returning {to the past} -crystal

[~echo~]

Anita gave a tight smile back to Carlos, then nodded at Alex and got in the truck, taking a deep breath in nervousness. How would he react?

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Alex just... drove. He waited for her to speak first, since he certainly didn't want to start this conversation, even though he knew it had to happen. What was going through that mind of hers? God, he wished he knew if she was angry.

[~echo~]

Anita finally let out a sigh. "Alex.... I'm.... I'm dating someone. I don't know why I didn't tell you. I guess I just... couldn't bear to see you sad. But I know that I should have told you. I'm so sorry."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Alex looked over at her, the confusion clear on his face. He tried to process her words, but all he could think was, but I flat-out lied to you about what I did. Why was she bringing up her boyfriend?

[~echo~]

Anita didn't meet his gaze, feeling ashamed. "I'm really sorry, Alex. I didn't tell you."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Alex smiled ruefully and shook his head. "It's your life, Anita. It's none of my business if you're dating and who it is. I blew my chance for that."

[~echo~]

She chanced a glance at him and for a while didn't speak. Rhen she looked back down at her folded hands and said, "So, you're a detective now."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Alex took in a deep breath. Alright, here it was. "Yeah," he said softly. "Made detective last year."

[~echo~]

She nodded. "I do wish you had told me." She paused a moment, then gave a smile. "But I'm proud of you. That's awesome."

(She should be a lawyer in court and he could be the bailiff xD)

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

(Haha. Is she going to be a defense lawyer?)

Alex glanced at her uncertainly. Suddenly, he put his blinker on and pulled into a parking lot outside a Taco Bell. He parked in the far corner of the lot and turned off the engine. "You're not angry that I lied to you?" he asked uncertainly. When she'd asked, he said he had a boring office job. Being a police officer certainly didn't qualify as such.

[~echo~]

Anita met his eyes and shook her head. "No. I'm not."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Alex watched her, taking in her face and brown eyes. She'd lost the pretty features of a teenage girl, having instead become a beautiful woman. And he'd missed out on it all because he'd screwed up. "Anita..." he started. Then he realized he had no more words. What did he say? The girl had a boyfriend, probably a real stand-up guy. Someone who was far better for her than a former gang member with a screwed up family and a dangerous job.

[~echo~]

Anita met his eyes, her sadness evident from the moist sparkle in them. "What is it, Alex?" her voice almost broke, but she managed to keep it all in.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Alex stared at her for a second longer and then shook his head slowly. "Nothing. It's not important."

[~echo~]

Her face fell and she nodded slowly. "Alex... I wish you all the best. I should go."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Alex nodded slowly, his face void of emotion. "Yeah. I guess I should get you home, huh?"

[~echo~]

"I can hail a cab if you don't have time," she said flatly, blinking down at the ground.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Alex felt a pang in his chest. "It's fine, Anita. I can give you a ride."

[~echo~]

Anita nodded and told him the location of her apartment.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Alex pulled back onto the street and headed toward the address. He knew the area he'd grown up in well enough that he didn't need any more direction. The whole way there, the silence not the car was killing him.