Snow Day

The first day had been our ‘snow day’ even if it wasn’t official. Today, we were just skipping. Alexis was over for her ‘rematch.’ She was doing a little better today, but it was still leaning in Chloe’s favor. I let the girls have their time together considering I had monopolized Chloe the day before. I sat at the table working on homework and enjoying the way their Noises rolled over me.

Something was off with Alexis though. Every time she looked at me, I was hit with a wave of guilt and sorrow. It only got worse whenever I interacted with Chloe.

“Going to run to the store and grab snacks,” I said as I stood. “Alexis, care to help out?”

Both girls looked at me with confused looks on their faces. They turned to look at each other and their confused Noises almost synced.

“Uh… Sure?” she said, giving Chloe a shrug. I could see the unease and anxiety in her Noise despite her casual body language. “Let me go grab my coat.”

“Okay. Meet you out front.”

After she had left, Chloe looked at me with her eyebrows raised. Moving over to her, I bent over to kiss her forehead. “I need to talk with her.”

“I figured. Noise stuff?”

I nodded. “Want anything?”

“Condoms would be nice. We ran out yesterday and I don’t have too many left. Oh! And more soda. Alexis drank the last one. And chips! I have a craving for—”

Getting her list of items, I grabbed my coat and headed outside. A few moments later, I was joined by Alexis clad in a heavy coat, hat, and gloves. I put my hands in my coat pockets and walked beside her. We made it halfway to the convenience store before I finally spoke. Her anxiety was making my stomach sick.

“Something wrong?”

Her anxiety spiked as she struggled to get it under control. “You know, I really hate that.”

“I don’t need my Gift to see something is wrong. Every time our eyes meet, you look away. I also noticed you have been keeping your distance.” I gestured to the gap between us. She was about half a step farther than she normally was when we walked together.

She sighed, breath visible in the freezing temperature. “I’m not myself.”

“Anything I can do to help?”

She shook her head, a smile on her face. “God I wish. Sadly, this is something Natalie and I need to work through on our own.”

Pulling a hand from my pocket, I reached out to grab her hand. “If you need—”

Her hand pulled away from mine and she looked away. “Stop.”

“What?”

“Being so… you.”

“Last I checked, that’s all I can be.”

“Grr. You—” She huffed. “Look, I came over to your apartment yesterday.”

Odd. I hadn’t sensed her at all. Then again, I always seemed to become blind to the world whenever I was around Chloe. Another thought surfaced, pushing that one aside. “You saw us having sex.” It was the only thing that made sense considering her Noise and hesitation around me.

Guilt rolled through her Noise. “Yeah. It wasn’t a, ‘oops’ and walk away sort of thing either. I… watched for a bit. Sorry.” I didn’t say anything as I tried to figure out the best thing to say. “I know it was bad and that I shouldn’t have, but when I saw you two… I couldn’t look away. I was jealous. And turned on. And… and…” Hurt and regret washed over her. My hand found her shoulder, giving it a squeeze.

“I forgive you.”

“You aren’t… mad?”

“You know I can’t get mad. Besides, it’s not too much different than hearing it I suppose. I would appreciate it if you avoid doing it again in the future though.”

She looked relieved. “No worries about that. Hot as it was, I don’t think I could handle watching again.”

“That bad, huh?”

“What? No! No. I could tell Chloe—” Her eyes narrowed. “Are you fucking with me right now?”

I patted her head. “A flustered Alexis is just as cute as a flustered Chloe. It’s just a lot harder to do.”

She pushed my hand away. “Asshole. It’s not fair. How the hell am I supposed to retaliate against a goddamn Zen master?”

“The answer is quite simple.” She gave me an interested look. “You don’t.” I **** a smile. “All you can do is grit and bear it.”

“Ugh. I hate you,” she said as she walked faster. I trailed after her, easily keeping pace.