Run

Chapter Nineteen

"What the hell are you doing out here?" Alex's voice rings out in a harsh whisper but my vision is still fuzzy and I can't really see him.

I hold my breath in an attempt to block out the pain. He tightens his grip.

"Jules! What are you doing out here?" His voice gets heavier.

"Ow, Alex you're hurting me. Please let go," he drops his hands and I grip the back of my head.

I close my eyes and try to fight the lightheaded feeling I'm getting. My vision stays fuzzy for a couple minutes before I manage to see Alex and pull my hand off my head to make sure I'm not bleeding.

Alex stands there, his hands buried in his pockets, he fidgets anxiously.

I step away from the wall, causing him to jump to attention, "Jules are you alright? I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you. What are you doing out here?"

"I got freaked out and couldn't sleep, I just wanted to walk around the block. God, my head!"

He puts his arm across my shoulder and moves me back towards the room, "I'm sorry I didn't mean to do that. I panicked, I thought something was wrong and you were trying to hide, I'm sorry."

He carefully leads me into the room and sits me down on the bed, "Alex, I swear to god I will punch you one of these days!" He looks stunned at my sharpness.

"I really am sorry, with the almost black out, I'm paranoid and I panicked. Is there something I can do? Why don't I find a movie on TV, help get you settled, and maybe go get you some ice cream?"

"Seriously?" I stare at him, holding my head again.

"I just want to be able to do something, something to help make you feel better. So, would you like some ice cream?"

"I've never had ice cream," I don't know why I told him that, I could have just said no to ice cream, but I had to tell him I've never had it.

"You've never had... Really?" His concern doesn't disappear but visible shock overpowers it.

I shrug, his eyes burn into me, his mouth hangs open in disbelief. He looks around the room for a few minutes before he gets up and heads for the door again.

"Where are you going?" I sit up and get ready to follow him.

"Do you like cookies? Or cherries?" He shakes his head and turns on the TV quickly and adjusts his jacket, "I know there's a few good movie channels. I'll be back soon, please don't leave again."

I watch in awe as he leaves, I have no words for all this.

I sit and flip through the channels, none of the movies seem interesting. My book isn't interesting.

An hour goes by, I've given up and just flipped on a random movie. Watching numbly I wait for the door to open again. I start dozing off when I hear the door finally unlock.

"Hey, are you awake?" Alex's breath brushes over my cheek as he whispers in my ear.

"Barely but yes."

I hear the crinkling of plastic and feel something small press against me through the blanket. It takes a second but it starts to feel cold. Opening my eyes I see a little pint sized cup.

"What's this?" I pick it up and look at him.

"Ice cream," he pulls out a similar cup, "You said you hadn't ever tried ice cream so..."

I look at the colorful cup and read the label: Vermont's Finest Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough.

"Can't you get salmonella from cookie dough?" I put the cup down while he pulls out two plastic spoons.