Twisted And Deranged • Alex Turner

Chapter 8 ● Could've Snuck In

My alarm clock woke me up.

It took me a second to realize that my power was back on after I shut the thing off.

○○○

I got buzzed into Topher's apartment fairly quickly then made my way up the stairs.

"Hey," he greeted me as I walked into his loft.

"I told you not to," I practically yell.

"Not to what?"

"I don't want your help with my bills, Topher!"

"I didn't help you with you bills, Violet," he almost scoffs.

"Last night they shut off my power. Explain to me why it was on this morning," I cross my arms.

"Look, I truly don't know," he moves out of my way. "I'm late for work. They probably made a mistake, be grateful. Lock the door on your way out."

"But it's Sunday," I point out.

"Love you," He says as he walks out the door.

Hopefully they did make a mistake.

Once I leave Topher's place, I lock it like he ordered.

"Violet. Fancy meeting you here," I hear the familiar voice.

"Alex," I hide my smile before turning to face him. "How long have you been standing out here?"

"Since I heard you yelling at Topher."

"Thin walls," I raise my eyebrows then start for the stairs.

"So, where to buddy?" Alex asks as he follows.

"Buddy?"

"Companion, acquaintance, whatever floats your boat," he holds the door for me.

"I am going home. You should too," I tell him.

"Oh, but I just left it. Guess I have to go with you," he shrugs while we walk on the sidewalk.

"You don't have to go anywhere with me, Alex."

"On the contrary. Let's go out," he smiles.

"Like a date?" I ask.

"No, but if you wanna call it that, that's cool too," Alex winks at me.

"I'm not going anywhere with you. It's Sunday, I need to relax."

"Sunday already? There's only a week left till that festival you know?"

"In your dreams," I roll my eyes and walk even faster.

"Let me take you out, Violet," Alex grabs a hold of my arm.

I look down at his hand then up at him, making him remove it to get on my good side. I let out a chuckle at his scared expression before talking.

"I'm budging... What do you have in mind?" I tell him.

"Movies."

"Movies?"

"Yeah, let's go to the cinema, or if you want my place," he smirks.

"Oh, I am not going to your apartment," I assure him.

"Alright, cinema it is."

"Can you please say theater?" I ask him.

○○○

When we arrive at the theater, Alex pays for six tickets.

"What are you doing?" I ask immediately.

"We're watching three movies today."

"Are you kidding me?" I almost laugh.

"Nope," Alex simply states.

"We could've snuck in," I point out and he widens his eyes a bit, realizing his mistake.

○○○

We walk in and we go to the first movie but not before buying popcorn and drinks. 

We were both silent during the first movie, it was a drama. The second was a comedy and Alex and I just ended up throwing popcorn at each other and laughing the loudest. The third movie was a thriller, it kept us guessing the whole time but it was fun to argue with him over who the killer was.

By the time we got out of the theater it was dark and our Sunday was long gone.

"I can't believe you made me spend my whole day with you," I tell Alex.

"I didn't make you do anything, you chose to come along."

"Three movies? I mean who does that?" I ask.

"I'm one of a kind Vi," he looks over at me. "You'll learn."

"I should've just called my brother, this date thing wouldn't have happened," I say.

"What were you yelling at him about anyway?" Alex asks.

"Nothing," I lie and shrug.

"Your lights, right?"

"Yeah, they came back on this morning," I begin explaining anyway. "Topher paid it, but he kept denying it."

"For good reason," he states.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I stop in my tracks. "Did you pay my bill?"

He stays quiet but parts his lips.

"Alex?"

"Yeah, so what? It was a kind gesture."

"Alex, go get your money back. I don't even know you like that, this is insane-"

"You're welcome," he keeps walking.

"You're welcome? You're unbelievable!" I chase after him.

"I didn't mean it like that, I wanted to do it."

"Even a stranger wants to pay my bills, oh God." I run my hand through my hair.

"Don't do that. Don't call me a stranger."

"Alex! That is not what this is about. I feel awful, I have to pay you back."

Alex grabs me by both my arms.

"You don't have to pay me a cent back Violet, let me do this."

"No way, Alex," I shake my head, feeling beyond guilty.

His grip tightens.

"Let me do this," he repeats sternly.

I say nothing.

I can tell he really wants to do this for me and I have no idea why.

"Okay," I utter reluctantly.

His hands slip down to my hands and grabs a hold of them.

"Do you do this for all the girls you take out?" I ask jokingly.

"Only the hot ones," he lets go of my hands and walks away.

"Of course," I laugh and follow.

"Just kidding, love!" he shouts. "Except not really."