CHAPTER 2

Alex sat at The Codded Carp Cafe, and fidgeted with her sleeves. "Dean, it's just not working out." She rehearsed. She repeated the line over and over, constantly reworking it and hoping Dean could forgive her.. Her head shot up the moment the door opened.

"Hey Dean, over here!" She waved him over.

"'Sup Russo, why did you want us to come here? I thought we were going rollerskating"

"Uh yeah about that..." She panicked, trying to think of an excuse "you know full well I can't skate on an empty stomach, besides how many times have I to tell you - call me Alex!"

"Okay, okay! Sorry Alex." They both giggled.

"Dean?"

"Yeah?"

"You know how last week, when you went to kiss me and I stopped you?"

"How could I forget, people were talking about that for a while"

"Uh yeah, sorry..." She hesitated, but it was now or never. "Dean... I don't think we're working out."

"What?" Dean stammered. "Is this some kind of joke? Did my mates set you up to this?"

"No, they didn't"

"Well... Is there someone else?"

Alex hesitated again, and thought of Harper. She paused for a second, looked Dean in the eyes and said "no, there's nobody else" she stood up and headed towards the door.

"For what it was worth," Dean called after her, "me and you were good Russo. Oh. I mean, Alex."

"I know."

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-- CHATNET --

Alex Russo has signed online.

Harper F: hey alex! How'd the d8 go wit Dean?

Alex R: why would u care.

Harper F: jeez what's up wit u?

Alex R: nothing. I just don't see why u r always so interested in me and Dean.

Harper F: . . . Um, bcoz I'm ur best friend lol? I thought that was obvious

Alex R: lol its like u fancy me or something.

Alex R: kidding!

Harper Finkle has signed off.

Alex felt her heart race. The only reason she said that was to test the waters with Harper, but she didn't expect Harper to go offline. She raced to her mobile phone and dialed in Harper's number.

"This persons phone is switched off. Please leave a message after the beep. !BEEP!"

"Um hey it's Alex, obviously, um... Did I offend you earlier or upset you because I feel really guilty and I'm sorry! Just, phone me back, yeah? Bye"

Alex hung up and threw herself onto her pillow. "One day, I'll tell her I like her... One day."

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