A/N: Alright, don't murder me. It's been a really difficult past few months full of a lot of really REALLY bad days, but I'm not going to get into that. Anyways, I needed a break from this story because I was a bit unsatisfied with how I was writing it. I started micro-planning too much, but I've decided to just let it run with a very general plan, and I think it'll be much better now. Either way, this chapter is meh, so bear with me. It's a crucial chapter, though. It's setting the basis for some important stuff. Also, you get to meet a couple new characters based off of and created by some people very near and dear to me (SHOUT OUT TO MIA AND ALSO JONATHAN BUT YOU AREN'T READING THIS OH WELL SERENA WAS YOUR IDEA ANYWAYS). But yea, I hope you enjoy these new characters. The guys didn't fit into this chapter, but their story lines are still very much moving- two in particular. So yea, enjoy even though it kinda sucks ass.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything recognizable.
"So when are you going to tell me what happened that night in Tahoe?" Alex asked Ryan as they shelved and scanned the newest shipment of books.
"When you finally make a move on that girl you've been stalking for the past month," Ryan retorted. Alex rolled his eyes to mask his embarrassment as he glanced over at the beautiful brunette girl walking up and down the aisles of the history section like she did every week.
"I have not been stalking her!" he demanded. Ryan held her hands up in mock surrender, chuckling.
"Whatever you say man. Whatever you say..." Her voice trailed off as she picked up another box and retreated back into the maze of shelves. Just as he finished shelving the last book, Alex heard the soft ding of the bell on the front counter resonate through the store followed by an equally melodious voice.
"Anyone here?" the voice asked.
"Uh, just a second," Alex responded, rushing through the store to the front desk. "Sorry about that, we're- uh- we're a little short on staff." He offered an apologetic smile that brightened when she reciprocated.
"It's alright. It's holiday season; people must be out constantly," she responded as she handed over her book. "It's usually that nervous blonde working the counter when I come."
"Ramone," Alex informed with a short laugh at her description. "Yea, he's an interesting one." She handed him a ten dollar bill which he swapped for change.
"That he is," she smiled, taking her change and receipt and sticking both in her wallet before picking up her book and giving Alex a thankful smile. Just as she turned to leave, he called out again.
"I'm sorry, I didn't get your name," he said with a hopeful tone. She turned back with a smirk.
"I never gave it to you." When she noticed his expression turned to grim embarrassment, she laughed. "Serena," she said with a glittering smile, holding out her hand. Alex let out a breath of relief, taking her hand in his for a brief but friendly handshake.
"Alex."
"Nice to finally meet you, Alex," Serena replied, releasing his hand, "but I have to run. I'll see you around." With that, she turned back the way she came, smiling to herself when the chimes above the door rang in harmony with the energetic goodbye that Alex hollered after her.
"So," Alex began, slipping out of his grey Converse, "now are you going to tell me what happened?" he asked, following Ryan into his kitchen. She remained silent, scanning the content of his cabinets before shutting them and moving to the fridge.
"What do you want for dinner?" she asked, avoiding Alex's question.
"Don't care. Now tell me," he demanded, hopping up to sit not the countertop of the island.
"Pasta?" Ryan took the box from the cabinet and pulled some vegetables from a drawer in the fridge. Alex groaned from his spot on the counter.
"Ry." He gave her a pointed look. She responded by handing him a knife and a bell pepper. He sighed, taking the items from her hands and cutting up the pepper swiftly and silently. Ryan moved a pot of water onto the gas stove before attempting to light it with a sigh.
"We kissed," she admitted in a mumble, struggling with the stove. Alex set down the knife before turning to face her. A satisfied smile spread across his face at the breakthrough in conversation.
"Well alright," he said cheerfully. "Finally. So then what?" he pressed on. The stove finally caught, and Ryan turned to the side to lean on the countertop beside it and opposite of Alex.
"Nothing," she shrugged. "I went into the room, and he walked back to his hotel. That's it," she admitted truthfully. Alex looked at her blankly for a moment before dropping his head into his hands.
"Okay," he lifted his head, "at least tell me you've spoken since then. I mean, it has been over a month now. It's almost Christmas, and the tour wrapped up just a couple days ago."
"Well he called the other day, but it was brief. He told me about the tour, and I told him we'd be in LA for a few days on New Year's. He said that Kendall had been acting a bit odd, but they didn't know why. We talked about the store, and he asked about you and Margaret, but nothing came up about Tahoe." As she spoke, she traveled around the tiny kitchen, gathering ingredients and dinnerware.
"He didn't say anything? And you don't have a clue about what could be wrong with Kendall?" He turned as he spoke, his eyes following her around the kitchen until she finally came to a stop by the stove.
"No and no," she admitted, pouring the pasta shells into the water. Drizzling the pot with oil and stirring the contents, she sighed.
"Strange," Alex commented, observing his friend. He sighed when she didn't respond. Rather, she stood, leaning against the counter and subconsciously thumbing the ring strung on her neck. He felt for her, yet he couldn't quite muster up the correct words to say. Finally, Ryan cleared her throat, releasing her grip on the ring to reach for a bottle of pasta sauce, her back turned to brunet man.
"So, uh- Have you talked to Mia about the trip?" she asked, discreetly wiping her eyes free of the welled-up tears as she attempted to change the subject. Alex sighed knowingly but took the bait regardless.
"Yeah, I did. We'll be staying with her and Chris for the three nights we're there," he informed her, referring to his older sister and her boyfriend. "And she said that we could invite the guys if they don't have plans yet. They're going all out this year."
"Sounds fun," Ryan responded, turning to meet Alex with a smile.
"It'll be fun until she finds out about your little secret," he reminded her. She threw her head back with a groan.
"She's going to kill me isn't she?" Alex laughed, nodding.
"With your own embarrassment, yes."
Alex hummed to himself as he moved around the store, organizing books and rearranging CDs until he was startled by a soft knock on the glass door. Approaching the entrance, he recognized the figure of a familiar petite brunette, and his eyes lit up. Fumbling to unlock the door, he ushered her in. She smiled, shoving her hands in the back pockets of her jeans.
"Serena!" Alex exclaimed. "What, uh- what are you doing here? It's Christmas Eve!" he pointed out as he nervously moved about the store, picking things up and putting them down, eliciting a laugh from his companion.
"I could ask the same about you. I saw the truck out front-" she pointed to the rusty yellow Chevy outside "-wondered who would be working on a holiday."
"Yea," he laughed, "I figured I'd swing by and get some stuff done before I head over to Ryan's." Serena nodded, remembering the brunette she had met multiple times at the checkout counter.
"I see. Well don't let me hold you," she said, taking notice of Alex gathering his things. He looked up with a sincere and a light laugh that rang out in the small store.
"You're fine," he assured her before pausing to think for a moment. "Actually, give me just a second," he said as he pulled his phone out of his pocket. She waved him off, looking at the various books around the front of the store. He quickly fired off a text, smiling when he got a positive response almost immediately.
"Hey Serena," he got her attention, "you busy tonight?"
"Does everyone work on Christmas Eve in Weston?" Serena questioned as they entered the small diner. Alex laughed.
"Only the insane." Margaret's voice echoed from the small storage cellar in the back of the empty diner. She came out to the front, two plastic bags in hand. She set them on the counter with a smile before glancing at Serena. The two stayed silent, sharing a knowing look that went unnoticed by Alex. A quiet moment passed before the old waitress gave an amused sigh.
"Alex, sweetheart, aren't you going to introduce me to your friend?" She gave him a pointed look.
"Oh! Yea, um, right," he fumbled, embarrassed. "Margaret, this is Serena. Serena- Margaret."
"Hi Margaret," Serena laughed. "How's Reggie doing?"
"Oh much better now. That fancy little girl of his works well enough to take care of him, but I'm telling you, it won't last" Serena chuckled in response before smirking at the befuddled expression of the brunet man standing beside her. As he made the connection, he fought the urge to roll his eyes.
"Is there anyone in this town that you don't know?" he asked, leaning over the bar counter. Margaret patted his folded hands with a chuckle before returning to her job.
"Hon, there ain't a thing happenin' within fifty miles that I don't know of."
As he and Serena approached Ryan's apartment, Alex unlocked the door, much to Serena's surprise, however, the girl made no comment as she cautiously followed behind. Hearing the door open, Ryan left the kitchen.
"Set up on the coffee table. Desert's in the fridge," she informed Alex.
"Merry Christmas to you too," he grumbled, setting the bags down where she had told him.
"Hey Serena," Ryan greeted cheerily, ignoring the comment. "Make yourself comfortable. I'll be out in a minute." With that, she retreated to the small bathroom adjacent to the living room. The shorter brunette stood beside the coffee table, observing as Alex laid out the food they had picked up from the diner.
"So," he began, pulling out individually wrapped burgers from the bag, "no family in town?" Serena shrugged, taking a seat.
"Not really." Alex rose an eyebrow at her distracted tone.
"Didn't have any plans? I mean, it's Christmas Eve." Ryan joined them as he said this, taking a seat beside the other girl on the couch.
"My plans were just to walk around town and explore until I found something," she said with a chuckle. "Not much to do without family during the holidays." Alex, feeling a pang of guilt at her words, sent Ryan a pleading glance.
"Trust me, we know the feeling," Ryan laughed, gesturing to their pathetically small and simple celebration. "This is pretty lame, but it's been Christmas for about six years now minus one trip to visit Alex's sister back in '09. But hey, looks like you found something," she offered with a positivity she usually lacked. Serena laughed with equal enthusiasm, and Ryan just barely caught her briefly glancing at Alex.
"That I did."
A/N: Yikes, that ending. What a perfect way to end a terrible chapter. Oh well, it'll get better. Also, I'm sorry if the formatting ends up fucked because FF is being a bitch right now. I tried my best. So yea, Follow/Favorite/Review!