I'm back.
And better than before. So anyways I decided to improve this story, I took out the lyrics and now you have only pure story.
The song that goes with this chapter is: Tied together with a smile by Taylor Swift
Disclaimer: I don't own Shapeshifter, Ali Sparkes does, I just love playing with her characters.

Tied together with a smile

Why oh why do you not realise just how amazing you are? I love the way you smile; your eyes; the sparkle in your eyes; the look of pure fascination on your face when you learn something new. Why do you think that you only exist in your brother's shadow? You can be your own person, you don't need him. Why won't you let yourself be who you truly are so that people can appreciate you for being just you, and not half of a double act?

You're amazing; you're beautiful, you're way better than that arrogant fool who is your brother. He's just an idiot who'll do anything for a laugh, even at the expense of others feelings. Plus he thinks it's okay to boss you around and be downright nasty to you but as soon as someone is mean to you he turns into an over protective big brother. He adopts a kind of 'mess with him mess with me' attitude. Well the others are pretty gullible for believing it, he only does it to make every think he's a better person. The way you look, the way you act, I love it. I love you. But you'll never know. You're too blinded by your love for...him.

Nobody knows. Nobody realises the despair you are feeling. Not even your so-called brother, and he's always snooping around in your head. But I know. I realise. I've seen the way you look at him, and I hate that it's not me who you look at with such adoration in your beautiful eyes. Well they do say that ignorance is bliss. I've also seen the way he looks at Spook. So have you. And you hate it. I know how you feel. The one you love with all your heart and soul loving another with all their heart and soul and being.

Yet you're always smiling; always hiding behind feeble jokes; hiding behind the smile; hiding behind the act; always hiding. You're always trying to hide your love for him. But I've noticed. I know. I found you. You can't hide forever. Even though you wish you could. Nobody can hide forever. Not even an expert like you. In life there is always someone looking for someone who is hiding, and the people looking don't give up and the hiders have to surrender. Remember that. Someday you will surrender to me because I will not give up. I will not give up on you.

You're nice to everyone, even the big headed ones (like Spook) who don't deserve it. I don't get how you manage that. Except you try really hard with Spook – much to Jacob's annoyance – hoping that it'll help you get closer to Darren. It seems you're quite desperate to get close to him. But it's not working. Spook is getting annoyed; Darren is getting upset that Spook isn't happy; and it makes you miserable that Darren is upset. What a vicious circle.

.

It's not your fault Alex. Oh little Alex if only you knew that it isn't anybody's fault. But while Spook's around he's never going to take any notice of you. Ever. If only he knew, but it's not his fault either. Blinded by love for (in your opinion) the wrong person. If only Darren knew. If only you knew. If only Spook knew. You love Darren, Darren loves Spook, I love you, but everyone is oblivious to everyone but the one they love.

Alex, I'm not stupid. I can tell that the laughter and the smile are just as faked as ever. Though I haven't worked out what your escape is. I hope it's not self-harm; I can't stand the thought of you harming that beautiful body of yours. Maybe you cry yourself to sleep. Maybe you sneak to a secluded spot in the grounds every so often and scream out your frustration. Whatever it is it's not working anymore. I can tell you're letting go. I can tell that you have finally realised what I knew all along. He's not in love with you. He's in love with Spook. An undeserving, idiotic fool who can never know. Alex, my little sweetheart please understand that life is unfair. Please understand that you will always be disappointed. Think of the phrase 'When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.' Please, Alex, understand that life won't stop handing you lemons. Please understand, before it's too late, that I'm your lemonade.

Drop a line if you like, I would love some ConCrit.
Scarlet
xx