this one was fun to write. :)

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE REVIEWS; really you guys, its what keeps me writing every day.

keep it up ;)

i own squat but the plot

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Chapter Five: I'm still breathing

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Narration

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Alex grazed her fingertips against the fabrics in her second closet in her room. It was smaller than her actual closet, but it was meant for the fabric used for her designs. The way the fabric was neatly folded against the shelves made her smile; organization wasn't her strong suit, but when it came to her creativeness nothing was meant to be messy.

She pulled herself up and turned off the lights inside her closet. Walking out in her towel and wet hair, she walked over to her other closet. She opened the door and smiled as she looked over the many hanging clothes. The September air was humid that day, choosing her to wear a color block knee high dress that had a V-cut down to her chest, letting off an innocent cleavage. Picking a black bra and matching underwear, she slipped on the dress. The light blue, soft gray and dark blue colors on the dress made her skin glow.

She slipped on her Converses and began to comb her curls out of its tangles. She swiped away her layered bangs and pinned them against the side of her head. Her loose curls fell down to her back, still slightly wet from her shower. She smiled as she looked at herself in the mirror. She couldn't help but wonder if Nick's eyes would gaze over at her body when she walked into their house. She shook her head of the thought of his opinion and walked down to the kitchen.

"You look nice Alex," Jerry Russo said, examining her daughter, "Put a sweater on…its cold."

"It's 80 something degree's dad," Alex rolled her eyes.

"Just," Jerry sighed, than nodded, "Bring one just in case it gets colder later on."

The protective look in his brown eyes caused her to give in. She nodded and slowly started to walk upstairs.

"Is Alex home?"

She stopped in her steps and began to walk backwards down the stairs, her brown eyes focusing on the teenager that stood on the Welcome doormat. Her younger brother Max turned to Alex, and back to the teen. Max nodded and ushered for her sister to come down.

"Uh…Hi Alex."

Her heart skipped a beat as her ex-boyfriend William Hartline scanned her body. His dark green eyes were apologetic as she caught her gaze. His lips formed into a smile as he began to walk inside the house. She held up her palm, gathering her vocal chords in able to speak.

"I didn't invite you in," she said sternly.

"I came to apologize," William said, walking towards her, "I didn't mean to cheat--."

"Get out of my house Will," she looked away as she walked over to her front door and pointed out the house.

"Allison was a mistake Alex!" William pleaded, "Listen to me."

It was hard for Alex to even listen to him breathing. Knowing that someone like him, a lying cheater, was still alive seemed to break her apart. She wasn't one to love, but William was the perfect image of someone to love. She learned he was a waste, and she allowed herself to move on. However, from time to time, his memory would creep back into her mind and mess her up. And there he was; in front of her, messing her up.

"Get the hell out."

His expression became stronger the more she refused. His temper began to slowly rise within each of her denies.

"Alex, I'm sorry."

He took her hand, willing to kiss it with his lips. She slipped it out and with a swift motion, it slapped his left cheek. He stayed in the position she left him in before turning back to stare at her. His eyes were full of anger, ready to strike her. She stood her ground, ready to take whatever he wanted to do to her. She went through it all; it was no pain to feel it again. He brought up his hand and pointed his finger in her face. His lips curled down into a frown.

"I tried to be nice Alex Russo," he said in an undertone.

"Don't you dare touch her," Max said, to his sister's defense.

"I think you better leave," Jerry said as he walked towards his daughter.

William looked down at the faces; the angry faces all staring at him. He shoved his fists in the pockets of his jeans and walked out of their loft. Seconds after, the screech of his tires was heard outside their home. Alex sighed in relief and stared down at the ground. The sting from her slap was still in her hand, slowly giving her a powerful feeling.

"What's up with him?" the familiar voice caused the Russo family to regain back their cool.

Alex looked at Nick, the water in her eyes slowly drying. Jerry looked over Nick; a graphic t-shirt and plain dark washed jeans paired off with gray Converses. His tense nerves calmed as Nick's friendly smile came to surface.

"Oh…wanted a re-fund to a sandwich," Max said, "Whatcha doing here Nick?"

"I thought I'd walk you guys to my house," Nick shrugged, "You know, since it's your first time and all."

Alex turned to her smiling father. Her pleading eyes connected with his. She slightly pouted, knowing it was the only trick that Max and Justin couldn't even dare get away with. He sighed and nodded. He passed her a white knit sweater that hung from the tall wooden coat hanger. He grabbed his as well and called down his wife and Justin.

"Hey Nick," Justin waved to his friend as he walked down the stairs, following his mother.

"Oh, Nick's here," Theresa's brown eyes flickered from Alex to her husband, "That's nice."

Alex looked at her mother and gave her a glare. Her cheeks were turning a slight rosy color as she turned back to Nick. His lips were in a playful smirk as he looked away from her and laughed to himself. Alex held her sweater in her arm and kicked his shin when the other Russo's weren't paying attention. He yelped in pain.

"Something wrong Nick?" Jerry asked.

"No, just fine," Nick said holding his shin.

The Russo's and Nick poured out of the house and into the New York City streets. Nick gave them a quick verbal guide to his home; straight forward and take a left. Jerry led his family down to the Jonas' home, leaving Nick and Alex the one behind. Nick slowly leaned down to Alex, his lips an inch away from her ear. Suddenly, he whispered the sweetest of whispers.

"You look amazing tonight, Alex Russo."

She blushed under his words and nodded, biting her bottom lip. She looked away from him and kept her eyes down on the ground. She shrugged off the compliment; however her flushed cheeks made it hard for her to play it cool.

"So I look like a mess every other night?" she looked at him, finally back to her sarcastic mindset.

"I'm trying to compliment you," he shook his head with a smile, "Just take it Alex; you look amazing."