Chapter 28: Chapter 28

It was weird. It was the first time that Al actually listened to me that I could not take my mind off of it. I continued to walk around with my mind still in a blur.

What was wrong with him, and why did he disappear like that? I mean, don’t get me wrong, I love the idea that I am alone once more. I just don’t like the heavy feeling that I am carrying right now.

I continued to walk through the street malls, passing stores after stores, completely forgetting why I was here in the first place.

Come to think of it? Why was I here again?

Oh, yeah. The book! I forgot that I needed to search for it. But before that, I rather have a meal first.

But since I was saving my money, I decided to go and eat at a fast-food restaurant. I headed for the nearest one that I could find and fell in line in front of the take-out counter. As I was nearing the counter, I brought out my wallet and prepared myself to order and pay. But when I got there, someone cut in line and went ahead of me. I was going to open my mouth and chastise him when I realized who it was.

“Two sodas and two burgers. Oh, and a couple of sundaes for me and my girl.” Al said and handed the cashier a card. After that, he turned to me with a flirtatious wink.

“What are you doing here? Didn’t you leave half an hour ago? Where did you go?” I demanded.

“Thanks.” Al took the take-out bags from the counter before he ushered me away from the line. As we walked, he lowered his lips until he could whisper in my ear. “Yeah, I was gone for a few minutes, but I assure you, babe, that I am not trying to cheat on you.”

“Oh, please. Just cheat on me and bother another girl. I beg of you.”

I was certain that Al heard me, but he just dismissed it by pressing his hands over his heart. “Babe, are you jealous right now?”

“Yeah, I am so jealous that you have a selective hearing instead of super hearing.”

“Listen, Gabby poo. Let’s just forget all about this jealousy stuff, and let’s eat. I could practically hear your stomach rumbling.” Al handed me a burger and the soda from the bag. And as creepy as this sounds, it was the same burger I was supposed to purchase earlier. Al noticed my stares and unsurprisingly blushed ridiculously. “What? I am your partner. Of course, I would know what you want to eat. That’s good boyfriend material right here.” He pointed to himself.

I was already eating and chewing my burger when I stared at him with unblinking and disgusted eyes. “I’m going to forget that you said all that crap and thank you instead for the free lunch. But didn’t you say that you were broke? Where did you get the money?”

“Where do you want to go next, babe?” It was a clear change of a subject that I decided to drop the subject and sip my soda instead.

“Um…”

“Wait, before you say anything about bookstores, how about you accompany me for a while?” He grinned suggestively, making me frown. Al must have caught how I interpreted his words because he suddenly looked horrified. “No, no. I do not mean it like that when I said that. I meant that I wanted to go to one of the shops around here.”

“I want to buy my book,” I said while taking another bite out of my burger.

I guess, with all of his simping, I forgot what a huge threat he was. All playfulness vanished from his face when he leaned closer. “Listen, Gabby poo. I had a really bad morning today, and I just want to use that time and spend it on my girlfriend.”

“Y-Yeah. Okay. Let’s do that.”

“Great!” Al’s expression began to change into a cheerful one when he began to lead us through the arrays of shopping malls until we stopped in front of what looked like a girlish store that sells a lot of cute stuff.

“Gabby poo, if you’re done, put your trash in here, and I’ll chuck it at the side.” He held the paper bag open while I gave him a look of disbelief. He suddenly threw his head back and laughed. “I’m just kidding, babe. I would never do that. Littering is bad and it is a no no.” He shook his finger at me like it was a shameful thought, to begin with.

I chucked my trash in the paper bag and watched when Al crumpled the paper bag before heading for the nearest trash bin and separating the waste from the papers to the plastics. He even neatly folded the bags before throwing them out.

It was odd looking at him as a regular good citizen when he is just a psycho killer hybrid.

By the time he returned, he modeled a sweet smile on his lips. “Are you ready, babe?” He asked.

“Sure,” I said unenthusiastically and entered the store the moment he opened the door for me. Upon entering the store, I turned back and ran to the door because of all the cute things I found there. But I forgot that Al was there waiting for me that I bumped into him.

“Babydoll, we are in public. I appreciate the gesture but don’t you think it is rude to make the others jealous that you have a handsome boyfriend?”

Fucking hell. Why does everything that comes out of his mouth sound like a lot of butterfly bullshit?

I abruptly turned away from him and pretended that I was interested in the items in the store. There were a few teenage girls in the store, and I could not help but notice how they kept looking in our way. Or, more specifically, at the hybrid that was following and eyeing me the whole time I was looking at the jewelry.

“You know, that reminds me. Where is the necklace that I gave you?” Al rubbed his chin while looking at the arrays of accessories displayed on the wall.

Oh, shit. Where did I place them again? I have honestly forgotten.

“Back home.”

“You lost it, didn’t you?”

We said those words at the same time, with Al looking at me in a deadpanned gaze.

I started fiddling with my hands nervously because I was afraid of how he would react. I am also concerned about what would happen with the others around us.

To my surprise, Al just sighed and grabbed a smiley-faced emoji and lip charm bracelet from the stack. “Listen, I am not going to act like I am not disappointed with you because I am. I think it would be best for your to wait for me outside while I cool off.” When he mentioned something about cooling off, I began to worry for the people in the store. “Gabriella, I am not going to harm them. It’s daylight. I’m being serious right now. I need you to leave.”

Hearing him call me by my name in a proper manner gave me the impression that I should follow his command because it was obvious that he was serious. I was still worried about the people in the shop, but I guess I’ll just have to take his word for it and trust him, as odd as it sounds.

As per his requests, I stood and waited for him outside the shop. I admit that I felt guilty because Al looked and sounded hurt when he knew that I had lost the smiley necklace he had given me. I didn’t wait for him for long before he came out of the shop looking fine because he smiled once more.

“I’m bored. Gabby-poo, what do you say if we go and watch a movie?” He suggested.

My brow scrunched up in concern. “But my…” I wanted to say ‘book,’ but considering his earlier mood, I didn’t want to take any more of my chances and upset him further. The people in the shop seemed fine, which is more than I can say to the rest of the people in the street mall when Al gets furious. “Alright.” I agreed with a sigh.

Al was surprised when I agreed voluntarily. I guess that he had a whole speech planned out to convince me to watch a movie with him when he asked me. “Wow, I did not expect you to say yes that easily.” He cleared is throat before looking at me in a way that I never expected him to. He seemed genuinely shy and troubled when he lifted his gaze to me. “So, any movie that you want to watch?”

“Not really,” I answered him. “I guess anything that doesn’t involve any sappy romance movie.”

A small smile slowly spread across his lips, “Well, I have the perfect movie. And trust me, it won’t be a horror movie.”

I followed Al into the cinemas, where he purchased two tickets and snacks. The movie that he picked is an animated film full of music and dancing that I actually find myself interested in and hooked.

“Smile and laugh as long as you want,” Al whispered. I guess he noticed me trying to keep my lips sealed the whole time. “If you hadn’t noticed, there’s only a few of us here, so no one would see you smile except for me.”

Those words sent more comfort to me than I would like to admit. And though I did not show or say that to him, I greatly appreciated it. I kept his words in my mind and freely smiled and laughed throughout the movie. Time passed by so quickly that I did not even consider the length of the show, only that it ended too soon. I could not remember the last time I enjoyed a movie and smiled freely as I did before.

The moment we left the cinema, it was starting to get late.

“Oh no.” I sighed when I saw the darkening sky and the time on my phone.

“What? What’s wrong?” Al turned to ask me. But when he noticed the time, he understood. “Oh, right. Your parents are coming back soon, and since you’re supposed to be back home, you’re going to get into trouble for sneaking out.” He said and rolled his eyes when I gave him a dead and unsurprised look. “Okay, fine. I studied your parent’s schedule and perhaps stalked you a bit from time to time. But listen to me, gabby poo. I am just trying to protect you.”

“Right. Okay,” I nodded. “Thank you for the movie, but I have to move now before my parents return home and find me missing!” I began to head in the other direction to run, but Al grabbed my hand and literally swept me off of my feet.

“Baby doll, I don’t get why you still like to commute when you already have a super handsome hybrid for a boyfriend.” He shook his head and began to click his tongue in disappointment. “You really should pay close attention to everything that’s around you. I am hurt - deeply wounded!”

“Al, I am grateful for the day, but for the last time, you are NOT-” Whatever I was going to say then was cut off when I started screaming the moment that the wind began to hit my face. It was Al. He was running while carrying me again. I could not forget this sensation of him carrying me while running at full vampire speed.

IT’S NOT FUN, NOR DO I ENJOY IT!

I was closing my eyes the whole time but I could feel him running and leaping all throughout the ride. Since I did not want to accidentally lose my tongue in the process, I kept my mouth shut until the long torture is over.

“Aw shucks. I know that you love me, babe. But I don’t think that your parents would like it if you openly show this type of affection to me out in public.” The moment I heard Al talking once more, I realized that the ride was over. When I opened my eyes, I saw that we were at my front door already.

Al set me down gently and stayed by my side until I was steady on my feet once more. “Gee, thanks for the ride.” It was all I could think of saying, considering the fact that I was pretty much shaken on my feet.

“Well, it looks like you recovered from your initial shock. I guess I should get going before mother-in-law and father-in-law arrives and get the wrong idea.” I was too tired and still spooked to say anything that I did not give my opinion even as he was starting to leave. “Oh, that reminds me. Here. I bought this for you earlier. Rest well and see you back in school, Gabbie poo!” He yelled in a sing-song voice and disappeared before I could even ask what it Al presented me with two bags. The first was a paper bag that he picked from the back of my mother's plant as if he had hidden it there, and the second was wrapped in parchment paper. I opened the tiny one first because it was the smallest. I saw that it contained two things. One was the same charm bracelet that we saw in the shop that we went to earlier, while the other item is a phone charm with a cave bat hanging on the end of the strap. I kept in mind that I should take good care of these, or I might see the same disappointed look on Al’s face again.

I pocketed the charms and went to open the one in the paper bag next. I let out a gasp when I saw what was inside of it. It was the book that I was looking for!

I looked back in the direction where he disappeared before as I clutched the book in my chest. I don’t remember us heading to the bookstore, other than the place where we first met for the day.

Could it be? He disappeared earlier so that he could buy me this book?

Al is a dangerous fellow, and he scares me a lot even though I never entirely show it. Yet, at the same time, why does he do stuff that makes me feel warm and…happy? Does he really like my smile that much?

Snap out of it, Gabrielle! I chided myself. The guy is a nut job. I shouldn’t feel any emotions when it comes to him.

“I really can’t figure you out, Al, but thank you,” I mumbled in the night, hoping that he could hear my gratitude before I headed inside the house.