Eighteen and Famous

Chapter 11

Disclaimer: I own nothing

"Do I have to?" Alex whined, lying awkwardly on her carpet. She had finished her second shot of coffee for that day, and was negotiating with Shane. "I really think I don't need to go."

"Yes you do." Shane pulled her up. "And why are you lying on the floor anyway? You have a perfectly good bed two centimeters away."

"I like it…" Alex sat up, ignoring her hair bunched up behind her head. "Do it with me, it's awesome."

"Seriously, Lex?" Shane rolled his eyes. "You're a legal adult and you're making carpet angels?"

"Carpet angels." It was Alex's turn to turn her eyes in his direction. "Where did you hear that from?"

"Umm. Just a show."

"Ok…" Alex stood up, feeling uncomfortable being so near to him. "But I need to answer some fan mail and autograph headshots and blah blah blah…" She groaned unhappily. "Can you walk Dragon?" She glanced at him beseechingly, doing her infamous puppy-dog face.

"All right…" Shane relented, picking up the red leash hanging on a hook over her wooden bed post. "I'll walk the dumb dog."

"He's so not dumb!" Alex laughed, and settled down on her bed, logging into her email. "Bye Dragon, don't let Shane bully you!" She twiddled her slim fingers at the bewildered beagle, and submerged herself in a cacophony of emails.

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Alex sighed. Shane was back in less than an hour, and insisted she get ready for the double date at that instant.

"It's on the other side of town and we don't want to be late. Now go put on something nice."

Alex reappeared in her black skinny jeans and vintage AC/DC tee.

"No." Shane insisted. "You go put on something nice now, or I'm going to have to change you."

After a quick 'Ew', Alex returned to the bathroom at the back of the house, and slipped on an oversized gray top with black detailing on the front. Fixing the sleeves so they would fall off her shoulders, she adjusted the black sash she tied at her waist, slouching the top just so. As the top ended just at her thighs, she decided against baring it all for the tabloids and instead pulled on her black leggings that came all the way down to her ankles. Stopping at her vanity table to wind a black beaded necklace around her arm multiple times for an illusion of bracelets, she called for Shane. "Better?"

He appeared from the kitchen, looking pleased. "Much better."

Satisfied, Alex pushed her dark curls into a loose up do, and fastened the silver catch of a pendant around her neck. Just her black Jimmy Choo boots and she was ready, making sure she had her metallic clutch wound tightly around two fingers and her leggings didn't come out from where she had tucked them into her Jimmy's. "Then let's go!"

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No this is not awkward at all. Alex leaned against the cool white tiles of the hotel. This was where they had decided to have dinner and already things had gone wrong. Mitchie had appeared in a skin-tight black and gold dress with matching pumps, and Nate… Nate, Nate Nate. Nate was too beautiful for words. Shane had appeared in his black shirt and tie, while Nate was suddenly the daring one, in a light pink shirt with the collar slightly unbuttoned to add to the ruggedness of his new short curls. He gets a new haircut, you fall back in love.

The awkward silence over the table was too much to bear, and Alex soon retreated to the bathroom without saying anything to Nate, or anyone else, as the conversation between Mitchie and Nate the new happy couple.

Whatever. I just need to calm down. Alex ran her hands through her dark hair, removing whatever curls had fell over her face, and splashed cool water against her cheeks.

"Oh my gosh! You're Alex Russo! I love you!" The stall door behind Alex clanged, hysterical screaming from an obsessed fan followed. Alex smiled and offered to sign a paper towel. Anything to keep myself busy…The autograph session ended quicker then she would have liked, leaving the fan to dash out the door and call all her friends, yelling jubilant phrases at the top of her lungs. All right, Alex, just calm down and return. She dabbed at her face with a hand-towel, and let her hair fall back into their unruly waves. Turning on her heels, she sucked in her breath, and exited the bathroom.

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"Natey…" Mitchie crooned, running a dark nail over Nate's arm. "What are you having?" Despite all silent stares from Alex, Mitchie had continued to fawn over Nate. Ex boyfriends are off-limits! That's like the rules of feminism! Alex bit her tongue and unsheathed the thin papyrus-like menu from its dark green cover.

"I'm having the chicken." Alex interrupted suddenly, slamming the menu shut. The slapping sound caused a few heads to turn, provoking the four young stars to hide behind their menus, chairs, and the tablecloth. Amazing how tying your shoe can save you a swish of your Sharpie.

"Right." Nate replied quickly, sitting up again. "I'll have that too. What about you, Mitch?"

Nate never has chicken, he hates it! Alex wanted to exclaim, before realizing the inappropriate moment to make comments similar to that one. Thoughts hurriedly ran through her head, blocking out Mitchie's order. Is he implying something? Is that why he had the chicken too? Oh shut up, Alex, you're over reacting! Alex's brain was right. She was over reacting. Just because Nate ordered chicken did not mean he was still into her. She knew he was still into her, he had said so. But it was something no one brought up, so it remained unspoken.

"I'm having the steak." Shane and Mitchie agreed on their orders, and waved the waiter away. "Umm… So what do you have planned, Mitchie?" Shane attempted to start conversation.

"Second album and summer tour." Mitchie smiled. "What about you guys?" She replied, speaking directly to Shane.

"Well, we've got our fourth album which we're really excited for, and we're talking about a winter tour." Shane replied, nodding at an equally-excited Nate.

"You, Lex?" Nate asked, leaning against the back of the chair.

Oh gosh. Oh gosh. "The album and our show." Alex's voice shook and she hid her clammy palms under the table cloth. "Yeah, it's not really a busy year."

"Come on, Lex. How about your fashion label?" Shane nudged her shoulder gently.

"Well, that's still not set in stone yet. What about yours?" Alex, nervous and scared, decided to change the subject, directing the question at Shane.

"Yeah, it's coming out in autumn, The Shane Gray autumn collection!" Shane laughed, making exaggerated gestures with his hands.

The three laughed uncomfortably, and Alex decided to check in her clutch for her phone which had been returned swiftly by a very helpful Jacob. It was in perfect condition, fortunately, and she heaved a sigh of relief. Nothing else seemed out of place and she was glad to relax into her chair and listen to the conversation. Okay, maybe I can survive one date, Alex thought.

The food arrived, and they soon engulfed themselves in the food, not one saying a word till the date ended.

"Bye guys." Shane waved at Mitchie and Nate, wrapping his arm around Alex's waist.

"Yeah, bye." Alex managed to wave, and smile.

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After Shane left, all Alex did was cry. She had stripped herself of her top and leggings, and lay on her bed in her pajamas. A strip of lighting cut through the sky. Weather to match my mood. She sniffed, picking up her satin dressing gown, and stepping out into the small balcony. Rain fell heavily down, seeping through her thin camisole and shorts. She leaned against the metal railings, enjoying the feeling of cold water beating down on her skin. She stepped back, and sat down on the white deckchair she kept for private sun-tanning. The rain continued beating… beating... beating…

Nate steps in, a smirk playing on his lips. "So you admit you lost?"

"Never." Alex stands up, enveloping her mouth over his. He pushes her against the wall, both of them struggling for the upper hand. Her dress is getting wetter by the moment; his shirt is now soaking, his hair falling slickly against his cheeks by the heavy rain. Hands roam over her face, tangling in her hair…

Thunder crashes. Alex wakes up. Another flashback. She hurries back into the house, peeling off her wet garments. How can some one ruin your life when he's not even there?

A/N: Wasn't that deep? I was hoping I would get you a little confused by the flash back there. By not making it a 'dream', shows how vivid these flash backs are to Alex! Ha-ha. Hope you liked it! Thank you for reviewing and alerting! Keep telling me what you think of each chapter all right?

Special thanks to:

Hayley, for her wonderful Beta skills!

bluebubble112, you reviewed like 5 freaking times! Thank you so much!