You don't have to tell me. I know. It's been FOREVER since my last update. I am extremely sorry about that. But for the good news. I am on winter break for the next few weeks. So I plan to do some major updating. So you shouldn't have to wait as long for new chapters. (At least till school starts again.) Also, since the season is starting I am going to try to work in a few facts and details here and there to go along with character development. (But don't worry, I am not going going away from the story and I will keep things that have been previously stated to be true for the story).

Now, on to comments about this chapter. So, as I have states. It's been a LONG time since I have written an update. So, being that I didn't really have big plans for this chapter I decided to make it my kinda, ease back into the story chapter. So, nothing extremely important. The purpose of this chapter is to show change in time and to keep the pace. And I will warn you, this chapter isn't centered around Palex. So I know the last chapter was sorta of a cliff hanger on what's going to happen with Palex. Like I said, there will be drama...and other stuff.. so with that. I give you..Chapter 35!

p.s. I did my best to proof and I had my wonderful friend help proof it for me too. Thanks a bunch!! and shout out to one more person! You know who you are! So there shouldn't be any major errors. If there are. I'm sorry, I'm not a professional editor.

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Chapter 35

The next week was the slowest week I had ever endured in my life. It seemed as if every second that ticked by was like an hour. I tried endlessly to occupy myself. Since I was out of school for the summer I took extra shifts at the store. I was working full time now, just trying to stay away from the house and Paige. Whenever I wasn't at work I would go over to Ellie's. I didn't want to talk to Paige, looking at Paige, or even think about Paige. I just wanted everything I had felt ever for her to go away. I wanted everything that had ever happened between us to disappear. I didn't want this pain. The pain of wanting something and being so close to it and just having it slip right out of your hands. I felt like a child so desperately trying to grab a handful of sand, but every time the grains would just slip through my fingers. I felt irritated and hopeless. I felt feelings I hadn't felt since I had moved away from my mom and apartment. Those feelings of sadness and anger. I had hoped I wouldn't have to feel them again, I had hoped that my life would finally see some light. I was wrong.

I had worked all year and I had accumulated a nice savings. I had made up my mind. It was time for me to move out. Paige had been right, though I had the feeling Mrs. Michalchuk would disagree, I had well overstayed my welcome. It was time for me to find a place of my own. Which had been my original intent. I had been looking for something decent and affordable. I knew if I told Mrs. Michalchuk I was planning to move out, she would immediately put an end to my idea. So it wasn't until I had already leased a place that I broke the news to the Michalchuks. Mrs. Michalchuk was extremely saddened by my news to move out but she supported it. Though, she did make me promise to keep in touch.

Since I didn't have much stuff, my apartment was pretty empty. I had hung up a good portion of the pictures I took in photography to decorate the place. I had a small futon which functioned as a couch and bed. I had a small television which only got 5 channels, two of which, didn't even come in clearly. I was actually happy for once that work was keeping me busy. It allowed me time away from thinking. I found myself suddenly hating my life more than ever now. I was sitting on my futon eating a made for T.V. dinner when I heard a knock at the door. I looked at the door suddenly. I felt a small bit of excitement as I wondered who it could be. I wasn't expecting anyone and I didn't want to get my hopes up. I heard the knock again. I set my dinner down on the futon and scurried over to the door. I quickly unlocked the dead bolt lock. I had lived so long with the Michalchuks and had been so excited I didn't even use precautions as I undid the chain lock. I quickly turned the knob and opened the door.

"Surprise!"

Out of habit rolled my eyes at Jay's voice.

"What?" Jay questioned, "You're not happy to see me?"

Considering the fact, that except for work, I hadn't been out all. I was actually a little excited to see Jay. I moved out of the door way, holding the door open for him to come in.

"Come in." I said looking around at my apartment and realizing just how messy it was.

"Not bad." Jay commented inspecting it.

"I could be better." I replied shutting the door and then quickly moving into my small living room quickly trying to pick up.

"Awww, Lexi. Are you cleaning up for me? I feel special." Jay grinned.

I realized how ridiculous I must be, even caring what Jay thought. I stopped suddenly.

"Lex, it looks nice. You look good." Jay said. It was one of the few times I had ever heard Jay sound really sincere.

"Thanks." I replied pulling my hair out of my eyes.

There was an awkward moment of silence.

"You're mom told me where you lived." Jay started, "And I just thought I would drop by and see how you were."

"That's really sweet." I replied nodding my head.

"You're mom said you had changed. I just didn't realize how much." Jay had a real touch of sincerness in his voice.

Jay's comment came as a bit of a surprise to me. But he was right. I had changed. A lot.

Another few moments of silence pasts.

"So you have a girlfriend?" I asked

Jay nodded, "Vivian."

"Vivian?" I repeated, "Enticing." I joked.

Jay let off a fake laugh, "You would say that." He shook his head.

I smirked at her name and let out a small chuckle, "Sorry, it's just...Vivian?" I joked again.

"Yea, you're just interested in her." Jay defended throwing a piece of clothing at me he had picked up from the futon.

"Nahhh.." I replied back laughing and grabbing the clothing. I rolled my eyes playfully again. Still laughing. "So what does she do?"

"She's majoring in Business. Her parents own a small family store. She's planning on taking over one day."

"You know, I work at store. So if she ever has any questions or needs some pointers." I was laughing so hard.

"Okay, you know what." Jay pointed towards the door, "I don't have to take this. I'll be going now."

"No Jay. Wait." I demanded. I was trying no to laugh. But the thought of Jay with a girl named Vivian was just too funny to me. She automatically seemed too good for him.

Jay was making his way towards the door.

"Alright, Jay." Hurrying over to him and grabbing him by the arm, "I'll stop. I promise. Cross my heart." I calmed down.

Jay rolled his eyes playfully, "And hey. You haven't met her yet."

"So I get to." I smirked.

"Maybe." He replied.

There was silence again as Jay settled down on the futon. He picked up my dinner and started poking at it.

"So," Jay began, "How are things with you and the lovely Miss Michalchuck?"

"Non existent." I replied dullfully.

"What?" Jay tilted his head, "You're mom said..." I cut him off.

"Forget what my mom said. My life is just one big pile of mush." I gestured my hands in front of me, "I'm just trying not to think about it."

"Awwww, Lex. You need some serious cheering up." Jay replied, "And I know just the thing." Jay said getting up from the futon.

"No more parties." I said firmly.

"This is not a party." He replied, "Lexi, C'mon. You can kick back and relax all your worries away."

I looked at him suspiciously.

"Lex, C'mon. Trust me." Jay said, sounding a lot like his old self.

I shook my head in disbelief of my self, "I can't believe I'm trusting you."

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The car ride lasted all but fifteen minutes. I found myself outside an old looking building. It only took me a second for everything to register.

"A strip club!?" I questioned, "You brought me to a strip club!?"

"What? Alex, don't tell me you don't like girls." Jay smirked.

"Jay!" I yelled folding my arms. This was a real Jay thing to do. I couldn't even be completely upset with him for doing it.

"Lex, c'mon. We go inside. Get a little entertainment. Watch some hot girls get jiggy with it." Jay started doing a little play dance.

"And how would, Vivian feel having you watch other girls dance naked for your enjoyment?" I smirked.

"No no. Lexi, I'm doing this for your enjoyment. I'm just your...supportive friend."

"Right." I said unconvinced.

"You're not going to go in there, are you?" Jay asked.

"No." I replied.

"I didn't think so."

"So then why did you bring me here?" I asked forcefully.

"It was worth a shot."

I looked at him eagerly.

"Hey, it's always worth a shot." He said.

"I guess." I replied looking down. My mind started to wonder off to Paige.

"Well, I'll take you home. We can grab a movie or something. My treat."

"Sounds good." I smiled.

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Sorry for no Palex. And sorry for the ending, but I am sure, you don't want me dragging out a story with Alex and Jay time...so that's why I ended it there. But don't worry, this chapter isn't pointless. And I had planned on writing a chapter like this. I have to update a few of my other stories first. But I do have a lot of free time to write. So there won't be a huge wait for the next update. Next update will have more palex in it. I am hoping it to have it up within a few days. Hopefully less.