strings attached ; firstprince

chapter five

"That didn't take much convincing," Nora says as she closes the door behind her.

"You can't tell June."

"Will this cause an argument?" Nora quips.

"How badly do you want to know?" Alex replies flatly.

"Go on," Nora says gravely.

Alex opens his fist and unravels the scrunched sticky note. Written underneath Alex's original message is 'Quoting literature? If I didn't know any better, I'd think you were trying to seduce me'. Alex has to press the back of his hand into his mouth to stifle his laugh and growing smile.

"What is it?" Nora asks, pacing over to the couch to sit beside Alex. Her eyes flicker as she reads the note and she pretends to gag. "You and Henry are so disgustingly cute."

"We still aren't talking," Alex reminds her.

Nora blinks at him. "What? Why?"

"I need to finish my plan-"

"What exactly is this plan?" Nora interjects. "Like why don't you two talk like normal people."

"I'm putting a note inside every Jane Austen book and just leaving it at his door," Alex explains, squeezing his eyes shut to avoid seeing the expression on Nora's face. "June said to talk to him in a way that he would... Hear me and he's studying literature and-"

"Alex," Nora interrupts. Alex slowly opens his eyes. "That's sickeningly sweet. Henry's turned you into a softie."

"Ugh, don't call me that," Alex grunts.

"You're a cute lil soft sweetie pie," Nora coos teasingly.

"Fuck off."

—

Thursday evening, Alex has Jane Austen's 'Persuasion' tucked under his arm as he walks down the corridor to Henry's door once again. Alex decided on a simple 'Can I persuade you to give me another chance?'. Alex knows it's silly but every response he gets from Henry gives him a little hope that it's working.

Alex places the book on the floor and after a single knock, the door suddenly swings open. He wasn't prepared for this to happen.

"Alex." It's Henry and he's standing right in front of him. His hair is dishevelled and he's wearing glasses that sit loosely on his nose. Alex feels his heart jump into his throat, no one should be able to look so unfairly gorgeous wearing glasses.

"Hey I was just-"

"Engaging in a bit of skulduggery?" Henry supplies, a hint of a smile on his lips. Alex feels his heart skip a beat.

Alex laughs breathlessly. "Maybe"

"Alex I-"

"Wait. Before you say anything just, let me finish this. Please?" Alex pleads. Henry's brows furrow, which he's noticed he does a lot when he's confused or worried. Alex thinks it's the cutest thing.

"Finish what exactly?" Henry asks.

"I have two more books planned," Alex says, scratching the back of his head sheepishly. "Let me do this right. You deserve it."

"Okay."

"Okay." Alex hands the book to Henry and he takes it, their fingers brushing ever so slightly but it's enough to send a shiver up Alex's spine.

"Thank you, Alex," Henry says with a small smile.

"Bye, Henry."

Alex turns to walk away, embarrassingly giddy and smiling to himself. After a few steps, he turns his head back to see Henry, watching him, book in hand with a shy smile on his face. Alex can't help but match him when Henry shakes his head while smiling fondly before he shuts the door behind him.