AN: Ad3n,sbys, tatimac, thank you. :) Here's the next chapter.

Alex's POV

I am in central park with Mitchie, feeding the ducks. It's something we've been doing since we were small. Whenever our moms didn't know what to do with us because we were wreaking havoc wherever we went (we were very active children), they'd take us here and we'd mellow down. Which is why up to this day we still come here and do this to relax and unwind.

Neither of us has spoken to each other in the last thirty minutes or so (maybe less, I haven't been keeping track), there being no apparent need to. Until finally she says, "It's nice having you back all to myself." I look up at her from watching a duckling fight with another little one over a piece of bread. She's wearing her trademark face-eating grin I'll probably never get tired. A few seconds later her expression turns slightly serious. "Penny for your thoughts," says Mitchie. When I simply continue to look at her she reads my mind, as she was bound to do, and asks, "It's Bieber isn't it?"

"M, what kinds of flowers do I like?" I ask back, indirectly answering her question. "Carnations," was her response. I knew she could tell where this is going. "Do I have a favorite type of chocolate?"

"You like Cadbury's Fruit and Nut variety." I still haven't looked away. "But I know that because we spend more than half of all the time we have in this world with each other. For almost 15 years now. You'll have to give me that," now I do look away. "Not necessarily. You wouldn't have known that for another 15 years if you never went through the trouble of finding them out," I argue. "A, you said you were okay," her serious face has now changed to one that of concern. "I am, aren't I?" Raised eyebrows. "I know, I'm supposed to be… I'm sorry. I guess I feel like a fool all of a sudden 'cause I've just realized that I let Justin turn me into goo, so much so I failed to see that… I lost my sense of sight," emotion laced my words. I can't believe how worked up that silly teenage boy was able to get me. I'm two freakin years older! Then again, he did make me fall for him.

"You failed to see that you lost your sense of si… What now?" She was full on giggling at me. I throw some of my bread crumbs at her. "Hey! You got bread in my hair!" She ruffles her own hair to get the stuff out, then proceeds to clearing her voice and looking deep into my eyes. I can see the sincerity in them now. Earlier they were filled with mirth. "You're not a fool, okay? Trust me, you're not. Besides, now you know better than to be tricked by the sweetness of complex sugar. Next time a guy tries to woo you again, make sure he really, really wants you, and he doesn't just want to, you know, turn you into goo," she states, then she goes back to feeding.

The day of her competition, the day I met Justin, I noticed she was kinda off because of her eyes. They were… sad. That's odd, isn't it? It wasn't nerves at all. And she told me she was jealous. Hm. I wish I'd seen it then so I could've asked her what was really bothering her. Stupid me. She's always there, reading my mind and thus knowing my problems and solving them like it's her business, and what about me? Where have I been these past 5 months for example? In the company of some…child. I am such a lucky nutcase, to have her. I swear. The least I can do is say, "Thank you, sweetheart."

"Whatever for, my dear?"

"For everything. For sticking around when I'm being a dumb, shallow dork."

"Oh, okay. You're welcome then," she laughs.

"I'm sorry."

"Oh, don't be, silly. There's nothing to be sorry about."

"Sure there is. Everything."

"Fine. I forgive you, geez."

"Mitchie?"

"Yes, Alex?" she says dramatically, complete with eye roll.

"You know I love you, right?" she stops feeding once more and looks up at me. I like whatever's making her eyes this pretty shade of brown. I should tell her I love her more often, she deserves to hear it. If there's one thing I absolutely love to do, aside from art, it's looking into this girl's eyes. Since I was young, to me, there's always something in her eyes that made things, well, better. Like that day when I was 9, I accidentally broke my mom's new glass figurine because I was so fascinated with it. I was terrified of what might happen. I looked into Mitchie's eyes when she told me everything was gonna be fine, and my fears disappeared. True enough, my mom didn't get mad when she saw how sorry I was. I struggled with History in seventh grade; I was on the brink of failing. Mitchie patiently tutored me 'til I remembered every detail. Her eyes during that time told me I'd make it through, so I did. With flying colors. Here eyes gave me strength, assurance and security.

Back in the present, Mitchie takes my hand, moves closer and gives me a sweet, lingering kiss on my forehead. We're eye to eye again after. "I do, darling. But believe me, I love you more."

"I believe you."