Chapter Seven: The End and the Beginning

"My life is over!" Moaned Zeke. He threw back a luke-warm beer and swallowed a sob. Justin patted his friend on the back. The young man continued, "I love her, she trusted me, and I broke her heart, I just know it." Zeke moaned in agony. The two had been absolutely silent at the meeting. Apparently Alex owed a lot of money, so they could snatch up the property really quickly. From there, they were to evict her and her friend.

"And throw their junk in the trash; don't give them enough time to pack up."

The two sat in silence for hours. Zeke wallowed in misery, "I love her, and she'll never speak to me! Why did I ask if I could help her out?!"

"It's not your fault, man," Justin sighed, "Alex did this to herself; she doesn't know how to run a business…"

"Yeah, and you're easily lied to."

Justin squawked indignantly, then gave up and agreed, "Yeah… no one ever taught me how to pull a fast one. She can though..." He was lost in another life where he was constantly finding his way through her deceptions, "heh, if only we could work together, right?"

Zeke through down another beer, "Are you and the make-believe missus going to have a date tonight?"

Justin closed his eyes, "Neither of us in this the mood."

Zeke nodded and walked away muttering under his breath. Justin lay back, and had to agree, "I love her." He fiddled with the red string.

Halfway across town, Harper and Alex sat in silence. They had nothing to say to each other. Finally, Alex spoke about the man who betrayed them, "Do you love him?"

Harper, startled, looked up. She sheepishly answered slowly, "Very much. I am in love with him."

Alex breathed out slowly, finding her calm. Love changed everything. It's not like she had room to judge; the closest thing she had was some guy who met her a day ago.

Justin… was different. Sometimes, when she thought about him real hard, she felt a connection that stretched her entire life. Magical moments that they had shared came rushing to her. A fire side chat, hugging him while wearing a ridiculous dress, at a scary movie, a red string…

A red string was around her wrist. It was not hers- not exactly. It was exactly like the one Justin was wearing. Alex focused really, really hard.

...Justin, Justin, JUSTIN!

Her heart pounded as she felt love pound through her veins. Another Alex, powerful but bitter, was screaming, "Now! Now's your chance! Do what I couldn't! LOVE HIM!"

She looked at it, finally understanding. It was his- him. She loved Justin. Looking around her apartment, she saw him. He appeared as a background character over and over in her paintings, red strings fastened everything from the doormat to the curtains. He was here, she just had not realized it for years.

"It can't be…"

A.N. Yaaaay! Now they know! Also, glad to hear from my new reviewers!