Forest Through the Trees

Chapter 13 (Willow)

Jesus, I am out of shape.

I should not be so winded from just climbing a ladder. But it’s possible I could be out of breath for an entirely different reason.

I allow myself a moment to catch my breath and compose myself.

Alex is an asshole. He’s rude, pig-headed, and clearly has some BIG issues...

But he also just saved my life.

Kind of... I guess.

I am willing to say 50/50 him, and whatever god was looking out for us at that moment.

Maybe sixty-forty.

I try to keep myself from shaking as I think about what could have happened to me tonight if Alex hadn't stepped in. It is a dread-inducing thought, I shudder and push it as far to the back of my mind as I can, locking it away.

Luckily, I am an expert at that.

Just ask Xavier.

I am sure it will catch up with me later, but right now I have too much to worry about.

I hear Alex’s pain-filled grunts as he works his way up the ladder and I decide to peak over the edge. He is halfway up trying to climb with one arm while the other clutches his side.

He got the s**t kicked out of him. No doubt about that. But he held his own, and I must admit I was kind of impressed.

Just a little.

It also makes me aware that this was likely not the first time he has been in a fight. Not exactly shocking when he has such an abrasive personality. I am sure he finds himself in trouble all the time. And by the way he rushed in, I wouldn’t be surprised if he went out of his way to look for it.

Alex’s face contorts in pain as he finally pulls himself over the ledge, rolling over onto his back with a gasp.

"You look like Hell".

He has already started to bruise on his left cheek from where he first got struck. I can only imagine the damage he took from the blows to his abdomen.

"Thanks" he groans "You sure know how to show gratitude".

A flood of sympathy washes over me. He is hurt because of me.

I find myself taking a tentative step toward him but he quickly skewers me with a glare that warns me to stay back. He doesn’t want my help and knowing what he’s like, he probably wants my sympathy even less.

He forces himself up and leans back against the ledge for support. The action clearly causes him pain, even though he tries to hide his wince, he can’t stifle the groan that escapes his frowning lips.

The stubborn mule.

I inwardly sigh knowing I am about to get my head bit off "Let me take a look". He likely saved my life tonight. The least I can do is see if he has any life-threatening injuries.

That is if he will let me.

Which he does not.

I reach for him and he pulls away shaking his head “Would you get the f**k off me” he snarls.

“Don’t be such a baby. Just let me take a look” I say, reaching for him again.

"Don't touch me" he bats my hands away.

"You could be seriously hurt Alex. Easily a cracked rib or even a punctured lung".

"Thanks, Meredith, but your bedside manner could use some work." He says sarcastically.

"I am serious Alex"

"So am I. Unless you are secretly the world's youngest M.D, what the f**k good would you do?" he snaps.

“Fine then. Die for all I care” I stand and turn my back on him. Instantly regretting my words. Especially because it's an actual possibility.

"Awe, you're worried about me. How touching" he mocks.

My sympathy for him dries up along with my patience.

I hate that he's right. There is nothing I would be able to do even if I could tell what was wrong. Seeing his battered body would only make me feel worse.

I distract myself by looking around and for the first time, I actually take in my surroundings. It’s a normal rooftop I suppose. Warn tar that is cracking in spots stretches from ledge to ledge and circular vents pop up here and there. It is only one story, whereas the buildings around it are two or more.

What I don’t see is a door or another way down.

I turn back to Alex. “Alright Columbus, you insisted we come up here, now what? I don't see another way down”.

He struggles to haul himself up off the ground but I know better than to offer help. The tough guy can handle it on his own.

Apparently.

Alex finally stands all the way up and for a moment I think he might fall back down.

Or puke.

I can’t quite tell.

His face is all scrunched up and he is no longer trying to hide the pain. Climbing up here has clearly taken a lot out of him and he doesn’t move for what feels like forever, but just when I start to worry, he opens his mouth.

“You're the one who got us both into this situation” His words are choppy and he doesn’t have the strength to put his usual venom behind them "So, would it kill you to keep your mouth shut for a minute?"

He's different when he's hurt. He has the same clap-back but is less of a piece of s**t about it. It makes me wonder how much of Alex’s gruff exterior is a façade, and how much is the “No-f***s-Given, Badass” he tries so hard to be.

“Why were you even out here?” he asks.

I can't answer that question honestly.

That is the last thing I would ever discuss with Alex. Like he needs any more ammunition against me.

I can hear it now. All those “crazy” comments.

Which also reminds me that he saw the pill bottle. I doubt he knows what they are for, but I am sure he has his suspicions. All I know for sure is, that no matter what he thinks, it's probably not as bad as the truth.

I don't answer and he looks at me expectantly "Oh, am I allowed to talk now? I thought you wanted me to keep my mouth shut."

Alex grunts "It would be nice to know if I really just got my ass kicked because you couldn't handle a little tummy ach".

I am confused for a moment before I remember that I told those guys the pills were for cramps.

I am relieved that he seems to have bought that story, but there is still so much wrong with what he just said I don't even know where to start.

“The asshole is strong with this one”. The words are out of my mouth, voice and all, before my brain has a chance to clamp my fool mouth shut.

“What did you just say?” Alex looks like he just sucked a lemon but is confused as to why it was even in his mouth.

"Admit it. It was a mistake to come up here and you have no idea what to do,” I say, hoping he accepts my deflection and just moves on.

For a moment, Alex just looks at me and I think I'm about to get an earful. But instead, he manages to keep whatever he wants to say to himself and just starts walking away.

It must be my lucky day.

I watch as he takes slow, steady steps towards the building next to us.

That’s when I notice another ladder... That goes up.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” I say catching up to him “You barely made it up the first ladder, now you want to climb even higher?”.

I watch his jaw clench. In anger or pain, I am not sure which.

Probably both.

“God, you are so annoying” He mutters, but never stops walking towards the ladder.

Mercifully, this one makes contact with the roof we’re standing on. No six-foot gap or repeat of the awkwardness from earlier.

I feel my cheeks get warm as I recall the incident.

I may talk a big game, but I am very inexperienced when it comes to s*x and boys. Literally sitting on Alex's face, is way out of my comfort zone, and much more intimate than I ever intended to get.

I chance a peek over at Alex and see he is looking at me with the hint of a smirk on his lips.

Oh god, can he tell what I am thinking about because of my blush? That would mean he was thinking about it too...

I shake myself inwardly.

Just stop it. Don’t be ridiculous. He can’t tell what I am thinking. But as we reach the base of the ladder, Alex stops and steps aside. Smirking, he gestures from me to it “Did you need another boost?”

I know my cheeks must be blazing. I have always hated that about myself. And the thought of him actually enjoying what he got twists my gut.

But I don’t waste time analyzing it.

“Oh please, don’t pretend to be a gentleman on my account. I am sure it’s painful for you” I say sweetly. “Painful like I am sure this climb is going to be. Maybe you should go first this time, you know, in case you need help”.

Alex clenches a fist, scowling, but makes no move to go first.

I don’t wait around and just start climbing. I’ll take wiping that smirk off his face as a victory. I don't know why I enjoy pushing his buttons so much. But I really do. Maybe it's because he reminds me a little bit of Kaleb in that way. He makes it a challenge, which just makes it all the more fun when I can get under his skin.

I make it to the top and I am stunned at what I see.

Stepping off the ladder is like stepping into another world.

A paradise.

A pergola with beautiful white curtains sits in one corner of the roof. Underneath is a sectional loaded with colorful and ornate pillows of all different shapes and sizes. To one side is a small glass coffee table with what looks like a pitcher and empty glasses on it. And in the center of it all is one of those little metal-wire fire pits.

Every other spare inch of roof space is covered in plants. Tangley climbing vines, potted trees, shrubs, beautiful flowers, tall ornamental grass. There is even a dwarf apple tree.

Just when I think this place couldn’t be any better, I spot the view.

The sun is almost completely gone, except for the last rays of light that shine pink and gold in the sky as the sunset fades out over the bay.

It’s a little piece of paradise.

I am so awe-struck I don’t notice Alex has made it up until he is right beside me.

I look up at him. He doesn’t seem impressed at all. Or surprised for that matter.

Has he been here before?

He says nothing and just walks over to one of the posts on the pergola, flipping a switch.

With that, dozens of hanging lights that I hadn’t noticed before turn on.

I suck in a breath.

I am not sure that I have ever seen anything so beautiful. It is like a fairy garden. The twinkling yellow lights fight off the encroaching darkness and magnify the beauty of this space, making everything seem almost magical.

I become aware that I am just standing with my mouth open, trying to take everything in, when I notice Alex staring at me.

This place even makes HIM look better.

His face is still black and blue and the way he is hunched makes it clear that he is in rough shape, but if I didn’t know any better, I would say that there was a smile creeping at the corner of his mouth.

I can't help but wonder what he would look like if he actually did smile, and what his laugh sounds like.

“What is this place?” I ask.

“Do you like it?” A thickly accented woman asks from below me.

It startles me and I let out a squeak at her sudden appearance.

The woman giggles, “I am sorry love”, she says, climbing out of a glass-paneled trap door on the floor that I hadn’t noticed before. She somehow doesn’t seem angry or surprised to see us trespassing on her roof and just smiles kindly at us as she walks over to the couch with a book and a wooden box in her arms.

She is absolutely stunning. With long brown hair that is braided down her back. She has on a long flowing green and brown dress that is broken up by a thick leather belt in the middle, with its ends hanging down loosely. She also has a fluffy brown blanket draped around her shoulders which she takes off and covers her legs with when she sits.

My first thought is that she looks like a modern-day witch. My second thought is that she may be the coolest person in the world.

She pays us no mind as she goes about her business, opening the box and fiddling with its contents.

“Where have you been, Alex? We have missed you” she says, not looking up from her task.

Alex just grunts.

“I am afraid your brother is not here at the moment,” she says, paying no mind to his rudeness.

Alex’s brother?

It occurs to me that they might be related in some way. His sister-in-law maybe?

What a lucky duck.

He hobbles over to sit next to her, grunting as he lowers himself down.

“You are hurt?” she asks, noticing his pain. She gives him a once-over, narrowing her eyes “another fight Mon Feu?”.

I recognize her accent now. It’s French.

Alex gives another grunt. “Yeah, well, this time it wasn’t my fault. It was hers” he gestures at me.

Way to throw me under the bus.

My cheeks heat as she looks over at me. I expect the same weary expression she gave Alex but instead she lights up when she looks at me.

“C'est excellent!” She says with enthusiasm “finally someone who can match Alex’s spirit!”

I shake my head, putting my hands up “No, No, No, it's not like that”. For some reason, I don’t want this woman getting the wrong idea. I am nothing like Alex. “I was getting robbed and he...” I glance at Alex who is waiting expectantly for me to finish. “...He saved me”. I admit out loud, hating his smugness and the taste those words leave in my mouth.

But the woman still beams. “How romantic!” She pats Alex under his chin affectionately, which he is clearly uncomfortable with. “A man should always defend his love”.

“When will Brad be home?” Alex asks, ignoring her comment.

“Oh, probably tomorrow,” she says, absently finishing up with whatever is in the box.

“Great”, Alex frowns.

She finishes up with the box in her lap and produces what I think is a joint. I watch Alex eye it as she puts it to her lips. She sees him looking and smiles. “Do not even ask Mon Feu, your brother would be very angry with me”.

“He doesn’t have to know”.

“Ah, but I would know” she pats his knee “And we do not keep secrets from each other”.

Alex scowls “Yeah, yeah." He looks defeated but then asks “Can we use your phone?”

“But of course!” she says, striking a match “just lock up when you are done”. To me, she says “I am sure I will see you again soon”.

I wish that was true. I am sad to leave. I think I could stay here in this beautiful place forever. But Alex leads me down the trap door, through what must be their apartment, and down to the ground level.

And for the second time tonight, I am awestruck when he flips on the lights.

It’s an art studio.

One of the ones I told myself I would visit earlier today.

This must be where they work. Art supplies cover every inch of the room. From canvases and paint to clay and a pottery wheel. Floor-to-ceiling shelves hold glass jars with all sorts of bits and bobs.

I am internally freaking out. This place is so cool!

Alex walks out of the room through a set of beaded curtains and I reluctantly follow him. But I am immediately glad I did. The front is the actual gallery, displaying finished pieces.

I take a look around as Alex goes behind the register.

I start with the closest one, which is a large landscape painting of the bay. It’s beautiful and I wonder if it was painted from the rooftop?

I register that Alex is talking to someone on the phone but I am not at all listening to what he is saying. I am too absorbed in what I am looking at.

I come to a painting that is quite... risqué.

It’s a naked woman from the back, painted in watercolor.

It is beautiful.

The artist is very talented.

And for some reason, I can’t tear my eyes away. There is just something so familiar about it.

Then it finally dawns on me who the subject is, with her long braid pulled over her shoulder...

Alex clears his throat from behind me and I jump, spinning around, feeling as though I have been caught looking at something extremely private, despite the fact that it is on public display.

But I am surprised to see that he’s actually the one who looks awkward.

I note that he keeps his eyes averted from the painting behind me, which only confirms my suspicion.

His reaction kind of surprises me. I would have expected him to be a pig about it. Maybe make an inappropriate comment or try and make me feel dirty about looking at it so appreciatively.

But he doesn’t

“You should call someone to pick you up,” he says “It’s probably not the best idea to walk home tonight”.

I nob. I don’t know why I didn’t think of that before, but I’ll call Kaleb.

I go to pull out my phone from my back pocket only to realize that it's shattered. It must have broken when I fell backward during the struggle. Luckily it lights up, so maybe I can get it fixed, but I can’t make out a thing through the mess of spiderwebbed glass.

I sigh in defeat and look up at Alex sheepishly.

“My phone’s broken...”

“Just use this” he tries to hand me the store phone.

But I don't take it.

“I... well, I don’t know my home number” I admit dumbly. To be fair, it was changed when we moved and I haven’t had the time, or the desire, to memorize it yet. Not that I needed to, because I had it in my cell. I also don’t know Kaleb’s number off by hand for the same reason.

I feel like a moron and Alex is looking at me with an unreadable expression. I can never tell what he is thinking. He just looks mean and pissed off all the time and now is no different.

He has, Resting-Jerk-Face.

He says nothing for a long moment and then sighs, turning away from me and dialing another number.