(( This takes place during the episode 'Max's Secret Girlfriend. ))

Part of me came up with it because I really wanted him to look at me that way.

It was so obvious that I almost didn't think of it. Harper probably would have eventually suggested it, but I felt a rush from demanding him myself.

"Oh, ok! Justin and I can use a spell to make each other ancient. You know, like how mom and dad look."

I saw right through his hesitation. There was a brief smile that I caught, something simple and yet so Justin that it nearly made my heart stop, and I knew I was doing something wrong. But, did I care?

Not enough.

"Okay, are you sure you're going to be able to do this Alex?"

"Me? Aren't you the one who's against this?"

We stood across from each other, almost yelling. This was a typical scene between us, but something about this time made me feel dizzy. I kept blinking to clear my vision but every time I would see Justin and my stomach would drop. I couldn't tell if it was anger or lust.

Of course, it had to be anger.

"When's the next time Max will ever get a girlfriend? She's just as filthy as he is! It's perfect!"

This time I was shouting.

"That's not a very nice thing to say about her, she seems like a nice girl." His face switched from angry to indignant as he furrowed his brows in his classic fashion.

"Justin you've never met her!" He really hadn't.

"Fine."

"What?"

"Fine, I'll help you."

He really had shocked me, which is hard to do. Not because I didn't think he would agree, but because he had agreed and now I didn't know what to do next. In my dreams this played out differently.

Sometimes I wondered how the hell we were related.

"But I'm not going to do this half way, Alex, do you hear me? We are going to commit to this. I don't know if you know, but I've done a bit of acting." He fluffed the front collar of his shirt, grinning in satisfaction of himself.

"Oh god," I rolled my eyes. I'm always doing that to him, I swear. "What does that mean?"

"It means," he stressed the words, rocking back on his heels, "that we have to do some rehearsing before we can put on a show." Justin smirked.

"Do you ever get sick of being the only one gloating over your plans?"

He cleared his throat, slightly frowning. "Alex, behave yourself."

"Aha! See? There. You can't boss me around. Not if we're married."

Justin made a pained expression, though I was never sure in the end if it really was pain or satisfaction.

"Okay,okay, you're right. I won't boss you around."

"You can't do that anways." I laughed the way he loves it, the way he told me he loved it a few months after meeting Max's girlfriend disguised as our parents.

He pouted.

My god I love it when he pouts.

"We need to focus," he pulled out his wand, "Alex, you can't be mean to me. That means no playing pranks while we're in disguise."

"Aww, man. Way to kill the whole mood, Justin."

I always thought he found me endearing, that he liked my sarcasm. Was I even right?

"I have an idea!" He suddenly said, holding up a finger triumphantly.

"What is it?" I made it a point to sound bored, like I always do when Justin tries to fix a situation.

"For two who's souls are torn apart

Make these two souls a single heart !"

It was such a clever idea, now that I know his intentions back then. I didn't even have enough time to process the spell before we were standing in the living room of a house that resembled our own, but seemed to float by itself in a vast empty space. Justin had frozen time around us and now we were stuck here until his spell felt satisfied.

Later on that became our idea of foreplay, but that didn't happen until months later.

"Great, now what are we supposed to do?" I scowled.

"We have to get along. We can't leave until we do." He sounded confident but I knew his nervous face.

"Well that's really specific," I mocked him instinctively.

"Alex, start taking this seriously." Justin said sternly.

"You're telling me what to do! Oh my god," I pointed a finger at him accusingly. "We're going to be stuck here forever because of you!"

He suddenly looked panicked, and then he pocketed his wand, wordlessly taking a seat on the couch and folding his arms across his chest. He looked up at me with his cheshire cat grin.

"What are you doing?" I yelled.

"Getting comfortable. Like you said, we'll be here forever. It's like we're married." He smirked at his words, trying to subtly glance around them though it was stupidly obvious to Alex.

"Nothing's gonna happen Justin!" I reached out and smacked the side of his head. He was always hoping for the easiest option first. Can't say I blame him. "It's gonna take more than that to break your stupid spell."

"Fine," he looked disappointed. "Let's watch some TV. Married people do that."

"TV?" I brightened. It was my weak spot. "Sure. Move over."

I loved bossing him around back then.

"Uhh," he had his pointed look, the one he gets whenever he knows something I don't. "Married people share the couch. You have to sit next to me."

"Ew," I pretended to gag. But, really though, I had been terrified he could see the steam rising from my skin.

I sat next to him, at first it was a slow and awkward thing. We both looked at each other as though it were an accident we were siblings. I thought Justin was acting. Maybe he was.

"Stop checking me out." I finally broke the silence.

"I'm just trying to really grasp my character."

"Oh my god Justin, it's not that serious."

But it was, wasn't it?

"You look uncomfortable. Max's girlfriend is not going to believe us if you look uncomfortable. I refuse to act next to someone with no skill." Justin crossed his arms, pouting.

I wish he had a different face. Different eyes. Different expressions.

"Okay, well mister expert, tell me how to fix it." I knew he liked it when I asked him for help. That's half the reason I was so sarcastic to him back then.

"Here, come closer…" He lifted his arm up and waited for me to fit underneath it. We'd fallen asleep like that before, so I didn't see the harm in snuggling up to him. It wasn't enough for Justin, though. He lifted my chin up with his hand, looking directly at me.

"Now, smile." He grinned.

I tried my best to hide the hunger.

"Alex…" He suddenly whispered my name. My heartbeat was louder than the sound.

"What?" It was earnest.

"We need pet names."

He broke into a smirk.