Smile

Chapter 4

Alexander’s POV

I couldn’t keep my eyes off of her during the hold time they were here. While we were in the living room before dinner I noticed she kept fidgeting with her fingers. Although her brothers and dad tried making conversation with my dad and me. My mind wasn't in the conversation. It was only on her.  I wonder what she’s thinking about. Could it be that I’m making her nervous? No that can’t be. How can I be making her nervous? Well I have been keeping my eyes on hers the whole time since she got here maybe that’s it. 

My mom’s voice brought me out of my thoughts. I’ve noticed that she kept holding onto her brother and sister’s arms. I started to wonder why. Her sister Bella and her brother Max sat next to her while I sat across from her. While the food was getting passed around I took notice of how she never surfed herself any food and her brother and sister did it for her. She must be a spoiled b***h.

Once everyone had the food they wanted we started eating. My parents were talking with Mr. and Mrs. Campbell while the little ones were playing around with their food. I was surprised with my dad. That’s if you can call it that. I stopped seeing him as my father after I found him with another woman cheating on my mom after he had beat her up and she had to be in the hospital for a whole month. They are now divorced and he has another family with the women he cheated on my mom with. 

Out of all the days today just had to be the day he had to do his yearly visit. Out of any other f*****g day it had to be today. I’m not proud he’s my father and I don’t want people to know he’s my father. I honestly don’t know why he keeps showing up no one in the family sees him as a father. Usually when he comes over I’m not home because he just comes over one day every year. So it makes no difference if he sees me or not. 

I just hate the fact that today he had to show up when the new neighbors came over. They would probably find out what he did and me being his son they might think I’m just like him. No one knows I have a father. Most people either think he died or moved out of the country. 

I was brought back to reality when Sofia nudged me on the side of my stomach to start a conversation with the four older siblings. I was thinking of what to ask until I thought of starting a conversation with the girl with the grey eyes. 

“So grey eyes what’s your name?” I asked but got kicked under the table by Sofia as a warning.

“Her name is Alexia but she prefers being called Alex. Got it” Max answered back. 

“Got it.” I answer back right away. 

Then Sofia starts asking questions about them asking where they lived, how it was where they lived, etc. But I wasn’t paying attention at all. I kept thinking of Alexia and how she reminded me so much of her. But it couldn’t be her. But it could have been her she had the exact same name as her. That can't be a coincidence right.

I started to wonder why she wasn’t speaking and looked as if she was spacing out. Whenever Sofia or I tried to ask her a question either her brother or sister would answer it for her and she seemed relieved as if a weight was lifted off her shoulders whenever they did. I kept looking at her while I ate the rest of my dinner.

When dinner was over my so called father went with Alexia’s father to the living room to continue chatting. I headed to my room to grab my phone and when I came back down I saw my mom and Mrs. Campbell cleaning the dining room with the help of Sofia and Bella. I didn’t see Alexia or Max helping out making me wonder where they were. 

As I was about to make my way up the stairs again I saw Max holding Alexia in a comforting way. I interrupted them and asked Max if he wanted to head up to my room with me to play some video games. I noticed Max kept looking between Alexia and me with concern written all over his face before I saw the small nod Alexia gave to him and the squeeze she gave his arm. Max looked in my direction again before saying sure. Before he followed me up stairs he gave her a hug and a kiss on the forehead. It seemed like he really cared about her.

We headed up my room and started to play video games. Halfway through playing I got thirsty and asked Max if he wanted something before I went to get some orange juice. He said he was fine so I just head down the stairs to get my orange juice. As I was heading back up stairs I couldn’t help but overhear a conversation between my mom and Mrs. Campbell. 

“I’m just worried.” Mrs. Campbell said.

“About what?” My mom asked.

“It’s just they won’t always be there to protect her. She feels guilty. She wishes she didn’t need their help as much as she does. Ever since they moved in we hardly see her bright smile from when she was younger when she used to smile all the time. I’ve heard her cry at night. There’s been times she face-timed her best friend Luca saying she wishes she wasn’t the way she was. That all she was was just a burden for everyone. Her brother tells her she isn’t but she doesn’t believe it anymore. We thought maybe moving would help her but I am not sure if we made the right decision.” Mrs. Campbell said. 

Before I could listen to what my mom responded one of the little ones ran out of one of the rooms and I sprinted up the stairs to continue playing. When I got back I sat down next to Max before grabbing the control to continue playing. As we were playing I tried making conversation with Max but all I could think about was the conversation I heard downstairs. I wanted to ask him but it didn’t feel right asking him. So I stayed silent. Max and I continued to play video games until they all headed back home.