[11]: the argument

________________________ 11 the argument "Stupid words and hateful glares; countless broken wards that you and I share." ________________________ "Wait, stop." Aurora panted as she put her hands against her knees on a semi-crouched position. "I'm not kidding, Alex. Stop." He turned around sluggishly, his gaze settling on Aurora's position. He took in the sight of her, covered in sweat and completely out of breath, her cheeks tinted in the prettiest pink he has ever seen, and her warm blue eyes filled with exhaustion. It wasn't the first time he has seen her like this today, but every time he sees it, his amusement seems to only heighten even more. For the past two hours they've been on the run, they had to make at least six stops just so she could take a rest and he would always end up buying her water from the nearest store they pass—and this time is no different. As he hid his amusement by plastering an annoyed look on his face, he released a sigh and walked towards her slowly. "Again?" He asked, crossing his arms in the process. She sent him a glare. "Yes, again. Unless you want me to die." "Stop being over-dramatic." He rolled his eyes, ignoring how her eyes only narrowed even more at him. "You're not going to die. Now come on. There's a park near here. We'll rest there." "Are you kidding me? I can hardly walk! It feels like my legs are about to give out." She whined as she stood in her full height, the exhaustion still clear in her face. "Can't we just sit here on the sidewalk and get our rest here?" Throughout his whole life, the one person who he always ends up scolding is Aurora; it's always Aurora. May it be for some small, stupid reasons or for some big ones that might end up with her getting herself hurt, he's done it. There were times that he honestly felt like he was her father and she was this rebel daughter who never listens to anything he says. They have a complete personality clash when it comes to things like that—he's stubborn, she's stubborn. But in the end, one of them would always give in. Sometimes it's Alexander, sometimes it's Aurora. This time however, well, it's completely hard to tell just who would get their way. Alexander pinched the bridge of his nose with an annoyed look plastered on his face before he gazed at the whining woman in front of him with a look of exasperation. "No. The park is much better. Stop complaining about everything and just follow what I say." He told her, giving her a stern stare. "But I'm dying! The park is too far." She crossed her arms and looked at him defiantly. "No, it's not. It's literally just around the corner. Surely you can walk with a distance like that one." He said, but the look on her face tells him it's going to be a long argument—one that isn't even worth arguing about. It's making him incredibly frustrated that Aurora just won't listen to what he says; that would definitely save them a lot of time and conserve a lot of energy instead of just talking and arguing like a bunch of children. "No I can't. Can't you see with your own two eyes? My legs are practically wobbling!" She replied, equally as frustrated as the guy she's with. "Are you blind, Giovanni?" "Your legs are not goddamn wobbling!" He exclaimed vehemently, ignoring the fact that he's getting a lot of attention from his sudden exclamation. Even Aurora was slightly taken aback by his sudden outburst, but was quick to gather herself and give him a glare. He huffed in his place as he stared at her with vexation. With the amount of time they're spending arguing and just going around in circles, Alexander thought quietly to himself that they could have already gotten to the park by now—if only the woman standing in front him wasn't such a whiner. He already knows by experience that Aurora is just naturally like that, but it still doesn't make the situation any less frustrating. It's coming back to him all over again—the arguing, the glaring, the screaming and shouting. Those were definitely not a pleasant experience for him, considering how she's never one who gives up easily; one who makes it a point to be able to prove her point. He appreciates that trait of hers, honestly, but not when he's tired and she's irritable because that wouldn't just end well for both parties. "How would you know?" She screamed back. "You're not me!" "I know that but another person sees it too when your leg wobbles, or did you not know that? You're f*****g intelligent, Crover! Use that brain of yours!" By now, his face was already nearing hers, the rage and frustration clearly etched on his face, his cool gray eyes now burning with unmasked fury all intended for the blue-eyed woman who is just as equally enraged as him. "Those high grades you got weren't just for show, were they? Prove it!" The rage in her eyes only heightened. She poked him on the chest and said, "Don't you dare insult my intelligence. I worked goddamn hard for those grades and I won't let some petty, stupid asshole like you degrade my hard work." He let out an irritated growl. This is extremely getting out of hand. He was just acting at first just so he could enjoy the sight of her being annoyed and frustrated, but now it has come to this—a real argument and a real emotion that is now starting to surface. What he forgot was that the woman could bring out the side of him that is completely temperamental and he would never know until it hits him with full force; never notices it until he has that burning feeling inside of him that always alerts him of his current emotion. He thinks it's completely ridiculous and stupid, but he thinks it's amazing all the same. And right now, he isn't exactly sure if he wants to scream at her again and again or console her and just let her have her way—both ways just doesn't seem right to him at all. He merely settled with pressing his lips in a thin line. "What? Don't have a retort for once?" She scoffed. "That's a surprise." "That's because I find this argument extremely petulant. Why can't you just listen to me and go to the park?" He told her, the frustration in his face never letting up. "What part of I can't feel my legs can't you get? Do I really have to spell it out for you?" All she really wanted right now was to get some rest and eat some breakfast. It's already eight in the morning, and never once has Alexander mentioned breakfast. If he can get on without eating, then that's on him but she absolutely can't—no matter how much she enjoys what she's doing—not that she's enjoying what she's doing now. She's just saying. The both of them were too busy glaring at one another that they didn't notice another person standing near them, looking at them with unmasked mirth, absolutely enjoying the show the past lovers are putting up. He crossed his arms as he smirked at the sight of them; a sight that never failed to amuse him—except when they get into a really big fight, then he has no choice but to step in and stop it before they end up hurting one another. However, this argument they have right now is hardly a big fight at all. He can't even believe that all they're arguing about is where they're going to get some rest. Honestly, he really doesn't get how both of their minds work. With a shake of his head, he said, "Why don't you just carry her all the way to the park? That way, you can get what you want and Aurora doesn't have to walk. Everybody's happy." Startled by the voice that suddenly joined their conversation, the both of them instantly transferred their gaze to the person who just spoke, scowling when they saw that it was just a person who is familiar to them both. "Edward." Alexander scowled. "What the hell are you doing here?" "Isn't it obvious? I'm trying to help the both of you with your little dilemma." Edward replied, his face still retaining the smirk he had on. "Seriously, it's such a simple problem. Why can't the both of you think of a solution that would benefit the both of you? I'm pretty sure it's not hard for any of you to do since the both of you practically have the brains of a genius." "You think too highly of us." Aurora said, her tone of voice as exhausted as ever. "Yeah. You think too highly of Aurora. She's obviously not that great." came Alexander's reply to his cousin's statement, not caring that Aurora is probably already killing him in her mind. Honestly, right now, he could care less—all he wants to do is rest but not on the sidewalk like what Aurora wants. No, he wants it to be in the park, on the bench, where he can sit properly and where he can rest without anyone looking at him funny. Edward released a sigh. "And this is the reason why the both of you are bound to kill each other when you're alone together. Even when the both of you were still a couple and you end up fighting, you act like it's World War III by the way the both of you fight each other." The only thing both Alexander and Aurora could do at that moment was stay quiet in their place as they listened to Edward's comment, a tint of pink plastered on both of their cheeks. "So here I am, the mediator of your fights, telling you that the solution to your so-called 'problem' is you, Alexander, carrying Aurora to the park so she won't be able to walk and the both of you end up happy." Their reactions were exactly what he anticipated. Even when he can't understand a single word of what they're saying because of their voices overlapping the other, he still tried his best to keep up, nodding his head and pretending to consider their words. "—there's no way I would carry Aurora. She's heavy." "—there's no way I would let that stupid, pompous asshole carry me. He's not strong enough." The glares Alexander and Aurora sent one another after hearing the other's response was immediate; it was almost instinctive. With the dying fire now rekindled in their eyes and their mouths curled up in a sneer, they tried their absolute best to intimidate each other—the exact thing they do to each other when they want to win something. "Are you saying I'm fat, Giovanni?" "Are you saying I'm weak, Crover?" Edward transferred his gaze back and forth at the both of them, both mirth and frustration palpable in his face. Do you see how much they resemble a bunch of children? They could say the most horrible things to one another and they would never be done unless one of them admits defeat—which is obviously not happening any time soon. He can't even remember how he managed to help the past couple get past all those fights they had when one of them kept running to him for help. "The both of you are only worsening things." He deadpanned, but the both of them paid him no heed—just kept glaring at one another with the rage clearly palpable in their eyes. He sighed. "Why do I even bother?" "For your information, Crover, I am not weak. I just choose not to carry your heavy ass—my back and my arms would break." came Alexander's words, his blaring eyes still focused on Aurora's indignant stare. Their choice of place to have a completely petulant argument is hardly appropriate, what with the passerby taking their time in staring at them in curiosity, all of them wondering what could be going on—their shouts and equally childish retorts also didn't help much; if anything, it only made their curiosity heighten even more. But as they tried to listen in to the screaming man and woman's conversation on the sidewalk, Edward would do his best to wave them away with his charming smile and nonchalant reasonings, but the silent intimidation dancing in his eyes never disappeared. As a result, it would effectively turn away any nosy person trying to know what's happening, their insides feeling like Edward's stare was eating at their soul and they would dissipate if they look into his eyes any longer—which was his desired effect, of course and it worked out magnificently. The noisy and busy streets and the bustling of the people all around them never bothered the arguing "friends", not even now, when Edward is trying to keep the people at bay. "You know," he said as he looked behind him to gaze at Aurora and Alexander. "It would be great if the both of you could wrap this up and continue this stupid banter elsewhere; you're getting too much attention on yourselves." As usual, they ignored his words. He's really starting to think that the pair absolutely doesn't deserve his help but he has to. And not just because Alexander is his cousin and Aurora has become close to him—yet in a totally different way—but because he's finding it completely troublesome how his cousin and his cousin's ex-girlfriend leaves a trail of trouble that he always ends up cleaning up after. He really doesn't find it appealing nor fun when Alexander and Aurora fights, especially when it's about something so petty and stupid—because it really doesn't end well. His thoughts brought him back to a certain incident years ago when he tried stopping their fight and he ended up with a bruise on the arm from Alexander's accidental punch that was meant for the wall near them and Aurora's slap that was intended for his cousin. He shuddered even just thinking about it, wondering how they managed to work out their relationship when they're a completely violent couple. After minutes of trying to help the both of them to calm down, he finally gave up with sigh, remembering that the best way to deal with their rage and anger is to leave them alone because somehow, in a twisted yet magical way, they manage to work out their fights on their own—but not the damage they left behind—which is exactly where he and the rest of Alexander and Aurora's friends come in. A bored expression overcame his strong and handsome features as he told the still arguing "friends", "I'll be back when you both calm down. For the meantime," he gazed at the brunette that passed by and gave her a smirk and wink right after, "I'll be getting a girl for my own." And then he was out of Alexander and Aurora's line of sight, already pursuing the brunette he just had his eyes on. Seemingly taking in the gravity of what just happened and the words that Edward just uttered, Alexander finally relented with a begrudging sigh as he pressed his lips on a thin line, listening to the words that are coming out of Aurora's mouth. "—and let me tell you, those are not words that you say to a lady, Giovanni! Where did you leave your brain when we went for a run? Do you want me to go back and get it for you?" She finally finished, glaring at him as she crossed her arms, eyes filled with nothing but defiance. "My brain is attached to my head like glue. What about yours? Pretty sure it was dropped along the road and was run over by a car considering how you started saying gibberish that I obviously know too." Alexander released a breath, trying his best to calm the raging emotions inside of him and closed his eyes for a few seconds. When he opened his eyes, he looked at her with nothing but boredom and resignation for a few minutes, trying to figure out how he's going to make the blue-eyed, blonde-haired woman in front of him calm down as his own fueled rage started to subside and simmer down. "Look," he finally said after a long silence. "I get your point and why you're angry, but the park really is the best place to get some rest—not on the damn sidewalk." "And I tried telling you that I can't goddamn walk!" She told him through gritted teeth. Alexander sighed as if he was bored by the whole thing—which he actually is. "Here we go again." He muttered. "Crover, I really would appreciate it if you shut your loud mouth for a moment. My ears are starting to feel like it's slipping off my head." It's his jibes like that one that makes her dislike the guy more than she already has. She feels like she just wants to scream in frustration because of the sudden turn in events and wants him to shut his mouth instead; not speak until he decides they're finished with their jog and they both reach their respective homes. Even when she's already used to all his stupid antics, it still doesn't make her reaction to it any different and any less irate. If anything, it only seemed to have made her violent verbal reactions heighten and match his equally violent verbal jibes, making their argument and banters longer than necessary. Even with just one look at his eyes, those cool and now leveled gray eyes, she knows she's already in for a fight—not that his words aren't enough, but looking at his eyes seems to make it more real to her. Fortunately—yet unfortunately at the same time—this time is no different from the others. Alexander stared at her with such indifference that it made her ready her defenses when he started to unsuspectingly goad and jibe her once more. Maybe the eyes really are the windows to the soul—she never really did believe in that. But as she looked into his eyes, her opinion is starting to change—deliberately. She has yet to truly see if the eyes really are the windows to the soul. And that was all she did really—stare at him with an indecipherable look on her face that is starting to make Alexander feel extremely uncomfortable. Despite him obviously still having feelings for the woman in front of him, he still feels awkward when someone stares at him for too long—even when it is Aurora who is staring at her with such intensity. So with a clearing of his throat, he moved from his place to move forward, crouched down a bit to brace himself and then carried Aurora on his shoulder, his arms wrapped around her waist to prevent her from falling to the ground face-first. The first thing she noticed after her one-sided stare down with Alexander was a movement. Whether it was from her or from him, she's not entirely sure. All she knows is that Alexander was suddenly so close to her and then came her second observation: she's hanging upside down. Blinking her eyes in shock repeatedly became the first thing that her mind was able to conjure as a reaction, and then the hitting and the yelling. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" She asked, trying to wriggle her way down, but the grip Alexander had on her was tight. "Put me down!" "No." came his short reply. "What?" She screeched. "You can't do this!" "Technically, I can." He said, his legs starting it's walk towards the park that he has been wanting to get to ever since Aurora asked him to stop. "And I'm already doing it." All the people they passed by looked at them with burning curiosity but Alexander merely ignored it all while Aurora tried her hardest to hide her red face from all the questioning glances she received. The scowl etched on her lips remained, even when she felt Alexander's amused chuckle reverberate throughout her whole body, with—no doubt—a triumphant smirk on his lips. In her mind, she's already cursing the hell out of the guy carrying her to God knows where because who would want to be carried like this? And by the man she hates no less. Why is the world such a cruel place? He could have just left her alone on the sidewalk and the argument they had would have been over in an instant; not with the argument ending up with her having nothing to say and Alexander carrying her on his shoulder. "Stupid Alexander." She muttered under her breath. “What is that?” Alexander asked, a mocking tone lacing in his voice. Aurora gritted her teeth in further irritation. “I said you’re stupid.” His laughter instantly invaded her ears, making her wince in her place because of how soft and familiar it sounds. And why is she even thinking about how good his laugh feels? She’s supposed to be vexed right now, goddamn it! Instead, all it took was that bastard’s laughter to make all those unmasked fury inside of her simmer down a bit. Noticing that, her current fury only heightened tenfold.  “Nothing exactly new, Aur.” His voice snapped her out of the reverie she was previously entrapped in. “That’s what you always say to me so I’ve already put that sentiment to heart. Anything else you might want me to add to the list of precious insults from you that I deeply treasure?” The sarcasm in his voice wasn’t lost on her. She scowled at the ground as she said, “No, because you would probably already die if I add more. On second thought, that seems like an excellent idea, so why don’t I just go at it?” Even though he couldn’t really see her right now, the scowl now etched in his lips completely matched hers. “Right. I forgot you were always such an annoying piece of vermin.” “Vermin?” The disbelief in her voice was too palpable for either party to ignore. “Are you kidding me with that?” “The truth always hurts, Aur.” “Screw you, you piece of dimwitted, ninnyhammer, pillock!” He laughed again, obviously amused by her colorful choice of words. “My, my, aren’t you an interesting piece of vermin?” Aurora’s scowl deepened. Getting to this guy’s tough exterior is definitely going to take her a lot more than what she just did--and she’s not looking forward to it one bit.