allie, we have some promoting to do. i'll pick you up at 7

Alex got the text from Newt and she knew she had little time to get ready. It was the premiere of the next installment of the lame Hannah Montana movie series. But she knew she had to feign happiness. Ms. Hannah Montana aka her husband stealer, ran in the same circle as her. Which meant that she'd see the star of the night and her husband. The divorce papers never came or they got lost in the mail and Alex had shrugged it off sending a text to Nate a week ago letting him know that the papers never came and to send another set. Of course he acted all angry. But when didn't he act angry towards her now?

Tonight, Newt said he'd be Alex's date since Alex didn't have anybody to go with. Alex predicted correctly, Newt and her were pretty close now. She didn't spill her deep, dark secrets to him but they definitely had a connection. The tabloids had criticized their relationship because Alex and Nate were still married but Alex was already 'moving on'. It was totally hypocritical because everybody else swooned over Nate and Alexis' relationship. Not only that but Alex and Newt's relationship was just strictly platonic. It wasn't ever like they had a fling or a romantic connection. His girlfriend didn't like it too much so she broke up with him.

Alex saw it as a blessing for Newt. The girl was just so much bad energy all of the time. She only dated Newt for half a year and already she was dictating his every move. Alex slipped on a BCBGMaxAzria dress quickly and grabbed a clutch. She wasn't one for much of a fuss over clothing if she already liked the dress. She quickly did her makeup. It wasn't anything too fancy but she knew she looked good. The door bell rang and Newt came up to her room. He always rang before he came in but Alex always left the door unlocked if she knew he was coming. But it didn't even matter because she gave him a key one night to pick something up when she'd already be asleep. She trusted him that much.

"Hey gorgeous." He bent down and gave her a kiss on her cheek like he always did. But he pulled back and had a bit of blush on his chin from accidentally nudging her. She giggled and wiped it off for him. "Oh gosh, sorry did I ruin your makeup?" He genuinely asked.

She giggled again, "No. It doesn't matter anyways, blush isn't that big of a deal." Alex stood up and pulled down her dress. "C'mon let's go. We're going to be late if we don't." They interlocked arms and went out to Newt's sports car.

When they were on the road, Newt had the top down. He had forgotten that today Alex had done her hair for the event. Alex was struggling to keep her hair in perfect form until Newt noticed and sheepishly smiled while closing the top. She smiled but waved it off. It wasn't a big deal to her. When they got to the event, Newt left the keys to valet and he led Alex to the carpet. He knew that they would be posing together but they would try to make it to as many different media stations as possible to promote their sitcom. Alex wrapped her tiny fingers around his forearm and posed next to him with a sweet smile. Occasionally, she would look up at him and he would return the gaze. They looked like a couple. To the both of them though, they knew that they didn't actually think the same thing as everybody else. In each others eyes, they were just really good friends.

Both of them split to go talk to different interviewers. Alex went to E!'s Ryan Seacrest, "So, Alex, are you and Newt Livingston dating? It's kind of obvious that you guys seem perfect together."

Alex giggled, "Aww, Ryan, that's sweet but I'm sure Newt already has the heart of many girls and doesn't need mine. Besides, what happened to us, Ryan? We're supposed to be together."

Ryan smiled but nixed the idea, "As much as I'd like to be yours, you're just too young. It'd be weird. You'd be like the gold digger even though you make more than me."

Alex didn't want to stand there awkwardly but Ryan's comment really didn't hit a giggly chord inside of her. Nevertheless, she smiled and said her goodbyes before getting back on the carpet to get to her next interview. "Hi, Alex!" A correspondent for TMZ pulled Alex off of the carpet.

Alex cordially smiled and waited for the interviewer to continue, "So, Nate's recently been pictured by TMZ with Miss Alexis Texas all over New York City, especially at your mansion that you share with Nate." Alex looked down but listened attentively with half a smile on her face. "What's going on between you and Nate?"

Alex shrugged. She didn't know what to say, "Um, y'know life passes us by. Sometimes, it goes by faster than we thought it did and we miss those chances to live in." Alex shrugged again and shook her head. It was almost as if she was saying, 'That's the best I can give right now.' "But, me and Newt Livingston are filming our second season of It Takes Two. You guys should definitely check it out. It's got extremely hilarious scenes in it." Alex quickly said her goodbyes before they could ask anything more about Nate and Alexis.

Next Alex was pulled in by Nancy O'Donnell, "Hi, Nancy! How are you? How's the baby?"

Nancy smiled wide, "I'm doing well; the baby's great. Thank you for remembering! We loved that gift that you sent. It was so darling." Alex smiled. "So, Alex. We want to just clear some things up before I continue." Alex nodded. "You and Newt? Nothing's going on right?"

Alex shook her head, "I get this weird feeling every time somebody asks me if me and Newt are dating. It's like when someone mistakes your brother for your boyfriend. It's disturbing."

"You and Nate?"

Alex smiled, "My love life must be the hot topic of the moment or something. I've been asked about it several times already. The TMZ reporter gave me details and every thing that I had no idea about. It's pretty interesting stuff that's going on in the world these days." Alex felt like she successfully skirted around the question while still giving an answer that seemed plausible.

But Nancy was persistent. "You and Nate, Alex? What's going on with you two?"

Alex's smile fell just a bit, "Me and Nate are friends just like we always were. I love him just as I did before. There's nothing different in the way that I feel for him." Alex thought that sounded good enough but Nancy was not satisfied, Alex could tell. "Nancy, why does everybody keep asking me these questions and acting like they must know more about me than I know myself and then giving me the pity look?"

Nancy gave her that pity look and pursed her lips. Alex's hands fell from in front of her to her sides as she looked in the same direction as Nancy and saw what she was looking at. Nate had his arm slung around Alexis' waist and Alexis' arms were wrapped around Nate's torso. How awkward? Alex quickly got back on the carpet and Newt found her immediately after. "Alex, I just saw Nate and Alexis..." Alex nodded. "They're coming right now..." Alex didn't want to make it look obvious. She linked her arm with Newt's and pulled him to the next interviewer. If she seemed busy, then for sure they wouldn't bother her.

After their interview, Newt's hand slid to the small of Alex's back to lead her back to the carpet where Nate and Alexis seemed to be waiting for them. Alex slowed down but Newt pushed her forward. "Hey, Nate, Alexis." Alex waved awkwardly. Newt said 'hi' to Alexis and nodded his head toward Nate. "What are you guys doing in California?" Alex desperately tried not to sound frazzled.

Alexis grabbed Nate's hand when he began to answer, "Alexis has a new drama coming out so she's doing some promoting. This is her event and I'm her date." She felt so stupid for asking that question when she already knew the answer. They were attending an event for Alexis' series after all. Alex nodded her head. What else was she supposed to do? "What are you guys doing here? Is Newt your date tonight, Allie?"

Alex didn't really think about it too hard but she noticed that Nate still called her Allie. That had to mean something was still the same. It was what he called her when he was completely in love with her. Her heart skipped a beat and her mouth went dry but all she could do was answer his question truthfully. "Me and Newt are promoting our second season. Yeah, Newt's my date tonight." At that moment, Newt had his hands loosely in his pockets beside Alex. They looked like they could pass as a couple but they were just best friends. Alex could sense what was running through Alexis' mind as her eyes studied Alex and Newt's body positions. Alex didn't feel the need to explain that they were just friends. Let Alexis think whatever it is that she wants.

Coincidentally, as they sat down, Nate and Alex had the seats next to each other. They didn't bother switching just because it'd be awkward and obvious that somebody was unhappy with the situation (especially Alexis). During the showing, from time to time, Nate had the tendency to lean over to Alex and say things that made them both giggle. Newt did the same with Alex. But nobody did it to Alexis. Nate was holding Alexis' hand but he was completely talking to Alex the entire time. It's not like he purposely did it. He subconsciously couldn't help it. As they were going out of the theater, Nate overheard Alex and Newt talking. "Yeah, that'd be great. D'you want to grab a bite at Friday's or something?" Newt relaxed his arm around Alex's shoulders.

"Yeah, sure. That sounds good. Do you want to go to the one close to here or the one close to your house?" Newt held the door open as Alex went through. Nate grabbed it quickly so he could continue listening with Alexis clumsily following behind in her heels.

"Umm, I'm actually kinda tired. D'you just want to go to my house and I'll order a pizza or something? We can watch movies in our jammies?" Alex smiled sheepishly. "We haven't done that in awhile." Alex grabbed onto Newt's blazer and pulled him closer. The California night breeze was catching up tonight. Newt pulled off his blazer and let it hang around Alex's bony shoulders. Her hands came up and pulled it tighter around her small frame. "Thank you." She said it sweetly and gave him a bump with her elbow. Newt let his hands fall into his pockets casually and he nodded his head.

"I don't know, Allie. A bunch of reporters already asked me if we were going out. I think we would just exacerbate the situation if I stayed over tonight." Newt shrugged. His tone of voice sounded stern but Alex could tell he really wanted to stay to have a movie night with her.

"You know what? Don't worry about it. We can have a movie afternoon next week or something. It doesn't have to be tonight." She shrugged too. She sounded nonchalant but she really didn't want Newt's decision to be affected by the reporters' questions.

Newt looked over at Alex and he could tell instantly that she wanted to spend the night with him. It's not that he didn't want to. It's that he knew Nate was listening. But, he reweighed his thoughts. Nate is her husband but Alex is his friend. Nate is just an acquaintance. "You know what, Allie, I change my mind. I think I will stay over tonight. That is if you still want me."

Alex smiled wide and walked straight into Newt's body. He opened his arm to her and she comfortably walked closely beside Newt as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. To everybody else, they were totally dating. Nate quickly caught up to them. "Hey guys! It's been so long. We should catch up tonight. Go grab a bite." Nate hoped that they wouldn't refuse.

Alex looked up at Newt, who already knew how she felt tired, but she knew that they'd only be in town for one night. As far as she's concerned, they were still friends and such. Alex looked over at Nate giving her response, "Yeah, sure. Where do you want to go?" Newt lightly squeezed her shoulder, knowing that it must've been hard for her to say yes after a long night.

Alexis was awfully quiet. It was quite evident that she didn't want to go. Nate suggested, "Let's go to that diner that you raved about so much, Allie." Alex saw Alexis jerk in the corner of her eye. She wasn't sure what that was about but yet again, Alex could tell Alexis did not want to be put in this situation.

Alex nodded and looked up at Newt. "Newt, he's talking about the one where we went to with Gemina." Gemina was Newt's ex-girlfriend. He nodded not even flinching at the mention of his ex.

"Alright-y then, let's get a move on. Nate where'd you park? You can just follow us there." Nate pointed in the direction and Newt pointed in his and they both arranged how it was going to work before parting ways.

As Alex was out of earshot, Nate leaned over to Alexis and told her quietly, "Did you see that? Newt didn't even take his arm off of her shoulders the entire time he talked to me. He gave her his blazer! Do you think they're dating?"

Alexis's eyes shot wide open, "Why does it matter, Nate? She can date who she wants when she wants."

Nate settled down a little. He could tell Alexis was not a happy camper. "Yeah, yeah. You're right. My bad."

When they got to the diner, Newt had given Alex a sweatshirt that he left in his car for her. They hung out a lot so he always left it there in case she was ever cold. It was a big college sweatshirt to Stanford and Alex didn't mind that it was way too big for her because it looked good on her. But, she was able to slip out of her dress while she was still in the sweatshirt. She grabbed a pair of her skinny jeans that she left in Newt's car the other day and a pair of his slippers. Alex always laughed at the fact that Newt liked to have a pair of house slippers in his car whenever he didn't feel like wearing his regular shoes. They met Alexis and Nate in the diner. Alex and Newt already got a table sitting next to each other.

Nate slid into the booth letting Alexis take the outside seat. "Hey guys. Allie you changed?"

Alex swiftly looked down at her outfit and back up at Nate, "Yeah. Newt let me borrow some stuff. It was kind of cold outside." Then, she shrugged.

They ate dinner (well a really late one) and they conversed like civilized people. By the end of the night, Alex was fighting to keep her eyelids open and she had her head rested on Newt's shoulder. Newt didn't mind too much. It was just like every day. But to Nate, he wasn't use to this. He was freaking out over it too but he was doing a great job hiding it. Newt looked down at her, "Hey, it's getting late. We should do this again sometime soon. Whenever you're back in town just give us a call." Alex slowly lifted her head off of Newt's shoulder and got out of the booth. She waited for Alexis to get out then she gave her a hug and then she gave Nate a hug goodbye. Nate felt tinglies all over. Alex drowsily went back to Newt and hugged his arm while resting her cheek against his arm too. She kind of looked like a tired little kid. Newt smiled at it. He thought it was cute. "Do you guys know your way back to your hotel okay?" Nate nodded and replied that he could just use the navigator.

They said their goodbyes and Nate watched Newt lead Alex out to his car as he heard Alex ask, "Can I just sleep over tonight? I'm really tired." Newt chuckled and said 'yeah.' The fire in Nate was bursting. He didn't like that she was sleeping over at Newt's house. He didn't like it at all.

Alexis pinched Nate's arm, "Nate! Jealousy looks bad on you except when it's over me." Alexis pushed pass Nate and got in the car first. She definitely wasn't happy.

xoxo

So this chapter is extremely late... But next week, I should have some down time so I'll try to get everything sorted out for this story. I'm making no promises though because I don't know if I'll get bombarded with things to do like I have these past two weeks. I haven't gotten any review replies done yet, for that I apologize. But they will eventually go up, I promise! I guess I hadn't saved your response to my profile Nalexlvr, I apologize for telling you that it would be there and it wasn't. I still need to read through everyone's comments and reviews.

What did you guys think of this chapter? Did it make up for missed time? Or was it lacking like the last one? Also, what are your thoughts on Alex and Newt's relationship?