Basic Need

Ch 4: The Resolution

While Harry barely slept the whole night because he was worried sick about Alice, his devious little neighbor had spent the night chatting with the despicable guy he had yet to figure out.

How come?

The fact was that although Alice was very afraid of strangers in real life, she didn't mind talking to them on f*******: or any other social network.

When she had logged in at around 9 pm, she had found an invitation from none other than Kyle Austin awaiting her. And since she was as curious as they come, she had accepted and started chatting with him immediately.

"Hey," he greeted her.

"Hey," she greeted back with a happy smiley.

"How r u?"

"Fine. U?"

"Awesome. I got 2 meet THE most beautiful girl 2day."

"Is that so? Do I know her?" Alice asked intrigued.

"Oh well, she's a raven-haired brown-eyed petite girl with whom I share every class, and who has a pretty annoying watchdog," he replied with a wink smiley.

'Could he possibly be talking about me?' She thought incredulously.

"Could you possibly be blushing right now?" He asked before she could respond.

"No... I'm just confused." She told him sincerely.

"Why? You're a very beautiful girl," came his smooth reply.

Now, she did blush.

She responded, hands trembling almost imperceptibly, "I'm not used to guys hitting on me."

"It's because of that watchdog of yours. Is he your boyfriend?"

The disdain could almost be felt through the screen.

"No, just a neighbor and a very precious friend, so please don't call him that." She defended immediately.

"Oh, great!" He exclaimed.

"What is?" She asked confused.

"You're single. I can pursue you." He told her bluntly.

"I'm sure there are plenty of girls who'd love you going after them," she retorted.

"Only I want you."

And the conversation went on, with Kyle hitting on Alice like there was no tomorrow, and her trying to deter him from the idea of pursuing her for she would have to reveal then that she had a stupid form of xenophobia that didn't allow her to date.

It was almost 1 am when she logged out. With a smile adorning her face, she fell asleep.

It was not every day that she was hit on, Harry made sure of that. Sure, he was protecting her, but he was also suffocating her – at least that was what occurred to her while she was talking to Kyle.

Forgetting her condition, she felt like she wasn't free anymore. Not ever since that incident two years ago.

Two years ago, right in the driveway, as she was coming home after spending some time at Alexandra's, she was almost abducted... keyword here being almost.

Harry, who had been washing his sister's car, had come to the rescue. And the guy sure could fight. But since there were two assailants, he had taken a few hits but far less than them.

Nevertheless, that fear of the unknown, of strangers more particularly, didn't leave her despite going to Florida's best psychologists and psychiatrics.

They all agreed that she should face her fear head on, bit by bit, until she was rid of it.

For two years, she hadn't even attempted to do so... but now that there was Kyle, a part of her wanted to. Not just for him, but for herself as well.

What awaited her after senior year after all?

She and her two best friends would part ways. It pained her to admit that but that was what was going to happen. And then what of her?

She couldn't depend on Harry forever.

She had to do something.

And so, the following day, for the first time in two years, she went to school without her dear neighbor.