Catherine[mary]

“Uhm I know I said we were going to hang out here and stuff, but I need to go somewhere real fast.” Pat said walking around his room to look for his car keys.

“Where are we going?” Mae asked sitting on the bed.

It was going to be a while before Pat found his keys so they were going to be hanging out here for a while. It was a Tuesday after school and Mae had nothing to do homework wise.

“I have to go to Tim’s.  I know you won’t object to that.”

“Why?”

“Because you like him.” Pat said like Mae was an idiot.

“No! I mean why do you have to go there, not why won’t I object?”

“Oh, because I left my drums there and he told me if I didn’t come get them by today he would put them in the street.”

“How long ago did he tell you that?”

“Mmm a week ago.”

Mae rolled her eyes and fell back on Pat’s bed. She knew it was still going to be a while so she just kept up with the sporadic moments of conversation that Pat came up with while he searched. She rolled to her side and felt a hard lump in the sheets. She put her hand under the covers and found the car keys.

“Here.” Mae said handing them to Pat.

“Oh, cool. How long have you had them?” Pat asked narrowing his eyes.

“Three seconds.” Mae said standing up.

Pat accepted that answer and grabbed the keys. He’d deemed her statement to be the truth and not a lie. She was no conspiring against him by hiding his keys because in all reality that was not an effective way to do it.

The two of them walked out to Pat’s car and got in. Pat plugged in his ipod and then they were off listening to whatever song came up on the shuffle.

Pat was having a good time singing along and beating on his steering wheel to the songs that came on. It was nothing for him to go to his brother’s house.

Mae was sitting still and quiet. She was nervous to be going to Tim’s. It was going to be her, Pat, and Tim as far as she knew and Pat was going to be loading his drums so it would really be her and Tim. That was an enticing and scary prospect. What was she supposed to say to him?

“What’s wrong?” Pat asked.

“Nervous.”

“Oh, right.” Pat said nodding to himself.

He was still bothered by Mae liking Tim but he knew that there wasn’t much he could do about it. It wasn’t like he could just tell her to stop liking him and then keep them apart all the time. That would just make it worse so he dealt with it.

“Sorry.” Mae said quietly as soon as they pulled in front of Tim’s place.

“For what?”

“I know you don’t like that I like Tim.”

“He’s my brother and you’re my friend. It’s not like I’m going to try to stop you though.”

“I know.”

They got out of the car and Pat locked it while walking up to the front door. There was that knock that Mae was dreading and then the door was unlocked. Not a second later there was Tim.

“What are you here for?” He asked Pat.

“Drums.”

“Oh, finally.” Tim said opening the door wider.

Pat walked in and Mae followed. Tim noticed Mae for the first time.

“Hey Mae.” He smiled that smile she loved and nodded at her.

She smiled back at him and then looked down.

That was something that Tim was curious about. Why on Earth does she always look down after I say hi to her? Does she think she’s not worthy or something like that. Tim thought to himself. He looked at her for a second but she didn’t look up.

“Where are they?” Pat asked.

“Where you left them.”

“Right, Mae… you’ll be cool on your own? I have to put them in their cases and then fit them into the car.”

Mae just nodded.

“Okay, play nice Tim.” Pat said walking off.

Play nice? What the fuck does that mean? Tim watched the figure of his brother disappear into the room where his drums were. When he was gone Tim looked at Mae. She was just standing in the entryway looking out of place.

“You can go sit or something if you want.” Tim said to her.

“Okay.” She walked slowly to the couch.

“What a drink or something?” Tim asked as he headed for the kitchen.

Mae shook her head no and Tim shrugged. He went into the kitchen and got himself some water before going back to where Mae was. He was too interested to leave her alone. There was something that she was keeping under lock and key that he wanted to figure out.

She scooted over from the middle of the couch and drew her knees up when Tim sat on the couch. He thought that was weird. She’s like closing herself off as if I’m going to do something. Weird. He looked at her for a moment while thoughts ran through his head about why she was like this.

Tim sipped his water and leaned back against the couch. There was a long silence and they could hear Pat taking apart his drum set, cursing at it when it didn’t behave, and putting everything into its cases. Mae let her legs down and her feet touched the floor. Her hands were folded in her lap. She was trying not to look at Tim because her thoughts were all over the place.

It was awkward to not be saying anything and Tim was dying for a conversation. He ran through a million things he could say to her that would maybe start something, but then decided to go for something that would force her to say more than yes or no.

“So tell me something about yourself.” Tim said looking at her.

            “Like what?” She asked looking down after she had looked up and their eyes locked.

            “Anything.”

            “I like boys.” She half smiled throwing something obvious out there.

            Tim laughed throwing his head back and rolled his eyes. When he was finished he came back to his original position and focused his eyes back on her. She felt herself start to blush so she looked down. She watched as Tim’s hand came up from his lap and lifted her face to look at him. He put his glass of water on the table.

            “Tell me what you’re scared of.” He said.

            “Failing.” She said.

            It wasn’t the answer he was expecting. He smiled when he realized she had gone back to his first question. She wasn’t going to tell him why she kept blushing because he thought that she was scared.

“What do you mean ‘failing?’” He questioned now interested.

“Just failing.” Mae was a little uncomfortable with talking now.

“Anything in particular?”

“School, friends, family…” She mumbled on.

“You know you have to fail sometime in your life, right?” He flashed a crooked smile.

“No, I know that.” She said taking a moment just to look at his facial expression. “It’s just that a person can’t have hope without fear.”

“That’s deep.” Tim smiled.

She blushed again.

“Why do you keep doing that?” He asked.

“What?” She played it off like she had no idea though she was staring at her lap again.

“Blushing.”

“I don’t know.” She said covering her face with her hands.

“It’s cute.”

“That just makes it worse!” She complained from behind her hands as her skin grew warmer.

She knew her blush was deepening and it didn’t feel like it was going to stop. Tim laughed quietly at her behavior and then she felt his hands wrap around her wrists. He pulled at them gently and she allowed him to take her hands from her face. He let one of his hands slide to hold onto hers and his other let go of her wrist to lift her face up.

“I told you it was cute.” He said softly with his face so close to hers it was hard to breathe. “That means I want to see it.”

At that point she wasn’t breathing. He was so close to her face that she couldn’t concentrate. Her heart was doing back flips and her stomach was in her mouth; all figuratively of course. He smiled at her when she stared at him. She imagined herself to look like a deer in the headlights so she shook her head as if that would put order into her already jumbled thoughts.

She managed a smile. While she kept that in place on her face it grew wider and she waited for the heat to fade from her. If he was this close eventually her body had to stop filling her face with blood. She only had so much right? Her blush faded out.

“See, that wasn’t so bad.” Tim scooted closer to her on the couch but his face remained the same distance.

One of his hands was still wrapped around hers. His other hand was near her face again. He put his palm on her cheek and let his fingertips stroke her face. She smiled because that was all she could do through her nerves. Her face burned hotter than it ever had as his fingertips glided over her skin.

Tim, picking up that she was nervous, asked, “What?”

“You.” She said in a candid moment.

“Me?” He seemed confused.

“Yes you.” She said having to glance away from his eyes.

She felt like she’d just admitted something huge and she was hoping it went over his head.

“What about me?” He was being relentless.

“You make me nervous.”

“Sorry?” He said like he was confused.

“No, it’s okay. I mean it feels kind of… good.”

“Then I’ll keep doing it.” Tim smiled.

They continued talking for a while and it became slightly easier to get over her nerves. There were a few times when he asked her a question and she responded with something that he never saw coming. It knocked him out for a few seconds and she liked seeing him caught off guard. It kind of let her see him.

“You know, I think that you’re a very deep girl and I wish I’d figured that out sooner.”

“Nah, I’m not deep.” She laughed it off.

“Yes you are.” Tim insisted.

“You’re deep.” She said.

“How so? I’ve been the one asking the questions and you’ve been the one answering the whole time.” He questioned tilting his head to the side.

“You’re deep because you have to be deep in order to see depth in another person.” She explained.

“See, that’s deep too.”

“You understand it, right?”

“Of course.”

Pat walked into the room, his face buried in a text he was sending. Before he could see what was going on between his brother and Mae, Tim let go of her hand and withdrew his other hand from her face. He leaned back so they were an appropriate distance for casual conversation. They still were angled towards each other but it was only like they’d been talking about the weather.

“Ready?” Pat asked Mae when he’d hit send.

“I suppose. I think I should be the one asking you that though.” She said standing up.

Tim smiled up at her from the couch. “Nice talking to you Mae. See you later?”

“Same Tim. See you around.”

Pat let her pass him and then followed her out of the room. She went out the front door of Tim’s house and walked to Pat’s car. He unlocked it and she got in. Pat got in on the driver’s side. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and tapped out a quick message.

“My brother was staring at your ass.” Pat said trying to sound disgusted but smirking.

“He was?” She asked like she wasn’t interested.

“Yep, it was weird.”

She shrugged her shoulders and pretended like it didn’t matter to her. She thought that she was playing it up a little too much but didn’t worry too much.

“It’s about time he returned the favor.” Pat said putting the car into drive. “You’ve been staring at his ass for years.”

She bit her lip to keep herself from smiling. She knew that Pat had caught her looking at Tim before, but he didn’t bring it up that often. Pat laughed when he saw she was biting her lip to hold back her smile.

By this time they’d pulled up to Pat’s. She got out and went to her car, which was parked on the street. A lot more time had passed than they had both anticipated and she had to go home now. She said a goodbye to Pat and climbed into her car for the drive home.

At home she collapsed on her bed and smiled at the ceiling. Tim Kirch thought she was deep and he thought that she was cute when she blushed.

Mae’s phone bussed. Possibly the most unwelcome sound in the world right now because it was interrupting her replaying the whole encounter in her mind. She looked to find that it was John texting her. She sighed and opened up the message. Maybe if she answered he’d leave her alone, an unlikely possibility but worth a shot.

Want to hang out later? Going out. He said.

Who all is going? She turned it into a group thing at once.

The usual. Jarred, Garrett, Me, Pat, Kenny, Max, Nick. All those kids. He responded.

I’ll think about it. Not sure. She said not committing herself.

I want you to be there. He fired back in record time.

He always wanted her to be there. That was the problem.

I don’t know. She typed out with a sigh.

He instantly gave her all the information on the hang out. She said she still had to think about it.

:/ Are you upset? He asked.

No, why would I be?

You seem that way.

I’m fine.

Okay, See you tonight…maybe.

She didn’t send anything back after that. She didn’t want to. John assumed that the conversation was over when nothing came back. He tossed his phone on his bed and went downstairs to eat.

Again, Mae fell back into the replay that her mind so willingly created. Then she edited out that Pat was there and started to imagine other things happened, like Tim kissing her.

When her phone buzzed again she cursed under her breath. Can’t I have five minutes to live out a fantasy in my mind? Come on! She thought to herself.

Hang out tonight. Total sausage fest. You in to throw some girl into the mix? It was Tim.

He was welcome to interrupt her fantasy, kind of. She was still a little bitter about not getting through it but this was real, not made up.

I don’t know. John just asked me to come. I said I don’t know. She typed back as fast as she could.

Please. You could just say yes now.

I don’t know.

I know you want to go. It will be fun! He promised.

It’s always fun. I just don’t know.

Truth was, She didn’t want to be stuck with John and Tim in the same place. John liked her, she liked Tim, and she had no idea what Tim thought. He was so weird that she wasn’t sure if he was just this way with everyone and she was romanticizing things or he was into her. It was difficult to tell. He was seemingly into her one day and then it was like she wasn’t there other days.

She didn’t get anything back for a few seconds so she assumed that she’d stopped him from questioning her too. To test that out she lay back on her bed again and waited. Nothing happened so she slipped back into her daydream.

Just as she was getting to the good part her phone began to ring. She groaned out loud and picked the phone up. Tim hadn’t given up yet. He was calling her. This was new. Now he was being persistent like John. Maybe it was one of those days that he was seemingly interested in her. That would explain the conversation they had before.

“Yellow.” She said answering the phone.

“Green.” Tim shot back.

“What’s up?”

“No more colors?” He asked sounding sad.

“I’m seventeen not seven.”

“Well in that case let’s just be adults.” He said assuming a deeper voice than normal.

“What Timothy.”

“Well Mae with and e, I was calling to see if you’d thought about it yet.”

“It’s been five seconds.”

“Actually it’s been fifteen seconds.”

“Whatever. No I haven’t had a chance to even get to that yet.”

“Man you’re slow. I would have thought that through by now. What’s stopping you from thinking about it?”

“Aren’t you just wonderful.” She rolled her eyes and ignored his question.

“Whoa, are you upset?” He asked suddenly.

“No.”

It’s just that I can’t get through a fantasy about you without being interrupted.

“Then why do you sound like it?”

“I’m not. It’s just… I’ve been questioned about this before. John was asking before you started up. I want sleep or something.” She mumbled the last part because it was a lie.

“Should I let you go then?”

She wanted to say yes so she could keep thinking about him. However, having him on the other side of the phone was a bit better than fantasy.

“No, it’s not that bad.”

“I wouldn’t want you to be sleepy when we’re out tonight.” He said.

The way he said ‘when we’re out’ made it sound like he meant just them but then there she was again imagining things. She knew there was going to be a whole bunch of people there. Probably more than John had told her. There had to be other girls going. Some of those boys can’t go out with out their girls they’re so attached.

“Who says I will be there?”

“Oh, you’ll come. I know you will.”

“What makes you say that?” She challenged.

“You can’t stand to be away.”

“Away from what?”

“From us.” He said.

There went her imagination again thinking that he meant just himself and her but she knew that wasn’t what he was referring to. She had evidence that it wasn’t going to be just them but that didn’t stop her mind for imagining that it could be…

“Sure, I have to go.”

“You don’t really.” He said like he knew.

“Okay, I just want to get off the phone then.” She shot back annoyed that he’d figured it out.

“So you do have something to do. I’m sorry. I’ll see you later.”

“Mmhm sure.”

He hung up and so did she.

Now she really wanted to go out tonight. It was a Friday night so that just added to the need to get out. Every senior in high school went out on a Friday night. Who was she to not go out! Then again there was bound to be some awkward moments with both Tim and John there. It was always hard when they were both there. She wanted to give them equal amounts of attention, but she always ended up favoring Tim and leaving John out. It probably wouldn’t affect Tim.

 

 

Max’s place wasn’t that far and John had asked if Mae would come over. There was some sort of party going on and he wanted her to be a part of it. She said she would be there and got into her car. It was the weekend so she didn’t have to be home or in bed at any certain time. She was always up for going out until oh-dark-thirty and then coming home.

She knocked on Max’s door and a few moments later he opened up.

“What’s up Moose?!” She said hugging him.

“Hey! How’s it going? Glad you could make it!”His arms wrapped around her and he held her closer for a moment while giving her back a few rubs.

He led her into the house. There were a few people she knew there. John got up and hugged her. Nick was sitting on the floor with a beer and smiled at her. Justin and Eric were there as well. She was told that Loren was on his way.

So far this looked like it was an A Rocket To The Moon and John Oh party. She was fine with it because she knew all of these people and she loved them. They were as close to her as her skinny jeans.

 A few girls came in. She recognized them too, Mandy and Krista. They were girls that had graduated last year in Pat’s graduating class and were good friends of Max. They were carrying more drinks. The bottles were set on the table and the cups were grabbed at.

The little party consisted of playing mild drinking games and poker. Mae was pretty drunk after a few beers since this was her first real time drinking at a party. She’d had a beer before but it was only one and she was buzzed for three hours off it. She was what you would call a lightweight. Everyone’s got to start somewhere though.

Loren arrived late but slid into the drinking just as easily as anyone else and was soon just as trashed as everyone there. It was like he’d been there the whole time.

John was getting buzzed and he was moving closer to Mae. She didn’t mind much. Her skewed perspective of reality told her this was fine, this was good. Maybe if she were ‘lucky’ he’d make a move. If she were sober this would frighten her.

They got into spin the bottle when Max finished his beer. He put it on the table and spun it. The bottle stopped on Loren. They looked at each other and then Max spun it again. This time it landed on Mandy and they kissed. Mandy was next so she spun it. The bottle stopped on Eric so she kissed him. So went the game. Mae kissed anyone and everyone who the bottle landed on. Boy or girl it didn’t matter to her. She was so wasted that nothing bothered her. This pleased the boys at the table and pushed Mandy and Krista to do the same for the attention that Mae was relishing in.

They tired of that game but John wasn’t tired of kissing Mae. He leaned over and pushed his lips to hers. She pulled him in and kissed back. His hands locked around her waist and she curled her fingers into his hair.

“Hey guys, spin the bottle is over.” Eric laughed swinging an empty bottle to prove it.

They didn’t respond to him, they just kept kissing. John was too into the pattern that her lips made with his. It felt so perfect to him. Mae wasn’t sure what she felt. The room felt like it was on its side but she wasn’t bothered. John was with her and she felt comforted by that. She pushed him to kiss her back harder.

That was how they were for most of the night. They were playing drinking games and John and Mae were curled up on the couch kissing in the corner. By that time he’d wrapped himself around her as best he could. She cuddled into him and they tried to eliminate space between them while still being able to let their hands touch one another in places they’d never touched before.

“Want to go somewhere less noisy?” John asked referring to their friends playing Quarters.

“Sure.” She agreed.

They made it into a spare bedroom where the kissing became more heated. Mae put her hands under John’s shirt though she had no idea what she was doing. She’d never gone this far with a boy before but it felt so easy. John was too scared to do to her what she was doing to him and kept his hands outside of her clothing. When John didn’t return this gesture Mae took her hands off John’s bare, flat chest and went back to keeping her hands outside of his clothing.

 

The morning came and woke Mae up. She looked at the clock and sighed. She’d spent three hours asleep. The rest of that time she had been attached to John at the lips. They hadn’t gone any further than making out but it had been pretty intense. She remembered all of it and then regretted what happened.

She wasn’t drunk anymore but her head hurt. She sighed knowing that she had a hangover though she’d never experienced one in her life. It was enough to make her never want to drink again.

John was still asleep next to her. His mouth was slack and he was snoring. She couldn’t believe that she’d made out with him all night in a house that wasn’t his or hers. She felt like she’d degraded herself.

 Mae got out of the bed and walked out of the room careful not to disturb him. She felt horrible but she had kind of done it to herself. While the internal rant she had started went on she made her way towards the kitchen.

Max was in the kitchen along with Loren when she wondered in there. It was surprising to see that someone else was still here. That just meant there were more people waiting to see what she and John did–or didn’t–do.

“Have a good night?” Max asked looking Mae up and down and then looked slightly disappointed.

She didn’t look anymore disheveled than a girl who’d woken up from falling asleep in her own clothes. He was hoping for something more like she was wearing John’s shirt or something.

“Horrible.” She mumbled.

“He’s that bad huh?” Max joked knowing that she and John didn’t do anything remotely exciting.

“No, we didn’t do that.” She said waving off Max. “We just made out.”

“So he’s a bad kisser?”

“Aside with the making out with my chin that he did, not really. He’s alright I just feel bad about it.”

“He made out with your chin?” Loren asked with a smirk.

“Yea, it was weird. I have to go.” She said looking for her keys.

“No breakfast? I have tons of cereal.” Max offered.

“I need a shower right now.” She said heading for the door.

“You could take one here if you want.” Max said following her to get the door.

He knew she was going to refuse so he figured he should just walk her to the door even if she was walking faster than he was.

“No, but tell me if I smell like beer.” Mae stopped and turned to face Max.

Max leaned in and sniffed. He thought for a moment.

“Don’t hug anyone and you’ll be fine.” Max said.

“Thanks.”

Mae drove home and slipped into her house without anyone noticing. She went to her room and grabbed clean clothes before running to the bathroom. She felt so wrong.

She spent an hour in the shower washing off. When she got out she dressed in clean clothes and then went to eat something.

“When did you get home? I was up until three.” Her mom said.

Mae hadn’t even noticed her mom walk into the kitchen so she jumped at the first sound of her voice.

“I got in at three thirty. Sorry if I worried you.” She lied.

“No, that’s fine. Just call us next time.”

“I will.” She promised.

Her mother went to making coffee and her father came down soon after. Breakfast was quiet for the three of them. Mae was feeling guilty for lying and for what she and John did. She could remember everything that happened and she really didn’t want to. She wished that she’d blacked out the first time she got drunk.

When she was able to she went up the stairs to her room and sat on her bed unsure of what to do. She looked across the space between her house and Garrett’s. He wasn’t in his room but his window was open. She decided that if he came back to his room she’d see if he would talk about it with her.

Garrett was the one she went to with everything. He wanted nothing more than to help Mae with problems. That was what he was good at, besides a healthy dose of gossip wasn’t too bad as well.

Mae put a chair in front of the window and opened the glass pane up. She removed the screen and put it on the floor. There was only time before Garrett walked back into his room so she waited.

As soon as Garrett walked into his room he saw Mae waiting for him. She waved at him and then he knew there was something up. His gut told him that there was something wrong. He looked closely at her face as he put a chair up to his window. There was no screen for him to remove so he looked at her waiting for her to start.

“Last night…” Mae sighed.

“Last night you never came home.” Garrett said looking at her.

She looked down and picked at the windowsill. His gut feeling was right. There was something wrong today.

“What’s wrong?”

“I did something bad and I don’t think that it’s going to be very easy to fix.”

“What happened?”

“I went over to Max’s and they were playing drinking games so I joined in. John wanted me to come over and I thought ‘Hey, if everyone else is there and I haven’t seen Max in a while, why not?’ so I went. It was fun at first you know. I got drunk for the first time and all that. The games were fun.

“Spin the bottle was the last game that happened before John and I stopped playing. See we kind of got caught up in all the alcohol and the kissing…” Mae trailed off.

“So you got naked?” Garrett guessed.

“No, we went to a room and we just made out and touched and stuff but it was intense. It was further than I’ve ever been with anyone.”

“So what’s so bad about that? You just happened to gain some experience.”

“Yea, but it’s wrong.” Mae said.

“I don’t see how.”

“That’s because you’re thinking of this from John’s perspective. You think it’s awesome that we got drunk and made out because you’re a boy.”

“What do you want me to be?”

“I just want you to see that I feel dirty, wrong, and horrible for what I did. John shouldn’t have been subjected to that.”

“So, have you talked to him about it?”

“No.”

“So how is he supposed to know that that wasn’t right? He’s probably doing a happy dance because you like him.” Garrett leaned back in his chair so it was on two legs.

“I do not like him.”

“Well how do you feel about him then since I’m wrong on everything.” Garrett asked seemingly frustrated with her.

She picked at the windowsill where she had removed the screen and tried not to get her fingertips dirty again. Garrett waited impatiently for her to respond.

“I like him as a friend, as a brother would be more appropriate.”

“So then why can’t you just say that to him?”

“I have.” Mae sighed throwing her hands up.

“Then what’s with you guys? It’s all weird and stressed.”

“He wont give up and I can’t make him. He thinks that he’s going to get somewhere.”

“John is kind of persistent.” Garrett nodded.

“It makes me feel so damn bad because I don’t like him.”

“You can’t feel bad because you don’t like him. He’s like a brother to you and you can see where that’s weird.”

“Yea, but he can’t. It’s not that I feel bad about not liking him I guess.”

“Then what is it?” Garrett asked confused again by her words.

“I guess it’s that I like Tim and not John so I feel guilty.”

“Okay, what’s wrong with John other than that he’s like your brother?”

“There’s nothing wrong with him per se, it’s that I just don’t see him in that light. There’s no doubt in my mind that if I did date John that we’d be together for a long time. I know he’d be a great boyfriend and all that but I just don’t want to date him. He’s just not my type I guess.”

“Why do you like Tim?”

“Tim’s what I like. He’s just that. Ever since freshman year when I first saw him I liked him. There’s not really an explanation. I just do.”

“So why have to waited four years?”

“I haven’t. He just doesn’t notice me is all.”

“So make him notice you.” Garrett said like it was obvious.

“How do I do that? Because I’ve been trying for years and it’s not working. I’ve caught the attention of every guy but him. It’s like he fucking immune to girls or something!”

“Maybe he’s gay.” Garrett laughed.

“Oh you and I both know that isn’t true.” She said looking at Garrett.

“Well have you ever tried to tell him? Like written him a note or do something for him that you wouldn’t normally do for anyone and he knows it.”

“You don’t know how many times I’ve written something out, had it in my pocket, and then chickened out at the last moment before giving it to him. It just seems weak to give him a note. It seems high school.”

“You are in high school.” Garrett said leaning forward and pointing at her over the space between their houses.

“He’s not though.”

“Good point. But he still thinks like a high school boy.”

“Notes are out of the question. I have no courage to tell him. I do things for him all the time if he asks.”

“Want me to talk to him?”

“That’s third grade.” Mae sighed.

“Then what do you want me to do?” Garrett was frustrated again.

“I have no idea Gare Bear.”

He smiled at the nickname. Mae stood up and walked to her bed where she fell back and stared at the ceiling. How was this situation so freaking hard? Why couldn’t she effectively communicate to Tim that she liked him as effectively as she could communicate to John that she didn’t feel the same about him? Of course she must not have been doing a good enough job about John because he was still persistent.

“Are you not talking anymore?” Garrett called just louder than normal.

“I don’t know.” Mae said loud enough for him to hear.

“Come back here.”

Mae groaned and sat up on the bed. Garrett was looking at her and waiting for her to do what he’d asked. She got up and sat on the chair she’d placed in front of the window.

“What?” She asked.

Garrett just looked at her. She was frustrated that he wasn’t saying anything and that he’d forced her to get off her bed and come back.

He was looking at her face. He wanted to see if what she’d been saying was evident in her features. As Mae started to think back on what had been said Garrett started to see what he was looking for.

“Is there a point to you scrutinizing my face?”

“Yea, just trying to see what you’re saying and not saying.”

“Get anything?”

“Nah, I think you said everything.” Garrett said. “Do you want to go wallow in self pity now?”

“Not self pity, more like confused hell.”

“Okay. Call if you need me and we’ll start this up again.”

Garrett got up and closed his window. He walked out of his room to go downstairs and watch TV. Mae got up and put the screen back into her window but didn’t close the glass. She fell over on her bed and stared at the ceiling.

She thought back over the week and tried to see if there was any change in Tim. When she recalled the three brief encounters she had with him there wasn’t anything different than there had been before.

When she’d been in the kitchen with Pat, Tim, and John he’d been different. Tim had been playful and talkative with her. Now he was back to just nodding at her and smiling like always.

She had some hope after that one day that there was some thing that would happen like perhaps they would talk more often but it didn’t happen. There was the occasional text from him that she got but it was always just to say hey or ask what was up. Nothing really different than a way a person would treat an acquaintance.

She was disappointed with her musing and rolled over to hug her pillow. John started to text her but she ignored him. When she didn’t respond he called. She didn’t answer. A few minutes later the house phone rang. She ignored it.

“Hun, John’s on the phone.” Mae’s mom said coming into her room.

“Mmm.”

“He says it’s important.”

Mae rolled and picked up the cordless phone that was next to her bed.

“What?” Mae asked of the person on the other end of the line.

“I just wanted to know what was up is all?” John was a little thrown by the way she sounded towards him.

“Nothing.”

“Oh, do you want to hang out?”

“No. I’m tired. I didn’t sleep well last night. I think you would understand.”

“About last night, see I really called because of that.”

Mae rolled her eyes. Of course John had called about last night. As Garrett had said, he was probably doing a happy dance that she couldn’t see.

“Yea, that was… unplanned.” Mae said.

“That’s what I wanted to say. I mean there was beer and I don’t think that we acted on what we felt.”

“No, that was not what I meant to do. I’m sorry. It was wrong.”

“Oh, I didn’t mind at all.”

“I know you didn’t. I did though.”

“Yea, I know. I wish you wouldn’t mind.”

“What do you want to say John?”

“Sorry I guess.” He felt like it was one of those situations where he had to apologize again.

“Apology accepted.”

“Okay, see you later then.” John said.

“Sure.” Mae hung up.

She didn’t have the patience to give a proper goodbye. That was the most awkward phone conversation she’d ever had and she hoped John didn’t call back. That was the last thing she wanted.

 

Mae was in the kitchen of Pat’s house. John was standing at the counter looking down at her senior Spanish project slightly confused by the glitter she was laying down on the poster. Pat was sitting on the counter staring out the widow thinking about last night. More like Pat was thinking to himself what that all meant to Mae.

“How come you’re putting glitter on it?” John asked like she was working on a foreign being.

“Because the poster is supposed to be eye catching.” Mae said spreading some glue and then putting glitter over it to make a green sparkly ‘F’.

“So put stripes on it.” John suggested.

“That would be too much now. Besides, I’m not you. I don’t put stripes on everything.”

“Only band stuff.” John shrugged.

“Are you going to help me with this or criticize me?” Mae asked him.

“Okay, okay.”

John picked up the glue and started on the other end of the poster covering the letter ‘B’ with glue and then picking up whatever glitter was closest to him. He really didn’t want to do this, but he had no choice now. He’d agreed to help Mae with her project before he knew what it was. Glitter was something he almost despised. It got everywhere and it was impossible to get off. Even now the purple shiny specks were already climbing his arms like ants.

“Pat, what are you doing?” Mae asked.

“Nothing.” He said looking away from the patio furniture in the backyard with a smile. “Just thinking last night is all.”

John looked at Pat confused. He hadn’t been here last night. Mae started to giggle. She remembered last night and just thinking about it made her crack up. Her mind wandered to Tim for a moment and she didn’t know if he was still here in his old room or if he’d gone back to his house.

He was still here.

“What did I miss?” John asked not wanting to be left out.

“Last night we were just discussing this,” Pat said gesturing to the glitter, poster board, and glue, “when Tim came over with a few buddies. Mom fed them and them they went into the backyard, got drunk, and then something happened that appeared to be Tim giving that lawn chair a strip tease.”

“The lawn chair?” John said slowly like he wasn’t sure he’d heard that right.

“Yep, lawn chair.” Mae giggled, her face turning a slight shade of pink as she remembered the entire display.

“And his friends?” John asked.

“Well, it was Eric and Max.” Pat shrugged like that should be enough explanation.

“What did they do?” John wanted all the details.

“Giggled and threw suggestions at him.” Pat smirked.

“Did he take it that far?” John inquired like he wasn’t sure he wanted to know.

“He got naked.” Mae said blushing and looking down though her voice proved that she was happy to have been there last night to see it.

Pat saw her blush and rolled his eyes. He knew that Mae liked his older brother but he thought she was insane. She’d liked him since her freshman year when she met Pat. Pat was a sophomore and Tim was a senior.

Tim walked into a class that Pat and Mae had together and Mae was in love in that second. It turned out that Tim had that semester long health class with them and sat right between Pat and Mae the entire time. Mae and Tim talked on occasion and were more like acquaintances than friends. It was Pat and Mae that really got the friendship started in that first semester.

After that class Tim still had a smile and a nod for Mae when he saw her in the hallways and she was able to manage a smile. He didn’t sit with Pat and Mae at lunch, he had his senior friends that he went off campus with to do God knows what.

This was Mae’s third year without that nod and smile at least once a day. She kind of missed it but she’d gotten one last night when Tim rolled in. If he was still here then maybe she could get another. That made her lips stretch into a smile that no one knew the cause of.

She was afraid that all she would ever get from him was that nod and perfect smile because she couldn’t do anything but smile back at him. He scrambled up her thoughts like no one else. There was just no way to talk to him when he was right there. She could maybe get a ‘hey’ or an ‘what’s up’ out.

“You were loving it.” Pat decided to embarrass Mae as much as he could.

Mae felt her face fill up with blood. She kept her face down and let her hair fall over her shoulders to hide.

“So.” Mae said quietly.

John didn’t like that much. He knew that Mae liked Tim. John just wished that she would like him instead. He thought that she would have a better time with him. It wasn’t that he had anything against Tim other than he had Mae practically in love with him he just thought that he would be better for her. It was that horrible three-letter word that makes girls roll their eyes that made him think this way. Ego.

“I knew it.” Pat smirked again.

“Just because he looks nice…” Mae started to defend herself and then stopped.

Tim had just walked into the room. He wasn’t wearing a single scrap of clothing, but he was there.

“Whoa, this isn’t my house.” Tim said looking around the kitchen.

“No, this is where you used to live.” Pat said. “Put some pants on. There’s a girl here.”

Tim’s eyes roamed the kitchen until he found Mae right in the middle. She’d averted her eyes and put her hand over them. The blush in her skin was evident. Tim kind of smirked–the same smirk that Pat had–and then turned around to go to his old room.

“Sorry Mae.” He called over his shoulder.

She looked up just in time to see his backside and smiled. It was so nice. She let her mind for just one second start to think about his butt.

“Hey! Stop fantasizing about my brother!” Pat said jumping off the counter and pointing a finger in Mae’s face.

“You rather her think about you?” John asked.

“No, but I know you’d rather have her thinking about you.” Pat said dropping his finger and turning his gaze to John.

It was John’s turn to blush. He looked at his feet and kicked the floor with his black sock clad foot. He didn’t like it when people brought up that he liked Mae in front of her. He knew that she didn’t return his feelings and it was just stupid for him to keep being persistent. There was just something about her that drove him wild and he couldn’t stop liking her and thinking about her.

When John didn’t answer Pat dropped it. John had become all too good at stopping the embarrassment that Pat aimed at him when it involved Mae. He picked up some glitter and looked at it through its tiny vile of a plastic container. He wasn’t safe from getting glitter on his hands because it was on the outside of the vile. He got some flecks on his fingertips that he tried to brush off on his shirt but it only spread them.

“I hate glitter. Why do girls like it? It’s like the herpes of craft supplies!” Pat said putting the glitter vile down and shaking his other hand.

“That’s useless you know.” John said looking at Pat’s attempt to remove the glitter from his hands and smiling at the comparison of glitter and herpes. “You’re stuck with that.”

“It’s so gross.” Pat said.

Mae looked at her hands. They were covered in all sorts of glitter. She had easily ten different colors on her hands and up her arms. She shrugged knowing that a shower was all it would take to get rid of her glitter. How come boys make such a huge deal out of this stuff? She thought to herself.

“Just go wash off your hands.” Mae said.

John looked at his hands and then the poster. It wasn’t finished yet and Mae was working hard on it. He had promised her he’d help her with this project. John sighed and put his hands back into the glitter.

Pat looked at the poster and then at the sink. Glitter. He went to the sink. He didn’t like Mae like John did so he wasn’t going to subject himself to glitter. After a few moments of scrubbing and checking Pat was glitter free. 

John got over his glitter aversion to help Mae get her poster near finished. His hands got just as covered in glitter as hers were. Mae got an idea into her head. She stuck her finger into the green glitter vile when John wasn’t looking and then wiped it off under John’s nose.

“Aha! I knew you had green glitter boogers!” Mae laughed.

John made a face and his hand went to wipe under his nose. He started to rub it and then realized that his hands were covered in his shiny mortal enemy. John looked at Mae with a smile forming on his lips.

“No!” She said.

But it was too late. John had wiped his whole hand on her cheek. He laughed at her shocked face. She hadn’t anticipated that from him. Pat sat back up on the counter and laughed at what was going on.

Mae retaliated with another glitter hit and it went back and forth until Tim walked into the kitchen, his shirt unbuttoned. Mae was caught off guard and let her eyes take in Tim’s chest and torso while he wasn’t looking. John took this distraction to get more glitter on Mae.

She turned to him and then it was an all out war with the glitter. Tim looked at the two fighting and his brother sitting on the counter laughing. What exactly is going on here? He thought to himself.

“Glitter?” Tim asked looking at the counter. “Why are you guys fighting over it? You gay John?”

The fight stopped. John’s hands trapped Mae’s wrists. He pulled Mae close to him and hugged her tightly. Tim looked at him with an eyebrow raised.

“Just because you hug her doesn’t mean you’re straight.” Tim said.

“I like girls.”

“Prove it.” Tim said folding his arms over his chest.

Mae narrowed her eyes. What is Tim going for? She looked up at her captor and he was staring at Tim. It was like there was a challenge passing between them. Mae tried to push away from John but he held her close. Pat sat in the corner interested and watching this little challenge.

Tim didn’t think that John would do anything. He never really did. Usually they would just stare each other down and then start laughing but this wasn’t happening. John looked down at Mae. She was still in his arms and she was looking up at him, waiting for him to release her.

John put his lips to Mae’s and kissed her. She pulled back startled and looked at John like he was insane.

“What the hell was that?” She asked.

“Tim said to prove I wasn’t gay.” John sounded shocked that Mae would respond to him like that.

“Let me go.” Mae said pushing away.

John couldn’t help but feel like he’d screwed up. He went to the sink and washed his hands and forearms of glitter. Tim stepped closer to the counter where Mae was now focusing all of her attention while his hands moved over the buttons of his shirt to close it up. He looked at the Spanish words and was only able to recall a few of them.

“What is this?” He asked her.

Mae didn’t respond. She was angry that John had pulled something like that when he knew that Tim was just joking. On top of that she was embarrassed that Pat and Tim had seen it.

“Mae?” Tim asked.

She looked up at the sound of her name saturated in Tim’s voice.

“What is this?” He asked again.

“Oh, Spanish project.” She mumbled.

“Mmm, glitter for Spanish.” Tim mused.

Mae went back to working. There were only two letters to finish on the top and then the last line on the bottom to finish. Tim went to the bottom of her poster and started spreading glue on the letters that were written on the poster. He picked up the glitter and started to sprinkle it on the poster. Mae hadn’t noticed him until they reached for the same vile of orange glitter.

“Oh, I didn’t know you were helping me.” She said embarrassed.

“Eh, glitter’s not so bad.” Tim said pushing the orange vile towards Mae.

They started working again and the poster was finished in less than half an hour. Mae looked down at it and checked to see if there was anything that she could improve. Tim filled in a little hole that he’d missed.

“Thanks for the help Tim.”

“No problem. Thought I should make it up to you because of the full frontal before.” He smiled.

Mae smiled back. She could have said something about that full frontal but she kept it to herself.

“Thanks Pat and John for your help as well.” Mae said turning to them.

They were both sitting on the counter now. John smiled at her and then went back to eating. If she was speaking to him then she couldn’t be that mad at him, right? Pat nodded his head though he didn’t do so much other than give her ideas last night.

Tim was at the sink when Mae went to wash her hands and arms. He scooted over for her to get her arms in. One of his hands was still covered in glitter so he touched the tip of her nose. She looked at him.

“Do you want to start a glitter war with me too?” She asked bracing herself.

“Maybe.” Tim smiled.

He went back to washing off his hands and there was nothing else said. He dried off his hands and arms before disappearing without so much as a goodbye. Mae finished washing up and then turned to look at the counter.

She slid the finished poster into a big garbage bag and closed the top of it so any loose glitter couldn’t get all over. She placed it on another table and then came back to the kitchen to clean up her glitter and glue supplies. Pat helped her while John refused to get covered in glitter again.

When everything was cleaned up Pat reminded Mae that she had glitter on her face still. She went down to the bathroom and looked in the mirror. There was glitter all over from John and then there was the glitter on her nose from Tim. The glitter on her nose made her smile.

She cleaned her face off, leaving her nose for last, and then went back to the kitchen.

“I have glitter on my shirt.” John said accusingly at Mae.

“You’re the one that hugged me.” Mae shrugged.

“True, but it’s still your fault.”

“If you want to get into it, it’s Pat’s because he came up with glitter as eye catching.”

“Pat, I damn you.” John said looking at Pat.

Pat laughed and then jumped off the counter.

“You’ve got glitter right here.” Pat said putting his finger just under the hollow of Mae’s throat.

She looked down to see and Pat moved his finger to hit her in the nose with it. He laughed at how gullible she was and Mae made a face.

“What the hell Pat?”

“You like saying that don’t you.” Tim said coming back into the room.

“I guess.” Mae said going back to being shy.

“Hey, all the glitter’s gone.” Tim said looking around.

“She put it away. She finished the project.” Pat said taking over because he knew that Mae wasn’t going to be able to form an answer.

“Oh. I was hoping she’d take me up on that war.” Tim winked at Mae.

She was taken aback for a moment. Was he really acting like this today? What had changed? Mae blushed and turned around. John was behind her.

John saw that faint pink in her cheeks and he sighed internally. Why must it be so easy for you, Tim, to make her look like that? John thought. All I want is to make her blush like that. He turned his eyes away from her and focused on the paint in the kitchen.

Mae was quite unable to speak at this point. She pretended to be washing her hands again as if she’d found more glitter somewhere–which was entirely possible–and hoped that no one brought attention to her. ­­­

Tim leaned against the counter right next to Mae and watched her hands for a while. I don’t see any glitter. What the hell is she doing? Beats me. Tim didn’t know what to say.

She shut the water off and looked for a towel. Tim picked one up and handed it to her. She was able to mumble a thanks and then dried off her hands. Tim watched her face not having to conceal it because she was trying not to look at him. He didn’t care if she caught him. He was trying to figure out what she was thinking.

Mae glanced over at Tim because she felt like he was watching her. His green eyes never flinched when their eyes locked. He looked at her with more focus. Mae’s breathing cut off. What is he doing? Then her thoughts were just a jumble. Tim’s eyes were determined and she couldn’t guess at what was behind them. He could see that she was confused and that was blocking everything else out in her eyes.

Frustrated he looked away from her. John had been staring at Tim and Mae so when Tim’s eyes met with John’s, John dropped his gaze like he was ashamed. Pat was oblivious to this and was just going on about what else could be done for Mae’s Spanish project. He’d just gotten a whole bunch more ideas.

“I guess I should get back to my place. Tuffy’s there all alone.” Tim said pushing off the counter.

Tuffy. The most adorable puppy in the whole world and he was Tim’s. Tim treated Tuffy like he was his son. The poor puppy was all alone in the house just waiting for his dad to come home.

Mae wanted to see Tuffy, but she chose not to say anything. There was no reason for her to be over at Tim’s house. Just because she wanted to see his dog didn’t merit a reason to go.

Tim said goodbye and went out the front door. Mae heard his car start up and then he was gone. John came up behind Mae and hugged her.

“I’m sorry.” He said quietly. “Sorry about before. I shouldn’t have.”

“It’s fine John.” Mae said leaning into him.”Just don’t get caught up in a meaningless challenge again.”

“I won’t.” He promised before letting Mae go.

Pat watched this exchange. He could see what Mae couldn’t, John’s face. He could see how much John wished he didn’t have to apologize for kissing Mae, but he knew he had to. He knew that it was wrong when he knew how she felt towards him.

It was sort of like Pat was guilty. He was guilty of knowing a lot more than they thought he did. He knew that Tim wasn’t really interested in Mae enough to pursue her like John was. He knew that because Tim never talked about Mae, he talked about the girls he liked and there were plenty. Mae just simply wasn’t in that category.

The most obvious thing in the world to Pat was just how Mae felt towards his brother. He didn’t like knowing that for two reasons. One, Tim was his brother. No one likes it when their friend likes their sibling. Two, he knew it was hopeless for her and that it hurt John.

Complications were the dumbest things that the human race could have invented. That was sure in all of their minds.

 

Narration

Emmeline was lying in the bed of their latest hotel room. The covers were all askew and gently wrapped around the lower half of her body. Alex had gotten up to make a trip to the bathroom and she was lying on her stomach looking at her wedding ring, musing to herself.

Alex came back into the room and crawled back on the bed. He started planting kisses up Emmy's spine that stemmed from just above her backside. She smiled at the soft pressure of his lips and the way his hair lightly traced unintentional patterns on her back.

Her skin rose in goose bumps when he made it to the back of her neck. Alex kissed to her left shoulder and then doubled back to her right before returning to the back of her neck.

The entire honeymoon had been something of a never-ending love fest. Of course they had expected this in a way. They knew that the main focus of this time alone and cut off from the rest of the world would be on the time they spent in bed, but no one had told them just how strong and unsatisfiable these feelings were.

They found just how deep these feelings ran in them. To think it had taken a wedding to feel how they felt about each other now. It was like they weren't allowed to feel this way until they had something to merit it, something to make it legal.

The origin of these feelings that ran bone deep didn't much matter. What did matter was that they felt them. That Alex was still kissing her back and she was slowly turning over.

Alex skillfully kissed across the side of her rib cage as she rolled. He started his way up her chest and lingered in his two favorite places before their mouths were at last connected.

He slid easily under the mess of blankets and covers that adorned their bed and then it was easy to become what they felt. They embodied their feelings with each phrase muttered in the others ear and each noise and cry of pleasure, with each twist and turn of their bodies.

It was a simple thing to get lost like they had. There was no effort. This world was a world of their own and they had only but tasted it before they were married.

The honeymoon lasted  through the plane ride and the drive home. They had news for everyone and they knew who they were going to tell first.

Courtney, Mikaela, and Zack had come across the country to see Alex and Emmy and to bring Sebastian back to them. Emmy had missed her baby dearly but having Alex like she'd had him the past two months almost made up for it.

Sebastian was the happiest dog in the world to see the two human beings he loved most again. He'd thought they'd left him and moped around for the first few weeks before he was able to be himself again. While he spent his time in California he would still jump at the sound of the door or run to the window to watch a passing car only to be sad that it hadn't stopped, but he'd gotten used to it. Now he was overjoyed to have his humans back.

Alex picked him up and cuddled him close to his heart. Emmy came over and started kissing Sebastian. He had kisses for both his parents as well. It was a cute reunion for Zack and Courtney to watch.

"Did you guys have a good time?" Courtney asked.

For the first time Emmy looked at Courtney. She saw that small but defined bump sticking out that Courtney had her hand on. Zack's arm was wrapped behind Courtney and his fingertips were rubbing the side of that bump while in his other arm he held their one year and five month old girl Mikaela.

"We had an amazing time." Emmeline said.

For an hour there were stories to be told about the things Alex and Emmy did outside of the hotel bedrooms. They had found time between those crippling desires and needs to make it outside for fresh air, sunlight, and the sights of Europe.

"Oh, and another thing that happened that is amazing." Alex smiled looking at Emmy to make sure it was okay and then continued. "She's pregnant."

"Ahh! We can be pregnant together!" Courtney was so excited it was hard for her to contain it. "I'll be slightly more pregnant than you, but it'll be together! How long?"

"A month." Emmy said.

"Awe, you're just starting out." Zack smiled.

"So we'll have seven months to grow together and then I'll have my baby two months before you!"

Those seven months passed rather quickly. Lots of things happened. Alex and Emmy got a girl puppy that Sebastian instantly decided was his girlfriend. Both Jack and Rian got engaged. Courtney had her second baby, a boy. Stephie and Kara helped each other plan their respective weddings. Emmeline's stomach grew and grew.

Alex was amazed at how different she looked. Every morning he would wake up and there would be this bump that he knew was his wife and baby. He would rest his head against Emmy and run his hands over her enormous belly all the while talking to the little baby inside.

That baby was a boy when he finally made his entrance into the world. They named him William Alexander, just a switch of Alex's names but fitting. He looked like Alex more than he did Emmy.

The inevitable pain of leaving for tour happened again. Courtney had a friend in California that baby sat for her while she went to her classes finishing out her senior year in college. The girl had gone through having two children-both born in the summer-and still keeping up with her school. Zack couldn't believe how amazing she was for this. She was a dedicated mother and a dedicated student all at the same time. She truly amazed him.

Emmy had been working while she was pregnant at the job she'd gotten with Six Flags in the design of roller coasters. She took a three-month leave after having William and took care of him during that time.

The three months were up and Alex was able to stay home with their son while she went back to work for a month before Alex had to leave for tour.

Emmy's mother stepped in and offered to help take care of the little boy while Emmy was working. She came home as soon as she could and took on all responsibilities of being a mother from the second her shoes were off after getting home to the second she had to get into her car in the morning to go to work.

Rian and Kara got married and then Jack and Stephie as soon as Rian and Kara were back from their homey moon. Then it was Jack and Stephie's turn to drop off the face of the earth and live in their own world for a time.

Time moved steadily and Courtney soon found herself pregnant again. She just couldn't help herself when Zack was around. He liked that they kept having children and didn't plan to stop any time soon. He loved this life. It was so perfect.

Courtney had finished school by this time and had a small photography business that she'd started with a friend. Now she was leaving the majority of the business to her friend and taking more time to be with her children. Her friend knew this was what she needed to do. Courtney still took pictures and had fun with her cameras, but she for the most part started to become the brains of the operation from home so she could be with her babies.

Alex and Emmeline had a second boy. Emmy was angling for another baby not long after that. She didn't want to be the only girl in the house besides the girl puppy they had. Alex told her to wait a little while.

Rian and Kara were the next to jump on the baby wagon welcoming a little baby girl into their lives. She was positively the most beautiful thing Rian had ever seen in his life. He could not conceive how he'd taken part in something this precious. She was like a miracle to him. This tiny living and breathing little girl was his and she was perfect.

Jack and Stephie were content to be themselves and be together for five years before they joined the baby wagon with a boy that they knew from the start was going to be just like Jack because he made a lot of noise all the time. It was like this little guy made noise just to hear himself and for no other reason that perhaps his own sounds were comforting to him.

Life was damn near perfect for all of them. It had balanced out the best way possible so that married life, children, and the band all fit onto one plate. They knew that they were blessed and so happy that it all happened this way.

_____________________________________________

No more. There won't anything more to this story. I'm done with it. I know this was short, but it's a sequel to the other Alex story so that's why. I hope you all liked it. I'll be starting a new story soon!!!

To you kids asking about Darren, I just faded his character out of the story. He was a year ahead of Emmy so he had already graduated by the time this was written. I just had no more use for him so he didn't show up anymore.

            Emmeline

            As time had a habit of doing lately it flew by. Courtney and I were on tour and then we were in England. We had to touch down in London and then take a train to Essex.

My mom was with us, Alex’s mom and dad, and our friends were all there. We checked into the hotel that we’d made reservations in. Alex and I shared a room, but the night before the wedding we were allowed to stay together as was tradition. Courtney was going to come stay with me and Alex was going to go stay with Zack. A trade as Courtney called it.

The first things we had to do were go look at where we were getting married, make sure that what we had asked for was going to happen, and to check on our food for the wedding. Everything seemed to be in order.

Courtney and I went out to go check on my dress and have the final fitting. She left Mikaela with Zack for the day. I knew that she wanted to get home as soon as possible to be with her baby, but she wanted to make sure that I got everything I needed done.

We went into the bridal shop. They knew who I was just because I wasn’t English. They had my dress in a fitting room for me already. We were led into the back of the store and I went into the fitting room.

The alterations specialist came in and buttoned up the back of the dress for me. She walked around me in circles and made notes. Then she asked how I felt in it and if there was anything that had to be done. The skirt of the dress had to be taken up an inch and the bodice had to be taken in just a little bit but other than that it was perfect.

Courtney wanted me to come out and show her. She’s seen me in the dress before, but she wanted to see me again. Her face was awestruck when she saw me. She hugged me and told me that I looked amazing.

“We still have to get you into your dress.” I told her.

“It’s ready?” She asked.

“Yep, it’s hanging in here.” I said gesturing to the white garment bag.

“Can I?” She asked picking up the bag.

“Go into the next room.” The alterations specialist told her.

Courtney took her dress and went to the next room. I stood in front of all the mirrors just looking at myself. It was all hitting me now that I was about to be married. I was going to be Emmeline Morgan Gaskarth, not Steingarten anymore. Tears came to my eyes because of how happy I was.

“Get ready!” Courtney said from behind the door.

She walked out in her dress, which needed no adjustment. She came to stand next to me and stared at the both of us. She ran her hands over her stomach to flatten the fabric and turned to the side. I assumed she was checking out what her butt looked like.

“That’s good, you can’t tell.” She mumbled to herself.

“Can’t tell what?” I asked her.

“Oh, just that there’s been a few changes in the last month.” She shrugged.

“Courtney…” I narrowed my eyes at her. “What kind of changes?”

“I’m… well, I’m pregnant again.” She smiled.

“Really?”

“Yea, I found out for sure this morning. I haven’t told Zack yet though so don’t say anything!”

“How do you know it’s been a month?”

“Well it’s been a month since we were doing stuff with out preventative measures…” She smiled.

“I’m happy. Baby numbed two!” I hugged her. “Now you’re just showing off.”

“No, I just love Zack too much for my own good. We’re going to keep making babies!”

“I’m jealous. I haven’t even gotten one yet.”

“Hey! You’re getting married in two days. It’s not my fault that you told Alex you had to wait until you guys were married!”

“But I’m happy for you!” I said hugging her again.

She stood there rubbing her stomach for a little while longer and checking every possible angle to see if you could tell that there was a tiny little baby hiding under there. I told her there was nothing visible. She nodded and then went back into her dressing room.

Hesitantly I took off my dress. I didn’t want to because I felt so perfect in it. It made me feel so good that I wished I could wear it all the time. I stepped out of the dressing room and the alterations specialist went in to get my dress. She took it to another room and went to start on what needed to be done.

Courtney came out with her dress in its bag.

“Check this out.” She said lifting up her shirt so her stomach was bare.

She turned to the side and traced her finger over her stomach.

“See that tiny little curve?”

“Yea.” I said getting closer.

“That’s my baby!” She squealed. “Touch it!”

I reached out and traced my hand lightly along her stomach. She started dancing around and making up a song about how she was going to have another baby. I laughed at her.

She was able to take her dress with her and I had to come back in two hours to try my dress on again. We put her dress in the trunk of the rental car and made sure it was laid flat so it didn’t get wrinkled.

We went for lunch and then came back. I put my dress on again and everything was perfect. I paid the last of what I owed on it and then we left the store. My dress got hung in the back of the car since it wouldn’t be able to lie flat in the truck.

I got into the right side of the car, weird, and drove home, on the wrong side of the road. It was so weird to be driving around here because it was all backwards.

Alex had Jack, Zack, Mikaela, and Rian in our room when we got back. Sebastian was sitting comfortably on the pillows just watching everyone. Courtney went and curled up against Zack on the bed and started playing with Mikaela like he had been. I took my dress to my mom’s room. She wanted me to put it on and show her so I did. She started to cry just like I had. I tried to make it as short as possible and took the dress off as soon as she’d let me. Then I was back to my room.

“What took so long?” Alex asked sounding very British kissing me as I sat in his lap.

He’d been talking like he’d lived here all his life since the first time he talked to another person here. He said it was just his accent coming back, but I knew he was doing it just to annoy every one because he thought it was funny.

“Mommy wanted to see me in my dress.” I smiled.

“Oh, I don’t suppose I can see that?” He asked with puppy dog eyes.

“Not until I’m walking down that isle.” I said.

“Fine.” He acted like a defeated child.

I pulled his face to mine and kissed him. He smiled seemingly satisfied. When I wasn’t looking he licked my cheek. Everyone laughed at the face I made.

“Okay, so not to steal the attention for the cute little about to be married couple, but…” Courtney said.

Zack looked at her confused. I knew what was coming but he had no idea.

“I just wanted to say that you see three Merricks sitting in front of you, but there’s really four.”

Zack looked at her and smiled. She nodded at him.

“Really?” He asked as his hand went to her stomach.

She nodded again.

This clued in Jack and Rian who were lost. Just from Zack’s hand they figured out that Courtney meant she was pregnant again. Alex knew from the second she said she didn’t want to steal attention from us because he’d asked me in my ear if that was what it was.

“Yea, I’m preggers again.” She said kissing him.

“Yay!” Jack squealed. “More babies for me to play with!”

“Oh, you just like the fact that there’s another person that understands you and you understand them.” I said.

“Not my fault that I never matured past the age of five.” Jack smiled.

“Then whose fault is it?” Alex asked.

“Mom’s. She drank.”

“That’s a lie.”

“Okay, maybe it is. I did get my head stuck in my cradle one time if that helps.”

“Now that I can see.” Zack laughed.

“Explains a lot right?” Jack smiled.

There were a few more jokes at Jack’s expense before everyone filtered out of mine and Alex’s room. He was content to stay sitting in the chair with me on his lap. It would have been nice to go on the bed but he wanted to say in the chair.

“I love you.” He mumbled in my ear.

“Stop that!” I said shrinking away from him.

“What?” Alex was confused. “Stop loving you?”

“No! Never do that. I meant stop it with the British accent.”

“I can’t help it. I had one for seven ish years you know. It’s not my fault that I come home and it came back too.”

“It’s annoying. What if I don’t know it’s you in the middle of the night?”

“You’d know it was me Baby.”

“How you sound different!” I accused.

“I sound the same. I just talk differently.”

“Whatever. It’s weird.”

“I could just stop talking around you.” Alex offered.

“Mmm I guess it’s okay.”

“Most girls would think this is sexy.”

“I’m not most girls, Alexander. You know that.”

“Thank God for that. I might be deaf by now.” Alex giggled while kissing my collarbone.

“I could scream every time you walked into the room if you want.”

“Mmm there’s only one type of screaming I want to hear from you.” Alex said pushing his lips to mine.

I kissed him back for a while letting him think that he was getting somewhere. Alex’s hands went under my shirt. I didn’t mind much because he didn’t have a shirt on so I could just let my hands touch his chest. It was only fair that I allowed his hands to be where they were lingering.

Alex locked his arms around me a moment later and stood up to carry me across the room to the bed. I was vaguely aware that Sebastian hopped off the bed and scurried into another part of the suite. At this point it was hard to decide whether or not to let him have what he wanted or to torture him and make him wait until we were married. That was two days from now. It was do able.

“Alex.”

“Emmy.” He breathed in response.

 Of course it wasn’t working. He was too far into the mindset that he gets into. There was no way to get his attention now so I just went along with it. It was pretty easy to get caught up in the moment with him and I would have been lying if I had said that I had it in me to stop Alex.

It was just that when we were together like this it was like the entire world was perfect. We were made for each other.

These thoughts I would never say to another human being–save Alex–but I couldn’t help but think them. To me they were true.

That night I laid against Alex and thought about the wedding that was happening the day after tomorrow.

“Are you nervous?” I asked Alex.

“About the wedding? No.”

“I am. I’m afraid I’ll trip.”

“The only part I guess I’m nervous about is the kiss. I don’t want to miss or anything.”

I giggled. That seemed like a lot less to be scared of.

 

There was a rehearsal the next day and Jack goofed off the entire time. There was just no calming him down. We couldn’t figure out what had him so excited that he couldn’t help but mutter–or scream–random thoughts that were in his head. Some of them weren’t even coherent.

People that Alex and I had invited to our wedding started to show up. They were pouring into the hotel and getting rooms that had been reserved for them. There were so many people to talk to that Alex and I were barely together or even on the same floor of the hotel.

I was on my way up a floor and got into the elevator. The elevator stopped and when the doors opened there was Alex. He grinned and stepped into the elevator.

“Hi.” I said.

“Hey.” Alex said before pushing his lips to mine and pinning me against the wall of the elevator.

The doors closed. I wound my fingers into his hair.

“Should we hit the emergency button and stop this thing?” Alex asked.

“Sounds fun.” I said reattaching his lips to mine.

We were to slow, or just to caught up, and the doors opened. Alex backed off of me and turned to see if anyone was looking at us. Thankfully there was no one there.

“Where are you heading?” Alex asked taking my hand as we stepped out of the elevator.

“Going to see my dad.”

“Can I come with? I haven’t said hi to him yet.”

“Sure.”

Together we walked to where I was told my dad was staying. I knocked and he opened to door. I hugged him with one arm because I was still holding Alex’s hand. Alex did the same and then we walked into his room.

“I’ve missed you.” I said.

“I missed you too hun.” My dad said.

We talked for a long time. I had to show my dad the picture my mom had taken yesterday of me in my dress. Alex had to go in the other room.

After that we still talked. There was a lot to say since I hadn’t seen him for a year.

“What’s with the accent?” My dad asked Alex.

“What? Oh, it’s just coming back since I’ve been here. Emmy hates it.”

“I don’t hate it. I just think it’s annoying.”

“You hate it.” Alex said pulling me into a hug.

“Oh, well I guess it would come back, you being from here and all.” My dad said.

A little while later I said good-bye to my dad and Alex and I split up again to see people. I was a little sad to be without him again but I knew there were tons of people I hadn’t said hi to yet and the same went for him.

We met up for a little while before Alex had to go to Zack and Courtney’s room and Courtney came to my room for the night. After all it was the eve of our wedding and Alex could not spend the night with me.

 

“I think that’s about all you need.” Courtney said stepping back from me.

She put a mirror in front of me and I looked at myself. This was not the girl that came into the back room of the church. She was totally different from me.

This girl that was in the mirror was staring back at me with my dress on and my veil was being put in her hair elegantly combining with the hair that Courtney had just finished. She had a smile on her face that was entirely mine. Her face had been made up to be something that was more beautiful than I could have imagined.

The hardest part of all this was realizing that the girl in the mirror was me, not someone else. I was about to walk out of those doors and meet my father in the hall before he wrapped his arm around mine and we walked into the church. It was all starting to be real for me.

Courtney looked at me and smiled mischievously. I looked at her confused. She held her hand up for me to see. In her hand was the soft and lacy blue garter she’d bought me as a present to serve as the ‘something blue.’

My earrings were old, my dress was new, the garter was blue, and my necklace was barrowed. I was ready to go with all the traditions covered.

Courtney lifted up the front of my dress. I picked my leg up for her and she slipped under to slide the garter into place on my leg.

“Ready?” She asked me.

“Nervous but so ready.” I said taking one last glance in the mirror.

My mom opened up the door to the room we were in. My dad was outside waiting. I walked out of the room and up to him. He seemed to not have any words at the moment.

“Do I look okay?” I asked him.

“Okay? You look amazing.” He said. “You’re so beautiful.”

“Thanks.” I blushed.

Courtney was behind me fixing my train so that it was straight when I walked out. My mom went to let the priest know we were ready to start. The music flowed up from the church and I felt butterflies flutter through me. This is it I thought.

My dad curled his arm around mine. Courtney handed me my bouquet. The doors opened and we started walking.

My eyes settled on Alex right away. Seeing his face was priceless. I could see how taken back he was by my appearance. I could see that it wasn’t what he was expecting and that it was better. I smiled and his face broke into a smile.

Before I knew it we were standing in front of each other. My dad kissed my cheek and then put my hand in Alex’s. He went to sit down and Alex and I took a few steps to be front and center.

Jack wiggled his eyebrows at me and winked when I looked at him. I smiled at him and looked over at Courtney. She was glaring at Jack and I knew that meant behave. Jack looked at her with an innocent expression.

The ceremony started. Alex and I giggled the whole way through it.

Jack pretended that he couldn’t find the rings, which caused people to laugh when he pulled them out. Of course Jack would pull something like that. I couldn’t have expected him to be totally normal the whole way through.

“Alexander William Gaskarth, do you take Emmeline Morgan Steingarten to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

“I do.” Alex said looking at me.

“Emmeline Morgan Steingarten, do you take Alexander William Gaskarth to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

“I do.”

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”

Alex turned to me and lifted my veil from my face. I smiled at him. He smiled back. I thought back to when he’d said this would be the only part he was nervous about. He put one of his hands on my cheek and curled his other arm around me. I out my arms around his sounders and pulled myself closer to him. Alex tilted his head and closed his eyes. I closed my eyes and then our lips met.

When people started cheering I heard Jack finally able to let out that screech he’d wanted to do so badly.

Alex and I pulled back and smiled at each other.

“’Ello Wife.” He said, that annoying accent still there.

“’Ello Husband.” I said trying to mock him.

Alex laughed and rolled his eyes at me. Together we walked out of the church and got into the waiting limo while people threw rice at us. Zack, having a pretty good arm, got us in all the places that would cause the rice to get into our attire.

I got into the limo and then Alex jumped in behind me. The door shut and rice was still thrown at the limo. Alex leaned over and pulled me into him. I connected our lips and the limo started on its way to the reception.

Alex’s hand made it’s way up my leg underneath my dress. He pulled on the garter but didn’t pull it off. He knew he had to do that later when everyone was watching. He just caught his hand in it and played with it while we kissed.

The limo ride wasn’t long enough. Alex pulled back from me and I straightened out my dress. The limo driver opened the door for us and we got out. There were people there already and they were happy to see us. The congratulations started up. We went from person to person hugging them and thanking them.

It was time for wedding pictures then. Alex and I were able to get away for a little while and take pictures. It wasn’t long enough–which seemed to be the theme of the day–and then we went into our reception.

There never seemed like there was a moment to eat. Every time Alex and I went to eat something someone would knock their knife against their glass and we’d have to kiss. It was fun to do it over and over.

More traditions were covered in that reception. Alex pulled me with him out to have our first dance. I clung to him and hoped that my dress didn’t get in the way of our dancing. He held onto me and we stuck to a small circle to dance in.

The song ended and then it was time for the removal of the garter. I sat in a chair and Alex walked up to me with a devilish grin on his face. I knew this was going to be interesting.

He walked up to me and got down on his knees. He lifted my dress up and slid it until my garter was visible. I was highly aware of the people watching this and turned a shade of pink.

Alex kissed his way up my leg–that tickled a lot–and then caught the garter with his teeth. He pulled it off slowly while looking up at me. I laughed at him and at the fact that people were watching this.

When it was off Alex shot it across the room at Zack. He caught it and smiled. Courtney stole it from him. I knew that she was going to give it back to me later.

All the single girls at the reception then gathered on the dance floor. I stood with my back to them and tossed the bouquet behind me. I listened and waited. One girl screamed when she caught it. I turned to see Kara standing victorious with it in her hands.

The night continued on with a lot of fun and jokes.

Alex’s parents came over to us. His mom had something in her hands. She smiled as she presented it to us. It was the game monopoly. Alex laughed.

“This is so you have something to do later on in bed.” His dad smiled.

“Yep, because nothing else will happen.” Alex rolled his eyes at the joke.

I took the game and thanked his mom for saving me from boredom.

Similar jokes went around that Alex and I weren’t going to have anything to do when we got back to where we were staying or on the honeymoon. It was all in good fun and we laughed at the jokes.

We left our reception early and get into the limo again. I snuggled into Alex’s side and put my head on his shoulder.

“I love you.” I said.

“I love you.” Alex lifted up my chin and pushed his lips to mine.

The limo took us to a new hotel that was far away from where we’d originally been. All of our luggage had been transferred during the day. This was the start of our honeymoon. We were starting out in England then going around Europe for two months before we made it back home. This was the part that we had saved our money for since we got engaged.

The limo pulled up and we got out. The hotel desk gave us our key and we went to our room. It was the biggest and nicest room the hotel had on the top floor with a beautiful view.

“We should have brought Sebastian.” I said looking out the window.

“He would be doing a whole lot of hiding. Besides he likes Courtney, he’ll have a good vacation in California with her and Zack and the baby.”

“I’m going to miss my baby.” I said.

“Me too, but for now let’s be us.” Alex said pulling me into his arms.

None of what I had worried about mattered anymore. All that did matter was where the bed was and how fast we could get out of our attire.

Alex pulled me to him and started with the kissing. I had to help him with the buttons on the back of my dress. At least all of his clothes were rather simple to remove.

Once we were down to our underwear we got on the bed. From there it was easy to slip into our mindset of just being together and doing what came natural.

The entire night was beautiful. After the initial first as husband and wife we put on the robes that came with the hotel room and Alex ordered a bottle of red wine.

The wine was brought up faster than any room service I had ever had. He opened the bottle and poured us both a glass.

We dank the entire bottle and then got back into bed feeling warm. We continued on where we had been before the wine.

 

 

____

One more chapter!

 

            Emmeline

            Time flew by so quickly. Touring happened so fast it seemed so short this time. It could have been because I knew what was coming after another year. Soon enough it was a month before Alex and I were getting married. I was concerned with all the last minute details with the wedding and he was finishing out the last leg of his tour.

Of course there was school too. It was my senior year and I was in my last week of school. All my tests had been for the most part taken and I was just waiting to see what my grades were going to come out to be. I finished all the hours I had to in order to get my masters in Physics. I had a job lined up with Six Flags for working on the design of roller coasters and I couldn’t wait to start working.

Alex is coming to be home in a week to see me graduate and then we are going to fly that night back to the tour he is currently on and finish it out before coming back here. Once we get back here it’s the last details and then we fly to Essex to get everything ready for our wedding and then get married.

So many things were happening at once it was hard to focus on anything. That week flew by and before I knew it I was standing in the airport waiting for Alex. He walked out of the gate and pulled me into a hug.

“Hello my little graduate!” He said kissing me.

“Not yet, that’s tomorrow.” I said kissing him back.

“I have a surprise.” Alex said.

“Mmm?” I asked just enjoying holding onto him.

“Everyone is back to see you walk across that stage!” He said.

“What?” I asked and looked up to see Rian, Jack, and Zack smiling.

I just about squealed and hugged them all. I wanted them all to be here and I was only expecting Alex because it would have been hard for them all to come but they came for me. This was also good because Courtney and Mikaela had been staying with me for a week since her school had let out earlier than mine so Zack could see his wife and his baby girl.

Everyone piled into my small car and I drove home. Courtney had no idea as far as I knew that Zack was coming home. She had said she was sad he wasn’t going to make it so that made me think that she had no idea.

When we walked in I called out her name. She wandered out sleepily and looked at me. Then she looked around and saw Zack standing in the entryway taking his shoes off.

“Baby!” She yelled and ran to him.

He caught her and spun her in a circle.

“I thought you weren’t going to make it!” She kissed him all over his face.

“I couldn’t miss Emmy graduating and I couldn’t miss seeing you and Mikaela.”

“She’s sleeping right now. I just fed her.”

They went hand in hand down to the guest bedroom to see their baby. Zack hadn’t held her in two months and I guessed that he wasn’t going to wait for her to wake up to hold her. Rian went down to his room and curled up on his bed while he waited for Kara to get home. I guess she knew that he was coming home but she was at work today.

Jack asked me to take him home so he could see his Stephie. I said I would and told Alex to go lay down because he looked tired. He wanted to go with Jack and I though.

The three of us got back into my car and we drove Jack home. He went inside and I headed home. Alex and I got lost in talking about what was coming. There were so many things a head of us and somehow we knew that we were going to make kids fit into it.

When we got home Zack was on the couch with little Mikaela sleeping on his chest. Courtney was sitting at one end with Zack’s head in her lap. She was playing with his hair while he slept.

I smiled when I saw that and couldn’t help but imagine Alex and I like that. He put his arm around my back and took me to our room. Sebastian leapt off the bed as soon as he saw Alex and started jumping and crying. Alex picked him up and let Sebastian give him kisses.

“I missed you buddy. Soon we got to go on tour together. Are you excited? You and mommy!” Alex said taking Sebastian to the bed with him.

I followed and put my head on Alex’s shoulder. Sebastian gave us both kisses and demanded attention until he was satisfied and laid down against Alex’s hip.

Alex lifted my face to his and pushed his lips to mine. We kissed for a long time. It had been so long since we’d been able to do this. I had missed him so much. Sebastian realized he wasn’t going to get any more attention and got off the bed. He left the room.

I stopped Alex and got up to shut the door and lock it. When I came back to the bed I pulled my shirt off and he did the same. That made it pretty obvious what I was thinking. Alex undid my bra with one hand and with the other worked on my jeans.

It was a sweet way to say hello to each other after two months of talking on the phone and not being with each other.

 

I woke up the next morning on the other side of the bed. Alex was stretched out over most of it and I had the edge. I didn’t miss this part. I was happy to have to bed to myself when he was gone because I wasn’t forced off it, but it was his originally before I moved in.

Alex was on his back so I got up and crawled to lie on top of him. He made a face and curled one of his arms around me. I started kissing his face and neck.

“What?” He mumbled.

“I have to get up soon.”

“Why?” He asked sleepily.

“Graduation, remember?”

“Oh, yea. That.”

Alex curled himself up around me and snuggled his face into my hair. I took that as him saying I wasn’t going anywhere for a while. With one glance at the clock I decided I had plenty of time to lie here with him.

“I’m excited.” Alex said later on when he could keep his eyes open.

“Why’s that?” I asked.

“Lots of things are happening with us. You’re graduating, I’m in an awesome band that just keeps getting better, we’re about to get married, and you’ve got a great job lined up for when we get back from our honeymoon. Somewhere in all of this we are going to have kids. It’s just all so amazing and surreal at the same time.”

“Surreal?”

“It seems like yesterday I couldn’t have you and the day before that girls were icky.” Alex giggled. “It’s just going fast.”

“Isn’t that how everyone says life goes?” I asked looking up at him.

He was staring at the ceiling with his eyebrows pulled together in the middle. He was thinking on something before he answered. I reached up and let my fingertips trace the stubble on his cheek while he thought.

“I just hope it slows down for a little. This is where I want to be right now and I want to have time to enjoy it.” Alex smiled down at me.

“I love you.”

“I love you my graduate!”

“You really like that, don’t you.” I said.

“I’m proud of you. I could have gone to college and been boring but I chose this life and you went through college to get a great life and all that.”

“Oh, so now I’m the boring one.”

“No! I didn’t mean it like that. Ahh, that came out wrong.”

“It’s okay. I’ve known you long enough to know what you mean.”

“Okay.”

“I have to get up now.” I sighed.

“Me too?”

“If you want to go have breakfast with my mom and I.” I said.

“Yea, that would be nice.”

Alex pulled me in for a kiss. Softly his lips touched mine and moved slowly. I melted into him and got lost in the kiss. We were lost to each other and everything that meant the world to us was at our lips. If we let go it felt like it would have been a crime.

When I did get out of bed it was one of the hardest times I’d had. There were no words for how much I really loved Alex. He followed me out of bed and into the closet.

“Hey.” Alex said as I started looking at possible clothes options for the day.

“What?” I asked.

“You look good naked.” He smirked.

“Thanks.” I blushed and then looked at him. “So do you.”

“Cool, I just wanted you to know that.”

“Maybe when we live on our own I’ll be naked more often.”

“I’ll do the same.”

He walked deeper into the closet past me and pinched my butt as he walked by. I was quick and slapped him on his butt. We both laughed and then went to getting dressed. He was ready before I was.

I was pulling on a button down shirt while Alex stood there with his arms folded over his chest. It was hard to not stare at him instead of buttoning my shirt up. There was nothing more I wanted than to get back into bed with him. It was just one of those days I’d rather be lost in the sheets than go out into the world.

“Let me help you.” Alex said unfolding his arms and walking towards me.

His lips were against mine before I could tell him I was capable of dressing myself. His hands went to the buttons on the bottom of my shirt and started pushing them into their corresponding holes.

This was a win-win situation. I got dressed and got to kiss Alex all at the same time, though I wished it was kissing him and getting undressed.

“I bet that was weird.” I smiled at him.

“I’m used to the other way.” He laughed. “So it was a bit of a challenge.”

The clock told me it was time to leave already so we left our room and went to his truck. My mom met us for breakfast, a little surprised to see Alex but happy with it.

Our morning went well. We talked about what I planned on doing as soon as I was back here and married. My mom had to bring up the fact that when I came back here to the US I would be a British citizen rather than a US citizen so I’d have to have a green card. Alex thought that was kind of funny and then let my mom see his when she asked what they looked like.

“How come you don’t want to be an American citizen?” My mom asked.

“When I get old I plan on going back to England. It’s where I was born and where I’m going to die.” Alex said simply. “Besides, England is the only other girl that has stolen my heart.”

“Who is the girl other than England because it’s not me!” I smiled.

“Oh, this girl who’s about five foot seven with brown curly hair and the most beautiful face I’ve ever seen. The standard, you know.” Alex shrugged and the kissed my nose.

 At this point my mom was absolutely melting in her seat. When she saw Alex and I like this she got all mushy. I kissed Alex quickly and then turned back to my mom. Alex’s hand slid to my leg. I scooted closer to him.

When I looked at my mom she had a tear in her eye. I smiled at her and she smiled back.

“My baby is all grown up.” She said.

“Awe Mom!” I said not wanting her to cry. “Don’t do that.”

“I can’t help it. Today you’re graduating, tomorrow you’re leaving to go on tour, then you come home for all of three days before we all go to England and then you get married.”

I wanted to hug my mom but she was on the other side of the table. So as soon as breakfast was finished I got up to hug her and told her everything was going to be okay. Alex hugged her to and she made him promise as she had on many occasions that he would take care of me for her. As always Alex sweared to her in the most sincere way that he would take care of me and that assured her.

We parted ways with my mom and headed back to the house. Zack and Courtney were on the couch. I asked where Mikaela was and Courtney said she was sleeping. I nodded and went down to change for graduation.

This didn’t take that long since I had everything laid out days in advance. When Courtney had first arrived here with Mikaela the first thing we did was go shopping for some thing to wear for this.

After I was dressed I picked up my graduation robe and came back out to the family room. Zack had curled himself around Courtney and they were engaged in a slow deep kiss. I felt my face flood with heat and turned around. I still felt strange watching other people’s intimate moments.

Rian, Kara, and Alex were all in the kitchen so I went to join them. There were still a few minutes before I had to leave. I had to go half an hour before them to get into line and prepare for graduation.

Alex stood behind me with his arms wrapped around my waist. He leaned against the counter and I leaned back into him. I put my left hand on both of his. He reached with one of his hands to absentmindedly play with my engagement ring. That was something that we both did all the time.

The time came that I had to leave so I kissed Alex goodbye even though I’d see him in an hour or so. Everyone else got hugs and then I was in my car and on my way to school.

What seemed like forever was only half an hour. People were in the wrong spots in line, things were lost, speeches were being prepared and all I was doing was just watching.

To me graduation held nothing special. It was the same way for high school. I just wanted to get it over with. Sure it symbolizes moving on and becoming an adult or whatever else you want to tack onto it, but I just didn’t care. I felt like I was more of an adult because of what I had ahead of me, not because of what was happening at this moment.

The long line of caps and gowns started to move out of the building. I pushed off the wall I was leaning against and waited for the girl in front of me to start moving. It wasn’t a long walk to the ceremony area. We sat down in our chairs as the row was filled.

Speeches from the dean, principal, and teachers started. I half listened and half day dreamed. I just wanted to walk across the stage for my degree and then get out of here. I wanted Alex.

My row stood up and I followed them to get into line. Names were being called out and students were becoming graduates. Soon enough it was my turn to walk up the steps. I waited a moment while the girl who was in front of my left the stage and then my name was called.

I heard a whole bunch of cheering going on and looked over to see family and friends. I smiled while I shook hands and received the paper that said I had a masters in Physics.

When I walked off the stage a photographer snapped my picture. I have no idea why because I wasn’t going to buy it. My mom might though. I sat back down in my chair and talked to a few people that I knew near me.

As soon as all the graduates had been across the stage and we all had our degrees there was the hat toss. I threw mine into the air with everyone else and then picked up whatever one landed near me. I didn’t care if it was mine or not.

Families started poring from the stands. I walked around aimlessly waiting to be found or to find someone. It would have been slightly easier if I had taken my phone with me.

I felt hands sliding around my waist and kisses on my neck. I turned and threw my arms around Alex. He pulled me into a tight hug and lifted me off the ground. I kissed his cheek and then snuggled my face into his neck. Nothing else mattered much.

The rest of my family and friends, even Alex’s mom and dad were there, found us so we stopped ignoring everything around us. It was congratulations all around for me and for my parents. My mom and dad were civil considering they were in such a close space together but I knew that they were trying. I attempted to ignore their pretend kindness to each other.

It was my choice of where to go for dinner. I wanted breakfast for dinner so I said we were going to Denny’s. That was a crowd pleaser so we all piled into the various cars. Alex had come with Rian and Kara so he told them he was going with me and hopped into my car.

I took a moment to get in because I was taking my robe off. I didn’t want to eat in it. As soon as I got in the car Alex was checking me out. His hand ran up my leg and then over to the inside of my thigh.

“You know, you look nice in dresses.” He said. “I think you should wear them more often.”

“Special occasion.” I said moving his hand.

I straightened out my dress and then pulled my car out of the parking lot. I led the way to Denny’s. Alex held my hand the whole time. We didn’t talk but we smiled and giggled a whole lot.

We made it a little before anyone else so Alex leaned over and kissed me. I kissed back and then we were lost. When he heard another car behind us he pulled back. It was just in time too because it was Jack and Stephie.

Jack got out of his car and came up to our window tapping on it like a police officer.

“Now,” he began like he was a policeman, “you kids are just to young to be doing this in a parking lot. Move along before I have to call your parents.”

“Jack, you don’t have to do that.” I said smiling up at him.

“It’s Officer Barakat to you.” He said pointing dramatically at his imaginary badge.

“Okay Officer Barakat.” Alex sighed.

The two of us got out of the car.

“Now cooperate or I’ll have to do a full cavity search.” Jack said slipping out of the cop voice and into his normal voice while wiggling his eyebrows at me.

I pushed his face away and laughed telling him he had no chance.

Everyone arrived and we went in for breakfast as dinner.

 

Emmeline

The phone woke me up in the middle of the night. Alex groaned and rolled over while shoving his face under a pillow. I sat up holding the covers to my chest and picked up the phone.

“Hello?” I asked sleepily.

“Hey Emmy. Sorry it’s so late.” Zack said from the other side of the phone.

His phone call in the middle of the night, make that two in the morning could only mean one thing. Courtney was having her baby.

“Is she?” I asked.

“They just took her in. She told me to call you and that I wasn’t allowed in until I called you and Alex.”

“Okay, we’re on our way.” I said.

“See you in a few hours.” Zack said.

“Bye.” I hung up.

When I flipped on the light Alex groaned again. He pulled himself out from under the pillows and looked at me confused. I started to get out of bed and he rolled so he was on top of me.

“You’re not going anywhere.” He said sleepily.

“Alex, we have to go.” I said pushing him off me.

“Why?” He whined.

“Courtney is having her baby.”

“Oh… OH!” Alex got out of bed.

He went across the room faster than I’d ever seen him go before. He opened the door and ran down the hall in the direction that would take him to Rian’s room. I laughed to myself thinking of what Rian’s reaction would be when he saw that Alex was naked.

“Dude! Go put pants on!” I heard Rian yell.

Alex came running back into our room and went into the closet while still shouting at Rian that we all had to leave and get on a plane to go see Courtney and Zack. He was throwing clothes on and running back to the phone to call Jack and Stephie when I went to get dressed.

I got dressed and threw some clothes for the both of us into a suitcase and then put Sebastian’s things together. Baz came into the closet and looked at me sleepily. I picked him up and cuddled him for a moment while he closed his eyes and fell asleep in my arms.

“Come on! There’s no time for puppy cuddling!” Alex said running back into the closet.

“Jeeze Alex, I never thought you’d be this excited.” I mumbled getting up.

“It’s our best friends having their first child!” He whined when I didn’t get up fast enough.

He took the suitcase that I had put together and went out of the room. I grabbed Sebastian’s crate and carried him out to the front of the house. Good thing it was the middle of August so it wasn’t so cold at night as it would have been if it were winter.

Rian and Kara wandered out of the house and put their suitcases into the truck before climbing in the back.

I got on the phone and started making arrangements to catch the next flight to LAX. Alex was driving to the airport where Stephie and Jack were supposed to meet us. After I’d made all the arrangements and reserved seats on the plane for the six of us and Sebastian, I leaned against the seat and let to warm bundle of fur lull me to sleep.

Alex woke me up by simply taking Sebastian out of my arms. I woke up as soon as the warmth was gone and Alex was standing on my side of the truck with the door open and a slightly angry but sleepy Sebastian in his arms. The poor puppy was probably just starting to sleep well.

I got out of the truck and opened up the crate for Sebastian. He walked into it with his tail down. He really hated the crate but understood that he had to get in it if he wanted to go with us. I carried him while Alex carried our suitcase. Rian and Kara found Jack and Stephie in the parking lot while we were getting Baz squared away.

We all went into the airport and I finished working out all the details for the flight at the desk. Everyone paid for their tickets and we were just in time to board the plane. I was able to take Sebastian on the plane with us, which was good because if he had to go in the cargo hold there was no way I was going. I couldn’t put my baby in the bottom of the plane and hope he didn’t die.

When the plane was in the air I pulled Sebastian out of his crate under the seat and he curled up in my arms. I fell asleep against Alex’s shoulder and he put his head on top of mine. We slept the whole five-hour plane ride to California.

As the plane touched down I woke up. Sebastian was still asleep. Alex woke up after I did. He kissed me and the looked out the widow. It was still dark out. I checked the time on the plane clock; it was four in the morning in California.

We all got off the plane together and got into a van that took us to the nearest hotel where we made reservations and dropped our things off in the rooms. I had to leave Sebastian in the room because he couldn’t go to the hospital. He just curled up on the bed and went to sleep not caring if we were there or not.

The six of us got into another van taxi and went to the hospital. Alex called Zack to let him know where we were. Courtney was still in labor but her contractions were getting way closer. I couldn’t wait to see her baby. She knew if it was a boy or a girl and she hadn’t told me. She liked to make me squirm for the details.

We arrived at the hospital and Zack met us outside. He told us that they were going to start the whole process soon so we got into the hospital and went to the third floor where Courtney was. We had to wait in the waiting room while Zack went back into Courtney’s room. He came out one more time to let us know that the baby was on its way and then he ran back to the room to hold Courtney’s hand.

I curled up next to Alex and gave him a few kisses. He snuggled me into his arms and told me that one day we’d be in Zack and Courtney’s situation. We had a while longer to go since we couldn’t get married for another year and three months but I wanted to be here with him. Kids were something that I wanted badly with Alex. It just seemed right.

An hour later Zack came out with the biggest smile I’d seen on his face since the day he got married. He told us that two at a time we could come in and see the baby. He was sticking with Courtney and not telling us if it was a boy or a girl. Zack said Courtney wanted Alex and I to come in first.

Alex got up and took my hand. We followed Zack into Courtney’s room. She was sitting up on the bed with a tiny little bundle in her arms. I squeezed Alex’s hand when I saw there was a pink blanket around the baby.

“A girl!” I said.

Courtney’s face lit up. “Yea.”

“What’s her name?” Alex asked peering down at the tiny little girl.

“Mikaela Nicole Merrick.”

“Awe that’s cute. MNM.” I laughed.

“Yea, Zack thought we should make her initials MNM and then it all fell into place.”

Alex asked if he could hold the little girl. Courtney handed her over to Alex and showed him where to put his hands so he could support her properly. He looked down at the little girl in his arms and smiled at her. I watched Alex hold her and talk to her. It only made me want to have a baby with him more.

He looked up at me and asked if I wanted to hold her. I held my arms out towards him and he carefully placed her in my arms. I pulled her close to me and looked down at her. She had a tiny bit of curly hair from Zack on the top of her head that was Courtney’s color. When I looked at her face I saw Courtney and Zack in her all over. She had Zack’s eyes and Courtney’s nose but a combination of both their mouths. She was the cutest baby I’d seen yet.

I handed her back to Courtney and she curled back up with her. Alex stood behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. I leaned into him.

“You guys need to get married already! I want to see what your kids will look like!” Courtney said.

“Not for a little more than a year.”

“It sucks that you guys have to wait so long.” Zack said.

“It’s not bad. We want to have the wedding we have been planning so we’ve got to schedule where touring hasn’t been scheduled.” Alex shrugged. “When we started, two years was where we had to go because of our touring schedule.”

“Still it’s a long time.” Courtney said.

“It’s passed by quick. The first year has gone by rather fast. We only have a year and three months until our wedding day.” I said.

“Plus,” Alex said, “Then little Mikaela will be old enough to go to England and be there for the wedding.”

“Yea, she’ll be just over a year.” I said.

We talked for a little more. I turned the conversation back to Courtney, Zack, and their new baby girl. When we were leaving to give someone else a chance Courtney made us swear not to say a word. She wanted everyone to be surprised. We gave her our word and went out.

Stephie and Jack were up next. Jack was excited to see if it was a boy or a girl. Stephie said she thought it was going to be a girl. Jack said it was going to be a boy. Alex and I laughed and sat down. Rian and Kara tried to get details from us but we didn’t say anything.

Fifteen minutes later Jack and Stephie came out. Rian and Kara got up and went to see Courtney and the baby. Stephie and I started talking about babies and if we wanted boys or girls. Jack and Alex went into some conversation that had nothing to do with babies but I wasn’t listening.

Rian and Kara came out after a while. I could see that Kara was all melted inside and wanted a baby. I wondered if that was what I looked like when I came out. That was how I felt.

Zack came out to say good-bye to us. We were all tired and headed back to the hotel to sleep. I wanted to go see my Sebastian. He was all alone in the hotel room and I was worried about him. He was probably fine and still sleeping but he was my baby.

As soon as we got back I took Sebastian out to see if he had to go potty and then brought him back in. Alex was curled up in bed when I made it back to our room. I put Sebastian down and slipped off clothes until I was as I had been before Zack had called me. Alex rolled when I got into bed with him.

“Hi.” He said kissing me.

“Hey.” I kissed back.

“I want a baby.” Alex said.

“Me too, but not until we’re married.”

Alex made a face.

“I know, but that doesn’t change the fact that I want one.”

“I want one just as bad as you want a baby.”

“Boy or girl?” He asked.

“Boy.” I said.

“Why boy?”

“I don’t know.”

“You have to know.”

“No, that just seems like what I’d want.” I said shrugging.

“A boy would be good. I would be happy as long as it’s human though.” Alex smiled.

“I think you’d love it even if it was an alien.”

“True, because it would be my alien.”

“Our alien.”

“Whose the alien then?” Alex asked.

“You.” I giggled.

“Why me? You’re the alien!”

“Boys are from Mars.” I said.

“Girls are from Venus!”

We continued on with our little fight for a while before I curled up next to Alex and closed my eyes. He curled himself around me and closed his eyes.

“I love you.” I said.

“I love you too.” Alex mumbled into my hair.

I laid there and played with my engagement ring for a little before going to sleep.

 

When we woke up in the middle of the day we went back to the hospital to see everyone again. We spent the whole day there and just hung out like the friends that we were. I could see that Courtney was still tired and I didn’t blame her.

She had made Zack get into the narrow hospital bed with her and she was turned into him with little Mikaela between the two of them. They both couldn’t keep their eyes off her for long and had to glance at her to make sure that she was happy and sleeping.

I was quietly imagining myself and Alex curled up in a hospital bed like that with a little baby between us. A year did feel like a long time away for me now. I wished it could come sooner.

 

Narration

Time passed along steadily. Jack and Stephie had been dating for six months. It was hard or them to be apart so much because they lived on opposite sides of the country.

Jack decided it was time for him to move out of his parents’ house. He found his own place and bought it. As soon as he had purchased his new house he had to call Stephie. He had this dream of them living together and he had to ask her right away.

Stephie answer the phone and had to get Jack to calm down. He was talking so fast she could hardly understand him.

“Jack, slow down.”

“I… bought… a… house.” Jack said as slowly as he could.

“Human pace and I don’t mean Jack Barakat human pace. I mean normal human pace.”

“You don’t think I’m normal?” Jack questioned.

“Jack, just get to the point. Stop getting as distracted as I get. Oh! I just found a penny.”

“See you’re were just lecturing me about getting distracted and then you find a penny!”

“Jack!”

“Okay, sorry. You’re right. What were we talking about?”

Jack was standing in him new and empty home. He was staring at the walls and thinking about what to do with them. However he could not remember that he’d called Stephie to ask her to move in with him.

“Something about you having bought a house.”

“Oh right. Will you move in with me?” Jack asked.

“What?”

“You move in with me. It’s not rocket science!”

“Where?”

“Maryland silly!” Jack giggled. “Where else? I just bought a house here.”

Stephie sat on her bed toying with the penny she’d just found on the windowsill. She thought about Jack’s question. She missed him a lot and she did want to move in with him. If she did she’d be leaving her family and her home. She looked out at the sunny sky and took a breath. Jack was more important to her.

“Yea, Jack. I think I will.”

“Really? So you mean that my girlfriend will move across the country for me?” Jack was almost screaming as he bounced around the room for his excitement.

“Yea!” Stephie said as the excitement spread to her. “When do I move in?”

“As soon as you can get here. Then we can go furniture shopping together!” Jack said. “Of course by that I mean you pick everything out and I buy it.”

“I’ll see when I can get out there. I’m pretty much on my way right now, but I have to tell my work and all that.”

“Sure thing Baby. I can’t wait to have you here! I almost want to get on a plane just to hug you and kiss you and then fly back with you.”

“Awe.”

“Yea I know. I’m sweet.” Jack giggled.

They talked a little longer. Stephie shared how she’d seen Courtney yesterday and she had a little bump now rather than a flat tummy. She told Jack how proud Courtney was of he tummy. Jack thought that was cute.

He shared the wedding details that he knew about Alex and Emmy. It seemed that it was going to be a while before they could do the wedding they wanted and the honeymoon. Emmy had been planning with Alex’s mom but there wasn’t a lot going on, just plan making. Of course Jack didn’t really know the specifics other than he was supposed to be Alex’s best man.

A few days later Stephie had a transfer lined up for her job and a plane ticket. She went home and packed up all her things. She looked around he apartment for the last time and smiled. She would miss it but she was moving on to bigger and better things.

Her brother was waiting for her as she left the apartment building. He helped her put all of her things into his car and then they were off to LAX. She was going to miss her brother a lot.

He walked her to her gate and kissed her on the cheek when she had to go.

“Make sure this Jack boy knows that he better take care of you.” He warned.

“He will, don’t worry.” Stephie smiled as she got on the plane.

A few hours later she was on the other side of the country. She turned off her ipod and waited as the plane started to land. She said a prayer in her head so the plane would land safely as she felt the first set of wheels hit the tarmac. When the plane had been towed into the dock all the passengers started getting up.

As she left the plane she heard Jack before she saw him. He was jumping up and down when she caught sight of his bobbing head. He was trying to see her over all the other people and didn’t care if anyone looked at him like a retard.

When he saw Stephie he let out a squeal that turned into her name and then ran towards her. She wrapped her arms around him as his body collided with hers and they took a few steps in one direction before gaining their balance back.

“I love you!” Jack said loud enough for everyone in the world to hear.

In fact he wanted the whole world to know that he loved her so he kept saying it over and over. Stephie laughed and kissed him all over his face.

“Okay Jack. I know. I love you too.”

“But I just love you so much!”

“Same. Can we get out of here? I want to see our new place.”

Jack’s insides tingled as he heard what Stephie said. It was their new place and now it really seemed that way because she was with him in his arms. He agreed with her question settled for holding her hands only because it was too hard to walk with his armw wrapped around her.

They went to baggage claim and picked up all three of her suitcases.

“How much did you bring? Where’s the bed? Damn!” Jack said carrying the two heavier suitcases.

“I took everything I owned. I moved here with you. I had to take everything. As for the bed, mine wasn’t big enough for the two of us.”

“Yep, which is why tomorrow we’re going shopping!”

“I never thought I would know a guy that was so excited about shopping as you are.” Stephie laughed.

“It’s only because it’s for my first place and it’s my first with you.” Jack said happily.

They loaded everything into Jack’s mom’s car and he drove to their new place so Stephie could see it.

It was much different to see it in person. She’d seen the many, many pictures Jack had sent her and the ichat tour Jack had taken her on but this was different. She was seeing the house for the first time with her own eyes.

Jack took her things inside and placed them next to the boxes he had of his things. She noticed that Jack had dragged his old mattress from his house and put it on the floor in the master bedroom so he had somewhere to sleep. She thought that was cute and plopped down on it. She wasn’t tired, but she wanted to be on the make shift bed. Jack plopped down next to her.

“I guess the first thing on our list should be a bed. This isn’t going to cut it for long. I stretch out when I sleep and I don’t think we’ll both fit.” Jack rambled.

Stephie grabbed Jack and pulled his face to hers. Their lips locked and Jack stopped talking. It wasn’t often that they kissed like this. She pushed him back on his small mattress and climbed on top of him.

Jack slid his hands into her shirt and let them drift. She had no problem with that. They continued on as their bodies pleased and soon clothes were coming off. Jack was nervous. Stephie was nervous. This hadn’t ever happened between them before but now was the time.

When it did happen there wasn’t anything else either of them could have hoped for. It was perfect. The entire world seemed to fall into place and they felt like they knew each other on a way more intimate level now.

After Jack curled up with Stephie in his arms and fell asleep. Stephie readjusted the covers over them and then fell asleep as well.

 

The sun creeping across the floor as it rose in the sky awakened the couple the next morning. Stephie was up before Jack and got dressed. Jack woke up when the spot where Stephie had been was cold. He saw her putting things back into her suitcase and smiled. It wasn’t all a dream and he was glad.

“Morning Beautiful.” Jack smiled rolling onto his back and stretching.

“Sleep well?” Stephie asked sitting Indian style on the bed next to Jack’s stretching form.

“Mmhm. I think the part where I wasn’t sleeping was better though!”

“Of course.” Stephie laughed.

Jack stopped stretching and let his limbs fall. His feet stuck out from under the blankets that were thrown on the mattress.

“Yep, bed is the first thing on our list.” Stephie nodded.

When Jack was out of bed he got dressed and wondered into the kitchen. Stephie was sitting there waiting for him. He went into the refrigerator and looked around. There wasn’t much in the way of breakfast foods so he shut it.

“Oh, I guess we’ll have to go out for breakfast too.” Jack said picking up his mom’s car keys. “And I have to get myself a car eventually.” He mumbled to himself.

Jack and Stephie got into the car and went to get breakfast first. After they ate they went to the first furniture store Jack spotted.

It was a long day of sitting on couches, laying on beds, and deciding which table to get for the kitchen but the two made it through. The bed was being delivered and set up later on. Jack was excited about that. They bought a table that would be delivered in two days and a couch that was coming the next day.

Stephie bought bed sheets for the new bed and then asked Jack if he had a washer and dryer. He said they were in the garage. She felt better about that and bought a few more sets of sheets for the bed. She’d wash all of them before she put them on the new bed.

Over the next few weeks they acquired all the things needed to live in a house. Jack bought the biggest TV he could afford and bought the best cable package he could afford so that he could watch movies and TV and play games with a really big screen.

While Jack bought all the less necessary for life and more for fun objects Stephie bought the things that they really needed. She was the one that made the house livable and Jack didn’t know just how lucky he was to have her living with him.

If it weren’t for her he would probably still have an empty house and little to no food to eat. He was a boy after all and didn’t think about how to survive first, it was fun first.

Stephie knew this and she liked it. She liked that she was taking care of Jack while making him think that he was taking care of her. As long as Jack was happy so was she.

When the house was set up enough to have other people over, Stephie let Jack bring friends over. Alex, Emmy, Rian, and Kara came over for a little dinner party that Stephie threw. All the boys were instantly absorbed by the giant TV and the Xbox. The three girls rolled their eyes at their boyfriends and went into the kitchen to make the dinner happen.

It was so nice for Jack to have his own place. Eventually he did have to take his mom’s car back and this prompted Stephie to make Jack go out and buy a car. He bought the one he’d been wanting for a while, the Acura TL.

He was so happy that he had his own car that he found reasons to drive it. He would decide that he wanted something specific for lunch so he would drive out to get the ingredients and bring them home even if he had them in the kitchen somewhere.

Stephie never had a need for a car. He r work place was near to where she and Jack lived so she walked. As of late though Jack had been driving her to and from work just to drive his car. She didn’t mind it though.

“I’m happy you moved out here with me.” Jack told Stephie one night when they were going to bed. “I would be so alone without you here all the time.”

“I’m glad I moved here too.”

“I mean it though! I would be lonely and lost without you.” Jack smiled.

Stephie smiled back at him. He was being serious for once and she liked it.

“You know I would be the same.” Stephie said kissing his lips.

“I love you.”

“I love you Jack.”

He giggled. “I like it when you say that.”

“I’m glad.”

Jack was back to his silly self. All the seriousness was gone. It could only last a few moments anyways. He just wasn’t a serious person and if he was serious for to long he was afraid that he would never be able to be himself again. It was a silly fear but a fear he had nonetheless.

It was easy living for the two. Eventually Jack had to leave on tour again and then it was going to be Stephie’s first time alone since she moved here. She knew that Emmy and Kara would be there if she needed someone to hang out with but it just wasn’t going to be the same without Jack.

Of course the time that passed seemed like nothing as soon as Jack was back with her and they were in each other’s arms.

 

Narration

Three weeks later Courtney and Zack were back home in California. She was missing her third day of school this week because she felt sick.

“Maybe we should take you to the hospital.” Zack said.

“No, it’s not anything bad.” Courtney waved him off.

“You’ve missed three days of school. You’ve been throwing up all three days. There’s something going on.”

“No-” Courtney paused.

The wave of nausea was passing over her again. Zack recognized the sign and let her get up. She ran to the bathroom and he followed her. When he got to the bathroom she was throwing up. He filled the glass on the counter again and handed it to her. She held it but leaned over the toilet again.

“Is she still sick?” Jordan asked walking by.

“Yea, I’m worried.” Zack said.

“I’m fine guys.” Courtney said.

She leaned against the wall behind her and sipped the water. She rinsed her mouth out and spit into the toilet before flushing it. Jordan threw Zack a glace to tell him that he agreed with taking Courtney to the doctor. He nodded and sat next to Courtney.

She snuggled into his side and closed her eyes feeling drained for the second time today.

“Zack?”

“What?” He asked rubbing her arm.

“I think I’m pregnant.” She said quietly.

Zack was silent for a moment. He was thinking over what she’d said. When he thought about the last three days her statement seemed to explain it.

“Me too.” He agreed.

“It could have happened during Christmas break.” She said.

“That was the only time it could have. I ran out of…” Zack trailed off thinking, “yea, that has to be it.” Zack said.

“Are you mad?” She asked.

“No.” He said. “I’m actually happy.”

Courtney looked up to see that Zack was smiling to himself. She smiled knowing that he wasn’t lying to her.

“What are we going to do?”

“First off,” Zack said, “I’m going to marry you.”

“No.” Courtney said. “You’re not going to marry me because I have your baby in me.”

“Courtney, we don’t know for sure yet. You could just be sick. I was going to ask you this summer anyways.”

“You were?”

“Yes, I special ordered a ring that I’m getting tomorrow and I was going to hold onto it until summer.”

“Why wait so long?”

“Because I wanted to be sure. So will you marry me Courtney Ashman?”

“Yea.” She said kissing Zack.

“You can have the ring tomorrow.” He smiled kissing her back.

“Can we go to the store and get a test now?”

“Come on.”

Zack stood up and pulled Courtney off the floor. She paused to brush her teeth and then continued on the way to the garage.

“Are you guys going to the doctors?” Jordan asked from the couch.

“Nope, drug store. Courtney thinks she could be pregnant.” Zack said pulling Courtney closer.

“Oh, is that good?” Jordan asked.

“It’s very good.” Courtney said.

“Okay.”

Courtney and Zack got into his car and he drove to the store. She was nervous and chewed on her bottom lip. If she was pregnant what was she going to do about school? Courtney quickly did the math in her head. If she was pregnant then it happened in December and in nine months that would be August. She would be having her baby in summer so she could go to school still, she’d just be very pregnant towards the end. She laughed at the mental image of herself in June.

“What?” Zack asked.

“Imagine me in June when I’m finishing up freshman year.” She giggled.

“You’d be how far along?”

“Seven months.”

Zack laughed with her.

“Are you going to stay in school?”

“Yep.”

“That’s my trooper.” He said reaching over to touch her cheek.

They made it to the store and went in holding hands. They went to isle eight labeled hygiene and family planning. Courtney looked at the boxes upon boxes of different tests and pushed her eyebrows together.

She picked up the first one her eyes landed on after she decided it didn’t matter. They were all going to tell her one thing or another.

“Ready?”

“Mmhm.”

They went to the cash register together. Zack pulled out his wallet and handed the cashier a five. She handed him back his change and they left the store. Courtney stared at the test on the way home.

“I have to pee on a stick to find out if I’m pregnant.” She laughed to herself.

“Pretty weird huh?”

“Yea.”

Zack parked in the garage and Courtney got out of the car. She went into the house and went straight for the bathroom. Zack sat down on the couch with Jordan.

“Are you scared?” Jordan asked.

“No, I’m hoping she is actually. I’d be really happy if she was.”

“How come?”

“Because knowing that she’s carrying my baby would mean a lot. You know I was going to ask her to marry me. This is just better than that.”

“Are you going to marry her sooner than you planned?”

“Yea, I asked her if she wanted to get married before we knew if she was pregnant for sure.”

“Congrats on getting engaged then man.”

“Thanks.”

Zack got up and went down the hall to stand by the bathroom door. Courtney was standing there staring at the test on the counter. She had to wait two minutes to find out though she was pretty much sure she was. She opened the door because she knew Zack was outside.

He came in and pulled her into a hug.

“We still have a minute.” She said putting her head against his chest.

“Okay.” Zack glanced at the test.

It was still blank. He felt his heart speed up in anticipation. Courtney heard his heart speed up and smiled.

“Nervous?” She asked.

“Yea, it’s my first baby.” He said.

“I am too.” She put Zack’s hand on her chest.

He could feel the pounding of her heart.

“Do you think you are?” He asked.

“I’m ninety-nine percent sure.”

Courtney picked up the test from the counter and looked at it. There was one simple word on the screen. Pregnant. She showed Zack and he kissed her.

“You’re happy right?” He asked her.

“Yes, I’m very happy.”

“Good, so am I.”

“I guess this will interrupt my surfing lessons you’ve been giving me huh?”

“Never seen a pregnant woman surfing so I can’t imagine that’s a good thing.”

Courtney laughed and hugged Zack tightly around the waist.

“I love you.” She said.

“I love you too.” He smiled.

“What’s the verdict?” Jordan asked appearing in the doorway.

“I’m preggers.”

“Cool. Does that mean you guys are going to leave me?” Jordan asked.

“Unless you want a crying baby here.”

“Good point.”

“Zack, I have to go call Emmy.”

“Okay.” He let Courtney go.

She went down to her room and picked up the phone. Courtney dialed Emmy’s number and waited as the phone rang over and over. She checked the clock. It was three in the afternoon there so she should be out of class.

“Hello?” Alex answered.

“Alex! What are you doing answering Emmy’s phone?”

“She’s in the bathroom. What’s up?”

“I have something to tell you both. Get her out of there.”

Alex looked at the bathroom door. Emmy walked out after a second.

“Who’s on the phone?” She asked.

“Courtney. She has something to tell us.”

“Put it on speaker.”

Alex pushed the button on the side of Emmy’s phone and the speaker icon showed up.

“What do you have to tell us?” Emmy asked.

Courtney looked at Zack and he smiled at her.

“I’m getting married.” She said.

“Awe, that’s great. When did you get engaged?” Emmy asked.

“Just now.”

“So what are you doing calling us?” Alex asked. “Shouldn’t you be sucking Zack’s face or something more?”

“There’s more.” Courtney said.

“What?” Alex and Emmy asked at the same time.

“I’m also pregnant.”

“No way!” Emmy almost shouted. “When did that happen?”

“During Christmas break.” Zack said.

“Damn.” Alex said.

“So we’re getting married real soon. You’re my maid of honor Emmy.”

“Okay. When is it?”

“We haven’t gotten that far, but it’s going to be short notice. As soon as I get off the phone with you guys I’m starting this planning. I need to get married before you can tell I’m pregnant.”

“You’ve got like two months then.” Emmy said.

“I know. Short notice. I think it’s going to be a small wedding too.”

“Let me know as soon as you figure it out.”

“I will. I’ll talk to you guys later.”

“Bye.” Alex and Emmy said together.

Courtney hung up the phone and looked at Zack.

“I have a wedding to plan.”

“Can we get married on the beach?” Zack asked.

“Yes. That’s perfect!”

Courtney was soon far into throwing a wedding together. She was two weeks into it and had sent out the invitations. She had a dress that was loose and flowey so that it would blow in the wind and also so it would hide even the slightest bump in her currently flat stomach.

The wedding date came up faster than she thought it would. Emmy and Alex arrived with Rian, Kara, and Jack. Emmy went to Courtney’s to see the dress so no boys were allowed in the house. She was getting married tomorrow and wasn’t going to let anyone see her in it but her mother and Emmy.

The next day Emmy got up early and kissed Alex before she left to see Courtney. Zack was on his way to the hotel Alex was at when Emmy arrived. She handed Zack her card key so he could just go in.

Courtney was in her room with her mom. She was getting ready to put her dress on. Emmy had made it just in time. Courtney handed Emmy her bridesmaid dress. Emmy slipped it on quickly and then helped Courtney into her wedding dress. She looked so pretty in the flowing white fabric. Her mother almost broke into tears.

Courtney went to work on her makeup since her hair was already done. The time was fast approaching for the three of them to get to the beach. Courtney’s dad was meeting her there to walk her to Zack.

No one but Alex and Emmy knew Courtney was pregnant. She didn’t want anyone to know. She wanted them to assume that she got pregnant as soon as she and Zack got married.

She got to the beach and met with her dad. He told her she was beautiful and kissed her. He was sad to see his daughter grow up but proud of her as well.

Zack was waiting for her with a smile. They couldn’t look at anything but each other. They repeated what they were supposed to and before they knew it they were kissing each other.

Courtney was married and now a Merrick. She was so happy she couldn’t put it into words. Zack felt the same way.

It was on to the reception from there. Then Zack and Courtney went home and get ready for their short honeymoon in Hawaii that she’d managed to throw together at the last minute.

 

             Emmeline

             The months passed rather quickly for me. Alex was gone on tour and then he was back. I enjoyed the time I had with Sebastian, but we both missed Alex. He was home just in time for the holiday season. He got home as soon as I went on winter break.

            Our first day back together wasn’t that productive. He and Rian caught up on his sleep while I went around the house cleaning here and there. Sebastian stayed with Alex most of the day and I didn’t blame him. Who would want to follow me around while I cleaned up all day?

            The first week that we were home together we spent every second possible together. I did try to cut back on my indulgence of Alex when Rian was around. I knew that he’d only been joking before, but I felt like I wasn’t caring enough about him and being polite. He and Kara didn’t have to hear that all the time.

            Soon enough we were back to visiting each others’ families for the holidays. Relatives from all over the country, and in Alex’s case from England, came to visit. I had such a fun time meeting the people in Alex’s family that I hadn’t had a chance to meet last year.

            We had a huge dinner at his parents’ place and then at my mom’s with our relatives. Alex seemed absolutely happy with meeting my family and they all seemed to love him. This was all so perfect. I didn’t want to give him up for the tour that was looming in the not so distant future.

            Christmas day came and went. We went to both our families’ respective households. My family then came to Alex’s parents’ house for dinner. There were a lot of people but it felt like home. It was even snowing outside.

            Two days after Christmas I woke up and Alex informed me that we were going to a very nice restaurant for dinner. I liked the idea and went through my closet for something nice to wear while he went out. He told me that he had some band stuff he had to do with Rian, Jack, and Zack.

Zack and Courtney were here as well on her break from school to visit their families. I called her and asked her to come over. She came just as Alex and Rian were leaving.

“What’s going on?” She asked when she saw that I had been going through the closet.

“Alex said he’s taking me out tonight. Somewhere really nice.”

“Ohhh, that sounds good.”

“Yep, so I’m trying to find a nice dress or something to wear. Help?”

“Sure.”

Together we tackled the closet and came up with something really pretty for me to wear.

“Oh, you’ll knock him dead when he sees you.” Courtney said smiling.

It was almost like a smile that said she knew something I didn’t but I wasn’t sure. I just continued to model the outfit in front of the mirror and play with the way it looked. I knew what I was going to do with my hair and makeup so there wasn’t much to do.

Courtney picked up one of my hands and looked at it.

“Damn, you need to get these repainted. Let me see your other hand.”

I held my other hand out.

“Okay, I’m doing your nails right now.”

I took off the outfit that I would be wearing later and put my normal clothes back on. Sebastian followed us out to the kitchen where Courtney set up to for my nails. I was glad she noticed because I would have when it was too late.

Only an hour later Courtney was finished. I went to sit on the couch and let my nails dry. We watched TV for a few hours. When I looked at the clock it was about time that I started getting ready for my date. Courtney followed me into my room and handed me the clothing items we’d picked out before hand.

As I worked on my make up Courtney insisted on doing my hair. I let her so I could save myself time. I heard Alex and Rian come back and I wanted to go see them but I had to finish up in the bathroom first.

Alex came into our room and saw Courtney and I in the bathroom.

“Zack’s looking for you.” Alex said.

“I’ll be there in a moment. I’m helping Emmy.”

“Okay. Don’t come out of there until I open the door.” Alex said shutting the bathroom door.

“What is he scared I’ll see him in hi boxers. The whole world has seen him in his boxers.” Courtney said.

“I don’t know.” I said waiting for her to finish my hair.

She was done in a few more minutes and then we had to wait while Alex changed. She looked me up and down like I was something she was going to buy. She made me spin so she could see me from all angles. I felt like a horse at auction.

“Happy with your appraisal?” I asked.

“Yes, you look stunning.”

Alex opened the bathroom door and just stared at me. I smiled and blushed knowing that how I looked was the reason for his loss of words.

“Ready to go yet?” He asked me.

“I’m ready.” I said taking a step towards him.

“You look so beautiful.” He said kissing my cheek.

“Thank you Alex.”

Courtney had slipped out of the room and was with Zack on the couch when Alex and I walked to the front of the house.

“See you guys later.” Rian said.

“Have fun.” Zack said patting Alex on the back.

Zack’s gesture reminded me of a way that guys said good luck to each other but I brushed it off. I had no idea what brought this on other than the romantic mood Alex had been in for about six months. Not that I was complaining.

Alex walked to the passenger side of his truck and opened the door. He let me climb in while holding my hand for support. He walked around to the other side and got into the truck.

We started out on our drive. I tried to figure out what had brought this on but Alex would not give me even a hint. He just said it was because I was so beautiful I deserved it. I let it go and allowed the conversation to drift wherever he took it.

The drive was rather long and we ended up at one of the most expensive and fancy restaurants in the Baltimore area. I was a little confused. What had I done to deserve this?

Alex again got out of the truck and opened up my door for me. He helped me out of the truck and gave me a kiss while shutting the door. He put his arm around me and led me to the front door.

“Two for Gaskarth.” Alex said when we reached the hostess.

“Right this way.” The girl said taking us to our table.

We were towards the back in a secluded area. I could only imagine what Alex was spending on this night. I had a suspicion now, but I wasn’t sure. I also didn’t want to think on it too much because I didn’t want to be disappointed.

“Is this okay?” Alex asked after we’d been seated.

“Yea, it’s perfect. This place is beautiful. Thank you for this.” I smiled warmly at him.

“It’s no problem.” He smiled.

We took a moment to go through the menu. There were no prices listed. I guess if you could afford to walk into this place you could afford to eat here so they didn’t bother listing the prices.

We settled on our dinners and then Alex ordered for the both of us when the waitress came. It took a while for our dinner to be ready so we filled the time with the wine that Alex asked for and talked amongst ourselves. It was like the whole world was shut out tonight. I didn’t hear anyone else in this restaurant. I was startled when they brought our food out I was so lost in conversation with Alex.

Even when we ate it was like that. We talked and talked about everything that seemed to matter to us. Dinner was over and then it was dessert. Alex ordered something for us to share.

When it came out it looked more like and art piece than a dessert. He was really going out of his way tonight for some reason. Alex and I ate what we could of the dessert and talked. Slowly his subjects became more targeted and his word choice became more exclusive.

My stomach had butterflies. I knew we were getting to the point of this whole date. My suspicions grew and I was pretty sure I knew what Alex was going for. It was hard to go at the pace Alex was going. I wanted to know so badly and he could see that in my eyes.

“Do you remember when I asked you to move in with me?”

“Of course I do.”

“Do you remember what I said?”

“Yes.”

“I said that I had more life changing ideas in my head that I wouldn’t talk about?”

“Yea.” I said.

In my gut I knew that my suspicion was right this time. He was going to ask me something very important and I was pretty sure I knew my answer already.

“There’s a life changing matter that I want to bring up now.” Alex said.

“I’m listening.”

Alex smiled and stood up from his chair. He stepped around the table and stood in front of me. I looked at him for a moment and wondered what he was doing. Alex reached into his jacket pocket, withdrew something, and then got down on one knee.

He took my left hand in his right and with his other hand he held a small box.

“Emmeline Morgan Steingarten, will you marry me?”

I was unable to speak as he opened the small box with one hand and held it closer for me to see. I smiled and felt a tear slid down my cheek.

“Yes.” Was all I could manage.

Alex smiled and let go of my hand for just a moment to remove the ring from the box and place it on my left hand. I felt another tear on my cheek. This was such a perfect moment. Alex stood up and pulled me from my seat to hold me in his arms.

“I love you.” I said.

Those words didn’t quite explain how I felt about Alex, but they had to do for now.

“I love you and I adore you.” Alex said toping my choice of words.

I kissed him passionately for a few moments and the pulled back. He was so happy it was impossible to explain. I felt the same way.

We sat back down in our chairs. I looked at my hand and let out a laugh. I wiped at a tear that I felt. Alex smiled while just watching me.

He got the check and then we left. In his truck I pulled him closer to me and kissed him. He was happy to be able to kiss me like this and got very into it.

After a moment he suggested that we get back home and continue there. I agreed.

We held hands all the way home and I couldn’t stop looking at my hand. The ring there caused a feeling in me that I’d never known.

Alex and I got home. He held onto me for a moment in the driveway and kissed me all over my face and told me how happy I’d made him by saying yes.

When we entered the house Rian, Kara, Zack, and Courtney were still there. I knew at once all their eyes went to my left hand and then to Alex’s face to see that I had accepted Alex’s proposal.

Courtney got up from the couch and hugged me.

“Congratulations Emmy. I knew it would happen.” She said hugged me tightly.

Kara got up from the couch as well to do the same thing as Courtney and she was followed by Zack and Rian. It was a few minutes before Alex and I were allowed to go into our room to be alone. Sebastian was the only one I let in with us.

Alex took off all of his clothes and got into bad. I did the same, went into the bathroom to take off my makeup, and then curled up next to him. Sebastian jumped up on the bed and started sniffing us. He gave s both a kiss and then settled between us.

I connected my face with Alex’s at the lips and we made out like we’d been wanting to. It didn’t feel like we needed anything more. All I needed were his lips against mine and his body close. There was nothing else I required.

A few times Sebastian got into the middle of it to see what we were doing and we had to stop to talk to him and play with him.

“So, when do we get married?” I asked Alex.

“Any time you want. We could go to Vegas right now if you want.”

“You do realize that if you marry me here in the United States you will become an American Citizen.” I said.

Alex seemed to ponder that for a moment. It was like he was putting on theatrics so this had already occurred to him.

“I’m not becoming an American.” He said with a British accent.

“So then what shall we do? Get married in England?”

“Essex to be exact.” Alex smiled.

“Are you serious?” I asked looking into his eyes for any hint of a joke.

“Yes, I want to get married there. I want to get married where I was born.”

“Okay.” I smiled.

I had never imagined getting married out of the US. Now it was going to happen. I was excited but nervous. How was I going to plan this?

Alex could tell what I was thinking and kissed my forehead.

“Don’t worry about it. My mom will help us.” He smiled.

“Does she know?”

“She knows I was asking you tonight, so does your mom. I bet they’ll be expecting an answer tomorrow so we better go see them.”

“I have to call my dad.”

“He knows too. I called him and asked for his permission.”

“You did? Really?”

“How could I ask you to marry me if I hadn’t asked him? That’s how it’s done.”

“Alex.” I sighed snuggling into him. “How did I ever get so lucky?”

He chuckled and kissed my cheek.

“I’m the one that’s lucky. You said yes to me.”

 

Narration

The Weightless video shoot demanded that all the boys in All Time Low, and consequently their girlfriends, get up at four in the morning. Jack and Alex made a whole bunch of noise about having to get up so Emmy avoided their whining by going into the bathroom.

Rian was a little better at getting up. He was the one to wake Kara up and tell her it was time to get ready. They had to be at the shoot by five so he assumed that an hour was long enough for everyone to get ready.

As Kara was waking up, Rian went to go check if Jack, Alex, and Emmy were up. He opened the door and saw that the lights were on. Jack was curled up under his blankets with a cute smile on his face. Rian pulled the covers off him and Jack groaned.

Alex was walking around the room trying to figure out what he was going to wear. Rian didn’t see Emmy so his eyes shot to the bed. No one was in it so he assumed she was up somewhere. Then he saw the bathroom was closed off.

Rian went back into his own room. Kara was sitting up and she had turned the light on. He kissed her on the cheek and apologized for her having to get up so early. She said it was okay and kissed him on the lips. She told him she loved him and got up to find something to wear.

“What am I supposed to have on Baby?” She asked picking up her suitcase and putting it on the messy bed.

“Just look like you’re going to a concert. That’s what they’re telling everyone.”

“Okay. Looking cute for a concert or just a concert”

“Just a concert Babe.” He said pulling his own suitcase onto the bed.

They stood side by side going through their suitcases until they found what they were looking for. Rian let Kara have the bathroom to change in since she had makeup and all that she had to do. He changed right where he was standing and then went to Jack and Alex’s leaving the door between the rooms open so Kara would know where he went.

Courtney and Zack were still curled up in bed. She didn’t want to get up because the feeling of his skin against hers was almost too good to give up. He nudged her and she tightened her grasp on him. Zack thought it was adorable that she didn’t want to get up and be away from him for even the slightest second but knew it had to happen.

She got up ten minutes later and went to the closet. Zack rolled onto his side and watched her walk across the room, her bare backside doing things to his mind. She turned around to look at him and smile. He bit his lip. How was it that she was so incredibly sexy?

She pulled clothes out of the closet and pulled them on slowly, a reverse striptease. It still had the same effect on Zack. He wanted to pull her into their bed and ravage her like he had a few hours ago, but he knew he had no time for the destruction he had in mind.

Eventually he got out of bed and Courtney looked him up and down as they passed on another. She gave him a slap on the ass as he walked by and he returned the favor spinning to catch her.

“You don’t know what you’re doing to me.” Zack mumbled.

“Oh I know full well sweet heart.” She said innocently.

She must have known because when she used that voice in combination with some sort of sexual reference he went crazy. Zack had to stop the memories and the thoughts that were flowing and get dressed. They only had half an hour to get to the shoot and they still had to eat. Well, maybe they could eat there.

When everyone had finally made it to the shoot there was a lot of talking going on. The director explained the concept that everyone had heard a million times only this time there was a stage and all the little areas he was talking about to light up the little treatment for the video. The little paragraph on the page seemed a lot more important than it had before.

The explanation took an hour or so. Then it was the waiting game while everything that had not been set up yet was set up.eHe HweHeHdejjftjk Everyone was entertained by each other and got to eat some food from the catering table.

The first things that went on that signaled that something was about to happen was the guys were moved off to another room. Kara, Emmy, and Courtney we not allowed to go with them. That must have meant they were filming.

Stephie showed up ten minutes later. Courtney had had it by this point. It seemed like almost every day this girl showed up where she and Zack were. She never showed up when Courtney and Zack were on a date, but if they were out with Jordan or just doing nothing in particular Stephie would show up and it was getting really annoying. Courtney was starting to feel like this girl was getting more aggressive so she walked right up to Stephie and asked her point blank what she was doing here and she wasn’t nice about it. Kara and Emmy stood off to the side with worried looks on their faces. They had never seen Courtney angry like this before.

“Zack asked me to come. He said it would be fun.”

“Do you get that Zack is my boyfriend and I don’t appreciate you being around all the time? It makes me think that you’ve got something else on your mind.”

Their fight went on for a while. Courtney didn’t believe anything that Stephie said about Zack being like her big brother. She wasn’t going to listen to that shit anymore. She couldn’t.

Emmy and Kara stepped in when the fight hit a new level. They could see it was on the verge of getting physical and didn’t want Courtney or Stephie to get thrown out. Kara started acting as the mediator between the two girls while Emmy rubbed Courtney’s arms to calm her. Emmy understood the way Courtney was feeling because she’d just been in this position when prom happened.

Kara was able to get the girls to talk civilly again. The thing about Kara was she was really good at solving fights. She gave Stephie time to talk. Stephie explained to Courtney in the simplest terms possible that she was not there for Zack and that she had no intention of stealing him from her.

Courtney seemed to be able to accept this. She nodded anyways. They weren’t going to be good friends right away. Courtney wanted to wait and see what was going to happen. She’d only known this girl for a few weeks. Maybe she was telling the truth.

The boys came back out and Alex hugged Emmy from behind. Kara went over to Rian when she felt satisfied with what she’d done. Courtney apologized for being so harsh and Stephie accepted. Courtney went over to Zack and took up his attention. She was still a little iffy about Stephie. Jack walked shyly up to Stephie and said hi.

“I’m Jack.” He said awkwardly.

“I know Jack. We met yesterday on the beach.”

“I know. I just felt like saying that. I don’t know what to say.”

“Okay, I’ll play along then. I’m Stephie.”

Then went along with their simple pleasantries until there was nothing else to say and Jack bit his lip. He wasn’t sure what to do. This simple action had Stephie’s attention. She thought it was cute that he was being so shy.

The truth was Jack was nervous. He found this petite blond girl very attractive. She had big eyes that had his attention and he was intrigued by her tattoos and piercings. For a moment he wondered what it would feel like to her if he was to bite the cartilage piercing on her left ear and pull gently on it before he banished that thought from his mind. He barely knew her! He couldn’t be thinking these things yet.

Jack managed to get her number and a date before ten minutes was up. He felt under pressure since he wasn’t going to be here for very long and he knew he couldn’t just let her go. She was something else and he could feel it.

Kids that had shown up for the video shoot were now being let into the building away from the hot sun and the guys had to go get ready for the performance shots. The four girls melted in with the crowd of kids and felt the anticipation that the kids were feeling. The kids were excited to see their favorite band and even more excited to be a part of their video.

When everyone heard the sound of Weightless starting up the room was more excited. There were a few cheers let out when Alex, Jack, Rian, and Zack walked out from the door on the side and proceeded to get on stage and play along with the song until it was stopped. Then the song got started over and they played though the first verse before the cameras were switched out and the end of the song was played out. Things continued on like that for a few hours. The kids there were great. They jumped around and sang a long no matter how many times the same part of the song was played.

Then it was back to the little room they had been in before that was the ‘backstage’ of the ‘venue’ they were playing in. They set Alex up with someone that was rubbing his shoulders, a guy interviewing him, and someone to massage his hands. After that shot was down they had Jack stand around a corner and then had the designated ‘band sluts’ come around the corner looking as slutty as possible and drag him into a room with them. Then it was Rian’s turn. They had printed out pictures of him and then were having them sign him. After Rian it was Zack. He just sat there working out like it was no problem for him while he was looked at funny.

There were a few more performance shots to do that weren’t focused so much on the band but on the crowd. They picked out people to do these certain shots and then went to work with their camera angles and the song blaring in the background.

The shoot was finally called a wrap and the girls got to go back to their boyfriends or in Stephie’s case her interest.

Jack too her hand and asked if she wanted to get some dinner or something instead of waiting for tomorrow. She agreed. The two said goodbye and went hand in hand out the back of the building and caught a cab. Jack took her to the last place he’d eaten because he knew it was good.

They sat down and went through the menu. Jack knew what he wanted but he just read through it because she was. He set his menu down and then she did. They looked at each other and blushed.

The waitress came and they were able to order. Then they made small talk and told each other about themselves. Jack felt like he was falling in love with her but he decided he couldn’t say that. It was much too soon to say that. He also thought that it was because he was so open and friendly to everyone so he felt like he was falling in love. It was difficult for him to sort out his feelings at the moment.

Stephie liked Jack a lot. She was a little confused about her feelings as well. She’d liked guys before so she knew what that felt like. She’d also loved a few guys in her past. What she was feeling now was a lot closer to love than to like but she wasn’t sure why. She’d known this boy for maybe twenty-four hours. What was if about him that made her feel this way?

Jack told her to order dessert and then he did himself. They ate dessert slowly to bide their time. They didn’t want to say goodbye to each other but they knew that time was coming.

Jack took Stephie’s hand after he’d paid for the dinner and walked with her out of the restaurant. They got into a different cab and she told the cabbie her address. Jack made some comment about him being able to stalk her now but she laughed when he couldn’t remember the numbers in the right order.

“I think I’m safe for a while.” She laughed.

“Well that’s what you think. This could all be a mechanism to make you think I forgot but you’re going to wake up and see me in the corner of your room.”

“I think I might like it if you were in the corner of my room when I woke up.” She said biting her lip.

“I think I would too, but I really did forget the address so that won’t happen.”

“Damn.”

The cab ride was over a lot sooner than Jack expected. Stephie knew it was going to be short. Jack got out of the cab and gave the cabbie a few extra dollars to wait for him. He walked Stephie to her door and then stood there.

“Well I had a lot of fun Jack.”

“Me too Stephie. Can I see you tomorrow?” He asked taking her hands in his.

“Meet me at the beach?”

“I’ll be there.”

They exchanged a few more important details so Jack cold find her at the beach the next day and then it was the moment Jack had been waiting for since he’d met her.

Jack leaned in and pushed his lips to her softly. She kissed him back with a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. Jack pulled back and looked down at her. She smiled up at him and blushed.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.” He said.

“I can’t wait.” She turned and went into her home.

Jack got back into the cab and told him what hotel he was staying at. The cab driver took him to the hotel. Jack paid him and tipped him well for being so nice.

When Jack made it back to his room he discovered he had no room key. He’d left it inside the room. He knocked hoping that Alex and Emmy were back but no one answered. He went to the door one over and knocked hoping Rian and Kara were there but no one answered.

Jack wasn’t much bothered by that and sat on the ground in front of his room. It never occurred to him to go down to the front desk and ask for a new key so he had sappily thinking over his date with Stephie. There were a few moments that he wasn’t quite happy with because he thought that he was a bit of a dork but overall he felt like the date went well. She kissed him back after all.

There were sounds of people walking up the hall towards Jack. He looked up to see his friends. Rian asked him why he was just sitting there so Jack explained that he left his key inside. They laughed with him and then everyone went into their rooms.

Alex pulled Emmy with him into the shower to make good on his promise. Jack curled up in his bed and stared dreamily out the window thinking still of Stephie. She was so pretty and nice. How was he so lucky? He thought to himself.

Rian and Kara snuggled up in bed after having a bit of nighttime fun and fell asleep. Alex and Emmy, feeling satisfied with what had happened, got out of the shower and got into bed. Jack was asleep already. Alex fell asleep right away because he was so tired from the video shoot.

They still had one more to go in two days and then they were heading to New York for a MTV thing in promotion for their album. After that it was just a waiting game for the release date of the album and then the three show day they planned to do and then tour. It looked busy but there wasn’t much to do yet.

 

Emmeline's POV

 

“Come on Alex, boarding is starting.” I said shaking Alex’s shoulder.

Alex groaned and tried the wave my hand off his shoulder. He’d fallen asleep with his head in my lap after he’d stretched out on the less then comfortable airport seats.

“No.” He mumbled like a child. “Just got to sleep.”

“Alex, I’m getting up and leaving you here if you don’t come.”

“Emmy…” He groaned.

“Come on!” I said standing.

He let his head fall to the seat I had just been sitting on and rolled to try and find comfort in the plastic and thin layer of foam. I looked at Rian and Jack. Jack was not paying attention to anything. He was staring off into space and waiting for his phone to do something. I signaled Rian and come over with my fingers.

Rian knew what I wanted and walked up to Alex. He got behind the row of seats and pushed Alex’s body to the floor. Kara laughed from her seat next to Jack. Alex rolled onto his back and looked up at me with a confused expression. At least he was awake now.

“I take it we have to go?”

“You can sleep on me when you get on the plane.” I said.

“Okay.” Alex held his hand up and Rian pulled him off the floor.

Alex stood up and looked about him. He must have been searching for his luggage and forgot that everything had been checked at baggage and was going in the cargo hold. I took his hand and followed Jack onto the plane. I had to grab Jack’s shoulder and direct him away from a wall while he was in the middle of staring at his phone. Maybe I should have let him hit the wall just for a laugh.

We all took out seats on the plane. Alex plopped into his as if her were the most tired boy in the world. I smiled at his behavior and sat in my seat next to him. He curled up as best he could and put his head on my shoulder. I ran my fingers though his hair until he was asleep.

 

The plane touched down and I had to wake Alex again. He was a little better this time and sat up. He looked around to see that he was in a plane and then was comforted by the fact that he’d been sleeping on me for the five-hour plane ride.

We got off the plane and went to baggage claim. I looked at the clock to see what time it was. I was laughing when it said five am. We’d left Maryland at three am and the plane ride was five hours so in Maryland time it should be eight but it was five here. I was too tired to think about the time differences and just laughed at how absurd clocks were. Rian looked at me like I was crazy when I pointed out the time to him. I guess he was awake enough to understand the time.

By the time I had calmed down Alex had his and my luggage. We followed Kara and Rian to the outside air. I got closer to Alex when I discovered it was cold outside. Jack flagged down a cab that was a van and we all piled in. Rian gave the driver the address of the hotel we were staying at and that was all I remembered of the cab ride.

When I opened my eyes again there was a golden light coming though the widow and I was in an unfamiliar room. The only thing that made me feel okay was the pair f arms wrapped around my waist.

My brain started to work again and I figured out that I was in California and Alex and I were in a hotel room. I looked across the room to see Jack spread eagle on his bed sleeping with his mouth open. How come Rian and Kara got to have a room to themselves? Oh yea, because Alex and I usually do and it’s their turn to be alone.

Alex made a noise behind me that told me he was still asleep. I turned my head to see if I could look behind me enough to see him. All I could see of him was his shoulder and some of his neck. He moved and I let my head fall back to its original position. Alex’s arms tightened around me and he made another small noise. He was dreaming.

It was ten minutes later when I felt a kiss on the back of my neck. I smiled and rubbed one of Alex’s hands that were securely over my abdomen. He knew I was awake and gave me a few more kisses.

Jack woke up and lifted his head off the pillow. His phone had buzzed. He picked it up and texted back a message that most likely made no sense and then fell back asleep.

“Morning.” Alex said.

“Good Morning.”

“How long have you been up?”

“Couple minutes. What were you dreaming about?” I asked.

“How do you know I was dreaming?”

“You were making noise and moving around.”

“Oh. I was dreaming about being on stage. It’s been a while.”

“Was it fun?”

“Mmhm.”

“Tomorrow you can be on stage.” I said.

“Video shoots don’t count.” Alex said.

“But you’re going to be on a stage. You never said what you were doing on stage.”

“Okay, I guess you’re right about that.” He said kissing my shoulder a few times.

“Shut up! I’m sleeping.” Jack grumbled.

Alex sighed and moved his arms to tell me to roll and face him. When I was face to face with him he pushed his lips to mine. If we couldn’t talk we could make out.

“I can hear that.” Jack whined.

“Deal with it. It’s this or talking.” Alex said to Jack.

Jack groaned, mumbled something about liking Rian and Kara better, and then pulled a pillow over his head. I laughed at him quietly. Alex watched me and got that adoring expression on his face. He kissed the tip of my nose and then put his nose against mine. That soft adoring expression was still in his eyes.

“What?” I whispered.

“Your giggle is cute.” He whispered back.

I giggled again. He tilted his head and kissed me softly. My fingers curled loosely into his hair as we kissed softly. It was that kind of kiss that meant the world to me and had to end on its own naturally. When he pulled back you could have compared me to a puddle of mush.

“I love you.” Alex said.

“Love you more.” I smiled.

“Not true.”

This time when we were trying to top the other in who loved who more it wasn’t designed to make someone else jealous, this was us genuinely us trying to say we loved the other more. Alex won out when he brought up how hard he had to fight for me and I curled into his chest to kiss it. He kept his arms tight around me.

Jack had notified Zack and Courtney that we were in California now. They came to our hotel and I heard them in Rian and Kara’s room. Our rooms were connected by a door so they came though to see us. Alex and I were still in bed curled up with one another but Jack was up watching cartoons on the large TV.

Courtney jumped into bed with Alex and I. She put her arms around me and hugged me.

“I miss seeing you every day.” She said.

“I miss you too Court.”

She laid down next to me and I rolled to be on my back rather than on my side facing Alex. Alex put his head on my shoulder and slung his arm across my stomach. His hand landed on my hip and he traced the edge of it with one finger with his eyes closed.

Courtney and I slipped into talk about anything and everything. Zack came over and joined our conversation before pulling Alex out of his almost trance like state and started discussing the video shoot that was happening tomorrow.

It wasn’t long before Zack mentioned that he wanted to go to the beach. Alex got up from the bed we were in and went through his suit case to find his swim trunks. He pulled them out and went into the bathroom to change. I got up and pulled my bathing suit out with ease and slipped into the bathroom with Alex.

He was surprised at first and pulled a towel from the counter to cover himself up and then saw it was me and tossed the towel to the floor. I made a show of checking him out before standing to the side and taking my pajamas off like it was a show. When I glanced back at him he was biting his lip and I hadn’t even taken everything off.

When I was down to my panties he grabbed me around the waist and pushed me against the wall before forcing his lips against mine. I sighed and let my body fall into his. He let his index finger trail down my sides and then catch in the sides of my panties. He looped his fingers in them and started to slide them down, dragging kissed all the way down my neck, chest, and stomach as he went lower. He kissed his way back up and connected our lips again.

We knew that with a room of three, possibly five, people waiting for us it would be rude to indulge in each other’s bodies. Then again they would hear what was going on and leave the room, wouldn’t they? It was a hard decision. Alex pulled back and picked up his swim trunks off the floor. I made a face but he kissed me again.

“I promise later. The shower we take after the beach should be a good time. The water will cover up the sounds.”

“I like the way you think.” I said going for my bathing suit.

I had Alex tie the back of my top before we went back out.

“Took you long enough.” Rian muttered.

Everyone was ready so we followed Zack and Courtney out of the hotel. The seven of us were able to fit into Zack’s car-I had to sit on Alex’s lap-and drive to the beach.

While we were there it was all insanity and chasing each other around. We played in the sand and the water. There was nothing that we left undone. It was good for the seven of us to all be together again. I missed Zack all the time since he had moved out here and now I had to miss Courtney.

The day started to wind down. The sun was going down on the wrong side of the coast for me. I was used to it setting over the land, not the water. It was a little trippy to see that. It came up over the water for me.

I had to sit in the sand and watch it go down. It was so weird to see this. I knew that it was supposed to set in the west, like it was doing, but usually it was over land so I was a bit amazed at this.

“Watching the sun go down?” Alex asked sitting behind me.

He scooted closer and put his legs on either side of me. I leaned back into his chest.

“Yea, it’s wrong.” I said.

“I know what you mean.” He smiled kissing my cheek.

“It’s supposed to set over the land, not the ocean.”

“This is also the Pacific not the Atlantic.”

“They don’t feel any different.”

Alex laughed. “I wouldn’t think so. They’re both water.”

“Salty water.”

Alex laughed again at me. For some reason he found me funny but said nothing else. We sat together watching the sun go down.

I saw out of the corner of my eye that Zack was talking to some girl that wasn’t Courtney, but he was introducing Courtney to her. I chose not to pay attention to it though. I was more concerned with Alex and the sun set. It wasn’t every day that I got to watch the sun go down over the ocean.

The sky lit up in a vibrant pink. The sun was gone from sight except for a tiny sliver. The horizon was golden where the sun was left with pink reflecting in the clouds. It was so pretty.

Alex tightened his arms around my waist and kissed my shoulder a few times. Then sun was gone but we were among the few still on the beach. I noticed that Courtney didn’t look to happy. I signaled her to come over.

She came and plopped down next to Alex and me.

“What’s the matter love?” I asked.

“This girl Stephie,” Courtney said nodding towards a petite blonde that Zack and Jack were talking to. “I think she likes Zack a little too much.”

“So get over there and claim your man.”

“I’m over her. I mean I know I shouldn’t have to worry about it, but I do. I guess I’m just protective of Zack. I know he wouldn’t cheat on me, but I don’t think Stephie’s got that in her mind. I think she wants to date him. She’s all flirting with Jack too.”

I reached over and pulled Courtney into a hug. She smiled and then pushed back after a moment.

“Want me to talk to Zack?” Alex asked.

“Nah, it’s not like I haven’t said anything. It’s just that I don’t like her. He said she was like a little sister to him so I guess that’s okay. I just don’t know what she’s thinking.”

“She’ll get bored if she hangs around for long and sees that Zack and you are committed until the end.” I said encouragingly.

“He’s known her longer than I’ve been here.”

“Mmm.” I said seeing her problem.

She was more confused than anything. I wished there was something I could do. She obviously didn’t want Alex to get involved with it and talk to Zack and I assumed she didn’t want me to have a chat with Stephie either. All I could do was try to take her mind off the problem.

When Stephie left Courtney got visibly happier. She went back over to Zack and curled herself into his body. He took her face in both his hands and kissed her. She smiled and pushed her face into his neck. I thought I heard them saying they loved each other but they were too far away for me to be sure.

“Are you getting tired?” Alex asked me.

“No, why?”

“You just feel like you are.”

“Oh, I’m fine.” I said twisting to look back at him.

“Ready for that shower later?”

“I am.” I said kissing him.

He fell back on the sand with me in his arms. He started to make the kiss just a little more than appropriate for the beach to emphasize what was coming.

“Enough.” Rian grumbled. “Lately all you guys have been doing is each other.”

“He did have to fight pretty hard for that privilege.” Jack reminded Rian.

“Yea, I know. It would be nice if they separated for a whole day though. They don’t need to be joined at the groin all the time.”

“Don’t be jealous.” I said to Rian. “Just because Alex is getting more than you doesn’t mean you can be grouchy.”

Alex chuckled in my ear.

“Oh, he gets plenty.” Kara smiled putting her arms around Rian from behind.

“We’re just adults about it, not teenagers with raging hormones.” Rian said.

“I am a teenager Rian.” I reminded him. “Nineteen remember?”

“You’re almost twenty.” Rian said back.

We all started to laugh suddenly at how our little squabble had become so intense. Rian said sorry and so did I. I told him I would try to calm down a little bit for his sake starting as soon as we got back home. He said he would try not to make so many comments.

“I guess you guys are glad you’re not living with us.” Courtney said from the trap of Zack’s arms. “We make Alex and Emmy look like amateurs.”

“I bet Jordan loves that.” Jack laughed.

“He’s got his own woman that comes over. Once we had a battle to see who was louder.” Courtney smiled.

“TMI!” I shouted hiding against Alex.

Again we all broke out laughing at where our conversation had gone.

 

Narration-A Few Weeks Have Been Skipped

 

It was a sunny morning just like any other in California. Zack was asleep stretched out on his bed with his covers falling half way off the bed. The sun hadn’t quite reached his face yet.

He shifted in his sleep and put his face right in line with the sun. His face scrunched up for a moment and then his eyes opened for a quick second only to shut immediately. The sun was much too bright for his eyes. Zack rolled his head and opened his eyes to see the contents of his messy room.

A smile came over his face when he realized what today was. Today Courtney was arriving. Her flight didn’t actually come in until five in the evening, just in time for them to go out to dinner, but it wasn’t that far away for him. He’d waited so long that a few hours meant nothing to him.

Zack rolled out of bed and picked up a pair of shorts from the floor. They smelled clean to him so he slipped them on and walked out to the kitchen.

Jordan was up and making breakfast for himself. Zack said hi and went into the fridge. He pulled out three eggs and grabbed a pan. He cracked all three of them into the pan and then went back to the fridge to get milk. He poured in enough and then set the milk on the counter. He scrambled the eggs and let them sit for a moment before he went back to scramble them all over again.

Jordan grabbed a plate and put it next to the stove for Zack. Zack thanked him and then finished up his eggs before dumping the massive pile onto the plate. Before he even sat down he was already eating them and burned his tongue on the hot eggs.

As soon as breakfast was done he washed off his plate and the pan, stuck the milk back in the fridge, and went out to the garage to work out.

The weights felt nice in his hands when he picked them up. He’d settled quite well into life in California and felt like he’d found his home here. It was all he could have ever dreamed about when he was a kid.

After his repetitions were finished for his arms he started on his abs and then moved to his legs. He’d worked out a system where he started with the higher parts of his body and then went down. He went arms and shoulder, abs and back, then legs. It had worked out well for him since.

He finished and went back into the house to change into his swim trunks. He wanted to get some surfing in before he went to pick up Courtney. It was noon so he could get in three to four hours of surf.

When he was about ready he called up Stephie to see if she wanted to go surf with him. She didn’t answer her phone so he figured she was either out already or she lost he phone because she always answered her phone no matter what.

Zack asked Jordan if he was up for surfing and Jordan agreed to it. Zack sat in his car after he’d loaded up both the surfboards. Jordan came out and hopped into the car with Zack. Zack pulled out of the garage and drove to the beach.

They unloaded their boards and went for the sand. Zack was looking out at the waves when he saw a familiar girl walking towards him.

“Hey Zack! Hey Jordan!” She called.

“Hey Stephie.” They both called in unison.

They met up and she gave them both hugs.

“You guys just getting here?”

“Yea, how are the waves?”

“Tide is going out… the waves were better before.”

“Eh, I’ve got three or four hours before I have to go so maybe it’ll pick back up.” Zack said.

“What’s going on tonight?”

“Courtney is flying in at five so I’m going to pick her up and take her for dinner.”

“Cool, I’m glad she’s coming out. You’ve been a little glum lately.”

“Really?”

“Yea, I could tell you were missing her.”

“I have been a lot lately. I guess it’s because I know she’s coming soon.”

“Let’s go surf.” Jordan said nodding towards the waves.

The three of them headed out and joked like two brothers and a sister. It was a good day even if the waves weren’t so great.

The waves picked up a little and they got some good rides in before Zack left. Stephie said she’d give Jordan a ride home so he didn’t have to leave. The waves were okay and Jordan wasn’t ready to leave quite yet.

Zack went home and took a longer shower than normal. He scrubbed himself clean. He was excited and nervous to see Courtney again. He got out of the shower and felt along his jaw line to see if he needed to shave. He was all right for the day and went into his room to change.

Ignoring the clothes on the floor he went straight for the closet. He wanted clothes that he knew were clean. He pulled out shorts and a nice shirt. He checked himself in the mirror to make sure he looked okay. He took his shorts off when he saw they were wrinkled. He pulled out a new pair of shorts and pulled them on when he saw they weren’t wrinkled.

After he was satisfied with his clothes he picked up his Axe body spray and made sure she smelled as good as he could to Courtney. He just wanted to be perfect for her.

With one last once over in the mirror Zack was ready to go get his baby. All he could think about was Courtney. She was so close he could almost feel her in his arms. He got to LAX at four thirty and parked. He went inside and went to the gate that her plane was flying into. He had a sign that he’d made her that he was going to stand there and hold so she would see it when she walked out.

At five the plane was being pulled into the dock. He was so excited he couldn’t stay in his chair. He stood up and played with the edge of his sign in anticipation. People started getting off the plane and he held his sign up.

Courtney saw Zack first and then his sign. She felt a smile spread across her face even though she was tired. She ran towards him as soon as she was clear of the people and hugged Zack as tightly as she could. Zack wrapped his arms around her tighter than he ever had before.

“I missed you so much sweetheart.” Zack said in her ear as they hugged.

“Oh Baby. I missed you just as much.” She said squeezing him.

She pulled her head back and connected her lips with his. Zack pushed into the kiss as much as she was. They detached their lips when the kiss started to be too long for public.

“Are you hungry?” Zack asked wrapping his arm around Courtney.

“Yea, I didn’t eat anything on the plane.” She said letting her head fall on his shoulder.

She was so tired she let her eyes close. She knew Zack had her firmly so she could close her eyes and not have to worry about running into anything.

They went to baggage claim and picked up both her bags. She’d only brought two bags of stuff because she didn’t need everything at her moms place in Maryland. After the bags were picked up they got into Zack’s car. She noted that it smelled like the ocean.

“I went surfing today with Jordan and met up with Stephie there.” Zack said.

“That’s good.” Courtney said.

She was too tired to really care much. All that mattered was Zack holding her hand.

“What would you like for dinner babe?”

“In N Out. I’ve been craving it forever and it’s not on the east coast.”

“Zack chose to go though the drive through since he didn’t think Courtney could make it through eating inside. She looked like she was about to drop. Zack ordered for the both of them and pulled through to pay and get their food. He drove home and helped Courtney out of the car.

She went inside the house with the food and found the kitchen easily. Zack pulled her bags out of the car and put them in his room before joining Courtney for dinner.

Jordan was still out surfing so Zack and Courtney were able to have a nice dinner together and talk about what had been going on in their daily lives without each other in them.

After dinner Zack showed Courtney to his room. She smiled at the mess that it was in and felt at home. This was how Zack’s room had always been. He led her to the bathroom next because she wanted to take a shower. She got in and he went back to his room to wait for her.

She finished up in the shower and put on her pajamas. She was so ready for bed. On Maryland time it was ten now and she was ready for bed. It was only seven in California and still light out.

Courtney came into Zack’s room, now their room, to find him stretched out on the bed with the covers pulled back for her. She slid into bed and Zack threw the covers over both of them.

“Take your shirt off please.” She asked.

Zack pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it on the floor. Courtney let her hands rub over Zack’s torso and chest for a moment before her left hand found a place to stay on his right peck. She pushed her face into his neck and kissed him.

“Night Zack.” She mumbled.

“Sleep well Darling.” He cooed.

Courtney was soon asleep against Zack’s chest. He was so happy to have her in his arms again. It didn’t matter that she was asleep now, she was there.

For a few hours he watched her sleep deeply and happily. Zack’s eyes started to droop and he felt himself growing tired. It was dark out now. When he glanced at the clock it was ten. It was about time he normally went to bed.

Zack’s eyes closed and he was soon asleep just like Courtney.

 

Courtney woke up in the morning when she noticed Zack wasn’t in bed with her. She sat up feeling a little nervous. She knew how to get around Zack’s house because she’d been here before but she still felt weird. Maybe it was because it hadn’t quite set in yet that she was living here now instead of just a guest.

Zack came back into his room holding a tray of breakfast foods for himself and Courtney. She sat up and smiled at him.

“I thought I would make you breakfast because it’s your first day here… and because I love you.” Zack said.

“Thank you Zacky. What did you make me?”

He set the try on the bed and sat next to her. There was bacon, eggs, pancakes, and orange juice. All of her favorites were on the tray. She leaned over and kissed Zack. They had breakfast together and discussed what there was to do here. Courtney wanted to go explore and see what else she hadn’t when she was here during the recording of their new album.

After they ate Zack put the tray on the ground and curled himself around Courtney. He wasn’t quite ready to let her get out of bed yet. He wanted to hold onto her some more and kiss her. He’d gotten to hold her last night, but now he could kiss her.

She was happy to snuggle into his arms and chest. He lifted up her chin and lightly pressed his lips to hers. She pushed back and the kiss turned to a make out. The kind of make out Zack had been craving for so long.

Her hands moved all over his chest, back, and arms. She had missed him so much in the short couple of weeks since prom and now she had him for a month or so before tour started up so she had to feel him as much as possible.

Zack was trailing his hands all along her side, hips, and chest as well. He just wanted to touch her. Not because they’d been apart but because of what he also wanted. He wanted her but he wasn’t sure how up to it she was yet.

Courtney caught on to this and the make out switched gears pretty quickly. He tugged her pajamas off and she pulled on his shorts.

 

The couple got into the shower to clean off but couldn’t keep their hands off each other for very long. Once they felt like they had satisfied themselves and each other for at least the day they got out and put clothes on.

Zack took Courtney out for lunch since so much time had passed already. He took her to one of his favorite places that always had good food. Courtney liked it very much.

After they ate he took her to the boardwalk and showed her little things he’d discovered and told her about how the boardwalk looked at night with the lights and games. She could imagine because she’d been to the boardwalk back in Maryland with Zack.

He took her to the Santa Monica Pier where they walked around for hours and rode the rides there.

The day turned out to be very fun and eventful. They had a very good time. Courtney was so happy to be with Zack that the threat of starting up school and his leaving for tour didn’t matter to her. She had a month with him and then three months until school started. From what she’d seen already and what Zack had showed her she was sure there was always going to be something to keep her busy with. She’d already seen millions of things she wanted to take pictures of. Maybe she could do that tomorrow.

Zack took Courtney out to dinner and this time it was a sit down restaurant. It was a little more on the fancy side but they weren’t underdressed. It was on the beach so everyone had just come in wearing what they had been that day. The food again was good.

“It seems like there’s good food everywhere here. I’m going to get fat!” Courtney laughed.

“I’ll still love you.”

“I will love you too if I get fat.” She smiled.

They finished up dinner and went home to the room they now shared. Courtney took an hour to unpack and put her stuff away so that the room looked like a blend of the two of them rather than all Zack and two suitcases of Courtney.

When she was done she snuggled up to him on the bed and started up with the kissing. They enjoyed a night of each other.

 

____________________________________________________________________________________

Glad to see that you guys enjoyed the last chapter. To be honest that last part of it was mostly just to see if I could write something like that and I found out I could if I tried hard enough. That's not normally how I do things and there isn't anything else like that in here. I usually leave it up to a suggestive line like They enjoyed a night of each other. rather than write it out like the last chapter. Just wanted to let you guys know that. All that aside, how was this?

 

 

         Emmeline's POV

          Courtney and I were getting dressed and ready in the bathroom linked to Alex’s room, well now Alex’s and my room. Courtney was putting makeup on since she was in her dress already. I was in the process of zipping the side of mine shut.

            “It’s amazing that you moved in with Alex. It’s so much easier to figure out where you are now.”

            “What, like it was hard before?”

            “Well…” Courtney trailed off letting it drop.

            She knew I was right anyways. I picked up some eyeliner and went to work on my eyes with light make up.

            “Shouldn’t you do eye shadow first?” Courtney questioned.

            “I’ll go back over it.” I said. “Don’t judge me.”

            Courtney looked at me like I was crazy but sighed. I finished with the pencil eye liner and then picked up the eye shadow I wanted. She started to work on her lips. I finished with the eye shadow and picked up the liquid eye liner. Courtney nodded when she saw what I was doing. She was the one who taught me it anyways; she was the one who went to cosmetology school. Somehow that all fell through and she turned to photography.

            I worked on my lips as soon as I was finished with my eyes. Then it was on to blush and I was done. Courtney was putting her shoes on. I waited for her before opening up the door.

            Alex and Zack were ready and waiting for us when we stepped out. Both were awestruck as soon as they saw us. She walked up to Zack and stood in front of him. He looked her up and down and smiled.

            “You look beautiful.” He smiled at her.

“Thanks.”

I would have listened for a little more if Alex hadn’t caught my attention. He kissed my cheek to get to me look at him. I smiled.

“You’re so gorgeous.” He said.

“You look quite handsome yourself mister.”

“Thanks, ready to go?”

“Yes I am.”

We linked hands and started on our way out of the bedroom. Zack and Courtney followed us to the front of the house.

All of our parents were there waiting for us. Everyone started in with the compliments for us and then the pictures commenced.

Alex and I took pictures alone as did Zack and Courtney. Then the four of us were put together for pictures. Courtney pulled me away from Alex so we could have pictures and then Zack and Alex were told to have pictures together.

When our eyes had blind spots in them from the flashes we said enough to the pictures. The limo had just pulled up and we needed to get in it so we could get to prom on time.

Our parents let us go. They were probably going to stick around with Rian and Kara to gush about how nice we all looked. Rian would tell Alex and I everything when we returned home tonight.

In the limo Alex and I met the other couple that would be bringing us in as their ‘dates’ and then we’d be able to go back to who we were with before.

I didn’t like the girl that was taking Alex in. She took one look at Alex and I could see that she was moment away from screeching about how it was Alex Gaskarth. I looked at Courtney. She bit her lip and looked at me.

I pulled her to me.

“Why did you have to pick a fan girl that’s going to try and ditch her date for my boyfriend?” I asked quietly so this girl didn’t hear.

“Sorry, she was the only one willing to bring in a twenty-one year old.”

I backed away and scooted up close to Alex. I laid my head on his shoulder. He looped his arm around me and kissed the top of my head.

“This is my girlfriend Emmy.” Alex said emphasizing the word girlfriend.

“Hi!” I said with fake enthusiasm and reached out to shake her hand.

She took my hand lightly and smiled. “I’m Beth.”

She might as well added on, “And I’m here to steal your boyfriend from you because he’s Alex Gaskarth and you don’t deserve him” with the way that she was looking at me. I just made my smile so artificially sweet that I could have gotten a toothache and sat back against the seat in the limo.

“How old are you?” She asked me trying to make it seem like a casual question.

I could see that she was sizing me up to get the full report on me.

“I’m nineteen. And you?” I kept up her charade.

“Oh, I’m seventeen.” She said and glanced at Alex like this would impress him.

It didn’t seem to faze this girl that I was his girlfriend. She kept up the chatter and I really didn’t want to hand Alex over to her if it was even for a moment just so he could get in. I did not like her at all. Of course then she noticed Zack. I rolled my eyes and gave a sympathetic look to her date. He smiled back like he understood what I was trying to say. Him I liked. He seemed cool.

This guy took a moment to introduce himself to Alex and I. His name was David. He seemed genuinely nice. I wouldn’t have a problem standing with him in line, it was just that I had to think about my baby being with a crazy fan. I could only imagine what was going to happen inside the venue. There had to be other girls that were going to have heart attacks over Alex and Zack. Perhaps this wasn’t the best idea.

When the girl was done talking with Zack and Courtney, I could tell that Courtney had already warned this girl about Zack, she turned back to Alex. She obviously favored him and I could imagine what she was going to say to her friends tomorrow or what would be all over her MySpace. I made sure that she caught Alex and I in a kiss when she turned back so that would maybe drive the message further into her mind that this was my man.

Why should that be so easy though? She was still persistent. Alex put his hand on my crossed legs and started to rub a little. I cuddled into his side. This Beth girl started throwing daggers in my direction.

“So how long have you been dating her?” Beth sneered on the word that was supposed to mean me.

“We’ve been dating for nine months.” Alex said kissing my cheek.

“Not that long.” She said a bit rudely.

I could see some sort of ruder comment in her mind and I almost wanted her to say it again but she didn’t. It could have been because Courtney was now glaring at her. Alex slid up to the front of the limo and curled me into his side so that we were away from Beth.

“I’m sorry Baby.” He said to me.

“Don’t worry about it Alex. There’s going to be a lot more inside.”

He groaned quietly. “I wish we were still in high school, just for this night. Then no one would care who I was.”

“You can’t change who you are Babe.” I said kissing him.

“I love you Emmy.” Alex said just loud enough so Beth could catch it.

“I love you more.” I said.

“Not true. I love you the most.” Alex smiled when he saw that I was turning this into a game.

We continued on like that for a while trying to top the other in who loved who the most. Courtney slid over to us, daringly leaving Zack alone, and told us to quit it because she thought we’d gotten the message across. I nodded but didn’t pull out of the warm embrace of Alex’s arms. She went back to Zack and snuggled into his side. I didn’t fail to notice that her hand was running up and down his arm to feel the muscles underneath. That made Zack smile like an idiot.

“Just know that that girl isn’t any competition compared to you.” Alex said nuzzling my cheek and nose with his nose.

“I know. I don’t worry about you at all. I know you’re mine. I just worry about her. I might have to tear out her eyes by the end of this night if she doesn’t stop raking you over with them. It’s like she’s trying to get you to rip off your clothes and fuck her.” I spat the last part.

“Calm down Emmeline. She’s not getting anywhere with me and I’ll tell her straight up if she gets too close to me.”

“When she will get too close.” I corrected in almost a growl.

“Jeeze, I’ve never seen you like this. Then again I’ve never been around fans with you.”

“Sorry, I’m being bitchy huh?”

“No, it’s kind of hot.” He laughed. “I’m kind of turned on.”

“Good, I’m going to be like this until she’s gone.”

“Well then I guess I’m going to be turned on for a while.” He giggled kissing me.

“Careful, no making out. One you’ll ruin my makeup and two, the less important, it’s rude.”

“Sorry.” He said pulling back a little more. “Do you think we should rejoin the party?” Alex asked.

“You’re sitting between Courtney and me.” I said.

“Okay.”

We moved back down the limo. Alex sat next to Courtney and I scooted up next to him. The rest of the ride to prom was tense between Beth and me. I kept my hand on Alex’s thigh just a bit higher than appropriate for company just to remind Beth that Alex was mine.

We got out of the limo when it stopped. I pulled Alex close to me and he put his arm around my back. I knew it was getting close to the time that I would have to let go of him and I could see that Beth was planning already on how to get his attention. I saw her adjusting her breasts just before she got out of the limo to make sure they were as pushed up as possible. Great, she’s a slut too!

We got in line and I kept my body close to Alex’s as we went into the line. I think Beth could tell that I was worried about letting him go but she took it as me feeling threatened. That was far from what I was feeling. In fact I felt like I wanted to fight her but I wasn’t going to do that. It wasn’t me and I wasn’t going to get kicked out before I even got into prom. Plus it would embarrass Alex.

It came time for Alex to stand with Beth. David came over to me and gave me the same sympathetic smile I had given him before. Alex turned to me and kissed me on the lips as passionately as he could without ruining my makeup.

“Easy.” He whispered in my ear as he took two steps forward to stand with Beth.

I must have made a face because David rubbed my arm. I looked at him and smiled. He was trying to comfort me.

“Thanks.” I smiled.

“No problem. I understand. I can see you love him a lot.”

“You have no idea.” I agreed. “Did you know he’d been chasing me since we met in this school?”

“Really, what took him so long to get you?”

“First he had a girlfriend so he couldn’t really do much, then she left him and I still had a boyfriend, then I was convinced for the longest time that we wouldn’t ever work because of who he is and with the whole band thing but he never gave up for a little over four years. Then I admitted I liked him enough to get past the whole band thing. We’ve been together since.”

“Wow, so I was right. You guys do love each other a lot.”

I nodded and blushed. “You’re a nice guy. How’d you end up going with her?”

I threw a glance up at Alex and Beth. She was making a fool out of herself and showing off her chest to the best of her abilities. Alex was politely looking at her face and not paying attention to her chest.

“I thought that she was a nice girl. I’ve been proved wrong.”

“I’m sorry if I ruined tonight for you.”

“It’s no big deal. There are other girls here. Some people come stag you know.”

“I hope you have a good time.”

“Thanks.”

I watched as Beth and Alex went into the venue for prom. I saw Alex stop to wait and Beth try to convince him to go with her. He told her no and stood his ground. The couple in front of us went in and then it was our turn. David handed the two tickets to the guy at the door. I was asked for my ID so I showed it to him. We were allowed in. David gave me a light push towards Alex.

He stepped forward to meet me. I kissed him and he grabbed my hand. This miffed Beth. Could she have thought that she was making any progress? Please.

David took Beth into the prom and they headed for the dance floor while she threw glances over her shoulder to see what Alex and I were doing.

Courtney and Zack entered and met up with Alex and me. They led the way into prom. Courtney went for the dance floor. I pulled Alex with me and Courtney made sure to go to the other side as far away from Beth as possible.

Alex put his hands on my hips and pulled me close to him as he started to dance to the music. It was easy to press myself against him and start dancing along. Courtney and Zack were facing each other and were pressed to each other as they danced. He had his hands low on her back and she was letting her hands trail his body. I could tell they were thinking about something other than prom already.

I pushed up against Alex harder and he liked that. His grip tightened on my hips and he pulled me closer. I reached up and let my hand fall on his neck and then slide off slowly. He kissed my wrist as it came near his face.

This was already the best prom ever and it was only the second one I had ever been to. Six songs later the mood calmed down quite a bit and a slow song came on. Alex turned me to face him and put his hands on my sides. I put my arms around his neck and pulled him closer.

We slow danced and tried to eliminate all space between us. It was hot in the room that everyone was dancing in but that didn’t matter. We still wanted each other as close as possible. The song ended and Alex gave me a kiss.

The song that came on next had all of us laughing. It was Poppin’ Champagne. Zack and Alex exchanged a glance and then shrugged. Why not dance to their own song. Alex pulled me closer to him again but this time we were facing each other and Zack and Courtney were as Alex and I were before.

When the song ended Zack and Alex pulled Courtney and I out of the dancing room. It was too hot now and we all wanted fresh air. Zack spotted the food table and went that way. Alex followed.

We all picked up food that we wanted to eat and sat at a vacant table. There was some talk going around about what happened in the limo with Beth. Courtney said she wasn’t going to talk to her anymore after what happened.

A few girls started to walk over to the table while giggling and pushing each other along. Alex looked at me and sighed so they couldn’t see. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to talk to these girls; it was that this was supposed to be a night about us and no one else.

“Hi, you guys are Zack and Alex from All Time Low right?” The shorter one asked.

“That’s us.” Alex smiled pleasantly at them.

“Oh!” The other said surprised. “Courtney, I didn’t know you were coming with Zack.”

“He’s my boyfriend.” She said smiling.

The girls asked if they could take pictures with the guys. They said okay. Courtney took the camera from them and snapped the pictures so they could be on their way.

“Thank you guys so much.” The short one said. “Sorry we had to bother you here.”

“Yea, especially since you’re with your girlfriends.” The other said.

“It’s alright.” Courtney smiled.

They were nice girls. I decided that they genuinely meant they were sorry to bother the guys since they were here with Courtney and I. Why couldn’t all the girls be like those two? It would make life so much easier.

Word must have gotten out that Zack and Alex were here because more and more girls found them throughout the night. They tried to get them to take them for a dance but Alex and Zack politely declined saying that they were here for a night with their girlfriends. Most of the girls still tried and that’s what got me angry again. They were all starting to become Beth to me. When Alex had a brief moment I stole him away and we found a place in a corner that was dark and outside to be alone. I hoped Courtney would get away with Zack.

“I thought this would be better.” I grumbled.

“Don’t worry about it. We’re here now.” Alex said tucking some hair behind my ear.

I smiled.

“You’re pissed again, huh?”

“Just a little.”

“I’m still turned on by before.” He said stepping closer.

I stretched my neck and kissed him. He smiled and turned me so I was against the wall to the building and started to trail kisses up and down my neck. I kept my arms around him to keep him close. When he started to nibble I caught one of my hands up in his hair and started to direct him. The neck biting turned quickly into sucking and I knew he was trying to give me a hicky. I had been holding in a moan for quite some time but when he started in with the sucking I couldn’t help but let a small one out. This only drove Alex to try harder and it was almost impossible to not moan in response. I gasped when I felt one of his hands on my chest feeling its way around.

“Alex.” It came out a moan.

“Yea?” He was breathless.

“Not now. You’re making me want to…” I trailed off.

He didn’t listen this time. I was glad that he didn’t because it just got better from there. I bit my lip hard to keep all the sounds in me. Alex could feel how willing I was. I was melting into his body and he was supporting me more and more than the last second. I wanted a bed more than anything in this moment.

Zack and Courtney found us ten minutes later. Alex and I were both embarrassed. The only way they located us was when they stepped out here to see if that was where we had gone I let out a moan. Courtney followed that sound and found us.

“Just have sex behind the building. That’s great.” Courtney said.

Alex smiled at her like that was what we were doing and he wasn’t ashamed. I blushed and wiped at my neck where Alex had just been working.

“We’re getting ready to go out, thought we should find you. The place has pretty much cleared out by now.” Zack informed us.

“What time is it?” I asked.

“About midnight.”

“Oh.”

We got into the limo. I wasn’t excited about that. Beth was there. Alex just pulled me to the front and kissed my neck more. I didn’t care as much as I did on the ride to prom because I didn’t have this mid set.

The ride home was much faster. Beth and David were dropped off first and then Courtney and Zack at a hotel for the night. I rolled my eyes at the cliché. Alex and I made it home last.

We were kissing all the way up to the door. Alex unlocked it mid kiss and then dragged me inside with him. The kiss was getting rougher and more suggestive as we got closer to his room.

“Hey guys… oh.” I heard Rian say as he saw us enter the house.

It took Alex a second to kick off his shoes and the start to drag me to our room moving much too quick for me to keep up in heels. He slammed the door shut and locked it behind him before walking towards the bed making me walk backwards as we kissed. I fell back on the bed and he caught the zipper with his teeth. He peeled the dress back from my front and pushed his face into the middle of my chest to kiss his way up my neck, lingering at the place he’s been sucking before, and then making it to my lips no longer caring if he smeared my makeup.

My hands went for his tie and removed it faster than he could himself. Then I unbuttoned his shirt and let my hands feel his chest as he pushed against me with suggestive force. His jacket and shirt came off at the same time and fell to the floor.

We were both in a frenzy and it was going to be rough tonight. I was still fired up from what happened before and Alex was my outlet. He was fiercely turned on by my anger and willing to let me take it out on him knowing it was going to be pure pleasure for him.

My dress lay on the floor and soon my bra and panties along with his pants and boxers. The only things I still had on were my high heels and Alex wasn’t concerned with those. He was lost in my body and I was lost as well with every movement he made.

I dug my fingernails into Alex's back when I felt everything get suddenly more intense and the pressure in my lower body increased. He ground his teeth at the pain but it was a good pain. The intensity grew steadily few seconds and then was gone. I continued to work on Alex so he’d get the same satisfaction.

Alex’s body went rigid and I knew he was feeling what I had just felt a few seconds ago. His eyes closed and his mouth fell slack. His hands gripped my hips tightly and he let out a loud cry of pleasure. I smiled and pushed against him to make it become more intense.

He collapsed next to me and started panting hard like I was. I kissed his cheek. He smiled, still panting.

“God I love you.” He sighed.

“I love you too.” I said snuggling against his side.

He cuddled me into his arms and I felt myself fall asleep listening to his slowing but still racing heart.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Quite possibly the sexiest chapter I've written. Hehe. By the way guys, I'm posting as soon as I have like 7 ish comments. I have other things I want to post so I want to get this one posted!!

Emmeline's POV

Waking up wasn’t as bad as it had been. It could have been because it was Saturday, or it could have been because Alex spent the night at my house last night. Either way I was glad to be waking up.

I let my fingers rub his side a little. He took in a deep breath.

“Morning Beautiful.” Alex sighed.

Now I was able to enjoy that blissful quality to his voice. I snuggled into him and kissed the right side of his chest.

“Morning.”

“Sleep well?”

“Of course I did. You were here all night in my bed.”

“It’s not often that I’m here huh? You’re always in my bed at my house.” Alex said kissing the top of my head.

“Yea. Those nights are good too, but for other reasons. I like it when we can just hang out and talk all night about nothing.”

“You know what my preference is.”

“Your house because you get action. I can’t blame you though. You’re a boy.”

Alex giggled.

“Actually I like it better at my place because I feel like we’re on our own and you’re all mine.” Alex said catching my chin with two fingers and lifting my face to see him.

I looked at him confused. “But I am all yours.” I said.

“No, I know that. I meant that I feel like we have something all our own. No parents or anything influencing us. I like to feel like that.”

“I like both. As longs as you’re with me I could sleep in a box under a freeway overpass and I would be happy.”

Alex kissed my nose and smiled.

“Sometimes you’re so cute I wanna…” Alex trailed off not knowing what to say.

I let it go. He was probably going to say something that would sound better in his head than out loud. I probably also didn’t want to hear it.

One quick glance at the clock on my bedside nightstand and I knew my mom was gone for work. Alex and I were alone how he liked it now. I pointed this out to him and he just smiled at me. I knew that smile and I knew what that meant.

He rolled so he was crushing me with his weight and then started to kiss up and down my neck. I let my head fall to the side so he could kiss more. There weren’t a whole lot of clothes to be taken off since he was only in his boxers and me in a shirt and panties so there was a lot of teasing in place of removing clothes.

I started to nibble on his ear lobe as I toyed with the waistband of his boxers. That just drove him insane. He went for my shirt but I grabbed his hand and held it back. He tried with his other hand but I did the same. He started to bite my neck figuring that was what I wanted but it did nothing to help his situation. The truth was, I wanted to take my own shirt off.

When he gave up on my shirt I pulled back, looked him dead in the eyes, and took my own shirt off. That also sent him into frenzy. I could only imagine the images and ideas dancing around in his mind. I sure could feel what he was thinking.

He decided to do what I did and remove his own clothes. Alex took off his boxers and tossed them to the floor. Now it was all on me and I wasn’t letting him in easy. I felt like playing with him some more.

As his hands went for the last article of my clothing, a thin little layer of cotton standing between what he and I wanted, I grabbed his hands again. I didn’t stop his soon enough and he was able to use his hands to his advantage a little bit. I was a little surprised at his hands but relaxed into it. When he knew I was all his he was able to get that cotton obstruction off.

 

The afterglow was radiating off the both of us as we cuddled. There hadn’t been anything like what had just occurred in a while. I have no idea what made Alex do that but it was amazing. It was one of those few times where everything was as damn near perfect as it’s going to get. Of course it’s good all the time, but that was something else that we’d only achieved twice before.

Alex was tired out of his mind and couldn’t even put a whole sentence together. I laughed at his words that made no sense together and told him to go to sleep. He just smiled at me and curled himself around me.

I didn’t mind the sweat that covered us both but I didn’t want to have him fall asleep on me like this. He would make it really hard to breathe and I wouldn’t be able to push him off me. When I made that known to him he apologized and rolled onto his back so I could curl up against him.

 

A few hours later I woke up when I heard a car door slamming. I looked at the clock to see that it was about time that my mom came home from work. I panicked.

I got up out of bed and went to my closet to pull clean clothes on. I checked to see how bad I smelled. It was bad but nothing perfume couldn’t fix. As I was running around like a crazy person Alex woke up.

“What are you doing Babe?” He asked sleepily.

“Mom’s home.”

“Shit.” He rolled out of bed.

I took a moment to look at him standing there naked and then went back to my frantic running around the room.

Alex pulled on the clothes that he’d brought over last night. He’d actually prepared to stay the night this time. I opened my window and turned my ceiling fan on as fast as it would go. That only flung my panties out into the hallway.

As I was picking them up my mom was coming up the stairs. I balled them up in my fist so she wouldn’t see and said hello. She smiled.

“How was your day?”

“Fine, slept most of the time.”

“Well I guess I can’t be too mad at you for sleeping all day. It is Saturday. Is Alex still here?”

“Yea, he’s in my room.”

“Oh, okay.” My mom went to her room.

I darted back into my room. Alex was throwing the sheets back on my bed and they didn’t look neat.

“Slow down. We’ve got a few moments. She’s in her room changing now.” I said quietly.

Alex tried to smooth out my bed. I moved him out of the way and did it on my own. He stood there just watching. I pulled the sheets back and straightened out the one that was balled up at the end and then pulled the top covers over it.

“I’m not so good under pressure.” Alex smiled at me.

“That’s what she said.” I laughed.

“Ahh, but I’m amazing under pressure that way.” Alex said pulling me to him.

I planted a kiss on his neck. He returned the favor and curled me tighter into his body.

“I love you Baby Doll.” He said.

“Love you too.” I mumbled into his neck.

“Awe that’s sweet.” My mom cooed.

I lifted my head off Alex’s shoulder and looked to where my mom was standing in the doorway to my room. I felt my skin heat up in a blush. Alex traced my jaw line on the side that my mom couldn’t see. He loved it when my skin flushed.

“Er, hi Mom.” I said feeling quite awkward.

Alex still had me wrapped up in his arms and at the moment he was kissing the top of my head. It was like he wasn’t fazed at all that my mom was watching.

“Hey Mrs. Steingarten.” Alex said finally acknowledging her.

“Miss now, I’m not married anymore.”

“Sorry.” Alex smiled. “I’m just so used to the other way around.”

“It’s fine. What are you kids up to?”

“Nothing that I know of.” I said.

“Mmm I was thinking we’d go for dinner Emm.” Alex said.

“That sounds good. You two should go out.” My mom said and then continued down the stairs.

I snuggled my face back into Alex’s neck.

“So, dinner?” He asked.

“Okay, can I take a shower first? I stink.”

“Sure thing. I think I might do the same. I’ll pick you up in an hour or so?”

“Okay.”

I walked with Alex to the front door and let him out. He kissed me and then went to his truck. I watched him get in and drive away.

“I thought you two were going for dinner.” My mom said.

“We are. I’m just taking a shower first.”

“He could have stayed. I would have had to keep him here with me but he could have.”

“He’s taking a shower too.” I said going back up the stairs.

“Oh.”

Without another word from my mom I went upstairs and grabbed clean clothes to change into. I wanted to look a little nicer for going to dinner with Alex even if we weren’t going anywhere particularly nice.

After my shower I jumped out, got dressed, and started putting on makeup. Alex came into the bathroom silently. I never heard the doorbell ring or a knock. He smiled and informed me that my mom let him in.

Alex pulled himself up on the counter and leaned against the wall while watching me.

“Almost ready?” He asked.

“Five minutes.”

Alex rolled his eyes just to be a pain. I put the cap on my eyeliner and threw it into the bag. I looked at Alex with a smile and he motioned for me to come closer. I did as I was told and received a kiss on the cheek.

“Let’s get out of here.”

Alex took my hand and we were out the door in seconds. He opened the passenger side of his truck for me and I climbed in. We were off in no time.

To my surprise Alex asked me what I wanted. When I told him what I wanted to eat he drove to the nearest place that had that dish and went in to get it while leaving me to stay in the truck. I listened and waited to see what he was planning. Lately he’d been in this romantic mood so I was questioning what this could mean.

Before I could get too far into my speculating he was back. He placed the bag with the food in it behind the front seats and drove out of the parking lot. I figured out what he was doing when he pulled off the road and onto the dirt path through the creek. He wanted to have dinner at his spot. That seemed nice to me.

Alex picked up my hand and kissed it while driving. I smiled and blushed. He pulled through the vegetation into the clearing and stopped his truck halfway through. I thought we were just going to eat inside the truck so when he jumped out it surprised me.

He went to the back of the truck and started doing something. I grabbed the food from behind the seats and went to see what was going on. He was spreading blankets out when I got back there. I smiled. This was really sweet.

I climbed into the back with him and helped him straighten things out. He took the food and started to lay it out for us.

The sky was starting to go dark as the sun went down. We ate and talked about aimless things. It was enjoyable to be like this. I guess he’d listened when I said I liked to talk about nothing. It was just having him with me that made me happy. That was all I needed.

Feeling thoroughly happy and full of food I laid back in the blankets and looked up at the stars. Alex laid back when he’d eaten the last bit of his food.

“Thanks. That was good.” I said.

“No problem. It’s not over yet though.”

I looked at him with one raised eyebrow. What else could he possibly have planned? This night was perfect as it was.

“I have something to ask you.” Alex said rolling to be next to me.

I got suspicious. He could see how skeptical I was being.

“Don’t worry. This is a lot less life changing than the other things I’ve had on my mind lately.” He promised.

“Okay.” I said slowly.

“Well you know how I was saying before that I liked when you were with me at my place? How I said that I felt like we are on our own and you’re all mine?”

“Yea, I remember.”

“I was trying to get at something and then I got distracted. So now is the time that I’m getting around to that.”

“So do it already.” I smiled.

“Well Emmeline,” Alex said picking up my hands, “will you move in with me?”

“You mean with you and Rian?”

“Yea, him too but you wouldn’t be sharing a bed with him.”

“Yea, I think I will.” I said kissing his lips.

Alex smiled and kissed back. It was a moment before he pulled back. Our lips melding together felt just a little too good to pull away from each other.

“I’m glad.” Alex said. “I’d wanted to ask that one for a while.”

“So what are the other things on your mind that are less life changing than this?” I asked.

“Mmm, let’s not talk about that right now.” Alex smiled. “Now isn’t the time. Maybe a little bit later we will.”

“Okay.”

 

Narration

Huntington Beach is a great place to live. It’s no question why Zack chose to live there. The sun is almost always shining. The waves are great. The scenery is wonderful. There was just one thing wrong.

Courtney wasn’t with him. He loved her to death and wished he could share the beauty of this town with her.

Things were looking up though. She’d just called him to tell him she had sent him something in the mail and she had been accepted to the college closest to his place and she’d be able to live with him like they’d been planning. All Zack had to do was get his room ready for another person.

His bed was large enough for two. The small closet had to be cleared out a little so she’d have a place for her clothes. They’d have to share a bathroom. None of that really bothered him much though. Courtney was the only girl he could ever think about and he was so happy to have her coming to live with him. It meant so much that she would move across the country just to be with him.

As part of Zack’s daily ritual he went out to the beach. He was alone this time. His roommate and best friend Jordan had some other obligations and couldn’t go to the beach with him. Zack wasn’t bothered much.

He went out into the garage, pulled his surfboard off the rack in the garage, and placed it on top of his new car properly securing it for the drive.

In just a mere ten minutes Zack was in his paradise. He got his board down off the top of his car and tucked it under his arm as he walked to the beach. The asphalt of the parking lot was hot against his bare feet. He hurried to get to the sand.

Once there he plopped down and started to wax his board. It had been a few days since he’d done it and it felt like it needed it. Ten more minutes and he was ready to go out into the ocean for a day of wave riding. He closed the watertight wax tin and put it in his Velcro pocket before jogging to the waiting water.

The waves were good this day. He could tell before he was even in the water. The crests were high and white with spray. He ran a little through the water before he put his board in front of him and jumped into a laying position and paddling out.

There weren’t many people put yet, but it was early. He paddled to a safe spot and just sat for a moment enjoying the rhythmic bobbing of the waves passing under him. He looked out into the horizon and then watched the incoming waves.

A nice one started up and he began paddling away from it so he could catch it. The wave picked him up and launched him and his board forward with its momentum. When the wave started to get a little white foam on the top Zack moved to a crouch and then to standing.

It was utter perfection to be gliding along on a wave like he was. He felt at home and happy. Anymore waves like this today and he’d be the happiest guy on the beach and in the ocean.

Hours later Zack had gone back to the sand. The waves were dying out and he was watching the sun go down. He sighed wishing that Courtney were there. It had been two months since he’d been able to cradle her soft body in his arms. Two months without a kiss. He missed her dearly.

A small girl started walking towards Zack. He noticed her out of the corner of his eye. She interested him because she had a surfboard under her arm. A short board not unlike his own.

She walked right up to him and sat down.

“Hi, I’m Stephie Vengeance.”

“Vengeance?” Zack asked thinking that was a strange last name.

“It’s my brother’s adopted stage name or whatever. I like it better than Baker and never ever call me Stephenie. I will kill you.” She smiled sweetly on the last part.

“Oh.” Zack was kind of confused by the amount of info she was pouring out to him.

“What’s your name?” She pushed when he neglected to tell her his name.

“Zack.”

“How come you’re alone?”

“My friend couldn’t make it out here today and my girlfriend’s on the other side of the country.”

“Oh, that sucks. You ride short board?”

“Indeed I do. So do you.” Zack said nodding to her purple and white board.

“It’s new. My brother got it for me. It was a present for my nineteenth!”

“Well happy birthday then.” Zack smiled.

He glanced back out at the horizon to see the sun halfway down.

“Bet you miss her a lot huh?” Stephie asked.

“What?”

“You’re girlfriend. I bet you miss her. Why’s she over on the east coast?”

“Finishing up her senior year, then she’s coming out here for college and moving in with me.”

“That’s nice!”

Zack and Stephie talked for a while. Their friendship was an instantaneous thing. She was almost like a sister to him with how friendly she was being. She seemed like a harmless and open girl. He liked that.

She was a girl of five feet and seven inches. She was pretty with big eyes. She had a deathbat tattooed on the outside of her right ankle and music notes around her left ankle that made a permanent anklet. When Zack asked her what the significance of the notes were she proudly told him they were the score to This Is Halloween by Danny Elfman. When she made a gesture with her hands about something he noticed the treble clef on the inside of her left wrist. This girl loved music.

Stephie made plans to surf with Zack tomorrow and then left to go to her car. Zack sat on the beach thinking that she was the weirdest girl he’d met but rather interesting. He hadn’t met a girl here that made him want to be friends with her. He kind of felt like Stephie was a little sister to him. He needed a girl to talk to once in a while.

Zack went to his car in the parking lot, the asphalt faintly warm now. He decided just to slide his board into his car through the trunk. His arms were a little sore from his earlier work out and from all the paddling he’d done today so he didn’t feel like strapping it to the top of his car. He drove home to find that Jordan was back.

Zack pulled into the garage, put his board on the rack he and Jordan had built, and then went into the house.

“Hey man, what’s up?” Zack asked when he came in to see Jordan in the kitchen.

“Nothin’ much. You got something from you’re woman.” He said gesturing to the box on the counter.

Zack smiled. Courtney. Just thinking about her made him smile. He picked up the box and shook it. There was a faint rusting inside. So this wasn’t breakable, which was good in a house of two guys. Jordan slid a box cutter across the counter.

“Thanks.” Zack muttered as he started to slice the tape.

What he found inside was a paper that said Prom with a bowtie that had a question mark and then two shirt cuffs with yes and no written on them. Jordan looked at the contents funny and Zack just smiled.

“What’s all this about?” Jordan finally asked.

“Courtney wants to go to prom. I figured I’d be getting something from her like this in a few days.”

“Cool, you going?”

“Of course.” Zack said finding another paper.

He read it and it told him not to tell Courtney his answer over the phone. He was just supposed to leave his answer in the box and send it back to her. He laughed at her theatrics and then pulled out the no cuff. He sealed the box back up with the yes cuff and bowtie inside the box. Tomorrow he would send it back to her.

Zack picked up the phone to call his baby. He didn’t care that it was around nine where she was in Maryland; he wanted to talk to her.

While he did that he went to the fried to find something for dinner.

Courtney answered on the first ring. Caller ID was amazing.

“Hey sweetie.” She said into the phone.

“Hi Beautiful.”

“What’s up? Tell me about your day.”

“I got up, worked out, and went surfing.”

“As usual.”

“Yep, then I came home and had this package from you.”

“Do not tell me your answer! I want you to send it back!”

“I know. I saw your little instruction sheet.” Zack laughed.

“Okay, I didn’t want you to mess it up.”

“So how long have you been dress shopping?”

“Started yesterday with Emmy. She and Alex are coming with us to prom. Alex has a fake ID already so he’s posing as a twenty year old.”

“That’s good. He and Emmy are the same age now.”

Zack pulled out some leftovers and put them in the microwave.

Courtney giggled. “Mentally, Alex is still seven.”

“Ahh then he is still is British too.”

“He’s still British, he’s just lost his accent.” Courtney corrected.

“I guess. He did live there until he was seven though.”

“Enough about them,” Courtney said, “I wanna talk to you.”

“Shoot.”

“So when are you getting out here for prom?”

“When is it?”

“June sixth.”

“So I’ll get there Tuesday, that’s the second right?”

Zack took his dinner out of the microwave and let it cool before taking a bite.

“Mmhm.”

“Yea, Jordan and I have plans Monday so Tuesday I will be there. Then I’ll stay for a week I guess.”

“Okay. I can’t wait.”

“When are you coming out here?”

“As soon as summer starts. That’ll give us a month or so before you set out on tour again.”

“Mmm, I can’t wait. I miss you too much.”

“We’ll have a week together here before I come out there. It’s not that long Baby.”

“I know it’s not, but it’s been a month since I’ve seen you.”

“Awe, I love you Zack.”

“Love you too Babe.”

“Psh, I’m probably not a babe compared to the girls out there in California.”

“You’re still the prettiest girl I’ve seen.”

“It’s good to hear that update.”

“I did meet a nice girl today. Her name’s Stephie. She was really nice. She surfs.”

“Cool.”

“Yea, it was kind of random. She just walked up and started talking to me.”

“She probably thinks you’re hot.” Courtney rolled her eyes.

“Doesn’t matter. She knows I have you. I told her right off the bat when she asked me why I was alone. So I said that you were on the other side of the country and finishing up senior year.”

“She still probably thinks you’re hot.”

“Doesn’t matter. I love you.”

“Okay, I believe you.”

“Do you love me too?” Zack asked.

“Of course I love you.”

“Just checking. Some guy could have walked past your window.”

“Yea, my window on the second floor.”

“He could be very tall.”

“Sure.” Courtney laughed.

Zack talked to Courtney until it was eleven in Maryland and her mother came in to tell her to go to bed. She had school in the morning and didn’t want to have to drag her daughter out of bed.

Courtney was sad to have to hang up but she listened to her mom. She was right after all. It was hard enough to get her out of bed; her mom didn’t have to deal with tiredness as well.

Zack hung up the phone and went to his room. He pulled out his favorite pair of Hurley shorts and went to his bathroom to take a shower. The warm water felt nice to his skin.

When Zack was all clean up he got out of the shower and pulled his shorts on. He flipped the fan in the bathroom on and wiped away the fog on the mirror. Zack picked up the shave gel can and squirted some into his palm. He rubbed his palms together to make a frothy lather and then spread it over his cheeks and chin.

The razor glided against his skin as he shaved. He kept his concentration on the razor so he wouldn’t cut himself like he did the other day when he fell to daydreaming about Courtney.

Zack cleaned off his razor and ran a hand over his jaw line to make sure he didn’t miss a spot. Happy with his work, Zack left the bathroom and turned the light off behind him.

He walked across the hall to his bed and felt around for any objects in his way. He didn’t find anything but a few articles of clothing that his feet came in contact with. Zack slid into his unmade bed and curled the sheets under him. In seconds he was asleep and dreaming of his girl.

 

Emmeline's POV

“Alexander William Gaskarth.” I called as I walked though the house trying to find him.

Sebastian was following me and he was no help. Every time I asked him where Alex was he just wagged his tail at me and wanted me to pet him.

“Rain, where is he?” I asked sticking my head into Rian’s room.

“He was in his room. I don’t know where that kid went.”

“Mmm.” I groaned and then continued down the hall.

Rian had let me in and told me that Alex was in his room. I couldn’t find him in there and now I was sure that he wasn’t in the back of the house. I didn’t see him in the front of it when I walked in so I went into the garage. He wasn’t there either. I was getting frustrated. So I called him.

“Hi.” Alex answered.

“Where are you?” I asked.

“Home. When are you getting here? I’m sad!” Alex whined like a little kid.

“I’m here but I can’t find you. Rian let me in.”

“I’m in the back yard. Where are you?”

“Your room.” I said walking back to his room.

“Be there in a moment.” He said hanging up.

I slid my phone into my pocket and opened up his door. I sat on the edge of his bed and waited for him. Alex came in shirtless and I was distracted when he walked up to me and picked me up in a tight hug.

“Hi babe.” He said.

“Hi Alex.”

“Want to go swim? I was just about to go.” He said pushing me back onto the bed.

“Well I’m not thinking about the pool right now.” I said running my hand down his chest.

He must have shaved because he had no chest hair. That made me sad. I liked his chest hair, and his beard but he hated it.

“What are you thinking?” He asked raising his eyebrows.

“You’re shirtless and on top of me. What do you think?”

“Mmm.” He mumbled in my ear and then started kissing my neck.

With in seconds my heart rate sped up and I was gasping for air. Alex’s hands were traveling. I forgot what I was here to talk to him about, prom. It seemed so insignificant at the moment.

“The door’s open.” I gasped.

“Hold that thought.” Alex said getting up and closing the door.

I tugged my shirt off just to make it easier on him. He came back to me and started up where he left off.

It was just to the point where I would do anything at all just to have him when he looked down at me with a mischievous smile. I knew he was about to do something mean.

“What?” I asked.

“Not now. I want to swim.” He said getting up.

“You are a tease.” I moaned.

“You were at one point. Now it’s my turn. Let’s go swim.” He smiled picking me up off the bed.

“Bathing suit?”

“In my closet. You left it here.” He said nodding at this closet without looking away from me.

I broke from his grasp and went into the closet. I locked him out just to annoy him. He knocked on the door and talked to me though it begging to be allowed in the whole time I changed. I just laughed and then walked out when I was changed.

“Meanie.” He said sticking his lip out.

“Now we’re even.”

I went out to the pool with him following close behind. When we were close enough to the pool I was pushed off balance and landed in the pool. Alex jumped in after me and we both came up laughing.

“You pushed me!” I shouted splashing water in his face.

He laughed and splashed water back. I ducked under the surface and started to swim away when he came after me. I wasn’t fast enough or strong enough to get away from him. He planted a kiss on me while we were underwater and ended up spitting water in my mouth.

I came up for air and spit the water out.

“Thanks.” I said.

Before I said anything else his mouth was against mine again. His arms locked around me and pulled me closer. I kissed back but tried to get away playfully.

“No.” He said though his teeth when he caught my lip.

I laughed and kissed him so he’d release my lip.

Eventually he let me breathe. I took that moment of not having his mouth on mine to talk.

“So I was with Courtney yesterday and she has this little fantasy about prom that’s sort of grown on me.” I began.

“Yea?” Alex asked interested.

“She wants to take Zack and she knows that he will come back for prom with her because he promised. She wants us to be there too because we never got to go to prom together, not as a couple.”

“So I take it you want to go?”

“Yea, and I want to know if you’ll go to prom with me.”

“I will.” Alex said kissing my cheek.

“We’re going to have to get you a fake ID.”

“Why?”

“To make you twenty again. You can’t get in if you’re twenty-one because you can bring in beer.”

“I can fix that.” Alex assured me.

“Cool, Court will be so happy that we can go dress shopping together.”

“Yay!” Alex said like a girl.

“Shut up! You wouldn’t understand.” I said hitting his chest.

“Nope.”

“I wish I thought of a way to ask you other than this though. Courtney had a whole thing planned out for Zack.”

“This was good. I liked it.” Alex assured me by kissing me gently on the lips.

“Good.” I said hugging him. “I’m no good at thinking of cute things anyways.”

“All you have to do is smile at me and it works.”

We played in the pool for a little while longer before Jack came flying out the back door and jumped straight into the pool with his normal day clothes on. It reminded me of Alex’s twenty-first birthday party.

“HAI!” Jack squealed popping up between Alex and me.

“Hey Jack.” I smiled messing up with his hair.

“Hey, my clothes are wet now. I should have thought of that.”

Jack swam off and left his shirt on the side of the pool to dry. He tugged off his pants and then swam back over in his boxers. Rian and Kara wondered out after a little while.

Kara slipped into the pool slowly before Rian came up behind her and dunked her head underwater. She came up, obviously mad, but then Rian just shrugged and smiled at her. She couldn’t be mad at him much longer and then kissed him so he knew that he was forgiven.

“Jack, where’s your girl to play with in the pool?” Alex teased.

“Eh, she comes apart in water.” He shrugged. “Actually I’m going to go girl hunting later. Wanna come? I hope girls like chlorine smell.”

“Alex doesn’t need to go girl hunting.” I said.

“Sure he does. You’re terrible. You should hear what he has to say about you.” Jack laughed.

I looked at Alex. He just nodded and shrugged at me. I looked back at Jack.

“You think I’m joking. How funny.” Jack said before climbing out of the pool

“I don’t say anything.” Alex said kissing me.

“I know.”

“I smell like chlorine now! No more body odor!” Jack yelled at the top of his lungs.

“Take a shower Jack.” I splashed water at him. “Don’t use Rian and Alex’s pool.”

“This is my shower!” He squealed jumping for the deep end of the pool.

Alex rolled his eyes. “I can’t believe he is going out girl hunting.”

“Why, he’s cute. That is, if you’re insane.” Kara laughed.

Alex turned his head towards the house. He seemed to think about something for a moment. I watched him curious as to what he was looking at.

“I think someone’s at the door. I’ll be right back.” He said kissing me and then getting out of the pool.

Jack swam up to me and tackled me under the water. It wasn’t how Alex had tackled me before but it was still fun. When I found an opening I pushed against his stomach and came up for air.

Courtney was standing there watching the whole thing and laughing. Alex slid back into the pool and came over to me. He told me to go find Courtney something to swim in since she didn’t have a bathing suit. I kissed Alex and got out of the pool so I could get to Courtney.

We went into the house after I dried myself off with a towel so I wouldn’t drip everywhere.

“So I sent off my idea to Zack this morning. It should get to him in two days. I put it on priority mail because I don’t think I can keep my mouth shut for long enough if I put it in a regular mail.”

“Yay! Did you do that whole shirt cuff and bowtie thing you told me about?”

“Yea. I just don’t know what to do with the mutilated shirt now. I think I shall sleep in it or something.”

“I asked Alex if he wanted to go. We’re in.”

“Okay good. How’d you do it?”

“I just said ‘wanna go to prom?’ and he said yea.”

“I could have come up with something more creative for you.”

I rolled my eyes and opened up the bedroom door. Courtney followed me in.

“Then again you’re a college kid and all mature now.” She said in a mocking tone.

“Oh shut up.” I said walking into the closet.

I found a bathing suit that she could wear among all the clothes on Alex’s closet floor. I made a mental note to clean out his closet later. Maybe he’d find things he was looking for.

Courtney took the bathing suit into the bathroom joining Alex’s room and changed. I waited on the bed for her to come out. Sebastian jumped up on the bed and laid next to me so I would pet him.

She came out ready for the pool. I picked up Sebastian and we went out. Alex saw Sebastian and I.

“Baz!” He yelled.

I put Sebastian down and he ran at the pool. He jumped right into the water and swam over to Alex.

“He swims?” Jack asked confused.

“Yea.” I said sliding back into the cool water. Courtney just jumped in the deep end and came up with a shocked look on her face.

“So cold.” She said.

“That’s the coolest dog ever. He drinks beer and swims. Can I have him?”

“Jack, we’ve been over this before. Sebastian is my baby and you’re not going to have him.”

“But.”

“Actually he’s my baby,” Alex said, “he just adopted you as his mother.”

“And rightfully so. That makes him my baby too.”

“So then he’s our baby.”

“Okay Alex. You win, I’m sorry.”

He smiled and kissed the side of my head.

The rest of the day we played in the pool. Rian brought out hamburger meat and hot dogs. He fired up the grill and started making dinner for everyone. Jack ate quickly, pulled his clothes back on and then ran out to his car because he forgot to go home and his mom was going to be mad at him. I guess he really wasn’t going girl hunting tonight.

Courtney went home around nine when we were inside the house watching a movie. She had to get home and see what was going on with her mom. Rian and Kara went down to their room for the night.

I curled deeper into Alex’s chest and kissed his neck.

“Mmm.” Alex moaned when I hit his spot.

“Love you.” I said.

“Love you too Darling.” Alex said back.

I melted into my chest. He called me darling and that meant he was in a romantic mood. I got up, he tried to pull me back, and I went into the kitchen and poured two glasses of wine. When I returned he was happy to see the wine.

We curled back up and had our little romantic moment while the wine warmed us up. The warmth of our bodies warmed our feelings. When the wine was gone the feelings still lingered. Alex started saying sweet things and giving me kissed.

“My beloved.” He said before planting a kiss on my lips.

We left out wine glasses on the coffee table and went down to his room. From there he continued with his sweet things and his kisses. When I tried to kiss him back he stopped me. It was all him tonight and he made that clear. Something told me he was in the mood for slow love tonight. I was right.

 

 

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I'm glad you are all happy with this so far. It's only 15 chapters and I'll be posting pretty often. Be on the look out for new chapters!!

 

            Emmeline's POV

“So what’s Courtney been up to anyway?” Rian asked me.

I was lying on Alex’s bed with Sebastian curled up on my stomach. Alex had just left to get the phone. Rian had wondered in to say hello and just talk with me.

“She’s working on something. I’m not supposed to tell anyone so do you swear you won’t say if I tell you?” I asked.

“Yea, sure. You know that I won’t say anything.” Rian said reaching out to pet Sebastian’s back.

“She’s working on a way to ask Zack to prom. She isn’t quite sure how she’s going to do it since he’s out in California but she knows that he will come here to go to prom if she asks him.”

“Oh, so that’s why she’s been kind of in her own thought bubble lately.”

“Yea, she’s trying to figure out what she can make to send him and get it there in time before prom happens.”

“How long does it take to get a package from here to there?”

“About a week. She has more than enough time right now to send something and get an answer back and have time to get ready. They only just announced the prom theme and all that.”

“What’s the theme?”

“Hollywood. Standard high school stuff you know.”

“I think that was our prom when we were seniors.” Rian thought back.

“It was. Alex was there with his girlfriend too and I was with a different boy but we both somehow ended up dancing a slow dance.”

“I remember that.” Alex smiled coming into the room. “You’re date was so jealous that we were dancing. Haha, you sound have seen his face.”

“You’re girlfriend stopped talking to me after that.” I reminded him.

“Meh, none of that matters now though. I just wish we had a prom that we could go to.” Alex said snuggling behind me and kissing from below my ear lobe to my shoulder.

This did not faze Rian at all. He lived here and was used to us showing this much affection with him. Besides he was in Alex’s room and knew that if he was in our room there was more affection in here than anywhere else.

“Well I have to go meet up with Kara. I’ll see you kids later.” Rian said getting up from the bed and heading towards the door.

“Shut the door on your way out.” Alex said looking at me with a smile playing on his lips.

“No.” I whispered to him.

He scowled at me for a moment before pushing his lips to mine. I rolled to face him and encircled his neck with my arms as his wound around my waist. Sebastian whined and then jumped off the bed. He knew that he wasn’t going to get any more attention from either of us.

Alex moved to kiss my neck knowing that it was my sweet spot. It was his best bet at trying to get somewhere with me. I had been neglecting him as of late and he wasn’t happy with that. He was about to start tour and want me all to himself before he had to leave again.

“Alexander William Gaskarth. I have finals to study for. I cannot do this right now.”

“You just had finals.” He said against my skin.

I felt my skin tighten as it rose in goose bumps. His breath skimmed along my neck and made me shiver. He knew this was working.

“No, that was a whole semester ago. I have end of the year finals now, then there’s summer and we can be together then.”

“You make it sound so easy but we both know better.” Alex said looking into my eyes.

I hated when he brought that up. I pushed my lips to his but he wouldn’t let me pull back. Alex persisted until we were in a make out again and his hands were exploring. I sighed and gave for a moment. The rhythm of his kiss and the way he moved hypnotized me and I couldn’t resist. I loved this boy too much for my own good.

In an attempt to break his rhythm I bit his lower lip and tugged gently. Of course it did nothing to help my situation. It just made him try harder and me give easier. He could feel me becoming putty in his hands and he liked it.

Maybe just once wouldn’t kill me. I had been working hard and I deserved to be a little bit indulgence. If this would keep Alex at bay for a day then I should give in. After all the want I had been suppressing was now escaping that cramped bottle I had forced it into.

Everything got really easy for Alex all of a sudden. He’d found that perfect spot where my neck met my shoulder and bit down with just the right pressure to send me over the edge of crazy. I knew there was no going back now and he felt it when I shifted moods. Now I needed him.

His hands didn’t even hesitate a second in pulling my shirt over my head. When that was off he went back to the discovered spot for a few more nibbles that made it so hard to even think that I forgot I had to take his clothes off to get anywhere. I was lost.

Good thing Alex still had his head about him and was able to get both our clothes off while all I could do was yield to him.

We didn’t even bother to clear off the bed or get under the covers. I could hear my papers crinkling under the weight of us and feel my books against my legs but that didn’t even bother me. All that mattered was Alex, how Alex was making me feel, and what he was doing to me.

We tired ourselves out after a while and lay there panting. I curled up under Alex’s arm and kissed his chest. He tightened his arm around me and kissed my head.

“I love you.” He said.

“I’m so easy it’s sad.” I sighed kissing his chest again.

“I had to work to get you to be this easy.” He reminded me.

“I guess that makes it better.”

We fell asleep on the bed as we were.

 

When I woke up it was night. I sighed and shifted feeling the papers crinkle under my leg. I hoped that no one had walked in here while we were asleep because we were both still on the bed with no covers. Alex was asleep spread out on his back. I was in a less revealing position with my shoulder tucked under his arm and my head on his shoulder. My stomach was pressed to his side so he hid most of me except for my backside.

I sat up and tried to run my hand though my hair but caught to many knots. I loved Alex but sometimes he was too needy. Who was I kidding though? I loved how needy he was because of the simple fact that all he ever wanted was me and nothing else.

Hesitantly I shook Alex’s shoulder. He woke up and stared at me tiredly.

“We’ve got to move so I can clean this up.” I said gesturing to the mess of papers and books we were sleeping on.

Alex didn’t look at the bed; he was looking at me. I sighed and got up. He watched as I went into the closet and made a sad face at me when I came out wearing clothes.

“Get in the shower; I’ll be there in a moment.” I promised him.

Anything to get him up so I could see what I could salvage from the wreck of our bed. He got up slowly and walked into the bathroom that joined his room.

The first thing I did was put clean boxers and a shirt in the bathroom for Alex when he got out. Then I walked back into the bedroom. When I could really look at the bed it was worse. There was no doubt that some of the papers were ruined for good. I just hoped they were nothing important.

The first things I moved were my books. A few pages had been beaten and folded up so I straightened them out and closed the book carefully. The ones with messed up pages when to the bottom of the pile so that the pages would press into a flat page again. The books that had not been hurt went on top to add pressure.

Then there was the question of what to do with the papers all over. They had moved and shifted with us. I started with the ones on the floor. They were the safest ones. I tried to make piles of them to sort them out but it was hard without the rest of them so I gave up and turned it into two piles rather than five. One was the save able papers and the other was the ruined ones.

Rian knocked and then came in. I said a quick hello to him while I sorted though a few more pages.

“What happened in here?” He asked looking the mess of papers on the bed.

“Alex.” I said.

His name was the only thing I had to say and Rian understood. He’d lived with Alex long enough to know.

“Sick.” He said making a face.

“Yea, now I have ruined papers.”

“Didn’t even let you clean off the bed huh?” Rian asked picking up a paper that was about to fall to the floor.

“I wouldn’t touch those.” I cautioned him.

“Why?”

“We never pulled down the covers.” I said biting my finger.

He made a noise of disgust and dropped the page. I laughed at his reaction. He stared at the bed and then at me.

“You guys get worse every day.” He joked.

“I can’t help it.” I said.

“I know. His influence has gone to your head.”

I nodded.

“I would help you clean up, but I think I might find fluids that I never wanted to come in contact with on these pages.” Rian kind of laughed though he was uncomfortable.

“Yea, get out of here. I’m going to clean this up and then get in the shower.”

“Open a window too. It smells in here.” Rian said as he left.

I was slightly embarrassed when I was left alone. I walked to the window and opened up the glass pane. Then it was time to clean up the bed.

The papers there were mostly ones I had to throw out. I made mental notes of the things I needed to replace and then went into the bathroom. Alex was still in the shower.

I could see him though the frosted glass rinsing off soap as I stripped down. When I climbed into the shower I was greeted with a kiss.

“I’m clean now!” Alex told me proudly.

“That’s great. Now it’s my turn.”

“I can help.” He said suggestively.

“No, I’m capable.”

“It’s not as fun without me.” He said obviously meaning something different.

“Yea, but I don’t ruin as much as you do.” I shot back quickly.

“Did I mess up a lot?” Alex asked sympathetically.

“Yea, but it’s my fault for not thinking.” I said.

“It’s kind of hard to think anything though when that’s going on, at least for me it is.”

That was one of the sweetest things I’d heard him say. I kissed him quickly and then get under the falling water. Alex happily watched as I washed my hair and body. There was nothing that wasn’t entertaining to him, he even watched me shave.

We got out and dried off. Alex decided that he just wanted to go to bed as he was and then begged me to do the same when he saw me going for the pajamas I had put on earlier. I gave and put the towel I had wrapped wound me back on the shelf before following Alex into bed.

For a while we cuddled and kissed before we fell asleep.

 

“I’ve figured out the answer to my problem!” Courtney shouted as she barreled into my room.

“Which one.” I joked.

“Funny.” She said mock glaring at me with her hands on her hips.

“Who let you in here?” I asked.

I hadn’t heard the doorbell ring.

“Your mom was on her way out and told me to just go in. She said you were here studying or something like that. I went by Alex’s but he said you were home.”

“I can’t study over there. He distracts me all the time. What’s your answer though?”

“I’m going to send Zack a bowtie with prom and a question mark written on it and then two shirt cuffs with yes and no written on them. The only thing is I have to get a shirt to cut up and I can’t say anything to Zack until it gets to him. I also haven’t decided if I want him accept over the phone or send the yes cuff back to me.”

“What makes you think he’ll say yes?” I laughed.

“Shut up! Now, do you want to go to prom with Alex?” She asked sitting on my bed.

“There in no prom for college kids.” I said.

“No silly! I mean my high school prom.”

“How would we manage that since I’m no longer there?” I looked at her skeptically.

“I have it all figured out. See some friends and I have been talking about this and they would be willing to have a form saying that they were taking someone outside of the school with them to prom so long as they are twenty or younger and then their dates will go in on their own. Then once we’re all in then we can switch to who we’re really going to prom with.” She said excitedly.

“First, that would be great. Second, it can’t work.”

“Why not?”

“Alex is twenty-one.”

“Fake ID.” She rolled her eyes.

“What to make him younger? He’ll get a kick out of that.” I laughed to myself.

“So yes or no?”

“I’ll have to speak with Alex.”

“Let me know within three days. That’s when bids go on sale!”

 

You Don’t Stand A Chance, Girl, You’ll Fall Apart

           Singer, Alexa, and Haylee were all sitting on the couch in the TV room. They all seemed to be watching the show but all their minds were in separate places.

Alexa was trying to figure out what else she could possibly do to help Ian win Haylee back. This didn’t seem like it would work though because Haylee really seemed like she didn’t want anything to do with Ian. She was so perfectly calm and content that Alexa couldn’t see any weakening in her. She even would explain to Alexa that she didn’t want to hear about Ian rather than blowing up and running away like she used to.

Singer was totally confused. He didn’t see how in one week she went from not wanting to hear about Ian because it hurt to not caring at all if anyone said anything about him. He worried that the effort everyone had put into making her feel comfortable was too much and that they had made it so Ian had no chance. He was trying to see something, anything that would tell him she wasn’t as content as she appeared to be. There was nothing at all.

Haylee was thinking about school. There were a lot of tests coming up and she was trying to decide which was her priority. She was even reviewing notes that she could remember in her head. She was focusing on school so hard that she was damn near a five point oh with her honors classes.

All this focusing on school was just Haylee’s way out though. She had discovered before that if she threw herself into school then Ian didn’t matter so much anymore. He couldn’t hurt her because her mind was so far away from him. She figured he was back in Seattle by now anyways so she didn’t care at all.

Ian wasn’t back in Seattle. He’d missed his flight home and he never rescheduled it. He couldn’t leave. He felt wrong about it. Something in his mind was telling him that he needed to continue trying because he didn’t think he’d given it his all last time. If Haylee was in the same city as him he was going to try to get her back.

Marshall was more than happy to let Ian crash at his place. He loved Ian and he wanted to help him. He worried that Ian was starting to try too hard to get Haylee back though. He didn’t want him to get hurt again like he had been. The first couple of days after Haylee had told him she was done all Ian did was lie in bed and cry. Marshall had been really worried about him but he came out on his own one day and he seemed to have his emotions in check again. Of course Ian was still just as hurt on the inside but he was done showing everyone. They didn’t need him bringing them down.

Days passed and Singer was starting to get frustrated. He wanted inside of Haylee’s head but there was no conceivable way into it. He figured that the only way to try to get somewhere was to question her. He knew that tactic was bound to start something bad but he was so impatient. He didn’t like being the observant one who couldn’t tell what was up with his best friend.

After talking with Alexa about this idea to question Haylee he felt like he should do it. Alexa was against pushing Haylee to admit things because she might actually be alright but she thought that they should question her.

So when the three of them were in the same room together again Singer took a deep breath.

“Haylee, are you okay?” He asked looking at her.

“What do you mean? I’m fine.” Haylee said confused.

“Are you okay about the whole Ian thing?”

“Yea, I’m fine.” She said.

“Do you think that you made a mistake?”

Alexa elbowed Singer in the ribs. He was pushing Haylee and that wasn’t good. She was going to get mad.

Just as Alexa thought, she saw Haylee tense up. Singer thought this was her finally showing that there was something wrong.

Haylee closed her eyes and tried her hardest not to think of Ian. Anything but Ian please she chanted in her head. There was no stopping it though. The last memory she had of him came flooding back to her. She bit her lip but the tears came.

“I’m fine.” Haylee’s voice shook.

Alexa tightened her hand around Singers. He wasn’t paying attention to her.

“You don’t seem fine.” He pushed.

“You don’t know what I went through.” Haylee glared at Singer.

She was pissed off now and he was still pushing. Finally she started to yell at Singer.

“Would you just drop it Alex. I. Don’t. Care. About. Him. Anymore. Why can’t you understand that? I’m trying to move on. You don’t know what he did to me.”

“Yea, you’re right.” Singer said yelling back at Haylee because he was mad now too. “I can’t know because you never took the time to tell anyone anything.”

Haylee got up from the couch and went to her room. She was crying now and she didn’t want Alexa to see it. Singer had pushed her and upset her. She curled up on her bed and buried herself under her covers.

Alexa pulled out her phone and called Johnson. He answered on the third ring.

“What’s up Alexa?”

“Come over please. Haylee’s upset about Ian. You’re the only one she’ll let in there.”

“On my way.”

Johnson came in under ten minutes and Alexa took him to Haylee’s room. He went in and curled up with her on her bed. She was glad he was there and she let him stay.

Singer sat on the couch feeling terrible about upsetting Haylee. Alexa sat next to him.

“I’m sorry.” He said looking at Alexa.

“You don’t need to apologize to me.” Alexa said kissing him.

“I know, but I didn’t listen to you and you were right.”

“It’s okay. At least we figured out that she’s forcing all her energy into school to forget about Ian.”

“Do you think she would have been happier without me picking at this?”

“No.”

Singer thought on that. Could he have done the right thing?

*          *            *

“Are you guys sure on this?” Ian asked.

He was sitting in Haylee and Alexa’s apartment. Haylee was asleep in the other room. Alexa and Singer were leaving. He was scared of how this was going to turn out.

“It’s worth a try.” Singer said.

“She’ll be more comfortable here.” Alexa added. “She lives here and there’s no one else but you. It’ll make it easier.”

Ian made a face. He was scared of being rejected again.

Alexa and Singer left.

Haylee rolled when she heard the front door open and close. Why were Singer and Alexa leaving this early? Maybe they were going to get breakfast as a date or something. Haylee opened her eyes. It wasn’t as early as she thought. It was ten in the morning.

She stretched and found her shirt. She pulled it on over her head and got up. She decided to get dressed before going out of her room though she was alone. She pulled on some pants and slipped a bra on under her shirt.

When she wondered out of her room she rubbed the sleep from her eyes and yawned. The sun was filtering through the windows and she could feel the heat and intensity. For a moment she thought about going out to work on her tan for maybe an hour but then decided she was fine.

“Hales?” Ian said as soon as he saw her.

Haylee spun afraid for one moment that there was someone in the apartment when she thought she was alone. Then she saw Ian. Isn’t he supposed to be home by now? She looked at him confused.

“Please talk to me. Don’t just stare.”

“Why, I told you. Do you just want to get hurt again? Here I’ll save your breath. Go back to Seattle. I’m over you.”

“I’m not over you Haylee.”

“Too bad. I wasn’t over you when I came to Seattle and you were obviously over me. When I left I was over you. Why can’t you just go back to Rachel?” Haylee spat.

Ian looked at her. She was so hostile. She wasn’t the girl he remembered. He couldn’t help but know that she was like this because of him. If he hadn’t messed up she’d still be sweet and loving towards him.

“Hales, I–”

“Can’t you see Ian?” Haylee said starting to cry. “I’m still hurt about this. I’m not going to put myself through you again. I was starting to get better and everyone was starting to treat me like a human not a glass vase. Now I’m back to square fucking one. Leave me alone.”

Haylee walked out of the apartment slamming the door behind her and down the hall passing the elevator. She wasn’t really going to go anywhere. She walked to the stair well and opened the door. She went up three flights and then sat there alone crying.

Ian pulled his legs up close to himself again and laid on the couch. He pulled the blanket off the back of the couch and tossed it over himself. It smelled like Haylee so he curled up in it and closed his eyes. He took himself back to when they first started being nice to each other. When she had helped him to get better and when their relationship started.

Singer and Alexa came home. They noticed that Haylee’s car was still in the parking lot so that was good. She hadn’t left. They went up to the apartment and walked inside. At first they didn’t notice anyone. Then Alexa spotted the lump under the blanket with curly hair sticking out from under it. She went over and pulled the blanket back to reveal a sleeping Ian who looked like he had been crying.

“It didn’t work.” Alexa said looking up at Singer. “He got hurt again.”

Her hand was now running through Ian’s hair absentmindedly.

“We should stop it then. It’s not going to work.”

“Is she in her room?”

“I’ll go check.”

Singer went down to Haylee’s room. The door was open but she wasn’t there. Her bed was unmade and there were clothes on the floor. Everything was there but her. Even her car keys were on her dresser.

“She’s not here Alexa.” Singer called.

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t know. She’s gone.”

“She ran out the front door.” Ian said opening his eyes.

“Alexander, she ran.” Alexa yelled.

Alexa sat on the couch and put Ian’s head in her lap. He closed his eyes again and laid there trying to keep his mind blank. It was hard to because he was starting to worry. If they couldn’t find Haylee where was she?

Singer started calling each and every one of his friends. No one knew where she was. Marshall and Cash went out to start looking for her. Johnson came to the apartment and tried to help there.

They searched for three hours and no one could find her. They didn’t know that she was in the stair well just sitting and staring out a window. No one knew that she was there. They had combed through her favorite places and still couldn’t find her. It was getting dark and everyone was worried.

“Should we call her parents?” Singer asked.

“Just wait a little while. If she isn’t back by say nine we’ll call.” Alexa said.

“She couldn’t have gone far. Her car is here.”

That made something click in Cash’s mind.

“Did anyone check the stair well?” He asked.

Everyone looked at each other. All the people shook their heads. Cash darted out the front door and towards the stair well. Marshall followed him.

“I’m going up.” Cash said starting on his way.

Marshall nodded and started his walk down. He made it all the way to the bottom when Cash called.

“I found her. Come back up.”

Marshall went for the elevator because his legs were tired and went back to the apartment. He told everyone that Cash was on his way back with Haylee. Some people decided to leave so Haylee didn’t feel so crowded and they were content to know that she was safe.

Cash came back with Haylee when it was only Marshall, Alexa, Singer, and Ian in the apartment. No one told her they were mad at her from disappearing. Alexa hugged her and told her not to scare her like that again. Haylee just nodded and threw a glance at Ian.

The relief on Ian’s face was obvious. He had been scared that something had happened to her. Haylee looked away and went for her room.

“She hasn’t eaten all day.” Ian said to everyone.

“I’ll make her something.” Cash went into the kitchen.

“Want me to take you home Ian?” Marshall asked.

“I guess.”

Cash took food down to Haylee’s room. She smiled at him and thanked him.

“Is Ian still here?” Haylee asked.

“He’s about to leave I think.”

“Can you tell him I’m sorry for scaring him?”

“There’s something else isn’t there.” Cash said looking at her. “Tell him yourself.”

“Then ask him to wait a little. I’ll be out in a moment.”

“Okay.”

Cash went back into the TV room where Ian was getting up. He started to walk with Marshall towards the door. Cash came up beside Ian and grabbed his arm.

“Haylee told me to ask you to wait.” Cash said quietly.

Ian’s eyes flickered in the general direction of Haylee’s room.

“She did?”

“Yea.”

“Marshall, maybe in a little bit.” Ian said.

Ian went back to the couch and sat down. If Haylee wanted him to wait then she must want to talk to him. He would risk anything to see her even if it meant getting hurt again.

Haylee ate slowly thinking about what she was doing. She knew that this was how she felt, but was it the right thing for her?

She picked up her car keys and slid them into her pocket. Haylee carried the empty dish into the kitchen while all eyes were on her. She walked to the TV room and looked at Ian.

“Come on.” She said and then started for the door.

She went out and left it open because she expected him to follow her. Ian closed the door behind him and caught up to her. She was a few paces ahead and went to the elevator. Ian got in and stood a little bit away from her. He didn’t know what this was about and he was nervous.

She walked to her car.

“Get in.” She said sliding into the drivers seat.

Ian sat in the passenger’s seat and pulled the seat belt on. Haylee pulled out of the parking lot and drove away. The ride was silent except for the radio.

Haylee pulled into a deserted parking lot and shut off the car. She took her seatbelt off and turned to look at Ian. He did the same. She folded her legs under her and sighed. Ian knew that they weren’t going to get out of the car so he made himself comfortable.

“I’m sorry that I’ve been so heartless.” Haylee said. “I know that I could have behaved better.”

“No, it’s fine. You’re just saying what you feel. I deserve it.”

“Ian, you do not! I’ve been such a bitch.”

“Don’t say that.”

“Okay, we’re not going to get anywhere if we keep going in circles like this.”

“Where are we going?” Ian asked.

Haylee sighed and gazed out the windshield for a moment. Where was she going with this? She hadn’t quite decided yet.

“How do you feel about me?” She asked looking back at Ian.

“How do I feel? I love you.”

“You love me?”

“Yes. You’re the thing that I love most in this world, which is why I let you hurt me so much. If it’s anything from you it’s better than nothing.”

“Okay.” Haylee said thinking that over.

“How do you feel about me?” Ian asked. “Other than you don’t want anything to do with me.”

“I’m not sure anymore that that’s what I want.” Haylee said. “I was thinking a lot today.”

Ian was silent. Had she just said that she was feeling different now?

“See a whole bunch of stuff has been happening since you came back. I fought with Singer and that never has happened before. You keep trying. I’m putting all my energy into school, which means I’m hiding from something.”

“What are you hiding from?”

“Pain. Pain that’s not going to go away until I have someone back.”

Ian was quiet again. This had gone where he wasn’t expecting.

“Ian, I’m not me anymore. I can’t ever be me unless you’re with me too. You’ve got part of me.”

“I’d be willing to give it back if that’s what you need.”

“No, you can’t give it back. See I’ve never had this part of me before, you have. I was a different person before we were together and I was a different person when we started dating. I’m a different person now. I’m the worst person now because I’ve had that best part of me and now it’s gone.”

Ian nodded. He still didn’t know where this was going.

“So I’m asking you if you’ll consider letting me come back to you.”

“Hales, you know I wouldn’t even consider it. I’ll just let you come back.”

“You’re sure? I’ve been so inexcusably horrible to everyone.”

“But you see that’s because you don’t have this part of you that I have. If we’re back together then you’ll be that good person that you were.”

“So would you take me back?”

“Yes.” Ian said taking Haylee’s hand. “I love you. Of course I would.”

Haylee climbed over the seats so she could sit on Ian’s lap. She put her arms around him and hugged him tightly. Ian hugged her back so happy to have her in his arms like that again. He kissed her cheek and snuggled his face into her shoulder.

“I’m sorry.” Haylee sobbed.

“Don’t cry.” Ian said hugging her tighter.

She still cried anyways. Ian readjusted her so she was situated in his lap where he could look at her face. He wiped her tears away and waited for her to stop.

“I love you and that’s all that matters now.” Ian said. “The past is gone.”

Haylee nodded. “I still feel bad.”

“Don’t. Be ridiculously happy like I am right now.” Ian said smiling.

Haylee laughed at his grin and started to smile.

“See it’s not so hard.”

“I love you Ian.”

He put his hands on the sides of her face and brought her in slowly for a kiss. Haylee curled her hands into his hair and pulled Ian closer. It was so good that they were back together now.

“Don’t ever leave me again.” Haylee said.

“I think if I left you would follow.”

“Don’t do it Ian.” She said seriously.

“I promise I won’t ever leave you again.” He swore.

 

You Wont Let Me In But I’m Strong Than That

The idea changed into a plan with just one simple phone call. That plan was then put into motion. It all seemed so simple but so nerve racking at the same time.

What if what he’d heard was really what she wanted… what she was really sticking to?

Ian couldn’t take that chance. He wanted Haylee so bad it hurt. She was the only girl he knew he could love forever. He already knew that and it didn’t have to be proved.

Cash turned the simple idea that had popped into his head into a full plan. He’d called saying that he was thinking about coming to Vegas to say hi and maybe get a chance to talk to Haylee. If he could get just a few moments alone with her he knew he could explain. He wasn’t going to let her ignore him for the rest of his life.

It was decided that in a week Ian would fly out to Vegas. He would stay a week with Marshall. Marshall would help Ian plan the way he was going to ‘run into’ Haylee. They had ideas bouncing back and fourth already, but nothing was solidified. Then when it came time to seeing Haylee, Ian would make sure he could make her listen to him.

This whole plan was the only thing Ian could think of. He told his mom and dad and they thought it was sweet. When he saw them the only thing he could talk about was Haylee. He was so anxious to see her that he almost got on a plane and flew there a few times before his scheduled date to arrive. Cash had to talk him out of those times. This plan was delicate and if he showed up to early it might not work. He wasn’t even allowed to call her just to see if she’d still hang up on him.

At the moment Cash and Johnson were working on making Haylee comfortable. The way she seemed before Singer had tried to tell her what Ian had said. They didn’t want her upset when Ian arrived or their plan wouldn’t work. It could upset Haylee even more.

Everyone was in on the plan but Haylee. They all had their parts to play and knew what to do. It was all just a matter of time until Ian arrived.

That week went by fast for everyone. Haylee was so buried in her studies that she almost wasn’t aware of the time. When the weekend hit it was a relief. Her friends were keyed up about something and she couldn’t figure it out.

Johnson took Haylee out for lunch the hour that Ian was supposed to arrive. She didn’t suspect anything. He kept her there as long as he could and let Singer know when it was about time for them to be getting back though text messages. Singer let him know everything that was going on.

“Put down your phone for like three seconds. Who is that?”

“This girl. I was talking to her and she was cute so I gave her my number… bad idea.”

“So just ignore her.”

“She’s cute though.” Johnson said tapping out a message to Singer.

Haylee rolled her eyes at Johnson. Cute girls, no matter if they were annoying, were his weakness. She knew that so she just pretended not to notice every time he went for his phone. Of course she had no idea he was actually talking to Singer.

Singer, Alexa, Marshall, and Cash all sat in the airport and watched as the plane was pulled to the dock so the passengers could get out. It was a few minutes before anyone came from the gate. Singer stood up as soon as the first person appeared in the arch. Everyone else stood up after more people started streaming out.

Cash’s phone buzzed and he looked at it. Ian was calling. He answered. Ian wanted to know where to look. Cash told him they were on the left side of the desk and in the middle of the rows of seats. Ian hung up and started on his way out of the plane.

It was hard to know that he was so close to Haylee that Ian had a hard time not calling her. He knew that she would hang up on him but he wanted to try. The dedication to the plan won out though. He had to play by the rules that Cash and Singer had set for him so that this all went the best way it could.

He passed under the archway and looked to his right, Cash’s left. There he saw his friends. They were excited to see him and started to make their way over just as he did the same. They met in the middle. Alexa threw her arms around Ian’s neck and hugged him.

There were similar greetings all around and then it was off to baggage claim. They waited half and hour for Ian’s luggage to come off the plane. When Ian spotted it he pushed though people to grab it.

In Marshall’s car Ian couldn’t help but feel nervous. He talked to everyone about anything but the plan. It seemed that they were all nervous and didn’t want to talk about it until they were at Marshall’s.

“Marshall?”

“Yea?”

“You have guitars at your place right?” Ian asked.

“Of course.”

“Can I play some? I left all mine at home. I didn’t think I would need them, but I’m nervous.”

“Sure. Anything you want to play just go ahead.” Marshall pulled into the driveway.

The five went into Marshall’s house. Ian picked up a guitar and played for a little. They left him alone so he could calm down. Singer and Alexa curled up on the couch together and got lost in their own world quickly. Marshall and Cash went into the kitchen. Ian just sat on the floor playing an acoustic.

After an hour Ian got up and went to the kitchen.

“Want anything?” Marshall asked.

“Nah, I ate on the plane.”

“If you’re hungry just grab something. You’re living here for a week after all. Wanna see where you’re sleeping?”

“Yea, that’d be good. Then we can figure out what we’re doing.”

“Sure.”

Marshall took Ian down the hall and showed him to the guest bedroom. Ian put his luggage on the bed and then followed Marshall back to where everyone else was. It took a moment to pull Singer and Alexa out of the cuddling and kissing but it was accomplished.

Then they all sat there hammering out the details of how they were going to get Ian and Haylee in the same space together and more importantly talking.

Johnson and Haylee had finished lunch and were back at his house. They were playing some video game and he was losing to her. She laughed when the time ran out and she was crowned the victor.

“How did you do that?”

“I’m just awesome. I also have lots of time to play Singer.”

“Damn him.” Johnson muttered.

“What? Are you sore that a girl beat you?”

“No, I’ve been beaten by girls before.” Johnson said with a cheeky grin.

“Oh! Disgusting.” Haylee said hitting Johnson’s arm.

He laughed and started up a new game. They spent the afternoon like that. Singer came over with Alexa. Alexa kept Haylee distracted while Singer took Johnson into the other room to fill him in on the details. Haylee never suspected a thing.

The ‘run in’ was to happen two days from today. Singer made it clear that Haylee couldn’t know anything at all. Johnson assured him that she didn’t seem like she was suspecting anything. They took that as a good sign.

The Monday that Ian was supposed to see Haylee rolled around. She and Alexa had that day off. They figured that the day before school picked up for the week was a good time to have Ian and Haylee talk. That way she could have whatever reaction she would have and then she could have school to take refuge in if necessary.

Ian was nervous from the moment he woke up. He knew that he didn’t have to do anything but stay at Marshall’s. They were going to bring Haylee here. He just had to sit on the couch and smile when she walked into the room. Sure it sounded easy, but he was scared. She’d said she didn’t want anything to do with him. What if she’d made up her mind?

Marshall smiled at Ian’s nervous tapping and his inability to stay in one place for long. Not even a guitar could calm him down. He couldn’t hold a conversation at all. Marshall thought it was cute, but hoped he could get it together.

Singer went into the kitchen where Haylee and Alexa were eating breakfast. He stood between them and put an arm around each of their shoulders.

“How are my lovely ladies this morning?” He asked kissing Alexa and then Haylee on the cheek.

Haylee pretended to be disgusted and wiped her cheek. Singer laughed and then sat next to Alexa.

“But seriously… how are you guys?”

“Fine.”

“Good.”

“I’m glad to hear it. What’s for breakfast?”

“What do you want Baby?”

“Anything.” Singer smiled at Alexa.

She leaned over and kissed him. Haylee saw a bite mark on Alexa’s neck. Guess they had a good night. Haylee looked away. It was still kind of hard to watch couples but she was getting over it. She hid her uncomfortable ness by eating some of the cereal.

Alexa got up to find something for Singer.

“What do you guys think about going to Marshall’s today? He wanted us over.”

“That sounds good.” Alexa said.

“How about you Hales? You in?”

“Uhm… I have a paper…”

“Nonsense! I know that’s not due until Friday. It can wait.” Alexa protested.

“I guess then.”

“Cool. As soon as I’m done let’s go.” Singer said happy that the plan was working.

Haylee finished up her cereal and went down to her room. Singer looked at Alexa. She placed a bowl of cereal in front of him. He kissed her.

“It’s working.” She said.

“I can’t wait.”

Alexa giggled and then went to clean up the sink.

Haylee wandered out and sat on the couch. Singer and Alexa were in their room getting dressed. She took the time to put on her shoes.

The couple wandered out holding hands. Haylee stood up and shut the TV off. She followed Alexa and Singer out the door. They took Singer’s car to Marshall’s place. One glance between Singer and Alexa told them both that they were scared but excited.

Haylee had gotten out of the car and thought that they were just staring at each other. It happened often enough that she decided to just go to Marshall’s door.

By the time that Singer and Alexa made it to the door Marshall was opening it. He smiled when he saw Haylee but was alarmed for a moment when he didn’t see Singer or Alexa. He was relieved to see that they were a few paces behind. Marshall let Haylee in but grabbed her hand so she didn’t go further into the house. Haylee didn’t mind. Marshall did this often enough that it seemed like it was just his hello to her.

Singer and Alexa came through the door and Marshall closed it. Marshall pulled Haylee into a hug and said hello to her. She kissed him on the cheek and then let him say hello to Alexa and Singer.

Marshall turned and started heading for the family room as he talked. He was nervous but he wouldn’t let Haylee see that. He didn’t want to alarm her. Johnson and Cash were sitting across from Ian on the other couch. Ian was on the couch against the wall so Haylee wouldn’t see him when she walked in. Cash and Johnson were the ones that were supposed to act as a distraction and pull Haylee into the room.

As they planned Haylee didn’t notice Ian as she walked through the hall. She went into the family room and hugged Johnson then Cash. Ian’s heart froze. She hadn’t seen him yet and he was waiting for that moment when her eyes would connect with his. There was this tiny fear in him that made him want to bolt for the hall before she saw him but he couldn’t move.

Haylee sat on the couch next to Johnson. He put his arm around her so he could hold her on the couch if he had to. This was all part of the plan. They knew she would sit by Johnson. Haylee looked up and then she saw Ian.

Her body froze up. Johnson felt her go rigid. She had no idea what to make of the fact that Ian was right across from her. He smiled and she bit her lip. She was confused.

“Hales.” Ian said.

“No. I told Singer. I said I wanted nothing to do with you.” Haylee said.

“Please just listen to me?”

“No.” She said glaring at Singer.

He stepped back a little from how angry she looked. Marshall was not affected when she turned her glare on him. He narrowed his eyes a tiny bit back at her. She was unaffected.

“Listen to him Hales. He needs to talk to you.” Marshall said sternly.

Johnson’s arm tightened when Haylee started to get up. She realized they’d all been planning this. She glanced at Cash and saw his face was the same as everyone else’s. There was no way around this. She was going to have to talk to Ian if she wanted out of there.

“Fine.” She almost growled.

Ian chuckled under his breath. When Haylee was mad it was quite funny, like an angry kitten. Marshall left the room followed by Singer and Alexa. She heard them go into another room. Cash got up and followed. Haylee looked at Johnson. She pleaded to him with her eyes to make him let her go. He shook his head as if to say she wasn’t getting out of this. When Johnson got up to leave Haylee stayed put on the couch. She knew if she got up they were just going to drag her back.

“So talk.” Haylee said looking at Ian.

He got up and walked across the room to where he settled on the couch next to Haylee. She scooted away and stared at the wall on the other side of the room just to show him she was not happy. He sighed and pulled on some of his hair for a moment.

“Haylee… I am sorry for what happened. I didn’t want it to be like that. I’m not sorry for kissing you and I’m not sorry for the time we had together in Seattle. I am sorry that you had to find out I had a girlfriend like that. You need to know that Rachel and I broke up. I told her what happened and she left me. She hasn’t even made any contact with me for over a month. We’re done.”

“So.” Haylee said dryly while rolling her eyes to look at Ian.

“So, that means that I’m here for you. I want you back.”

“What if I don’t want you back?” She went back to staring at the wall.

“Well then I’ll go home and never bother you again. All I want is a chance though.”

Haylee sighed. She knew they were all listening and she didn’t want this to be a public thing. She got up off the couch and went out the back door. She left it open for Ian.

Ian got up off the couch and followed her. He shut the door behind him and went to where she was standing at the far end of the yard as far away from the house as possible.

“Why?” Haylee asked staring out again.

Ian leaned against the fence and looked at the three quarters of her face that he could see.

“Why what?”

“Why do you still want a chance? You left me and you thought that was a good reason. So why now do you want me?”

“Because I love you.”

“You loved me then and you left. You said your heart wasn’t with me anymore.” She said throwing him a glance.

“Hales.” He sighed, suffering.

She was being difficult and that worried him. What if she really didn’t want anything to do with him?

“I knew from the second my head hit my pillow that night I got home I had fucked up. I lied to you. My heart has always belonged to you.”

“So why didn’t you do something then? Not wait a year or so.”

“Because I felt like I couldn’t. I felt helpless. Then there was Rachel and I don’t know what happened to me. I fell in love for a while and then you came back. I knew that there was no way she could ever compare to what I felt for you. It was all just a stupid thing I did.”

Haylee didn’t say anything. She was weighing his words in her mind. He was calling his actions stupid any moment now and he’d be calling himself stupid. She laughed mentally at that thought but never let it touch her face.

Ian thought he wasn’t getting anywhere. He felt like he had to say more. He wasn’t going to give up.

“When you were gone, really gone, I felt like I lost the one person in the whole world that I wanted to be with for the rest of my life. I still feel that way. I’ve felt that way for two years. You’ve got to believe me.”

A tear slid down Haylee’s cheek. Ian wanted to wipe it away but he didn’t know what that would do. He just waited.

She turned her face to look at him. He pushed off the fence and waited.

There was a war in Haylee’s mind for and against Ian. She’d spent so much time trying to keep him out of her mind so she wouldn’t feel pain. She felt like she’d almost been over him before he came here. Now he was here so what did that mean? Was she not supposed to get over him? If she let him leave then would she regret it? But if she took him back and they broke up again she’d be hurt more.

Ian took a risk. He pulled Haylee into him and pushed his lips to hers. She stood there motionless for a moment. What was he doing? She didn’t want this to happen while she figured out what was going on in her head.

Haylee’s hands went to Ian’s chest. He thought that maybe he was winning because she was responding to him. Her lips weren’t moving with his in that familiar pattern but he thought that would be next.

Everyone in Marshall’s house looked down at the seemingly kissing pair. They thought that their plan had worked. Singer’s face broke into a smile when he saw Haylee’s hands move to Ian’s chest. Johnson was smiling because he thought that his friend was going to be okay again.

“Ian.” Haylee sighed.

At first Ian thought that she was starting to kiss him back when her lips moved but then he realized she had said his name. He pulled back and looked at her. His insides were shaking because he knew this wasn’t good.

“No.” Haylee said biting her lip.

“But Haylee–”

Haylee put her hand over Ian’s mouth. It was her turn to talk. She didn’t want him trying so hard to get her back when she knew he wasn’t going to have that chance. She’d told Singer, she’d told Alexa, she’d told all her friends that she wanted nothing to do with Ian ever again and her mind was set this time.

“I told everyone. I said it in front of you. I don’t want anything to do with you Ian. I don’t want you anymore. I’m done. It’s over. It’s been over for two years. It took me a while to figure that out but I did. Now you have to take the time to see that.” Haylee said quietly while looking into Ian’s eyes.

She took her hand away from his mouth to let him speak but nothing came out. He just stood there with his mouth half open staring at her while his eyes became glassy.

Now Ian was realizing that she was serious. He knew he’d lost her.

Haylee turned and walked away from Ian. She went back into the house and straight up to the room where she knew everyone was watching her and Ian in the backyard.

They all saw Haylee put her hand to Ian’s mouth and they knew she was talking but they didn’t know what she was saying. When she walked away from him they knew something bad happened. Ian didn’t follow her; he just stayed in the same spot unmoving.

When Ian sat down in the grass and put his head in his hands they all knew. She told him no. Singer stepped closer to the window focused on Ian. He could see that Ian’s breathing wasn’t even anymore. He was sobbing.

Haylee walked into the room at that moment. They all turned around to see her. It was shocking to see that she was perfectly calm and composed.

“Can I got home now or are you not done with these games? I think Ian’s been through enough.”

“Yea, I’ll take you home Hales.” Singer said glancing once more out the window.

Marshall was already in the backyard with Ian. Alexa followed Singer and Haylee out to the car. They drove her home. She went to her room and curled up on her bed. Singer and Alexa waited for the breakdown but it never came. Maybe she was okay.

Marshall was still trying to talk to Ian. He was sitting with his knees curled up with his arms around his legs and his forehead resting on his kneecaps. He was sobbing something but Marshall couldn’t understand it.

“Look, Ian I can’t understand you. You need to come inside. It’s too hot to sit out here and cry.”

Ian shook his head. He wasn’t going to move.

“I’ll carry you in if I have to.” Marshall threatened.

Ian pulled himself off the ground with help from the fence and then walked into the house. He went down to his room that Marshall had given him and collapsed on the bed. Marshall shut the door to give him privacy. Ian laid there and cried.

He picked up his phone and dialed the house number to his parents back in Seattle.

“Hello?” Peggy answered.

“Mom.” Ian sobbed.

“What’s wrong Baby?” Peggy was worried.

For a moment Ian couldn’t speak, he couldn’t breathe. He tried to but he couldn’t so he just fell to crying.

Peggy started talking to him and trying to calm him wanting nothing more than to be able to put her arms around her son and comfort him.

“She doesn’t want me anymore.” Ian managed.

Peggy didn’t know what to say to him. She continued on telling him it would be okay and that she would stay on the phone as long as he needed her to be there. Ian started telling her everything slowly.

She was able to calm him down but his breathing was still ragged and his tears wouldn’t stop coming. He was hurting so bad. He knew now what he’d done to Haylee. He hated that he’d inflicted this much pain on her and felt like he deserved this.

Ian had messed up and there was nothing he could do now. It had been too long.

 

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So, do you want an alternate ending? I'll post it as soon as you all answer me. How did you like this ending?