"How many times do I have to tell you? Even when you're crying, you're beautiful too

The world is beating you down, I'm around through every mood

You're my downfall, you're my muse
My worst distraction, my rhythm and blues
I can't stop singing, it's ringing in my head for you

My head's underwater
But I'm breathing fine
You're crazy and I'm out of my mind

'Cause all of me
Loves all of you
Love your curves and all your edges
All your perfect imperfections
Give your all to me
I'll give my all to you
You're my end and my beginning
Even when I lose I''m winning, 'cause all of me loves all of you" John Legend

Author's note: there's a lot of BIG stuff coming up during the next few chapters, I think you're going to be really surprised.

(Carrie's pov)

It was suprising how long it takes to get over the loss of a friend, especially when this friend was the one who motivated you to start a new life. It'd been over a month, shouldn't I be feeling a little bit better by now? Sue wouldn't want me to focus on her death, she would want me to move on and live the life that she gave me. She gave me a chance, and at some point, I had to take it.

I sat at my desk, looking through paperwork in total silence. Alex and I haven't really talked to each other in the passed few weeks, it's not like we fought about what happened at the hotel, it's just that I'm afraid to bring it up to him. And to be honest, things felt a little weird between us since then.

"Hey Carrie, Alex..." Garry called, walking out of his office "Ralph Loran is hosting some kind of fancy charity ball, and they're having all of us attend." he said as he stood in front of mine and Alex's cubical "So both of you should bring a few people with you, I guess it's supposed to make it look like we care more if we bring people."

"Lisa told you that, didn't she?" I asked, sarcastically

"No, I...I read it online." Garry stammered

"Right..." Alex replied

"What's the charity for?" I asked

"Uh, I don't know; something involving a historical society, or medical research, or something. But it can't be that bad, they're hiring a live band, so I guess there'll be dancing, and the drinks are free." Gary replied

"Neither of us is over 21, so that doesn't really matter." Alex said

"Well they don't know that." Gary replied

"Okay, when is it?" Alex asked

"Monday night, but I'll take you asking me this as that you'll come, so thanks. Wear something expensive." Gary replied, heading back to his office

"Crap" I remarked

"It's okay, you still have four days to find something to wear" Alex responded "Although you might be in luck, Mary might have something you can barrow."

"Okay." I replied

"Carrie?" Alex said as I turned back to my desk

"Yeah.." I replied

"I know that we haven't really talked about what happened at the hotel, I know that you're still upset about your friend, and I know that I'm a complete asshole for mentioning this. But at some point can we talk about what happened?" Alex asked

"Yeah, I guess." I replied

"Oh I didn't mean right now, I just meant at some point. There's no rush." he added

"Oh, okay." I replied

Three days later...

I think I unleashed a psychopath when I asked Mary if she had anything to wear. We spent hours finding me something to wear. It was always "oh this matches your eyes" or "Oh my god, this would go perfect with these shoes" or "Oh, this really complements your boobs". After a while it just turned into a blur of the two of us running around all over the her house looking for a dress. Although I have to admit, I had a great time.

Eventually though, Mary finally took into account that she was at least six inches taller than me, and any of her dresses would be impossible for me to walk around in. So, off to Macy'a we went.

"Hey, how are things with you and Alex?" Mary asked as we drove to the mall

"Uh..they're fine." I chuckled

"Okay, it's just that you guys seem kinda, I don't know, tense." she replied

"It's not like we're mad at each other or anything-" I began

"Not that kind of 'tense'." she interjected

"What, do you mean like, sexual?" I asked

"Yeah" she replied "It's not like it's any of my business, not that that's ever stopped me before, I'm just curious."

"Oh, well to be honest, I don't really know." I answered

The conversation between us got me thinking about my relationship with Alex. I've never really thought about it, but there definitely was an undeniable tension between us. I want to tell myself it was nothing, but I knew I was wrong.

(Alex's pov)

While Carrie was with Mary, picking up an outfit to wear to the party, Jamie and I went to pick up suits from Men's Wearhouse since they were coming with us.

"So, have you and Carrie hooked up yet?" Jamie asked as we looked through tuxes

"What...no, we're just friends, dude." I replied, while turning away so he would notice that I was blushing.

"Okay. But I'm just letting you know, I owe Mary 50 bucks if you two get together by Christmas." Jamie announced

"WHAT?" I asked after spitting out my soda all over a tux

"I'm just fucking with you." Jamie replied, laughing hysterically

"Oh, ha ha, very funny. Asshole." I replied

"Sir, did you do this?" a large man asked me, pointing at a tux with a large soda stain on it

"No that was me." Jamie replied, possibly trying to make up for asking me about Carrie

Jamie bought the stained tux for himself, while I rented mine, trying to get the hell out of here as fast as I could. Yes, I was definitely attracted to her, but I tried not to think about it. I didn't want to ruin our friendship, and I worried acting on my feelings could do that...

The next day...

(Carrie's pov)

I'd never been to a party like this. The only parties that momma would ever take me to were usually birthday parties for the people in our church or our family. I guess the closest thing to a party like this that I've been to was prom. The key differences that I noticed were that the location was much bigger, people were wearing expensive clothes, drank expensive alcohol, and ate expensive food.

Shortly after we all found our tables, and after we shook hands with multiple people who would introduce themselves to Gary, Lisa, myself, and Alex. It got repetitive very quickly. After about 45 minutes, Alex leaned into me and said:

"Hey, wanna dance?" he asked "That way we don't have to keep talking to a bunch of random people that we're never going to see again anyway."

"I thought you'd never ask." I smiled

A somewhat faster song began to play as we made it to the dance floor. It was far from something that I was used to, but the two of us turned out to be naturals at it. Our bodies moved like they were on fire, it was like every muscle in me was ready to burst.

It was like there was some hidden passion between us that had been waiting until now to finally reveal itself. Although, as the song ended, something happened. It was like there was some kind of magnet that made us practically collide with each other, and before either of us could stop to realize what was about to happen, the tips of our lips met.

To be continued...

Author's note: what did you guys think? Did you see that coming, or we're you shocked? Let me know what you guys think so far.