Falling for the nerd

Chapter seventeen - I think that I like her

Alex's POV:

It has been two days since Elle's birthday, but I have to say that she doesn't feel better. Now she is mad at her parents and doesn't want to talk with them. I understand her because having dinner with her parents was everything for her. This was the only thing that she wanted. I stayed for the night or until she fall asleep. Maybe I shouldn't leave her, but I didn't feel very comfortable staying. Yes, I have done it, but I don't think that this was the right moment for that. Moreover, I don't want her to think that I am taking advantage of it. 

In the morning, I woke up and got ready for school. I ate quickly my breakfast and walked out. Before I walk into school, I have to go somewhere else. Elle is still sad and I know that chocolate is always a good idea in situations like this one. I went to one candy shop and took some chocolate cookies. I got ten because I don't know how much is enough. When I paid, I walked back to school. 

As always, there were looks on me, but I think that they are getting less. I left my things in the locker and looked up, but there was no Elle. Where is she? I decide to go to my first class. Elle was sitting alone in the room. I sat next to her and gave her a look. 

- Elle, are you ok? Why you are sitting here alone?

- I'm fine, you don't have to worry about me. 

- But I am worried. Here, I bought you something. - I said and gave her the bag with the cookies

- What is that?

- Try it. 

- They are really good. Thank you, Alex. 

- Do you want to snuggle?

- Can I?

- Sure, come here. 

With that, she snuggled. I know how she feels and I wish that there was a way to help her. I am not her parent, but I hope that soon hers will get back home. I share everything with mine and I can't imagine not seeing them every day. This will be weird. I felt a couple of tears on my shirt and I carefully wiped the rest. I kissed the top of her head and she looked at me with a smile. I hugged her tight and she rested her head on my chest. 

- Everything will be ok. I promise you. 

- I know. I should be used to this. 

- I hope that soon they will get home. If you want, we can go out today or do something. 

- Can we stay at your house?

- Sure. Whatever you want. 

Soon everyone came and we started the class. All the time Elle was somewhere else. I looked at her, but I saw that she is not listening at all. I don't know what she is thinking, but I'm sure it's not for the lesson. I grabbed her hand under the desk and she flinched. She looked at me and I smiled. 

On our lunch break, we went to our place. I sat next to Elle and pulled out my lunch. She was barely eating. Now I feel bad for her. I know that this is sad, but it passed two days. I looked at her and saw the same sadness. I pulled her close and gave her a tight hug. She slightly broke down in my arms. When we pulled apart, I wiped her tears and made her look at me. I keep saying the same things, but she doesn't want to listen. Only a couple of hours left and then we can go home. 

Mom is at home today, so I explained to her shortly in a message what is going on and asked if she can make the chocolate cake. Luckily, she agreed. Elle and I went to our last classes. Like always, her head was somewhere else. 

Later, both of us walked home. In the moment we walked in, my mom showed up. 

- Hey kids, how are you?

- We are good, thanks, mom. 

- Elle, are you ok?

- Yeah, I'm fine. 

- Then you will come with me. I have a surprise for you. 

All of us walked into the kitchen and I saw how Elle's eyes widen. At least this can cheer her up. Mom put a piece on a plate and gave it to her. I sat next to her and took a piece as well same as my mom. All of us were eating without talking. Elle finished with her piece and went to the bathroom. Mom looked at me. 

- Honey, is Elle ok?

- Not really. She is still sad, because of her birthday. 

- Wasn't it like two days ago?

- Yes, but for some reason, she is still sad about it. 

- At least she has you. 

- Yeah, but I don't know what to do. 

- No, you know. You are her friend. 

Elle came back and I started to think about what can cheer her up. We always watch movies so I have to do something different. I grabbed her hand and made her go with me to my room. I remembered that I have something, which might help her. I told her to sit on the bed and pulled out a small teddy bear. My mom gave me this to hug it when I can't fall asleep. 

- This is your new friend. You can name how you like. 

- I didn't know that you have one. 

- My mom gave me this when I was little. I couldn't fall asleep fast and she told me to hug the teddy bear until I do it. 

- It's really nice what your mom has done and the teddy bears are cute. 

- If you want, you can take it. 

- Thanks, but I already have one giant at home for which I am very thankful. 

- What do you want us to do now, except movies?

- I don't know. We can talk or play games. I'm not in the mood to go outside. 

- Ok, we can stay here. Do you want to have a whole neighborhood?

- And how I can have it?

- On Monopoly, you can have everything. 

- Why now? I would like to play it. 

I pulled out the game from my wardrobe and we started playing it. To be honest this is the only board game, which I have. Someone gave it to me for my birthday like when I was ten. How I see the things, I will lose. Elle already has both in almost every building. I don't remember when was the last time when I have played this game, but I won. I guess that I don't have luck today. 

- Do you want to buy New York?

- Why are you even asking? Give me the building.

- Here you go. One more neighborhood for you. 

- Yay! Thank you. 

After two painful hours for me, we decide to stop playing, because there was no point. I own only three buildings and there are not even from one neighborhood. Elle has everything else. She is very good at this. At least this cheered her up a little. After her victory, she wanted more cake and went downstairs to bring it. Mom didn't say anything and only laughed. 

After one more hour of talking, half of the cake was already gone. I didn't expect that we can eat so much cake. I know who won't eat dinner. I don't know about Elle, but I don't have more space in my stomach.

- I can't eat more.

- Alex, it's not only you. Have you ever been to a camp?

- Once I went. I think I was in third grade. It was fun. 

- I have never been. I wanted to go, but my parents didn't let me. 

- Why?

- Because there are many kids and I can get sick. Moreover, there will be no one who will take care of me properly. - she laughed

- That's interesting. I mean it's kind of true, but they can always keep you by their side. 

- As they do it now. 

- I am pretty sure that they have a reason for everything. 

- Maybe, but why they don't want to say it? I am not a kid anymore. I will understand them. 

- You are asking the wrong person. 

- Can we go to the backyard? It's sunny. 

- Yeah, sure. 

Both of us went there and the moment I sat down, she snuggled in me. I didn't say anything and just wrapped my hand around her as usual. Soon Elle fall asleep. Now she can take a rest. I carefully removed a piece of her hair and rubbed her cheek with my thumb. I did something, which I thought that I will never do. I leaned in a kissed it. I told her to don't do this to me and at the same time, I am doing it. With that, I saw a smile on her face, which made me think that she wasn't asleep at all. Elle slowly opened her eyes and looked at me with a big smile. 

- Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do it. I just...

- Finally, you decide to do it. I don't know how long I was going to wait. 

- What?

With that. I felt how my cheeks started to get light pink and her laugh didn't help at all. Damn it, Elle! Why do you always have to do this? When she stopped laughing, she get closer, kissed one of my cheeks, and snuggled again. I don't know what is going on, but I won't lie that I like it. 

- I'm sorry that I broke the promise again.

- It's ok. I think that it's stupid anyway. 

- So you are not mad at me. 

- No and maybe we should remove it. 

- Does this mean that I can kiss you when I want?

- If you talk about this type of kiss, yes. 

- What else should I talk about...? Oh, I get it. Don't worry, I won't do anything else. 

- Thank you. I am glad to hear it. 

- Can I tell you something?

- Go on. 

- Your kiss felt like my dad's one when I was little. 

- Really?

- Yes, but don't worry. I won't get the advantage of it. 

- I won't mind. 

- What?

- I am kidding. 

- I wish that you weren't. 

- Why don't we change the topic?

- Yeah, we should. - she said and closed her eyes again

Later I convinced her to stay for dinner. Well, mostly my mom did it. Luckily, Elle accepted. Finally, it was movie time. I don't know what we'll watch, but I don't care. We went into my room and I took the rest of the chocolate cake. I think that we can finish it today. Yes, that's a lot of sugar, but it's delicious. 

In the middle of the second movie, Elle fall asleep. It was 10 pm and it's too late to wake her up and send her home. She won't do any harm if she stays here. Moreover, I was in her house already. Now, it's her turn. I carefully lifted her only to make the bed and when I was done, I laid back down. I kissed her cheek and fall asleep. 

What a day it was? As I have said, with her I will have many firsts. I didn't expect to do this, but I am happy that I did it. I only hope that I won't get addicted. Yes, it feels nice, but let's go slowly. To be honest I am not sure should I let her do it when she wants, but I won't lie that I really like it. Well, mostly because she is the only one who has done it, except my parents. I think that I like her. I'll hope for the best.