A/N: I apologize for the lack of updates on my stories in the past couple days...I've been busy and also unable to get onto the computer. It will be a few days before I update again, my birthday is coming up on Friday so I have tons to do to prepare for my party and everything. Again I apologize, but I'll definately be back with a new chapter on Saturday!
Make sure to review on this chapter, I worked EXTRA hard on it.

I was shaking with anticipation following my little truth session with Alex. I noticed the look coming across her face. Slight shock. But at this point, I couldn't tell whether I'd get a negative or a positive reaction. All I could do was wait. It didn't take long. I saw a glint in her eye as she turned to me. Her face turned stony.
"Ellie, you're an amazing girl, but-" I got up from my seat, pushing my glass off of the table in a blind rage. I was frustrated, and as I walked away, I felt a tugging on my arm. Swiftly I turned, surprised to see Alex.
"You didn't let me finish. I was going to say 'but I'm not good enough for you.' Gosh. Let a girl speak before you go off thinking the wrong thing. I like you Ellie. Hell, it's crazy, but it is what it is. And I want to know what you intend to do about it."

Renewed hope flashed all around me, and my ears were ringing. My mouth hung open. Gazing at Alex, I clamped my mouth shut and kissed her, pulling her to me in a frenzy of emotions.

so afraid of running out of time
so come around again and I'll show you what I mean

I felt her tremble beneath my touch. It made me think that maybe she wasn't as tough as I thought. She was an extraordinary girl, and at that moment, I believe I was happier than I have ever been. Anxiously, I pulled away, eager to see what would happen next. The look on her face was close to giddiness, and I saw her smile. "Now that's how you take charge." She said breathlessly, sitting back down in the booth. I joined her, fueled with intensified desire. We finished our food, and I slipped Alex's hand in mine as we vacated the Dot. It was now mid-afternoon, and the sky was brightly illuminated by the sun. I used my other hand to shield my eyes from the shining light that was burning my skin.
Alex and I returned to my apartment, and I led her inside, a sly grin playing at my lips.

"You're a regular seductress, aren't you?" Alex asked me, raising a brow. I seized her, grabbing her by the arm and planting a kiss on her awaiting lips. Then I looked at her for a moment.
"Some are just easily seducted." I countered, walking away from her and taking a place on the couch. She chuckled, following and joining me.
"Is that so?" She questioned, eyes blazing with curiosity. "Maybe I'm just a lush. For all you know, I'm 'letting myself get seducted' by all sorts of people."
"I'll just have to be better at it, then." I replied, running my finger down her jaw. She shuddered, and then gazed at me with bravery. She wrestled me down to the floor. I let out a laugh, closing my eyes. She smelled like lilac. Alex stopped wrestling me, simply put her arms around me, and we lay there.

I don't know how long we were there on the floor, but when we finally decided to get up, I looked out the window. It was beginning to get dark outside. I smirked, taking Alex by the hand and leading her to the porch. We sat there, eyes fixed upon the starlit sky. She turned to me.
"I made a wish. Wanna help make it come true?"
I shrugged with pretend reluctance. "Depends...what is this wish?"
"How would you like to be my girlfriend?" She mouthed, and I practically fell over in disbelief.
"I would like nothing more," I answered truthfully, voice silky. "But that might not be a good idea, considering how we were both recently dumped."
"All the more reason to go for it. As long as we promise each other not to disappear, or to go sleep with half the school." She urged, wanting an answer from me.
"I'll consider it," I began. I saw her face fall in despair, and I took her hand in mine, kissing it softly. "I was only joking. Of course I'll be your girlfriend. I'm new at all this though, so you'll have to help me out."
"I can't help you," she confessed. "I know nothing more about it than you do. I just know I like you and that's enough for me."

She's like this gypsy, you see. She stole my heart early on. I didn't love her then, but I felt enough to know there wasn't anyone else I wanted. She gave me a reason to look forward to each day. And that, in intself, was amazing. It was a great feeling waking up the next morning, Alex's body tangled up in mine. I couldn't help but smile as I rubbed my weary eyes. It was natural to be a little frightened. God only knew how everyone would react. I decided to tell Marco first. Sneaking out of bed, careful not to wake Alex, I went into the living room. Grabbing my jacket, I took off for a walk to Marco's.

It seemed to take forever to get there, but that was only because I was so anxious. What I was feeling for Alex was something eloquent, quite like a poem or something. I know, it sounds cliche and everything. I can't help what I feel and now it's my job to proclaim it to the world. Slowly. Person by person. I certainly wasn't ready to stand on the bridge and shout it up to the heavens or anything. As I rang Marco's doorbell, I shoved my hands deep into my pockets. He opened the door, a look of surprise coming over him. He regained his composure, smiling and offering for me to come in. I did so, turning to Marco in excitement. He could tell something was up.
"What do you need to tell me?" He asked, eyes sparkling. He was my best friend for this reason. He could read me like no other. Maybe he was clever, or maybe he just KNEW me.
"It's about Alex." I said carefully, biting my lip in anticipation.
"What about her? If its about her moving in with you, I already know."
"No, no. It's not that. It's something else." I replied, trying not to reveal anything yet.
"What? Is she okay?"
"She's better than okay," I began. "She's my girlfriend!" I practically screamed, jumping up and down and capturing my best friend in a hug.

He stared at me, openmouthed. He was silent, just looking at me with that expression on his face.
"Well, say something." I mumbled, excitement wearing off. He didn't seem...enthused.
"I don't want her to hurt you." He whispered, grabbing me by my belt loop and pulling me to him. "She has a tendency to...be a little rough."
"I know that, but she's different when it comes to this. Trust me. You weren't the one cuddling with her last night. I think I know better than you do." I snapped back, anger flashing instantly. I couldn't help it. He was acting like I was a child. I knew what I was doing. His reluctance was pissing me off.
"Okay okay. Backing up now, both hands in the air. I'm just saying. Be careful. I care about you, Ellie. I don't want to see this ending up badly. I know you two are friends, and things like this can totally wreck that. Because when you break up..." He said, giving me a look of concern.
"You said when. Like you're assuming for it to happen soon. News flash, Marco. We wouldn't be dating if we didn't think we could get through it. I just wanted you to be happy for me!" I acclaimed, maddened by his pitiful attempt at caring.

"I am happy for you." Marco argued, stepping in front of the door to keep me from leaving. "I'm happy for the both of you. I'm glad SOMEONE'S getting some." He said this last part quietly, collapsing against the door slowly.
"What do you mean?" I asked, expression softly, taking a seat beside of him. He buried his head in his hands, digging his fingernails into his thick hair. I pulled his hands away from his head, forcing him to look at me.
"Dylan and I...aren't doing so hot. Something's going on." He explained, face bleak. I scowled, hating to see my best friend this way. I instantly felt horrible for yelling at him earlier.
"Oh, Marco..I'm sorry." I apologized, tears stinging at my eyes. It pained me to know that he wasn't happy. Because that was one of the most important things to me, that he was happy. "Is there anything I can do? Maybe I could come over and we could eat ice cream and watch chick flicks. Just you and me. What do you say?" I proposed, running my hand over his. He pulled it away, shaking with sobs. I was silent as he weeped deeply, feeling a wretched knot in my stomach. "Shhh, Marco." I tried to calm him, putting my arms around him and rocking him back in forth. He silenced himself, sniffing and looking up at me.
"Just you and me?" He asked, wiping his nose with his sleeve.
"Yes."
"Okay."

I headed back to the apartment. Alex was sitting on the couch and when I walked in, she jumped up.
"Where were you?" She questioned, desperation on her face. She must have been worried when she woke up and I was gone. I apologized to her, and explained the situation. She said she understood. I pulled her into a hug, her scent washing over me.
"You're lovely beyond comprehension." I whispered into her ear, giving her a kiss on the cheek. She flung herself onto me, and I toppled onto the floor.
"You're not leaving just yet." Alex demanded, planting light butterfly kisses all over my face. She worked her way down to my collarbone. Then she lifted me from the floor, pulling me onto her lap and kissing me straight on the lips. She parted her lips, kissing me deeper and with more intensity. I felt her heart beat faster and faster. My fingertips tingled as she let her hand wander down the back of my pants. I pushed her away from me, shaking my head.
"I have to go. See you tomorrow." I got up from the floor, blowing her a kiss and heading out.

It's not that I was ready, it's just that wasn't the right moment. I was a little scared, I have to admit. Who could blame me though? I'm a virgin in all ways of the word. People assumed Sean and I did some stuff, but they were terribly wrong. He never pressured me into anything, so we never did anything. I was happy with that decision, especially now. I knew I would have regretted it, and I was right. After all, he did dump me and was living with his parents now. That would have hurt worse if I'd given him such a huge part of me.

I returned to Marco's, and he was waiting, dvds in hand and two little tubs of Ben & Jerry's. I flashed him a grin, joining him on the couch. We popped in the first dvd, and began our little movie night.
This was one of the best nights of my life. Spending a night with my best friend in the entire world. It was nice. Comforting. After all, I'd felt Marco and I had been drifting a bit lately. He'd been all wrapped up in Dylan. Speaking of Dylan...I'm going to have to do something about that situation. No way was I letting a perfectly good relationship crumble before my eyes.