Chapter 12: Crossed Signals and Invisible Walls
Elena's Point of View
I pushed open the school gate and walked over to Bonnie's car, leaning my back against the cool passenger door. A heavy feeling sat in my chest, one I couldn't really name. It had settled there after my talk with Alex. I tried to push the thoughts away and just watched the school entrance, waiting for Bonnie. We always drove home together, but she had to hand in a project first.
A few minutes later, she came out, her bag swinging. "Let's go, Elena," she said, unlocking the car.
I just nodded and got in. The inside of the car smelled like Bonnie's vanilla air freshener. She started the engine, and the familiar hum filled the space. As she pulled out of the parking lot, she started talking about some party and a test next week.
But my mind wasn't on parties or tests. It was stuck on Alex's face when he tried to explain everything . He had seemed so... desperate.
Suddenly, the words just came out. "Bonnie," I interrupted her. "What do you think of Alex?"
Bonnie's hands tightened on the steering wheel. She turned to look at me for a second, her eyes wide with surprise, before focusing back on the road. "Oh, come on, Elena! You're still thinking about him? He's a complete dick. Don't waste your time on him."
I turned in my seat to face her. "I don't know, Bonnie. I don't think he's all bad. He tried to talk to me today and he wanted to clear up the misunderstanding about him."
Bonnie hit the brakes a little too hard at a stop sign. She turned fully to me, her face serious. "What did he say to you?"
I should have known she'd react this way. She was always so protective. I told her everything, about him stopping me, his explanation about Caroline, and about Matt.
Bonnie listened quietly, then let out a long sigh. "Okay, fine. Maybe half of what he said is right. Caroline was probably playing with him. But the rest is bullshit. He still played with your feelings. Even as just a friend, he should have been there for you, not letting Caroline show him off like a prize."
I looked down at my hands. "But if you think about it, he's new to all this. He was nobody in class, zero friends, especially after his parents died. People change after something like that. I think he just made a wrong decision by getting involved with Caroline."
Bonnie stared at me for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then she shook her head and started driving again. "I don't know what to say, Elena. But I'm still warning you. Stay away from that guy." Her voice was firm.
I didn't argue. I turned and looked out the window, watching the trees and houses blur past. I rolled the window down a little, letting the cool evening air blow on my face and mess up my hair. I took a deep breath, trying to let the moving scenery wash my confused thoughts away.
Alex's Point of View
After school, I went straight home. The quiet of the mansion was a relief. I took a hot shower, the water washing away the stress of the day. I changed into clean, comfortable clothes and warmed up a frozen Margherita pizza. I ate it on the big living room sofa with a cold soda. The simple, cheesy taste was actually really good.
I watched some random TV shows for a while, just killing time. When it got fully dark outside, I went upstairs to my room. I opened the giant wardrobe. I needed a plan. The system's task was clear: befriend Elena. I couldn't just wait for it to happen.
I picked out my best clothes: a black shirt, a matching black coat, and dark jeans. After I dressed, I sprayed on some cologne. I told myself I was dressing up for the mission, and because I was bored of sitting alone in this big house every night.
I went back downstairs and picked up the bouquet of flowers I'd asked Alistair to get for me. The roses and lilies smelled strong and sweet. I grabbed my car keys from the hook and stepped outside. The night air was cool, and the sky was full of stars. I got into my Camaro, tossed the bouquet onto the passenger seat, and started the drive to Elena's house.
I got there in under thirty minutes. I parked across the street and looked at the house. It looked exactly like it did on TV— cozy and lived-in, so different from my cold mansion. My heart was beating a little fast. I was nervous.
I grabbed the flowers, got out, and walked up the three steps to the front porch. My palms were a bit sweaty. I hoped her aunt would answer the door. She'd probably be easier to talk to. If Elena answered, she might just slam it in my face.
I took a breath and rang the doorbell. I waited a few seconds, but no one came. I rang it again.
This time, the door opened. It was Elena. Her eyes widened in surprise when she saw me, then her face went completely neutral. It was impossible to tell what she was thinking.
Before she could say anything, I rushed to speak, lowering my head a little to look sorry. "I am sorry, Elena. For everything that happened." Inside, I was thinking, I'm only doing this for the system task. I wouldn't normally go this far for a girl. I tried to push the flowers toward her.
But as my hands, holding the bouquet, crossed the doorway, I hit something solid. An invisible wall. I couldn't move my hands forward into the house. It felt like pushing against thick, clear glass.
I knew what it was immediately. A barrier against supernatural creatures. But I was different. Why did it affect me? To get in, I needed her permission. Of all the times for this to happen...
I looked up from my bowed head. Elena was just standing there, stunned into silence by my sudden apology and the weird way I was holding the flowers just outside her door.
"Elena?" I said, to snap her out of it.
She blinked, as if waking up. She quickly reached out and took the bouquet from my hands, her eyes avoiding mine. "Thanks," she said, her voice quiet. Then, without another word, she stepped back and closed the door in my face.
Click.
I stood there on the porch, staring at the white painted wood of the closed door. I was completely stunned. What just happened? Why did she close the door so fast?
But then, a small thought cut through the confusion. She took the flowers. She accepted my apology, even if it was just with one word. It was a tiny step, but it was forward. A small smile touched my lips as I turned and walked back to my car.