Reasons, 18 May 2015

[Qaint]

So this is approaching a trainwreck already.
First mistake, smooching her as if they're still close. Second mistake, trying not to talk about what they've agreed to talk about. All in the span of seconds. Candi is suitably unamused.

Possible third mistake - ordering for her.

[PaulJones202718]

The 'reasons' in question are "For some baffling reason, you seem to want to have nothing to do with me" and "for some baffling reason, Linda dumped my dumb ass" and "for some reason, I actually have to study to get good grades now."

[Lelobebo]

Ugh that kiss is so gross and creepy. I'm shocked he didn't pull the "where's my kiss?" line from when he had Linda around. And yeah, he ordered her food? Maybe it might be appropriate while they were still dating, but geez, that's just creepy controlling behavior. I hope he at least remembered she was Lactose intolerant. And seriously, Alex? "Reasons" ? Are you twelve? (Don't answer that -_-)

[Prestwick]

"...reasons which I'll divulge only when you agree to come back to my place >:3"

[Sylvanaerie]

Okay that kiss was seriously creepy. My skin actually crawled for Candi. I get it's their custom, but his assumption she wants to be there, from his expression of joy in panel 1, the "How are you?" as he smooches her like nothing has happened between them and her displeased face showing what's really going on in her head--to which he's oblivious to--seriously creeps me out. How can any normal human being seriously be this lacking in empathy?

At least I don't read his one word response of "Reasons" as a complete attempt to avoid the question, more of a way to stall for a moment, organize his thoughts so he can broach an unpleasant topic. I think we will get some 'reasons' in a strip or two as they talk about it. I'm not looking for much, so I don't have my hopes up, but they will be discussing it.

Otherwise, I fully expect Candi to tell him to "Go F* yourself" and walk away.

Also I hope that's not a cheeseburger and shake he ordered for her.

[Triple J]

Wow, agreed with everyone that the kiss was super creepy.

And that's right, Candi, get in there and get right to the point, good on you! He's your ex, maybe an idiot friend, but nothing more. Just eat the free food, deliver the message, and leave.

Still, this feels like the start of a good, long trainwreck, especially if a certain jock shows up.

[ailorn]

I'm with you guys. My initial reaction was "ICK!" I'm glad I wasnt the only one feeling super uncomfortable right away with the kiss. Oh well. I'm sure Candi wont stand for "reasons."

[BenjaminT]

I can't tell if they are at a restaurant and he ordered for her or if she is meeting him at his place and he cooked it for her. I see nothing wrong with cooking for both of them (although I'd hope he'd check with her first) but ordering for both is out of line. Also...are they sharing a drink???

[Starline]

I can't tell if they are at a restaurant and he ordered for her or if she is meeting him at his place and he cooked it for her. I see nothing wrong with cooking for both of them (although I'd hope he'd check with her first) but ordering for both is out of line. Also...are they sharing a drink???

They are at a fast food place. She wouldn't go to his house.

[Tandel]

I shall speak the language of my people (the internet people) to sum up my feelings:

[Attalus]

They are at a fast food place. She wouldn't go to his house.

Good to know.

Oh, I echo everybody else when I record my reaction to "The Kiss" as "My skin crawled." I really can't claim nausea, but I did really shudder.

[Longlivetheking]

Ugh, Alex. When will you get a clue? It's been very clear, several times, that Candi doesn't want you back anymore and never will, and acting super friendly to someone who has repeatedly made it clear now that she doesn't want to be like that anymore is creepy.

Personally, I'm now wondering if he's actually feeling shitty for the way he treated Candi and Linda; he said he didn't want to be like his grandfather, but this strip Click and this one plus all of his inital hiding away with Linda makes me think he's more like his late grandfather than he cares to admit. I'll be surprised if he's actually....GROWING as a person. More likely than not, he's avoiding talking to his grandmother because he doesn't want to hear 'I told you so' or be reprimanded again about breaking up with Candi.

[PaulJones202718]

I can't tell if they are at a restaurant and he ordered for her or if she is meeting him at his place and he cooked it for her. I see nothing wrong with cooking for both of them (although I'd hope he'd check with her first) but ordering for both is out of line. Also...are they sharing a drink???

They are at a fast food place. She wouldn't go to his house.

At least at neutral territory, there's no risk of anything other than her being banned from the place for punching him in the face and using language that would give a merchant marine the vapors.

[MorrisCat]

It looks universal that the kiss was really creepy - Candi needs to set boundaries in no uncertain terms. Otherwise Alex will keep pushing her.

At least I don't read his one word response of "Reasons" as a complete attempt to avoid the question, more of a way to stall for a moment, organize his thoughts so he can broach an unpleasant topic. I think we will get some 'reasons' in a strip or two as they talk about it. I'm not looking for much, so I don't have my hopes up, but they will be discussing it.

Otherwise, I fully expect Candi to tell him to "Go F* yourself" and walk away.

Also I hope that's not a cheeseburger and shake he ordered for her.

I agree with Sylvanaerie’s read of the situation. This conversation may be longer than can be shown in one or two strips. We’ll see in the next few strips how evasive or forthcoming he is.

[Weltall84]

Wow.... That jerk is lucky she's not the type to sock people for that. Her expression probably doubles as both the gross out of the kiss as well as not really wanting to be there, but she wants answers (if so she can detach herself from the situation after reporting to her Mom what the deal was), and hey free food.

Still douchewad is already pushing his luck, I hope Candi reminds him if he doesn't talk she leaves, fuck free food, she's only doing this as a courtesy to her mother.