I did exactly what he told me to do for the next couple of days.

I'm trouble and you should stay the hell away from me...

As I lazed around in bed, my mind kept drifting back to him-- his playful smile, the bag of secrets he's hiding from me.

The funny thing was I wanted to do everything except follow his order, I wanted to defy him, test him, push him to his limits.

I wanted to just unwrap him, layer by layer. I wanted to tear down his walls. I couldn't stand the fact that I didn't know a single thing about him.

Rolling about in bed, I finally came to a decision. I could hear Alexander joking around with my mum in the living room, I was sure that everything would fall into place perfectly without having myself get into trouble.

Whipping out my phone, I dialled a familiar set of numbers.

" Hey Tristen, do you mind if I borrow your motorbike?"

▪▪▪▪▪

I tracked my way through the tall towering trees, the forest was in complete silence -- so quiet you could hear the cracking of branches echo as I step over them.

Finally after much scouting, I came upon the small hut-- the one Alexander took me to just a few days ago.

Looking up to the sky, I regretted the fact that I took years dwelling on whether I should return here since it was beginning to get dark.

Filled with curiosity, I ran towards the hut, or should I say tried to run since my leg still hurt.

With a creak of the door, I peered into the empty hut. Without closing the door behind me, I took a scan around the small cottage.

There were 3 rooms in total, so I decided to look around -- maybe it will give me a little bit more information about Alexander.

The first two rooms were deserted, with only spider webs clogging each corner. Hence, I was left with none other than the last room right at the end of the corridor.

I noticed its doorknob seem to be much more clean and polished. With swift movements, I pushed open the door to find a room full of colour.

Each corner had different hues of colour splashed across the walls carelessly but yet it created a beautiful natural artwork -- it was like each wall told a story of its own with emotion. It felt real. Human.

I ran my fingers over the painted walls and let my eyes examine the ceiling that was painted with various pastel colours.

I realised there were cans of spray paint and buckets of paint by the corner. Pursing my lips, I grabbed the bucket of yellow paint and brought it out to the plain blank wooden wall back in the hallway.

Placing it before me, I wrapped the towel Alexander left here two days ago and began tieing it over my eyes.

After tightening the knot of the towel, I took a deep breath and dipped my hand into the bucket of paint. Taking a few steps forward, I let my fingers move over the rough surface without hesitation.

I didn't have a clue or plan in mind of what I was drawing, it seemed so hard to imagine without having see what I was actually drawing.

Xander's question kept replaying in my mind--

What represented my family afterall?

I hummed silently to myself, losing myself in the moment. I could picture it faintly, it was something mom always made for us when we were younger. It would be on Saturdays where everyone would gather at the table. Even Blake was there, no one missed those Saturdays.

Pulling off the towel, my mouth was slightly ajar and a small giggle escaped my lips. I couldn't believe I drew Mum's famous waffles.

" I knew you could do it." A familiar voice sliced through the silence, startling me.

" Alexander.." I sheepishly looked over at him as he leaned by the door, with his sleeves folded up.

He had one of his usual lopsided lazy smiles, his blonde hair were short at the sides thus his strands fell over his eyes from the top.

"Do you feel any different?" He casually walks to my side.

I stared up to my painting and a warm bubble of glee spreads itself throughout my body.

" It's been long since art brought me happiness, " I bit my lip, trying to contain a wide smile.

" You know Gabriel, the more uptight you stay, the lesser you'll enjoy life." He glances down to me.

His words had me thinking, I knew amongst my brothers I was always the one who had a goal in mind, a plan along with it that I'll strictly follow. You could call me the more serious type of guy, I simply follow the textbook.

" So what are you suggesting Alexander?" I fully faced him, raising an eyebrow.

The endz of his lips tipped upwards, I kept my eyes on his golden brown orbs that swirled with playfulness.

" I have a few things in mind that could shake things up a bit." He wiggled his eyebrows with excitement.

Before I could reply, we heard a loud threatening sound of thunder from a distance along with the rapid sounds of falling raindrops.

" We better get out of the forest before the storm comes." Xander headed out of the hut to have a better look at the dark sky.

" We could take my motorbike to get home..." I suggested.

" It's too dangerous, the storm coming ahead looks pretty harsh. We have to wait till the storm stops..." he trailed.

He paused, placing his hand on his stomach woth a sigh before he gave me a guilty smile.

" Are there any food palors around here?"i laughed at his question as we began trudging our way out of the forest.

" I know the perfect one actually." I gave him toothy smile.

▪▪▪▪▪

"Here we are!" I pushed the doors of my favourite diner wide open.

" Damn Gabriel, I like your taste!" Alexander nodded with a grin, " Classic Vintage Jukebox, it's been long since I saw one of those." He admired the surroundings.

We sat along the long-sitdown counters, swirling about in the tall stools.

"I'm starving!" I shoved my face into the menu which had Xander bursting out in laughter.

"Gabriel, my boy!" Just by hearing his voice, I knew who he was.

" Hey Uncle Cyrus!" I looked up to come upon his chubby cheeks that gave him a cute smile.

" You got a friend here this time round eh?" He glanced over at Alexander who, as usual, had a enormous smile plastered on his lips.

" Alexander Wilde, Gabriel's friend." Xander stretched out his hand that Uncle Cyrus shook joyfully.

" So what can I get you boys?"

" I'm up for a caramel banana split!" I chirped, I could never get enough of that. I glanced over at Alexander who looked adorable with his confused expression. He was clearly unsure of what to pick among the many delicious dishes.

"...everything looks so good.." he mumbled out, his eyes trained on the menu.

He bit his lip once more, it surprises me how his lips are not bleeding yet especially since its a habit of his.

" You know what? I'll get what Gabriel is having too!" He closed the menu in embarrassment, I didn't miss how he blushed.

Uncle Cyrus gave us a nod and a salute before he headed over to the kitchen. The diner wasn't extremely crowded, it gave off the casual vibe which I loved.

"I hope you like this diner...I know its simple and all but--" I clasped my hands together nervously as I rambled off.

" I love it, Gab." He interrupted, his smile reaching his eyes.

" Whenever I went out with Blake, he always liked fancy dinners, very different from you. It's nice having a change, I like simple things afterall." He shrugged with a carefree expression.

Uncle Cyrus slid two large cups of chocolate smoothie between Alexander and I.

" It's on the house!" He winked at us, he always treated his customers with a little treat.

" Thank you!" We chorused.

As we sip on our drinks, we drifted into conversions over various topics that had us both debating.

" So what's your biggest fear, Gab?" Xander asked, out of the blue, as he ate his banana split.

I swallowed hard, how could I ever forget my biggest fear which keeps me up every night.

" I have two fears actually." I rubbed the back of my neck nervously as he nodded his head encouragingly.

" Okay I have a fear of dancing in front of crowd, or in general just dancing cause I'm afraid of embarassing myself. I know this might seem like a small thing but trust me when I say this, I always end up in a situation where I have to dance which scares m--" I babbled away, feeling anxious of his reaction.

" hey, its fine." He placed his hand on mine reassuringly, a small smile on his lips.

" Everyone has their fears, I respect that." He took another sip of his smoothie, licking the cream of his lips.

" But...maybe this would make you like dancing..." Alexander stood up abruptly, walking over to the jukebox with a hop in his steps.

My eyes widened as he placed a penny into the jukebox. You're The One I Want from Grease began playing.

(

Alexander grabbed a spoon by the corner and began mouthing the words as he imitated the actors in Grease, his face held dramatic expressions.

I got chills

They're multiplying

And I'm losing control

Cause the power you're supplying

It's electrifying!

He caught everyone's attention as he stood on one of the cubicle tables while dancing with his eyes closing. There was something about the vibe he could give off that lifted everyone's spirits.

Some couples whipped out their phones and video-ed his dance excitedly. Hopping from one table to another, he came closer to me.

Covering my face, I laughed silently at how ridiculously he was dancing. Uncle Cyrus wasn't bothered by Alexander's rowdy behavior and instead swayed his hips with each clap of his hands.

You better shape up

Cause I need a man

And my heart is set on you

You better shape up

You better understand

To my heart I must be true

Nothing left

Nothing left for me to do

He jumped back to the floor, sliding across the hallway, holding the spoon to his mouth like a Mic. He grabbed one of the female customers who just entered the diner and twirled her around ever so smoothly. Some people in the diner began dancing too, I couldn't help but grin at the sight.

You're the one that I want

You are the one I want

Oh, honey

The one that I want

You are the one I want

Oh, honey

The one that I want

You are the one I want

Oh, the one I need

Oh, yes indeed

Xander kneeled on both his knees, pointing at me before blowing a kiss. Taking my hand in his, he pulled me out of chair. Heat rushed to my cheeks, feeling my fear climbing its way up my throat.

" I don't know how to dance!" I yelled over the music, with an awkward laugh.

" You don't need to learn how to dance! Just feel the rhythm of the music, you got this!" He encouraged, closing his eyes and continuing with his carefree dance.

Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes, feeling each rhythm vibrate through my blood. Unknowingly, my hands were thrown in the air and I swayed aimlessly to the beat.

Somehow, with my eyes closed, everything that held a heavy spot in my heart felt lighter, it was as though I could breath again.

Engrossed in the song, I slipped like the clumsy person I am. Thankfully, however, I was swooped up just in time. My eyes finally drew open to come upon his golden brown orbs.

He gave me a goofy smile, gazing in my eyes for a few seconds. A small part wished he would have just looked into my eyes all day. There was something in his eyes as he said the words that followed. I couldn't quite put a finger at it.

" I would pay a million pennys just to see you dance like that again..."

Now those words made my heart do a triple somersault.