alextcte:
♫
Alex had a bad habit of saying things were okay, of consoling the other person, when they really weren’t. And in this instant, he wouldn’t tell her it was okay, because he was, admittedly, growing tired of the tone she always put on with him. Of how she treated him. For the most part, Alex hadn’t taken it personally, for he knew that he, too, could be annoying. He also saw the way she sometimes treated customers, and it was then he knew it wasn’t personal. Alex also knew there was more to Erin than she was letting on, and judging by the way she… did she just apologise?! Standing there, dumbfounded, his lips even parted in sheer shock over the fact that she’d just said words he’d never thought he’d hear from her mouth. “Did you just.. apologise to me?” The blond dared to tease, before pressing his lips together and adding, ”Thank you,” instead of his usual ‘it’s okay, it’s fine’. Because he wanted to start standing up for himself, even in a non confrontational manner, and also because he genuinely was thankful for her apology. This realisation should have come many years ago, in high school. Breathing a sigh, he moves to sit on a couch opposite her, knowing that she probably wouldn’t want him too near. “Everything okay with you, Erin? I know it can’t possibly be that crazy soccer mom that’s got you down.. but of course, if you don’t want to talk about it, no worries. ”
A deep sigh left Erin before she could register what she had said, realization hitting when Alex had reminded her. She paused, the look of —...Oh shit, I did...— evident on her features. Erin didn’t know what to say, only looking up at him with the same look, eyes falling when he thanks her. She merely shrugs, more so due to her own apology not really meaning much... considering it was the least she could do, slouching against the wooden wall. It wasn’t until she heard the springs of that old couch that she realized Alex was actually staying, Erin looking up with curiosity. As much as Alex probably thought she hated him, she was sure he hated her more. In that moment, the brunette couldn’t help but reflect on all the awful ways she treated him. Eye rolls... snide comments about his nature, undermining him in front of customers. Hell, she hated her too... Erin couldn’t blame him. At his question, her brows knitted together, blue eyes staring off to the side of him. She chuckles humorlessly, sad even. “I mean, I don’t know what I’m—” shaking her head, Erin brings her hand to her temple, giving them a gentle rub before her hand runs through her hair. “You know that feeling of a jar or something... being filled to the brim, then it exploding because you put too much in?” Her eyes begin to sting, smiling vacantly as though it could hide them. “...I guess I kind of feel like that.” For a moment, Erin could feel herself beginning to break, and in an effort to avoid fall apart in front of someone who would probably not want to witness that, she snaps herself back in... inhaling deeply. “—Shit, sorry... I’m probably just tired. I didn’t get much sleep last night.”

















