During breakfast, it is awkward, subdued and the mood the is low. The atmosphere is definitely tensed to say the least even those that weren't involved could see the strain amongst the quietness in the dining room. Numb from a lack of sleep and feeling troubled, Fifi hadn't thought about the marks on her upper arm and had just thrown on a t-shirt, showing off the marks. In a daze, she helps herself to some breakfast from the counter and sits down with everyone.
"Fifi, what have you done to your arm?"
Asked Nick, who like the rest wasn't aware of what happened, despite the frosty atmosphere. Not looking over at where Kevin is sitting, Fifi could sense him staring at her, watching her every move, deciding against revealing the real reason behind the marks and instead tells Nick...
"Oh, I must have knocked it getting into bed last night."
She isn't sure if he bought the lame excuse but she was adament that she didn't want to stir up any more trouble. Today is a show day so it was back to work after having yesterday off. Fifi tried her best to keep busy and making sure she kept her distance from both Kevin and Alex. She avoided eye contact with him and didn't even come close to them to sort their styling ready for the show. Thankfully everybody just carried on with doing what they need to do in preparation and this went on for a few days. Between Maddie, Nick, Brian, and Howie including the WAGS and the security guys; their banter and goofiness made the atmosphere bearable. Howie occasionally came over to ask how she was which she thought was sweet. Nick too kept his eye on her whilst giving the space she needed.
It is now a day off, Maddie went on a date with Harry, leaving Fifi alone in their room who is curled up watching movies on the sofa. She ddn't care about socialising and wanted time on her own. Her anxiety levels raised around other people. Throughout the day, Fifi ordered room service and watching various moves. As the end credits of one film is rolling up the screen, her phone rings and she answers it, knowing it was Maddie and she told her not to wait up for her. Hearing her friend excited and enjoying herself, it cheered her up a little bit. Unlike Maddie who is always chirpy, never suffering from anxiety which sometimes makes Fifi feel isolated. Fifi finds herself putting on a front at times. Sighing and yawning, she placed another disc in the DVD player; not knowing what was on it, is surprised when Alex's face appears on the screen. She decides that Maddie must have gotten the footage put onto a DVD and curiously, she settles down on the sofa to watch it. Chortling at seeing Alex doing one of his puppet shows as he did when she used to watch him do, thinking how impressive he was at doing it, for a kid. After the puppet show, it showed a few clips from other shows he took part in. In one clip, it showed Alex being interviewed and she laughs at how much he has changed, physically. Back then, he was this scrawny little kid, very cute she remembers so fondly but now he's covered in tattoos and has facial hair. Jumping out of her skin, there's a loud knock at the door so she presses the off button and runs over to the door. Blinking, she stands there face to face with Alex who seems eager to see her.
"Alex, I wasn't expecting to see you here?!?"
He stands still, not taking his eyes off her and clears the lump in his throat...
"I... I need to talk, can we talk?"
Hesitantly, she points him in the direction of the sofa and waits for him to start talking. Looking down at her arms, trying to hide them...
"Are your arms okay?"
"Yes, not as sore as they were to begin with. I guess I shouldn't be so clumsy."
"Stop it Fifi, I know what happened! He shouldn't have hurt you like he did, the jerk! I'm sorry."
"Not your fault Alex. I don't want any more of this malarky, I thought we sorted stuff out and then he let rip at me. I thought he was gonna hurt me."
Still with her hands wrapped arounf herself, she tries to stifle her sobs, Alex cups under her chin offering her a slight sorrowful smile.
"You don't mean it when you call him a jerk, he's just looking out for you."
"Still. Well he knows he's a jerk, an interfering prat at that..."
Putting her hand over her mouth to stop herself from laughing and is secretly pleased that he stuck up for her, maybe he does care about her, even after all this time.
"Thank you Alex."
"What for?"
"For being you, and for sticking up for me. Can't have been easy."
He takes her hand and goes on to say...
"Fifi, can we start again? Don't worry about me and Kev, it'll sort itself out. Not like we haven't fought before."
Flashback to when she heard Kevin and Howie talking about the time they had a fight before he went to rehab. She knows they will sort it out because they have done from the last time, also realising that she's no longer angry with Kevin. It's all coming from a good place, she knows that and she understands. However though, she does wonder what the fight was about, but decides not to ask... That is something she can ask another time. Quicker than the flick of the light switch, she finds herself wrapping he arms around Alex and his around her. They stay like this for a few moments, until he notices something...
"Oh my god, you weren't...?"
"What?"
Fifi s clueless about what alex is on about...
"Were you watching old videos of me?"
Now her cheeks flush crimson cringing at having to admit that this is what she was doing.
"Might be, I didn't know these were on it. Maddie must have got it done and not bothered to tell me."
"Yeah yeah yeah, whatever!! Ha ha!!"
"You were good but gotta admit, you're better now though."
"Cheers."
Turning his head so he can smile at her. She smiles back and stretches to yawn, wondering what time it is. A little while later, the pair are sitting in silence with neither of them knowing what to say or do. Fifi was much happier seeing Alex looking less tensed than when she opened the door to him. Startled from her thoughts, Alex stands up and moves him arms out; stretching and rubbing his eyes.
"I'm gonna head off, time for bed. See you tomorrow, yeah?"
"Goodnight Alex. Thank you for dropping by and yes, see you tomorrow. Night night."
With this, he walks over to the door, turns to face Fifi, nods and smiles. Says goodnight and disappears. She brushes her teeth and climbs into bed, not leaving much time for thinking before she falls asleep.m
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