"G-great.." she smiled. He doesn't like your parents.. This is awkward..
She waved awkwardly to her parents, taking Alex upstairs to her room. "It's not much," she said as she pushed the door open. "But make yourself comfy. Would you like a drink?"
"Nah. Sorry about how I acted…I Think I made your parents feel weird…"
"No no no you didn't!" she shook her head, laughing softly. "They just aren't used to me having a friend come over, or even having a friend for that matter. It's not you, it's my poor social skills."
"I was a mess though…"
"Whatever you class as being in a mess, they were ten times worse. I could see it in their eyes that they were nervous about saying or doing the wrong thing while you were stood there. They just don't want to give you a bad impression of them. But they seem to really like you."
"Do they even know about me?" He looked at her seriously.
She froze, her heart thumping wildly. "…..yes?" she answered with a question, unsure whether that was the right response.
"And their opinion?"
"They're alright with it I assume, they haven't said otherwise.."
"To me they didn't"
"They like you, no matter who you are, because I like you." she sighed, sitting on the edge of her bed. "And I don't like just anyone, which makes you pretty special. Even Cora, my best friend, hasn't been here."
"But you just met me." He states
"I know, which is why I am constantly doubting everything I have done and said since opening my mouth." she bit her lip, her mind and mouth making her upset. She reverted back to signing, smiling weakly. 'Everything was easier when I didn't speak, I have done nothing but make things awkward for literally everyone around me.'
"That's a lie. I think you're fun!"
'Really?' she looked genuinely surprised. 'I haven't come across as too forceful or anything?'
"Not at all" He smiled genuinely
She took a deep breath. "If I ever do, just give me a look and I'll know." she started looking around her room, swinging her legs slightly. "So.. What to talk about now?"
"Hmm…?" His phone buzzed.
"Hi, mom."
"Honey where are you?" she seemed worried.
"At a friends house. I'll be home tomorrow."
"Alright…But your father wants to talk when you get back."
"I'm not speaking to him."
She frowned upon hearing Alex's phone conversation. 'Alex.. why not give him a chance? If you speak to him tomorrow and he still doesn't see reason then fine. But be the bigger person, don't let your dad get the better of you, you're not weak like that.'
He signed back. 'He hates me. I can't deal with the yelling right now…'
'I get it but..' She shook her head. 'Never mind.'
He hung up after the call and curled up not saying a word.
She hesitantly rubbed his back, trying, and most likely failing, to comfort him. "What are you feeling right now? You can say and do anything to get your feelings out."
He shook his head. He didn't want to bother her. "Maybe I should go home…I'm being annoying…"
"No you're not! You never have been annoying, I don't know why you think that you are. Alexander, you are literally free to stay here as long as you need to to get away from what's happening at home. Here you can express your feelings and have no one judge you for feeling that way. No one is going to have a go at you for being yourself here."
If only that were true for me.
"If you want to go home then fine, we will take you home, but I don't feel like you should be going back home while you still have all this pent up emotion.."
"T-True…God, I'm confused…"
"In what way?"
"I'm not even sure anymore."
"I'm sorry.." She paused for a moment. "It's alright to cry if you want.."
"Is crying even an option anymore?"