When Alex arrived at the sandwich shop for her shift, her mother was sweeping the floor, her dad was making a ham sandwich, and Max was serving a drink. She moved around the counter to grab her apron, then went into the kitchen. Justin was not there.

She walked out and took her place at the cash register, wondering if maybe he was just in the bathroom. She took care of a few orders, and after 20 minutes, she finally decided to try to bring up her brother's absence as casually as possible.

"Hey Mom, where is Justin?" Alex said while giving someone their change. She quickly thought up an excuse for the question. "I mean uhh…we're swamped and we kind of need his help."

Theresa glanced up from the broom and surveyed the tables, then turned to give Alex a weird look. "There are only six customers."

"Very demanding customers," Alex countered. Theresa gave another weird look before she finally answered the question.

"He's upstairs, he claimed he was feeling a little sick," Theresa said. "My poor baby," She murmured under her breath. "I hope it's not a bug going around."

Alex swallowed as the guilt seeped in. She knew exactly what was plaguing Justin, and it was all her fault. She served a man a sandwich and returned to her post, her hands shaking a little bit. She couldn't leave the shop now, though, without seeming suspicious. She would just have to deal with the next hour.

The door opened and Harper bounced in, wearing a new shell necklace she had just made. She bounded cheerfully to the counter and sat on the stool. "Hey Alex," She said.

Alex took a deep breath and tried to smile. "Hey."

"Oh my god I cannot believe Riley asked you out!" Harper squealed. Alex inwardly moaned. How was she going to deal with this?

"Um, yeah, exciting," Alex said, trying to match her friend's excited tone. Harper carried on without noticing how hollow the words sounded.

"So, what are you going to wear?" Harper asked.

"Not sure yet."

"We should go shopping Friday and buy a perfect outfit," Harper suggested.

"Sure," Alex said, and took care of another customer while Harper waited patiently.

"I wish I had a perfect guy like Riley," Harper sighed dreamily.

"You'll find him," Alex reassured.

"I already did," Harper reminded her. "But Justin is not interested."

Alex's heart beat faster. No, Justin was not interested in Harper, but in herself. She felt another wave of guilt wash over her for stealing her friend's crush away. And she also felt regret, because she knew she couldn't confide in her.

"He's a guy," Alex said. "He'll come around." But she secretly hoped he wouldn't. Of course, what had happened today at school might have changed that. She glanced at the clock. Twenty more minutes and she could see him again.

"I hope so," Harper said. "Where is he, by the way?"

"He's sick," Alex said.

"Aww," Harper made a pouty face.

"So, do you want a sandwich?" Alex said, trying to change the subject.

Harper smiled. "Sure."

Alex left the shop as soon as possible, and tried her best not to rush up the stairs. Thankfully, her parents were still working and Max was eating, so she had a good fifteen minutes or so to be alone before Max came home.

She approached his door carefully, a little nervous and still feeling incredibly guilty. She didn't bother knocking, since she never did anyways, and just pushed the door open and shut it behind her.

Justin lay sprawled over his, his hand over his eyes, his chest rising up and down slowly. He was possibly asleep, since he didn't move when she walked to the side of his bed.

"Justin?" Alex said quietly and pushed his hands off his face. Justin's eyes snapped open, and he looked up at her with a deeply hurt expression.

"Hi Alex," He said softly.

"Justin, I'm sorry," Alex said sincerely. "I had to kiss him."

"I know," Justin said, closing his eyes again and ending the conversation. Alex sighed and bit the inside of her cheek, trying to think of what to say to make the situation better. She couldn't think of words, so she chose a different option. Tucking her hair behind her ears, she bent down slowly to kiss him lightly. It was meant to be soft; a quick, reassuring kiss that would tell him Riley meant nothing. But as she pulled away Justin's hands came up to pull her closer, and eventually on top of him. Her heart pounded as he kissed her back, his hands threading through her hair. She wondered how Justin had become such a good kisser, and then realized he had probably practiced on Miranda. She pushed that thought away.

Justin rolled and pulled Alex beneath him, so now he was on top. They kissed harder, her tongue begging for entrance, which he allowed. She locked her hands around his neck, keeping the two of them close.

"I forgive you," Justin breathed and kissed her again.

"Of course it takes a kiss-apology…" Alex rolled her eyes teasingly, but sighed with relief as her lips met his.

"Justin! Alex! Are you guys home?" Max's voice rang through the house. Justin quickly broke away, and Alex's hands fell to her sides as Justin rolled off, breathing heavily. Alex sat up and smoothed her hair and clothes before hopping off the bed. She glanced at Justin, who was looking a lot better than before, and smiled at him. He smiled back. Alex then moved to the door and opened it before running to the top of the steps.

"We're upstairs," Alex called and ran down the steps.

Max was on the couch, watching the TV.

"Oh," he said, focusing on the cartoon he was watching. Alex rolled her eyes, but she was feeling better now that Justin was happier, and settled on the chair to lose herself to the stupid songs and jokes of the show.

Justin then came down the stairs, and he headed towards the fridge for something to drink before joining Max on the couch.

"Dad said that we have wizard lessons in an hour," Max said.

Justin and Alex had just locked eyes and were staring at each other. They quickly broke away and glanced at Max, who was just oblivious to their moment. "Ok," They said in unison.

Alex lay back on her bed, and closed her eyes as she sank into the soft pillows. She felt the stress of the past hours slowly leave her body, and she was finally glad to be at peace.

She no longer saw Justin's hurt face every time she closed her eyes; and the guilty not in her stomach had loosened. He had forgiven her. And she was still wrapped in a tiny bubble of happiness she felt from kissing Justin.

And in that moment, when Alex had finally reached pure bliss for the first time in the past couple of days, her cell vibrated from her nightstand.

Her eyes snapped open, the peace disappeared, and she quickly scrambled to the other side of her bed to flip her cell open. It read that she had a new text message from Riley.

Why now?

Why? Why? Why?

Letting out a frustrated huff of breath, she clicked on the message. Taking a deep breath, she calmed herself before she read it.

Alex- We still on for Saturday? I'll pick you up at 6.- Riley

Alex groaned. She had forgotten about Saturday. But she knew she couldn't reject him. Keeping her relationship with Justin a secret was the top priority. But she had just made up with him, and now she had to go on a date with someone else.

Reluctantly, she quickly sent back an approval of the plan and sent it as there was a knock on the door.

"Come in," Alex said.

Justin pushed open the door and quickly stepped inside, finally closing the door.

"They're finally all asleep," He said, sitting beside her on the bed.

Alex inwardly screamed. She wanted to tell him about the date, but it wasn't the right time. They had just made up, and now Justin was looking really cute with his hair disheveled from sitting on the couch. She shut her phone and put it back down next to her clock. Then, grinning, she leaned over to give Justin a kiss. Their lips were almost touching when she pulled back quickly and knocked him off her bed.

"Ahh! What was that for?" Justin demanded as he fell on the floor.

"I don't know, I felt like it," Alex shrugged and helped him up.

"You would think after what we have been through in the past few days you wouldn't pull stuff like th-" Alex silenced him when she pressed her lips against his.

When they pulled apart, Justin smirked. "Or we could just do that."

Alex smiled. "You said they were all asleep?"

Justin rolled his eyes at the sudden atmosphere change. "I highly doubt they are that asleep."

"Justin Russo get your mind out of the gutter," Alex said.

Justin just shrugged. "We can still kiss."

Alex entwined her hands in his, wanting to enjoy the small moments. "Works for me," She said, and let him wipe Riley from her mind.

I am so excited, I almost have this entire plot finished for this story

Hope you enjoyed the chapter!