My update skills suck, I know. I thank every reader, lurker and feedbacker. I can’t promise that the update will come faster since school got stressful and my time is limited. I try my best. Let’s hope for the best.
PML: The main reason the others have a hard time accepting Alex’ changes is that they didn’t expect him to change. By change I mean gaining confidence, being open minded and not being fully sucked into the alien life. He missed the Laurie Dupree mess. Alex had the chance doing what on his own without being criticized. He could do things that he wouldn’t dare to do in Roswell. You’re right; the Lycan thing was an unexpected turn of events. What can be seen as a bad move by Alex is thinking that he still can be the teenager without telling the others about the real changes. We’ll see how that works out. As for Isabel, she will never let Alex go. A part of her wants to have the relationship but their attempts at having a relationship ended bad.
Earth2Mama: Good to know that you like Alex. Isabel’s problem is that she can’t let go. On the one hand she wants Alex just as friend. But she can’t and doesn’t want to see him being without her and not wanting her. He is the one person that cared for her without having expectations towards. He likes her for her. And with Alex being back and having this new attitude Isabel is torn. She doesn’t want to lose Alex as friend but she also doesn’t want to let him go completely. Certainly, her feelings will cause some chaos between them.
DeDe PR: Kyle is great and his time to shine will come. You made a good point. Alex started to change before being the Lycan thing. Maybe the changes wouldn’t be so drastic than now as Lycan. The others will get suspicious of course because they didn’t see what caused the changes in Alex and his behaviour worries them. We’ll see what they’ll do.
cjsl8ne: I’m back. Hopefully you’ll also enjoy this part. Thank you very much for your multiple bumps.
Roswellian117: How will the others reacto to Alex being a Lycan? We’ll see.
Alrighty, here’s the new part. As I mentioned in an older post, we’re still getting to know what Alex had been up to in Europe and how his life changed.
CHAPTER 4
Alex had to calm to down or something horrible would happen. He couldn’t believe that he almost lost his posture.
Ready to attack.
Ready to hurt a human being.
Ready to kill.
Alex would have hurt Sean. It wouldn’t take long. He would make it fast and painless. It would be easy. But he would also expose himself to the others. He promised not to do that. He couldn’t be that reckless and endanger himself. And endanger his friends. Alex didn’t trust himself if he would be able to control himself when he transformed. He didn’t know if he would be able to differentiate between friend and foe.
He felt his blood pumping through his veins; the adrenaline rushing through his body, his heart beating faster and faster with every passing minute.
He wanted to go back and finish what was about to start if Alex hadn’t remembered where he was and who was with him. It would be so easy.
Easy and fast and painless like it should be for Sean.
But he couldn’t do that.
He wasn’t that kind of monster that enjoyed killing. As long as Alex had the last ounce of humanity in him, he wouldn’t turn into a monster. He saw what happened to others like him after they crossed that line. It was terrible, horrific and something that scared Alex.
He wasn’t a monster.
Furiously he paced back and forth, his breathing was shallow and he couldn’t calm down. He needed to control himself.
Back and forth, he paced. Slowly – after reminding himself that he couldn’t let the situation get out of control.
Inhale and exhale.
Pacing back and forth.
Counting till ten.
Inhale and exhale.
Pacing back and forth.
Counting till ten.
Inhale and exhale.
Pacing back and forth.
Counting till ten.
Over and over again, Alex repeated this exact procedure. Selene told him to think of something that had a calming effect on him.
Sometimes he wished Selene and the others were there to help him. Alex still had problems controlling his emotions which could lead to losing control over his new abilities. It happened so fast and easy that it scared Alex.
He didn’t want to be scared anymore. This was how his life going to be. It was all about control. And if it would slip through his hands, there would be hell to pay.
Alex came to an abrupt halt when he suddenly was face to face with Isabel. He didn’t notice her arrival nor did he realize she had followed him to the backroom. On the one hand, Alex was glad someone was there to look after him. He needed the assurance that there were still people caring. On the other hand, he wished she wouldn’t have followed him. She shouldn’t be near him when he was in this mood.
It was dangerous for Isabel. He was still charged with power and anger that right now every wrong move or word would enrage him.
They stood face to face.
No one said anything.
Alex saw the worry and confusion in her eyes. He knew out there he had been behaving oddly. Never before he stood up against anyone – especially Sean. Alex was known as the lanky, shy boy who would never dare to contradict anyone. He would never dare to stand up for himself that’s what everybody believed. It was enough information about Alex.
Now things were different.
Alex was different.
“What?” Alex gritted. So much anger was in him and it needed to be released. It wasn’t the right place. He needed to leave. He didn’t want to let get Isabel in his crossfire. He needed release.
“What? Is that all you have to say? God Alex, what happened there?” Isabel asked incredulously. After witnessing Alex’ behaviour, she was worried. That was not how Alex acted. That was not her Alex.
“As I recall, you have been there. Sean and I just rekindled our friendship.” A short answer, that was all he could give her right now.
“Try again to explain what has happened outside.” Isabel demanded. She didn’t know what was wrong with Alex but she knew it wasn’t the Alex she knew.
He was so different since his return. He was more outspoken and confident in everything. The way he talked and did things was different. In front of her wasn’t anymore the Alex she knew. It was a different person. Alex changed and it scared Isabel.
“You’ve been there; I don’t need to explain anything. I don’t like the guy. Period.” Alex replied while he tried to sidestep Isabel by leaving. But he felt her hand on his arm, stopping him from further movement. He knew Isabel wouldn’t let him go without getting more out of him. This was still Isabel and it was still in her nature to know things though she would never admit it.
There was the inner peace he looked for. The anger faded and there were only him and Isabel.
A simple touch.
Slowly, Alex could relax and everything seemed to be alright.
A simple caress.
The desire to hurt somebody faded.
A moment passed.
There was only Isabel and he.
“There’s no need to be worried. It was only male teenage hormones coming through. Sometimes I have the tendency to act like your usual teenage boy who shows Alpha male behaviour.” Alex assured Isabel when he noticed she was about to say something.
This was the problem.
Alex had never before shown such behaviour.
He wasn’t that kind of guy.
“But you never act like the typical male teen boy. That’s why you’re different from the others. That’s why it’s hard to believe you got into an argument with Sean.” Isabel hoped she could make a point and Alex would understand her.
Releasing his arm from her grip, Alex walked towards the couch and sat down. Looking at her and seeing the look in her eyes – the concern and the attempt to understand his new motives was barely to stand.
It would be easy to tell her and the others the truth – the new truth about him. But if they could understand it and understand him was doubtful. It would be hard. To hide a new life was easier than to tell them about it.
Before Alex could say something, Liz, Max, Michael and Maria stormed into the backroom.
“Alexander Charles Whitman, have you lost your mind? I can’t believe you talked like that to Sean. And the profanities you used are inacceptable. I can’t believe…” Liz was interrupted in her rant because Maria clamped her hand down her friend’s mouth.
“First you should know that I think you haven’t lost your mind. I really enjoyed your little chit chat with Sean. He deserved it but please don’t do it again. Sean is very unpredictable and you two always had this feud going on and though I’m kind of proud of you for standing up against him, don’t do it again. You’re better than him.” Maria babbled while she pushed Liz towards the couch pushing Liz into the seat next to Alex and she flanked him from the other side. Liz glared at her friend for shutting her up and pushing her.
“I thought it was funny.” Michael stated. He enjoyed the enraged look on Sean’s but he mostly enjoyed Alex’ attitude. Michael had always thought it would be good for Alex showing more confidence and standing his ground.
“Of course, you think that.” Maria agreed sarcastically, rolling her eyes at her boyfriend.
“Well Michael’s right. Did you see how red Sean’s head become?” Alex chuckled, remembering his face off with the other man.
“Alex! It wasn’t funny… Okay maybe a little bit but the point is that you shouldn’t let Sean get to you.” Liz tried to explain.
She knew that Alex always felt intimidated by Sean since they were kids. Over the years Sean enjoyed mocking Alex because Alex was the perfect victim. The young boy never showed that it infuriated him but Liz and Maria knew that deep down it was bothering Alex.
Alex never complained or did anything to stop Sean from bullying him because he thought it was better to ignore Maria’s cousin than playing right into his cards and acknowledge the bully’s work.
Now years later Liz understood that it had to be hard for her friend to face his childhood nemesis. Sean was one of the people that Alex disliked – better said despised – and now everything was coming back.
So in the end, Liz wasn’t really surprised.
“Come on Parker, it wasn’t that bad. He just got to taste his own medicine. Don’t worry. It was really nothing and I doubt I will encounter Sean again or interact with him.” Alex tried to assure his concerned friend. Though it was doubtful if Alex could keep his word.
“Not that bad would be the understatement of the year, some guests were ready to call the police because they feared a fight was about to break out.” Max stated when he also joined the others in the backroom. He knew there was no reason to be mad at Alex because it was fun watching Sean getting all pissed. But Alex risked a lot. He could have caused more trouble than they needed right now.
On the other hand, Max couldn’t get mad at Alex because the boy did something that Max wanted to do himself: pissing off Sean. Since his arrival, Sean liked to get under his skin by hitting on Liz in front of him.
“You had fun as well, right.” Alex said, looking at Max who had a mischievous expression.
“Well, to be honest, I think it was funny. Have you seen how red his face became?” Max chuckled due to the fresh memory he had.
“Max! It was not funny. It could have ended badly. Like you said, some customers were ready to call the police because they thought the situation was going to escalate.” Liz admonished her boyfriend.
“Yeah, Max, you aren’t supposed to have fun and laugh at the misery of others’. Bad Max. Shame on you. Go and sit in the corner thinking about your bad behaviour.” Michael mocked his friend because no one thought that Max Evans had the right to laugh at Sean.
Michael was glad that at least someone had put Sean in his place. He would do it himself but he didn’t want to be on Amy’s bad side by beating her cocky nephew into a bloody plump. Besides Maria wouldn’t appreciate a feud with her cousin. So it was a nice change to see someone else doing the dirty job.
“Michael, stop mocking Max.” Isabel interfered before a fight between Michael and Maria would break out knowing that such a comment would set off Maria.
“How about we all stop talking about Sean and one of the lovely waitresses that sit next to me will bring me my pies. I still need to finish some arrangements in the apartment and I don’t want to do it while you’re all there.” Alex stood up and stretched letting Maria and Liz decide who would bring him his cakes.
“Speaking of sweet things, what was that about Sean’s sister and you?” Maria asked Alex who suddenly wore a flabbergasted expression.
Alex forgot that he might have said something in the heat of the moment that wasn’t supposed to be known by the others – especially Maria. Well, Alex messed up.
“Yeah, did you do things with his sister that is NC-17 material?” Michael snickered but when he received the glares by Maria and Isabel, he immediately shut up.
He should be used to the looks he received by the girls but it was every time the same: a cold shower went down his spine.
Alex saw how Isabel’s expression changed for a second before she disguised as usual her emotions behind a mask.
There for a second he saw the hurt reflecting in her face that he caused her. Alex would never hurt Isabel intentionally but she couldn’t expect of him to wait for her or live a life that centred on her and her needs. They had had their chance. And with the new developments in his life, he didn’t want to go down the same path again.
“A gentleman doesn’t kiss and tell, Michael.” Alex hoped he stopped any interrogation.
“Oh my god, you did it.” Liz looked accusing at Alex.
“What?”
“What?!”
“Told you so.” Michael stated proudly.
“Uhm well…you know….it was summer…and…and…and…I don’t have to justify myself. So I’ll be quiet.” Alex stammered because everyone was looking at him.
“Relax Alex. There are thousands of other girls you could have…whatever. In all fairness I have to say that Sean’s sister is a whore.” Maria soothed and revealed at the same time.
“Maria!” everyone yelled shocked that Maria, known that she hated any discrimination and deformation of women, would say something like that.
“What? It’s true. She isn’t really picky about her partners and I swear her standards are very low.” Maria justified nonchalantly.
“I try to not be offended by your explanation. But Maria is right. She’s a whore.” Alex shrugged as if it would explain a lot.
“Alex!” Liz chastised her friend.
“What? You know I would never say such things about a girl but to be honest, she can’t keep her legs closed.” Alex added to Maria’s not so nice explanation.
“Wow. I’m shocked.” Michael said.
“Why?” Max asked his friend puzzled.
“Alex said whore.” Michael stated as if it wasn’t obvious.
“Can I have my pies, please?” Alex looked pleadingly at Liz, knowing she would put him out of this mess.
“Sure. Just wait 5 minutes. Oh, I wanted to ask you if we can come with you to your new place. My shift ends in a few minutes and we could help you finish your arrangements.” Liz asked hoping Alex would agree.
“I got no problems with that. I hadn’t expected to spend so much time here but thanks to Sean, you get to see my new place earlier than I thought.” Alex agreed to Liz’ suggestion, hoping things would progress now and he could leave soon.
“Great. I ride with Max and Isabel. Maria and Michael also need a ride.” Liz organized as usual.
“That’s no problem they can catch a ride with me.” Alex cut in before Liz’ love for organizing and directing her friends would get out of control and they would still be in the backroom of the Crashdown.
“Seriously, I can’t wait to see your new apartment. This is awesome.” Maria squealed excitedly, receiving an eye rolling from her boyfriend.
“It would be more awesome if a certain small, brunette waitress can get my pies, please.” Alex said with a cheeky grin when Liz gave him an annoyed look because he referred to her as being ‘small’.
Turning around wordlessly to get Alex’ pies, Liz walked into the kitchen.
“You’re sure everything is cool?” Maria asked Alex when she noticed the faraway look in his eyes.
Alex looked at his friend and he just smiled at her. He didn’t say anything and he didn’t feel like saying anything. When Liz finally came back, Alex moved towards her taking the cartons out of her hands.
“Let’s go. The others can come when Liz got changed.” Alex said when he walked towards the door. “Liz, you got my address, right?” Liz only threw back a “yup” before she ran upstairs to finally change her clothes.
Michael and Maria followed Alex out to the front, both hoping they wouldn’t run into Sean again outside. When they made it to Alex’ car, an unusual scream stopped Alex and Maria in their movement. Turning to the source of the sound, both saw Michael with his mouth wide open.
“Michael! What’s the matter with you to scream around like a lunatic?” Maria asked confused her boyfriend.
“Is that your car? Please tell me it’s your car.” Michael exclaimed, pointing at a black car when he noticed Alex walking towards it.
“Yes, that’s my car. A Dodge Dart 170, year 1963, engine has 170 cu…well, hence the name,…but I modernized it with 225 cu. Are you impressed?” Alex sounded proud of his new car. And seeing Michael’s excited expression was as well a nice compliment.
“Oh yeah, very nice.” Michael said like he was in trance.
Maria just looked back and forth between the two boys. She couldn’t understand their excitement for a vehicle. For her a car had just one purpose: getting from point A to point B. Easy. And that after being driven by Michael, it better should be in one piece.
“That’s why you let out a girlish squeal?” Maria inquired still confused.
“It was not a girlish scream. It was a sound to demonstrate my excitement about my friend’s new car…” Michael tried to explain to his girlfriend before Alex interrupted him.
“I won’t let you drive my car….like ever.”
Hearing this, Michael’s shock and disappointment were visible. Knowing that he shouldn’t try to force the issue now, Michael walked past Maria and Alex towards the car and said determined “Shotgun.”
Alex and Maria just looked at the alien boy and followed his lead.
*************************************************
“We’re good, right?”
“Yeah.”
“And you know I didn’t mean to hurt you. It was just something I said without thinking.”
“I know.”
“Are you mad because I’m still on good terms with Vicky? It’s just she’s a really nice girl and…”
“Kyle, I know. I’m not mad because you’re friends with her. It’s just still new for me being in a relationship. And it is also new for me coming to terms that there were other girls before me – like Liz. And I need to accept that you’re on good terms with some of the girls.” Tess admitted nervously, glancing at Kyle.
“Tess, I…” He wanted to make her feel better and reassure her that she didn’t need to worry about their relationship.
“Let me finish, please. I know that I don’t need to worry. I know that we’re still adjusting to being a couple. Sometimes it feels weird and I can’t handle several feelings.” Tess confessed.
She still felt mainly like the alien girl, who wanted to fit in the human world. Tess still had problems showing emotions or controlling her emotions when it came to her human side. For years she had suppressed this side and now it surfaces slowly – thanks to Kyle.
It felt like she couldn’t fit in. She felt like the outsider sometimes. She felt like the alien she really was and those times made her realize it.
It hurt Kyle to see that his girlfriend still had the insecurities. He hoped he was a good help in making Tess realize that he loved her the way she was. And he tried every day to make her see that he would never intend to hurt her.
“You’re my favourite Martian.” Kyle said to Tess. He wasn’t good in handling emotions but he wanted to make Tess feel wanted and needed. He knew sometimes he had weird ways of showing her his love and right now he couldn’t imagine his life without her.
“And you’re my favourite human, for now.” Tess returned with a small smile.
“What do you mean for now? I should be your all-time favourite human. That’s what I get for being such a great boyfriend.” Kyle sniffed fake to show Tess that he played along.
“Stop pretending to be hurt and let’s go. Alex is probably already waiting for us.” Tess changed the topic so they wouldn’t be late. She didn’t want to dwell too long on this topic. They were good and deep down she knew nothing would change that for a long time.
“You know, we’re not done. I want to know who is also a candidate for “Tess’ favourite human ever””.
“We discuss this tonight.” After saying this, Kyle had a happy expression on his face because he knew how their nightly discussions mostly ended.
Not wanting to get on his girlfriend’s bad side again, Kyle started the car and both drove to Alex’ place.
********************************************
When Alex stopped in front of the apartment building, Michael and Maria weren’t sure if their friend took the wrong direction or if he was playing a prank on them. The building was in one of Roswell’s best parts of town and it was hard to believe that Alex lived there.
By any means his parents weren’t poor but even for them it would be too expensive to have their son living in that area.
“Whoa…tell me you’re living here and you’re not playing a prank on us.” Maria asked flabbergasted.
“I live here and I’m not playing a prank on you.” Alex replied like she wished.
“You really live here? Here? In that building? Having an apartment with a room for you and can do what people do when they have their own apartment?”
“Yes.”
“And you’re not making fun of me? Please tell me, you’re not making fun of us.” Maria rambled on and on. The looks she received by Michael and Alex, she knew she looked like a crazy person.
“I really live here. Selene arranged this all for me. And also I didn’t know it was going to be in that building and in this part of town. I’m just glad I have a place to live and don’t need to crush on my friends’ couches because my parents didn’t care. Would you mind now going inside?” Alex asked Maria. He could understand her behaviour. He didn’t react better than her when he realized where he was going to live. Thanks to Selene, he had a new home.
The ride in the lift felt like an eternity and the silence between them was unnerving. Alex observed Michael and Maria. Both were antsy and nervous. He guessed, Michael was curious. Maria’s nerviness was based on her fear of changes. She never coped well with changes. Alex didn’t want to make her feel that way because he also was scared sometimes of the changes he had been through and still would face.
Arriving on the last level , Alex led the way.
When he opened the door to his apartment, he asked Maria and Michael to step inside. As they saw Alex’ place, both were amazed.
********************************************
It took them longer than they thought to get to Alex‘ place. Following Liz’ directions, Max thought she might have given him the wrong direction but after he checked the address for the tenth times, for what he received glares by Liz and Isabel, he followed his girlfriend’s lead. Max had never been in this part of town but sometimes his parents talked about it.
It was known as wealthy area and the properties cost a fortune.
So when he parked in front of an apartment complex the three teenagers were sure to have the wrong address. After calling Alex to check she didn’t misunderstand his directions, Liz informed Max and Isabel that they were right.
Max still couldn’t believe that Alex lived there. Even his parents couldn’t afford living in that area so it was kind of surprising that a teenage boy who had a similar social background like him could afford it.
While Liz and Isabel still talked about helping Alex decorating his apartment and going with him furniture shopping, Max still thought about this new development in Alex’ life. He couldn’t imagine how it had to be being on his own suddenly. But his parents weren’t like Alex’. They wouldn’t abandon Isabel and him, so he hoped.
“Does one of you know how Alex got the apartment?” Max asked the two girls. He knew he shouldn’t be suspicious but he couldn’t help himself. He had that nagging feeling that there was more to it.
“No idea how. Alex didn’t say much about it. He just mentioned that his friends from Europe helped him. Any further questions were shot down by him saying he doesn’t know what his friends did but they helped him.” Liz explained.
Liz wouldn’t admit it but she was a bit jealous that Alex turned to his new friends and not to Maria and her. They would have helped him in finding a new place. She would have even tried to convince her parents to let Alex live with them but it seemed he didn’t need her. And it hurt.
Lost in her thoughts, Liz didn’t notice that they already stood in front of Alex’ apartment.
“Hey, you’re finally here. Come in and feel like home.” Alex greeted them.
When Isabel, Max and Liz entered the apartment, they were blown away. Alex’ new home was big. Max and Isabel were certain that this place was bigger than their parents’ house.
Everything looked fancy.
The apartment had a small hall that led to the living area. Both girls were fascinated by the decoration and interior as they stepped into the living area. Going further into the apartment, there was another hall, which led to the bedrooms. On the other side was the kitchen.
“Great you made it. Now we just need to wait for Kyle and Tess then we can start.” Maria greeted the others, who still looked perplexed. “If you aren’t into eating flies then I suggest you close your mouths.” She advised.
Hearing this, the three teenagers obliged.
“Alex, this is…wow…this is huge.” Liz told Alex while she looked around the apartment. She was almost afraid to touch anything. Everything looked so different. Liz couldn’t remember ever being in such a home.
On the walls were various paintings, whose artist she didn’t know but she was sure those were originals.
“Thanks. Yeah, it’s really spacious.” Alex smiled sheepishly knowing it was an understatement.
“Spacious? It’s fucking awesome. I’m glad your parents left you behind.” Michael yelled from his place on the big couch where he was watching TV.
“Michael! Stop saying this.” Maria admonished her boyfriend.
“Alex knows what I mean. Right Alex?” Michael looked over to Alex.
“Sure, I do.” Alex replied when he went back into the kitchen.
“See, Alex doesn’t mind. Maxwell, have you seen the big flat screen? It’s damn huge, come over here and take a seat.” Michael called Max over. Shrugging at the girls, Max walked over to Michael.
“I’m fascinated by his attention span.” Maria shook her head.
“I’m fascinated that Michael paid attention to the details in the apartment.” Liz added amused, which earned her an evil look by Maria.
********************************************
“Dude, the apartment is awesome. It’s so damn awesome. And the TV is awesome.” Kyle announced for the 100th time since he and Tess arrived.
“Oh my god, would you please stop saying it. We get it. The apartment is awesome. We all told Alex that his apartment is awesome. But it gets annoying when you say it every time, he shows us another picture. So please, be quiet enjoy the pictures, the food and the fun. Can you do that?” Tess held her boyfriend’s face in her hands, hoping he focused on her words and nothing else.
Mumbling an incoherent answer and nodding, Tess released Kyle’s head and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Good boy.”
“Well, at least Kyle chose the right moment to announce his excitement.” Michael added from his spot on the couch.
“Excitement? You should have seen his reaction downstairs when he saw Alex’ car. He was squealing like a girl.” Tess told the others, not understanding how a simple car could evolve such a reaction from a grown man.
“I did not squeal. I was fascinated by the view that this wonderful vehicle provided.” Kyle tried to justify his reaction.
“You do realize that you will never be allowed to drive my car.” Alex looked at his friend, understanding the subtle message he tried to deliver.
“Oh come on man. Just around the block.” Kyle whined.
“Stop trying. I already asked and he isn’t going to change his opinion.” Michael mumbled.
“Michael is right.” Alex grinned at Kyle.
“Bummer.” Kyle muttered under his breath, disappointed that he didn’t get the chance to drive the car.
“Can we stop talking about the car and keep watching the slides? It gets annoying when you act like children” Isabel interrupted the discussion about Alex’ car and apartment.
Even she was still amazed. Overwhelmed by the changes she saw. Knowing that Alex changed was one thing but the seeing how his whole life had changed was another thing. Isabel realized but mostly feared that his life was going to change so drastically that there wouldn’t be a place for her.
And knowing that Alex might be able to not need her, scared Isabel.
“Isabel is right. Let’s relax and keep watching the slides. I bet Alex has a lot to show us.” Liz supported Isabel. Knowing Kyle, he would keep pushing the issue until either he would get his way or someone would get annoyed by his antics and snap.
When it became quiet, especially Kyle and Michael, Alex proceeded with his screening. Here and there Alex would tell them a story to a slide. The others got to see Alex’ host family, the people he met and his snowboard adventures were also a topic. The boys were rather interested in Alex’ skills than the girls were.
Finishing his slides from Sweden, Alex proceeded to show them the ones from his tour through several European cities.
When his exchange program ended, Alex could have returned to Roswell or stay longer in Europe and discover the continent. Though his parents left the decision to him – while they seemed to not care so much either he came back or not – Alex chose to make a backpacker trip through Europe. It was a unique chance he wanted to take.
Of course his decision wasn’t welcome by his friends. Especially Liz and Maria were saddened by his decision. Around that time things in Roswell became weird, dangerous and messed up. But seeing what Alex experienced while being away from the alien abyss, made them realize that he had needed the trip. He seemed to be carefree and confident. There was an aura around him they never noticed before.
The evening got an interesting turn when the new slide turned up, it got everyone’s attention; Michael and Kyle wooed to the picture.
“Whitman, you dog. Didn’t know you were into that shit. Was it worth it?” Kyle hollered amused, particularly also knowing what was about to come.
“Alexander Charles Whitman, tell me you did not do what I think you might have done?” Maria gritted through her teeth. The level of anger was visible on her face and right now everyone was glad to not be Alex.
Liz was just sitting there with her mouth hanging open not able to say anything. Max was looking at a snickering Michael, an angry Maria and a shocked Isabel; though he was sure she would soon reach her boiling point.
“Oh my god. Did you? I mean, you don’t need to but did you pay for it?” Tess said slowly, trying to cover her shock.
“What? No, no ,no…you got it all wrong. I just visited the district, which is part of the sightseeing tour in Amsterdam.” Alex explained but he knew nothing would help him now. And he couldn’t figure out how that certain slide came among the others.
“It’s part of the tour? Alex, you’re in front of a whorehouse. And in the background, the hooker is making obscene gestures.” Maria raised her voice with every word.
“It was just for fun. I didn’t see her gestures. Come on, you aren’t even supposed to see this. The slide came between the others. And I didn’t do anything there.” Alex explained again but he could feel his face burning up out of embarrassment. Back then it had been fun and something he hadn’t even considered to see or visit. But now, his decision was coming back biting him in the ass.
“It’s a whorehouse. A whorehouse. What the hell were you thinking?” Maria shrieked. By now no one tried to intervene. The others knew it wouldn’t change anything.
“It was just for fun. I was looking for fun and didn’t think. What I mean is, I wanted to see a new town. Alright, I visited the Red-light District but it was out of curiosity and not because I was horny. Besides, the Red-light District of Amsterdam is famous and I wanted to know why. Nothing else.” Alex told Maria, whose expression seemed to relax after hearing what he said.
“So you really didn’t pay for any services that are illegal in our country?” Isabel asked when she turned to Alex and pinned him with a look that he knew too well. She meant business and Alex didn’t intend to enrage another girl.
“No, I didn’t.” Alex told her.
“Good to know Whitman. Then you can tell us why this naked girl is all over you?” Michael asked when he came back from his bathroom break without being noticed by the others. He held Alex’ camera looking intently at the screen.
“WHAT?” Everyone shouted after Michael’s exclamation.
The night couldn’t get worse, Alex thought seeing the looks on his friends’ faces: shock, anger and curiosity. Alex wasn’t afraid or scared of their reactions, he just didn’t want to reveal too much about his life away from Roswell – especially about his private life.
All eyes were on him and everyone waited for an answer. It wasn’t their business but he didn’t need to care what he does. It was his life and his decisions.
“A girl I met and spent some time with when I was in Greece.” Alex replied shortly.
“It’s obvious you had a great time. Kyle, look at this.” Michael handed over the camera to Kyle. But Tess interfered by giving Michael and Kyle the evil look so both boys wouldn’t dare to make any further comments.
Michael decided to give Alex the camera and not make any comments. He knew that Maria wouldn’t like to see him making fun of Alex. But before Alex got the camera, Maria snatched the camera from Michael and took a look at the screen.
Out of curiosity, Liz leaned over to take a look. When she saw the motive, she could feel the blush spreading over her face. There were things Liz didn’t need to know about Alex; seeing him barely clothed and with a strange, naked girl tangled around him was too much for her.
“Oh uhm…you seem…I mean…she’s beautiful.” Liz stuttered embarrassed when she noticed the looks everyone else was giving her. “What I wanted to say is that the beach looks very nice.”
“Oh yeah, the beach is the real eye catcher here, Liz.” Kyle added sarcastically.
“Just what the hell were you doing in Europe?” Maria asked, looking at Alex.
Somewhere in Europe
“You worry too much. Relax a bit. Everything will be alright with Alex. He just needs more time to adjust to his new situation.” Michael soothed his girlfriend, who was pacing back and forth.
He knew that she felt uneasy about letting Alex go back to the USA without surveillance. It had been a big risk for them. Though they had tried to help Alex as much as they could, Michael knew they couldn’t help him controlling his feelings. The boy needed to deal with it on his own as well.
Since Alex left, Selene had been worried – what she would deny.
“I’m not worried but I can’t be too sure about Alex. He’s still young. In this age, he has bigger problems controlling himself. You know that he had big problems controlling his powers. He is nowhere safe and a wrong move could mean trouble for him. Right now, he probably enjoys being a teenager…” Selene replied before Michael interrupted her.
“After what he went through, of course it’s what he does. It would be wrong to assume that he was hundred per cent alright.” Michael interjected.
“I don’t want to do something that could be a risk for him.”
“What do you suggest then?”
“We wait.”
~TBC~
