FrAcTuReD (Part One) (Completed continued in Part Two)

Chapter. 28

The words that Claude spoke of yesterday echoed in her mind, it was always probably those words and her mother that had triggered this state. How she wished to live in a place where her mother could never get to her.

"I wish you were here Dad..." she said softly to herself.

"Then why not call him?" Charla instantly opened her eyes to see Alex staring down at her with a slight look of concern. "You doing okay Charla? You seem kind of out of it."

"I'm fine," Charla said as she then sat properly in the chair. "Are the others still working on their tests?"

"Actually, they just went home both got a call from their families, and needed to head home to assist in the store."

"Oh, well I hope the test wasn't too hard on them, or on you ether."

Alex laughed. "Nah it was fine, though those last few questions were killer, I give you that much. It made me feel like my head was going to explode."

"I know that feeling," Charla said with a slight smile. "It's definitely no fun."

Alex's smile slowly went away as she looked at Charla. "Hey,"

"Yeah?"

"Do you want to come over to my place?"

Charla looked confused. "You mean your family's restaurant?"

"No, I mean the actual house." She paused and thought about it before she put a hand on her hip. "Uh, I guess you'd call it an apartment since it's above the restaurant. So, yeah it's an apartment I guess."

Charla gave a slight laugh in response. "Why not just call it your house? It'll be less confusing that way."

"Yeah I guess," she then asked again. "So? Do you mind coming over for a bit?"

Charla thought about it. "Sure," she said. "Though it can't be for long, since I'm making dinner tonight since my Uncle won't be home."

"That's fine, it won't take all that long. I promise."

The two walked to Alex's place, it didn't take them long to reach the place, though instead of entering through the front where a few customers entered and exited Alex led Charla to the back where she saw a metal staircase that led to a second floor.

Alex led her up these stairs and unlocked the door before allowing Charla inside before leading her through a hallway and to a small kitchen and living area. "Sorry it's a bit cramped." She said before going into the kitchen and looked in the fridge then looked at her. "Want anything?"

"No, I'm alright." Charla said as she looked around the living area, her eyes settled on a family photo of five, she saw what looked to be a younger version of Alex, Joshua, and their father, and who Charla only assumed was Alex's older sister, and a woman in the middle smiling brightly. This must have been Alex's mother. She smiled slightly at this, Alex was right, Charla probably would have liked this woman, she seemed kind and caring unlike Charla's own mother. She then felt the slight throb in the back of her head before the two then sat across from one another at the table while Alex opened a can of pop. "So, what is it that you wanted to talk to me about?" she paused when her friend merely remained quite then added. "Is it about that person?" she asked with slight narrowed eyes.

Alex merely shook her head. "No, not really. At least I don't think it does." She looked at Charla head on once more. "Look, like before I'm just going to come out and say it okay?"