I've decided to stretch the last chapter into two instead.
But the last chapter is an epilogue.
I hope you've enjoyed reading this as much as I've enjoyed writing it
Thanks for all your help and support
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It was supposed to be any ordinary breakfast I have had for the past few weeks. Alex was sitting by himself at a separate table, now that the guys did not welcome him. He would as usual, glower at any cheerleader that approached him, especially Alyssa. That’s not a nice way to treat his girlfriend. Did they have a fight or something?
Even though I did not talk to him, I was concerned. He wasn’t eating his food, merely stabbing viciously at the baked beans. It was apparent that he had lost some weight, and he was looking extremely gloomy. At least I had friends who would cheer me up.
They used to be his friends too, you know. They’re only doing this for you, Liz. I reminded myself.
His eyes suddenly found mine. It was my fault really; I was looking in the first place. But looking into those brilliant green eyes for one second was all it took to understand and see how sorry he was.
“Do you want me to go break his face for looking at you?” Daniel threatened.
“No.” I quickly replied. “Actually …I was hoping that you could ask him to join us. For breakfast.”
“What?!?!” Daniel exclaimed and the people at our table turned to look at us.
“Umm …well. You told me Coach Keel arranged a friendly match against Glendale next week after prom. So I don’t you guys to be at loggerheads over me. We have to be a team.” I mumbled, a faint blush creeping up my face.
“It’s just a friendly match, no big deal. You don’t have to force yourself, Liz.”
“Please, Dan?” I pleaded, but not sounding too desperate.
“Fine, sis. You call the shots.” He grumbled, the trudged over to where Alex sat.
“I hope you’re sure about this, Liz.” Miranda murmured.
I couldn’t see Daniel’s expression as his back was facing us, but his posture dictated a rather unfriendly countenance. I couldn’t hear their conversation, but I observed Alex’s eyebrows travel higher and higher till they completely disappeared into the hair past his fringe. Then he got up timidly with his tray of food and followed Daniel to our table. Miranda had moved one seat down from me, freeing a seat between us and Alex sat down. I think my breathing and my heart stopped altogether.
We didn’t greet each other or anything, but everyone just resumed eating their food, making some small talk sporadically, but never including Alex. I pretended to be too busy stuffing my mouth to talk, but eventually I ran out of food. The others were now in an animated discussion about the prom, when Alyssa suddenly sashayed over to us.
“Alex, darling.” She placed her arms around his neck from behind. “When are you going to ask me to the prom? There’s only six days left to the prom.” She whined, caressing his hair and leaning her face down close to his, bending down so that her artificial busts were our clear view.
He dropped his silver fork which clattered onto the ceramic plate. Standing up, he removed her hands from himself, his face positively livid.
“Don’t you ever touch me again, Alyssa. I will never ask you to the prom.”
Everyone in the dining hall stared at him, stunned.
He continued, “I am not your darling and I will never ever be, so leave me alone.” His voice was calm, but we could tell it was restrained.
“But whhhhyyyyyy?” She pouted, trying to act cute, batting her eyelashes at him and placing a hand on his chest.
He brushed her hand off instantly, in a cold voice he snapped, “I told you to keep your claws off me!”
“But baby I want to go with you, why won’t you take me to the prom, Alex honey?”
“BECAUSE I HATE YOU!” He yelled. Alyssa looked like she had just been given a tight slap on the face. “YOU’RE THE REASON WHY LIZ HAD HER HEART BROKEN, WHY THE GUYS WON’T TALK TO ME! YOU’RE THE SOURCE OF ALL MY MISERY AND YOU’RE THE LAST PERSON I WANT TO TAKE TO THE PROM, LET ALONE SPEAK TO!!!”
“B-but, don’t you love me, Alex? Aren’t I your precious Alyssa?” She fumed, her shock replaced by indignation.
“WHATEVER GAVE YOU THE FAINTEST IDEA THAT I EVER LIKED YOU IN THE FIRST PLACE?!” He roared.
“You kissed me!” She snapped.
“WRONG, ALYSSA. YOU. YOU WERE THE ONE WHO KISSED ME! I NEVER WANTED TO KISS YOU BUT YOU FLUNG YOURSELF AT ME! I HAD TO PUSH YOU OFF ME!”
“So what? You’re going to ask some lame girl to the prom? Rather than take me?”
“She isn’t lame!” Alex snarled. “I wanted to ask the girl I loved to the prom. But you ruined it.”
“And who might that undeserving girl be?” She sniffed.
“Her name is Elizabeth Alexis Pearson and she is NOT undeserving.” Alex growled. “I’m the one who’s undeserving of her! Heck, I’d rather go out with a pig than with you! So get someone else to take you to the prom.”
“Fine. I’ll get Matthew Longman to ask me to the prom. You’re not the only fish in the sea.”
“Just so you know, he tried to ask out Liz before you. He even tried to kiss her! You’re nothing special to him.”
“WHAT?! Longman tried to kiss Liz?!” Daniel snarled. “Did he force you?” Daniel turned to ask me, fire in his eyes.
“He tried to.” I answered in a small voice, “But Alex stopped him before he did.”
“Matt is dead.” The rest of the guys stood up and headed to the table where Longman sat.
“It’s about time you admitted your feelings, Alex.” Miranda muttered, then I shot her a glare and she shoved a spoonful of yoghurt into her mouth. I couldn’t properly. What did he say?
“Liz, can I talk to you in private …please?” Alex begged, making me look into his eyes. Something frozen in me melted, and I found myself nodding.
He led me into an empty classroom and sat on one of the tables, patting the table beside him. I obediently placed myself there.
Ruffling his hair in a frustrated manner, he muttered, “How to begin?”
“Well, for starters, you could tell me what an idiot I am for assuming you kissed Alyssa.” I smiled weakly. That was the first time in a month or so, that I had smiled at him.
He grinned lopsidedly, “I missed your smile. Anyone could have made that mistake of assuming so. It’s not your fault.”
“I’m not just anyone.”
“True. You’re special, unique, and the best thing that has ever happened to me.”
I flushed pink, “What I was trying to say, is that I was your friend. I should have known better. I’m such a fool.”
“We are all fools in the matters of the heart, Liz.” He chuckled. “And I meant what I said before, about you being the best thing in my life.”
Pink had become red. “So are we still friends, Alex?” I mumbled shyly.
His eyes dropped to the floor. “I’m hoping not.”
“W-what?” I stammered, feeling disappointment and that familiar pain I experienced, creeping up on me.
I saw him blush. “I-I’m in love with you, Liz.” He gulped. “And I don’t think I will be ever be satisfied with being just friends, best friends and siblings. I was kinda hoping you wanted more, too.”
I didn’t know how to reply, so I showed him how I felt.
Gently cupping his chin, I turned his head to face me so that we had eye contact. Leaning forward, I brushed my lips lightly against his. OH WOW, OH WOW. I feel like exploding from happiness!!! OH WOW.
After what seemed like years, I pulled away and sighed contentedly, earning myself a chuckle from Alex.
“I know, I’m a totally awesome kisser, aren’t I?”
“Not exactly. It’s just that this is my first real kiss and I didn’t know what to expect.”
His feature rearranged to match one of mock-hurt. “I’m kidding! Your kiss was the best, okay?”
“How you know? This is your first real one.”
“Precisely.”
“Now that we’re boyfriend and girlfriend, your lips are off limits to any other guy except me, so don’t think about experimenting.” He teased.
I rolled my eyes, “Boys.” but secretly thrilled when he referred to us as boyfriend and girlfriend.
As we ambled down the hallway to nowhere in particular, own hands joined and my head resting on his shoulder comfortably, he asked me.
“So are you still going to the prom with the guys and leave your poor boyfriend behind?” He teased.
“No. It was supposed to be a team prom except we weren’t exactly on speaking terms then. But now that everything is settled. We can all go together.”
“I was hoping we’d have some …alone time.”
“Selfish boy.” I freed my hand from his so that I could shove his head. Now that I have a boyfriend, it still doesn’t mean I’m going to go all girly. “I’ll save all the slow dances for you and the fast ones for the rest. Happy?”
“Dude, I don’t think you have to worry about that.” Craig walked up to us with the rest of the guys, including the basketballers, in tow. They were all covered with minor bruises and cuts, but it still wasn’t a pretty sight.
“Oh my gosh. What did you guys do?” I covered my mouth with my hand.
“We beat up Longman and his buddies.” Jackson smirked. “Your revenge is all taken care of, Alex.”
“Nice to have you back, Taylor.” Sean grinned. “Nice to see you back to normal, Liz.”
“Since when was I ever abnormal?” I muttered under my breath.
Alex released his grip on my hand and knocked knuckles with the guys while Miranda hugged me in relief, elated that I was happy again.
“I’ve missed the old Liz.” Miranda heaved a sigh of relief.
“You guys make me sound like I’ve been alienated for some time.”
“You have been.” Daniel responded. “It was like we had a zombie for a sister.” It was good to see Alex chatting with the others, acting like the events of the month had all been a figment of our imaginations.
Returning to my side and snaking his arm around my waist, he inclined his head so that he could kiss me briefly.
“Aww eww. They’re already acting like a married couple.”
“As long as they don’t suck face and keep their hands off each other during our practices and matches. Last thing we need is to attend to a puking Coach Keel or crowd.”
I ignored their comments. “So what did we not have to worry about?”
“Oh, we fought with Longman and his cronies.”
“You already told us that. Did you get detention on the day of the prom?”
“Jeez. She’s already using the plural form. We this, we that.” I heard Greg comment to William.
“Nah. No detention. But we got banned from the going to the prom.” Daniel shrugged.
“WHAT?!” I shrieked.
“Chill, Liz. We’re still having a party at the lounge. It’s better anyway. More private. Miranda’s joining us because Sean and the basketballers also got into trouble. So you and Alex are free to go to the prom together without our interference.”
I looked at Alex, reading the silent thoughts in his eyes. I know. It wouldn’t be the same without them. Even if we get alone time.
“Guys, I think Alex and I would like to join you, if you don’t mind taking us in. It’s my first prom in Everfield and I want to spend it with everyone I love.” I pleaded.
“Awesome, party starts at five, and make sure you dress up.”
