find out. - I said and opened it

There was a sketchbook with pencils. I used to draw when I was little. Not like I could, but I was enjoying it. I looked at the note and felt tears in my eyes again. I got up and went into my room. One day. Can't they be with me one day? C'mon who works on Sunday? I laid on the bed and hugged the teddy bear, which was there. Sometimes, I really hate my parents. They are not bad people, but they don't care about me. Money and material things won't change my feelings or make me feel better. I closed my eyes and sighed. 

I opened them I saw Alex laying down next to me. When he has come? I didn't say anything and moved closer. He looked at me and carefully removed a piece of my hair. We kept looking at each other for a while. One thing about me is that when I am sad or not in the mood and someone is taking care of me, I might do things, which I usually won't do or at least not that soon. I hope that this won't happen because I don't know what I have to explain Alex. 

Alex wrapped one of his hands around me and I laid my head on his chest. He kissed the top of my head, which made me immediately look at him. I don't know does he realize what he is doing. I'm not going to lie that I like it. This is exactly what I need now. Someone to stay with me. We don't have to talk. I just need to feel that there is someone by my side. I got tired to be always alone. 

- Everything will be ok. I promise you. 

- Thank you, Alex. 

- Did you use to draw?

- Yeah, how did you know?

- By the present, which your parents left you. 

- When I was little I loved to draw. Well, I wasn't good at this at all, but I was enjoying it. 

- What happened? I mean why did you stop?

- Because it wasn't funny anymore. I changed myself and started to like different things. I thought that drawing is only for little kids. I was seven when I decide to stop. Since then I haven't touched a pencil. I mean to draw with it. 

- Well, you can draw something for me now. If you want to.

- I would love to, but I prefer to not go back in time. 

- It's ok, I understand. 

- I hope so. 

- Do you want us to watch something? Even if you want I can make you company until your parents come home. 

- Really? Will you do this for me?

- Why not? I have nothing to do anyways. 

- Thank you so much. - I said and kissed his cheek, which made him look at me

Not again. This is what I meant. I do things, which I usually won't do. The first time when I did that, I promised Alex and me that this won't happen again. Here we go. I lied. 

- I'm sorry. I have a problem when I am in bad mood. 

- It's ok. We won't tell anyone. - he said and winked me

I don't know what is going on with him today, but I like it. Alex is way more open and this makes it easier for me too. I hope that tomorrow when we go back to school, he won't be that shy. 

For the rest of the night, Alex and I had dinner and watched movies. He fall asleep in the middle of the last one. I carefully woke him up and offered him to stay here for the night if he wants to, but he denied. I am not surprised. Today was enough for him. Let's not force things. I am glad that he was with me today. This is what I call a true friend. Someone who will stay by your side no matter what you are going through.