Don't Write Me {Private} a Love Song

Alex nodded and lead him downstairs, where there were two large paintings. One was of the view out of a hotel room in Italy. The other was a painting of the park. "My mom did that one," she pointed to the view of Italy. "She said that was the view of the city after the night I was conceived," she shrugged. "And this one," she pointed to the park, "Mom and I did maybe six months ago. We're thinking of doing one for each of the seasons and hang them in the living room."

She glanced at him, her mouth open to ask his opinion on the second painting, but she noticed he was deep in thought. She closed her mouth and looked back to the paintings, wondering what it was like in Italy. Her mom had promised that they'd go one day, but they didn't have the money and it didn't look like they'd ever have it.

She looked at him and chuckled. "How weird, I was just thinking of that." She shook her head. "No. Mom promised to take me one day, but we don't have the money." She shrugged. "Maybe I'll get to go on my own one day. I dunno."

She looked up at him, her eyes wide in surprise. "You... Really? Me? Seriously," she asked, unable to believe she was being offered to go to Europe. "Oh, but what about the money? It's so expensive... I wouldn't feel right..."

She smiled, elated. "I would love to. Gotta make sure it's okay with Mom, though," her smiled turned sheepish. "But Mom doesn't get home for another hour or so," she said, looking down at her watch. "Hmm... Oh, I almost forgot. Could you help me with something? Mom and I have been picking our brains out trying to figure out what's wrong with this painting," she pointed to the painting of the tree. "It's missing something, but we don't know what it is. Maybe you can help?"

She blinked and looked back at the painting. "Not enough life..." she repeated, barely audible. She thought a moment before a smile spread across her face. "You're a genius! Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you," she smiled at him happily.

She smiled, tempted to hug him for helping her, but that would be weird. Right? She grinned, hearing her mom walk int the door. "I'm home," her mom called. "Down here, Mom!! Come quick!" Her mom came down the stairs. "What is it, sweetie? Oh! Who's this," she asked, noticing Russel.

Of course, her mom had no clue when it came to popular music nowadays. She hardly ever listened to the radio. When she did, it was around Christmas so she could sing along to the classic holiday songs. Alex' mom smiled. "My name is Rachel. It's a pleasure to meet you Russel. Welcome to our home." She then turned to her daughter. "You wanted to tell me something?"

"Yeah! Look at the tree," she said, clearly excited. "Do you think it has enough life," she asked, smiling at Russel as she let the idea sink in.

Alex walked along the outside of the concert hall where Russel's first concert in Italy was, posters in her arms. She was so excited to be here - she was hardly seen without a smile on her face, except when she was working on advertisements. She placed the posters for all his concerts along the brick walls, about ten feet apart, and by the ticket stand. When she was done setting up the posters outside, she moved inside, putting them on the food and drink stands, with the permission of the stand owners, of course. After she was completely done, she practically skipped backstage. "Done," she told Russel, cheerful. "Anything else you need me to do?"

"You've paid for my plane ticket and everything. I can't take more of your money. I'd feel horrible," she told him, knowing how expensive everything was - she and her mom had researched prices for the longest time before they'd finally given up.

She thought for a moment, and sighed, giving up. "Alright. Thank you," she said fervently, taking the card. "I'll be back soon. I won't spend too much," she promised and hurried so she'd be back in time for the concert. She found a cute outfit that she could combine with some of her own clothes and went ahead and bought them, not spending over fifty dollars. A black vest, a cute plaid lolita skirt to match, and some tights to wear under it, with boots of course. And a matching hat. She pulled a white t-shirt on under the vest and her outfit was complete. She went back to Russel, the waves in her hair bouncing slightly, and handed him the card, looking at him as if she were embarrassed. "Is this okay," she asked.

She blushed a little, and then stood out of the way, watching them practice.