Chapter 135: The Space Between Us (1/2)
The Christmas party come to an end, and most of Team Rhapsody had left. Alton was caught up washing up as he noticed Zinnia standing idly by the sofa. Knowing he couldn't avoid her anymore this night he dropped the last plate into the sink talking with his back to her. ”Did you enjoy the party?”
”Oh, yeah… It was a lot of fun.” She said half-heartedly. ”The cake was delicious too.”
”We haven't done something like this in a while since… Well since Percy. Sometimes I expect to see him sitting there blabbering away like the fanboy he was. I used to find him so annoying, but I think any of us would do anything to get that back.”
”Yeah…”
Alton turned leaning against the sink sighing. ”If you've got something to say, just come out and say it.”
Zinnia remained silent for a short while before finally giving in biting her lip. ”What deal did you make with Bargaining back during the V.I.R.A.L games?”
”Drop it Zinnia.”
”Please, I need to know!”
Alton threw his towel into the sink angered. ”I said, drop it! What I agreed to is none of your business. My pact shouldn't concern you. We wouldn't be in this situation if you didn't take the bait.”
”Oh, so now this is my fault?”
”Yeah, this is your fault.” Alton blustered wagging his finger. ”You took a deal to kill me to be a hero.”
”It wasn't like that… I didn't know the outcome; I beat myself up about it all the time…”
Alton sighed, shaking head. ”yeah well, what happened happened. Nothing we can do about it now.”
Zinnia began cupping her hands together, fidgeting around. ”I truly wish things were different. We don't talk anymore; we hardly do much streaming together and only ever hang out if everyone else is here. We've been like this for two months, and I guess I just wish we could go back to before… well you know what we were.”
”I don't enjoy this if that's what you're getting at,” Alton replied, holding a small present. ”I don't take comfort avoiding you, but can you really blame me? Any moment Bargaining could take over and stab me in the back, I can't take that risk. I've got too much on my plate to risk it all. You understand, right?”
”Yeah… I do.”
Alton sighed, throwing the present on the coffee table. ”It isn't much but here.” Zinnia stared blankly at the present picking it up, moving her hand over the poorly wrapped paper. Slowly opening it, her heart skipped a beat as in her hand was a framed photo of Team Rhapsody. A group photo with everyone included. She knew of the picture it was taken to celebrate Scarlett joining the team. ”I thought it would be nice to have a photo of everyone. We never did take many for some reason.”
Zinnia smiled faintly as she carefully placed it in her bag. She stopped for a moment, putting a neatly wrapped present down herself. ”I should get going before Rebecca worries. Merry Christmas Alton…”
Zinnia scurried out, leaving Alton with cold feet as he whispered under his breath in defeat. ”Merry Christmas Zinnia…”
”That was never going to be easy, you know,” Scarlett stated looking conflicted.
Alton rubbed his eyes sniffing. ”I thought you went home already.”
”Why would I do that for? I thought we were spending Christmas Eve together.”
Alton let out a slobbered chuckle shaking his head. ”No more jokes, please. I'm not in the mood.”
”I don't like any of this can I be the one to say. She's tearing you apart, and not even I know what sort of insane deal you made with the Garden. But if you're too afraid to tell even me, then it has to be bad. You should have let me kill her.”
”You already know my response to that demand Scarlett.”
”That I do. Do not worry. I shan't push you any further on this dilemma. Say what are your plans for tomorrow?”
Alton shrugged his shoulders, looking around the apartment. ”Probably just tidy up? Order a takeaway.”
”Jesus, you were not pulling my leg over the whole no Christmas shenanigans. Why don't you come to mine tomorrow? My family is cooking up one big Christmas dinner. We would be more than honoured to have you.”
Alton closed his eyes sighing. ”I appreciate the offer, Scarlett. But I have too much on my mind to even think about Christmas.”
She gave a defeated smile picking up her belongs. ”You can't keep shutting people out Alton because of the past. People are willing to help you just need to see that.”
As Scarlett was about to leave Alton called out looking somewhat embarrassed. ”Hang on a second… I forgot to give you this.” Holding out a small present Scarlett smirked turning around. ”I really didn't know what to get you being super-rich and stuff.” Scarlett took the box spinning it around, shaking it. This got a reaction out of Alton as he flinched. ”Careful.”