24

Author: Aingeal0220

Rating: PG - 13

Summary: Alex Kelly receives a love letter from an admirer. She would have considered it but it was the last day of school. Is it true or just some practical joke? Can 24 hours be enough to fall in love?

Disclaimer: I don't the Characters from the OC. I'm just a fan writing a fanfic. Please don't sue me.

PART I

"Wake up lazy asses! It's your last day of school"

Alex opened her right eye, still trying to get over her rude awakening. Sometimes she hated her aunt for being such a loud mouth. Today wasn't something to look forward to anyway. For one, she hated going to school. Two, it was the last day so she thought, why bother?

"Better get ready or you'll be late!"

"UGH!" Alex grumbled reaching for the clock on her night stand.

6:00AM

School was ten minutes away. Class wasn't going to start in at least two hours. There was no need to stand up and take a shower if she had that much time. She had her own bathroom so gearing up for shower time is not really a problem. So why was her aunt so adamant of them waking up this early?

"Damn it!" She shouted.

It was a little louder than she was supposed to. She heard footsteps getting louder and louder. In fear, Alex hid herself under the covers. She felt eyes burning her, even though she couldn't see her aunt. Alex knew she was now standing by her door.

"I heard that Alex!"

Alex's eyes grew wide. Her aunt could be freaky sometimes. Did her family have genes on extra-sensory or her aunt was just a genetical anomaly?

----

So you see, Tom Welling is the TV superman and Brandon Routh is the new movie superman."

"So, there was like, an old movie superman?"

Slowly the curly-head boy turned to his companion: His eyes, almost willing to come out their sockets, his mouth, clearly agape.

"What?" Taylor Townsend shrugged.

"You really have no idea about the superman legacy?" Seth Cohen put a hand on his forehead, feeling it throb.

"I like boys. I don't like comic books."

"Then why ask me about Tom Welling?"

"I, kind of, missed an episode. Was wondering if you knew how he looked like on the latest episode."

"UGH!"

"Hello friends." Alex Kelly sat in between them.

"What's up blondie?" Seth asked, giving Alex's shoulder a mock-punch.

"Why are you two hiding out here? We do have our own table by the quad where we can actually see other people."

"Erm… I think Taylor should explain. Have to use the men's room. See you!" Seth quickly stood up.

"HEY!" Taylor shouted but Seth was faster.

"What's going on?" The blonde asked.

"This is what's going on."

Taylor took Alex's hand and gently placed a letter on her palm.

"You're hiding because of this?"

"Yes."

"Is it something in the lines of you like me but can't say it because even if I swing that way I won't jeopardize our… AW!"

The blonde didn't finish her sentence because the flustered Taylor Townsend just slapped her on the side of her head.

"We found it in your locker you dimwit."

"You were going through my locker again. My things can't and will never appeal to you! AW!" Alex replied, sighing at the stinging pain on the side of her head.

"No, you idiot. We had to empty your locker for you since you forgot to. Yesterday was the last day for clearing your stuff out of the locker."

"Was it yesterday? I thought it was today."

"Obviously you don't read bulletin boards or listen to announcements." Taylor replied rolling her eyes.

Alex shrugged, letting out a grin. Her attention turned to the letter. It was all pink and it smelled funny.

"Did you two read it yet?" She asked.

Seth and Taylor can be nosy like that. A sheer reminder of their exploits was a very bad memory of a first and only date for Alex Kelly.

"No. But be sure to share after you read it."

BUZZ. BUZZ.

Seth: Ryan's looking for you two. Drag your asses here now!

"What is it?" Alex asked as she watched Taylor read her text message.

"Ryan's looking for us. We better go."

Ryan. Oh Ryan. He's a good friend but Alex would rather be alone than to spend time with him. Yes, they have spent time together as friends, but the duo would always end up arguing. To explain, let us be short.

Alex didn't have to try hard to be popular and intelligent at the same time.

Ryan tried his hardest but could never surpass Alex. He hated that fact.

Enough said.

"I'll just stay here for a while. Read a little."

"Right. Share ok?"

"Yeah… Yeah… Off you go."

Waving goodbye, Alex watched Taylor go back to civilization a.k.a. the campus quad. She settled on the bench and opened the letter. She found a pink sheet of scented paper. The handwriting was very neat. A girl sending it came to mind, but Alex didn't know any girl who would send her one. She began to read and was stunned on what the letter said.

Alex Kelly,

I know it must startle to you find an admirer on such late notice. I was afraid to tell you my feelings. I wasn't sure about how you'll react. You seemed to be this person who was so likeable, everyone was all over you. You didn't have to try too hard to be popular. Your deeds alone made you popular. You're smart, considering you've been on top of the honor list since you stepped in this school. You're friendly, not because you had to have friends. You actually care about people Alex. And that I found endearing.

Watching you from a far has been a habit for me for the last four years. I was either tongue-tied or down-right mesmerized. A glimpse of you could change my day from worst to simply the best. And though the classes I spent with you were so much less than I could hope for, they were memorable. I doubt you remember me though. You hardly looked my way when we shared a class. I doubt you have noticed me looking at you. You always were engrossed with your books or your friends.

Sometimes I wondered if you have ever been in love. I watch you everyday and yet, you don't hold someone that close to your heart. I wondered what could make you look my way and see how I needed you to look at me. But you didn't. There were times I asked myself why not come over and introduce myself? I tried. But my fears got in the way. I wasn't sure if you were ready. I wasn't sure if I was.

Before I knew it we're graduating. I have to part with you now. Wait, we can never part. We were never together in the first place.

This letter is my last resort. To tell you how much you affect me. To tell you how much you mean to me. And though everything might be too late, it's all I want you to know Alex. It's all I'll ever want to let you know.

I love you Alex Kelly.

Hopeless Romantic

xxxx

"Damn… Who wrote this?" Alex asked herself, feeling a little bit queasy.

Who could have written the letter? For all she knows it could have been just Taylor and Seth's prank - A last ditch to have her date someone. Alex Kelly was happy being single and spending time with her friends. Love wasn't really part of the Alex Kelly equation. Love was just this imaginary goal she would know but would not bother to follow. Alex Kelly didn't want to fall in love.

RING! RING!

Alex folded the paper then looked at her watch.

8:00AM.

In a huff, Alex was running towards the classrooms. The blonde didn't realize. It was going to be first day of the rest of her life.