Chapter Thirty-Seven: Connection

AN WARNING: Heads up we are about to get into some very deep stuff with Alex so be prepared when you start reading this. I put a lot of effort into trying to show why Alex reacted so much when Claire called herself "Worthless" and gave Alex a very real backstory that does connect to others.

Also want to say as someone who has dealt with similar issues if any of you are going through something similar or different but still negative. I know its hard but talk to someone. It does help, eventually. Time does heal all wounds but it takes some people longer than others. So find that family member, friend, therapist or just anyone willing to lend you that ear and let someone in. Even if it's just to vent, do it. Mental health is important.

Now with the deep stuff in the AN out of the way, time for deep stuff in the chapter.

Hope you guys enjoy the chapter! This is a shorter chapter overall but it has a lot of substance to it as you could tell from the warning. I really hope you guys enjoy this.

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In Alex's previous life, he was never really popular; being a kid without any parents made him feel many conflicting emotions. He knew he couldn't control the death of his mother; there was nothing he could do to change that, but his father never showed him any affection. It made him question if his father just hated him. Even after his father left and never returned and he went to live with his aunt, he still felt like an outcast. His aunt tried to become a mother to him, but it was too late. The emotional toll Alex had suffered had already damaged him. Of course, that didn't help Alex once he started high school.

He always was by himself, stayed out of any friend groups, stayed quiet, and never raised his hand in class. He was a loner. Going through every day alone. When he would come home, he would say hi to his Aunt and stay in his room.

His aunt never had kids on her own, so she didn't know how to help Alex. She tried getting him a therapist, but he refused to go.

Alex didn't like his life; he would wake up, go to school, play videogames or read books he found on the internet, go to sleep, and repeat. He always considered his life worthless. That nobody would truly miss him if he were just gone. He never had too many friends, and the ones he did make, he eventually cut off, scared they were laughing at him, not with him.

Until one day, his entire world changed.

When he was reborn after getting hit by that truck, he found a new purpose. He was given a family; even if his father in this world was just as bad as his previous one, he had a mother and a sister who genuinely loved him, the maids, whom he considered family. He was happy and felt like his life had value for the first time. He spent his new life being with his family at any cost. The people he now loved.

He, of course, always thought back on his aunt; even though she wasn't his mother, she tried her best to be that for him. He had spent many nights wondering how she was, but there was no way of knowing. This did sadden him because, while he wasn't close with her, she was the only family he truly had in his previous life.

In this new world, he met many people, but when he met Claire, she reminded him of his previous life. While in different situations, one word clicked with him: "worthless". She was the same. She thought her life had no meaning, just like he used to.

This made all of his emotions, which he always held inside, come out. Words he always wanted to hear but never received.

"Nobody's life is worthless; don't ever say such things! Every life has value; all I ask of you is to let me show you that. I promise you, if you think your life has no meaning, I will change that. You may have done things some consider monstrous, but I am no different; however, that's not who I want myself or you to be. I will give your life new meaning. You will never be ordered to do anything you don't want to again. If I ask you to do something, you're free to object and discuss it with me. Please let me show you a new life, Claire, and I promise you will be happier. So one last time I ask you, Will you stay by my side and become my bodyguard?"

He wanted to help this girl in front of him, someone he related to. While hugging her, he felt all his emotions run back into his mind. Water started to leak out of his eyes. He was worried about what she would think of a guy who spouts off all of this just to be the one who ends up crying, but to his surprise.

*Sniffle*

Claire had returned his embrace, and not only that, she put her head deep into his chest and started to let out her emotions.

Alex decided it was best to stay silent and let her let out her emotions. All he did was rub her back as she cried into his chest. He simply wanted her to know that he was there for her.

As she cried into the night, she tired herself out from crying; combined with the exhaustion of the battle, she found herself slipping into her dreams slowly but surely.

Alex, of course, noticed this but chose not to wake her up; instead, he laid her down gently into the grass, using the jacket he wore that night as a blanket for Claire.

Alex stayed up, watching over her as he stared up into the stars. Feeling relieved that this night may have helped not just Claire but also him. To end the chapter of his previous life completely.

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