Chapter 2

The rest of the week had gone by practically the same. Whenever Alexis called Jeff to talk, Courtney would come up with some reason why he had to leave. Sunday finally came and Jeff and Courtney were sitting next to each other on the couch in the Jacklin living room.

"So how did you two meet?" Bethany asked.

"Well, Jeff was at the store and I couldn't reach the pair of shoes I wanted. And Jeff, being the gentleman that he is, grabbed them for me." Alexis sat there staring. She had to hold back the laugh that was trying to come out. She couldn't believe her so-called 'best friend'. He had changed so much. His hair was short and one (normal) color, he was clean shaven, he took his earrings out, and he had even covered up his tattoo. Alexis knew that things were going to change, but she had never thought it was going to be that bad.

"Excuse me, Mrs. Jacklin."

"Yes Hannah?"

"Supper is ready."

"All right, thank you Hannah. Let's go eat." They all headed to the dining room.

"Mom," Alexis began.
"Yes?"

"There aren't enough spots at the table."

"Oh, I'm sorry. You've been so quiet today. I forgot you were here." Alexis looked around the room. They had forgotten she was there. She started feeling sick to her stomach.
"Um, excuse me. I'm not very hungry. Besides, ya'll probably didn't make enough food for me either." She walked upstairs and slammed her bedroom door. She walked over to her stereo and blasted Hinder. About an hour later there was a knock on the door and Jeff walked in.

"You know you kind of overreacted. It was a stupid little mistake."

"Yea, forgetting your daughter is a little mistake. Let's face it the only mistake was thinking things wouldn't change." She paused when she heard Courtney yelling Jeff's name. "You better go. You're girlfriend might not be able to reach her coat."

"What the hell is your problem Alexis?"

"MY PROBLEM JEFF? I'M NOT THE ONE BEING A COMPLETE JACKASS TO THEIR BEST FRIEND. I'M NOT THE ONE IGNORING OR AVOIDING THEIR BEST FRIEND. I'M NOT THE ONE THAT HAS CHANGED!"

"Whatever, I have to go." Jeff said as he walked out of the room.

Alexis picked up the pillow next to her and threw it against the door as it closed. She grabbed her coat and drove over to her other best friend's house. She knocked twice before the door opened.

"Hey Alex, what's the matter?"

"Shannon, can I ask ya a couple things?"

"Yea, of course, that's what best friends are for."

"Can you tell Jeff that?"

"What?" Shannon asked looking confused.

"Never mind. What do you know about Jeff's new girlfriend, Courtney?"

"Not too much because she is always around and she keeps him busy so we don't see much of him. Why do you ask?"

"Because I know nothing about her. Hell, I didn't even know he had a girlfriend. He hasn't even talked to me since he has been home. Then they came over for supper tonight and she was sitting on top of him. Then, as if my night could get any worse, I walked into the dining room and there were only 6 places set. My family forgot about me! I mean, how screwed up is that? Well, I told them I wasn't even hungry and I went up to my room. Jeff came up about an hour later, not to actually talk or anything, but to tell me that I overreacted. He said it was just a little mistake. Then his girlfriend called and I told him he better go because she might not be able to reach her coat." Shannon burst out laughing.

"I'm guessing she told ya'll how they met." Alexis shook her head.

"Yea, well Jeff didn't find the comment as funny as you did. He actually yelled at me, so I yelled back. I must have really pissed him off because he stormed out of my room."

"I wish I could help you out, but we have been trying to figure him out ourselves. He hasn't really been himself."

"Yea, I mean, he cut his hair, shaved. His hair is actually one color."

"Yea, I know…" Shannon was interrupted by a knock. "Oh, that's Crystal. We were going to watch a movie."

"Don't worry about it. One of us should have a good night." She walked to the door and as soon as she opened it, she was pulled into a hug.

"ALEX! I'm so glad you are here. I miss you."

"Hey Crystal, I'm glad to see you too, but I was just leaving."

"No, please stay. It will be just like old times. C'mon, I rented one of our favorite movies." She reached in her backpack and pulled out Empire Records. "Please stay. Shannon and I can have alone time tomorrow night."

"All right, I don't really want to go home right now anyway." Crystal knew about Alexis' family and knew not to ask questions. They sat down and popped in the movie. All three fell asleep before the movie was over.

Alexis woke up around 10:30 the next morning. She walked over to Shannon and whispered in his ear.

"Hey, I'm gonna get going. There is a slight chance that my family is worried." Shannon chuckled.

"Call if you need to talk some more."

"Thanks, tell Crystal I said bye and I'll talk to her later."

"All right, I'll see you later. Love ya Alex."

"Love you too Shan. Bye-bye." He nodded and drifted back to sleep. After she said good-bye to Shannon's parents she drove home. As she drove up to the house she noticed Jeff's car in the driveway. She wanted to drive back to Shannon's, but decided to smooth things over with Jeff. On her way to the living room, she walked past her dad's office area. She heard people talking, so she glanced in too see Jeff talking to her mom. She knew it wasn't right, but she wanted to hear what they were talking about.

"You're sure she isn't here."

"She headed out last night after you left."

"Okay"

"Jeff, you did the right thing. We know how talented you are. Alexis isn't going anywhere or doing anything with her life." Alexis was shocked, but didn't say anything. "She would want you to give up wrestling and stay here with her. You need to forget about…" Alexis couldn't take anymore. She stormed into the office. Jeff and Susan both looked astonished.

"Is that how you feel mom? What? Are you surprised to see me? Yesterday at supper wasn't a fluke? Why didn't you just ship me off to boarding school or something?" She paused and turned to Jeff.

"ASSHOLE!"

"Alexis…"

"No, don't. How could you listen to her?" she screamed pointing at her mother. "You WERE my best friend! You knew everything that she did over the course of my life. How could you?" She walked to the door and turned around. "If everyone thinks that I'll just hold 'em down, then I'll do everyone a favor and leave." She ran to her room with tears streaming down her cheeks. Her knee was killing her, but the only pain she felt was the pain in her heart. Jeff walked in a couple minutes later.

"Alex, let me explain."

"First off, it's Alexis and second, FUCK YOU Jeff Hardy! I don't want to hear your lame ass excuses!" She turned around and slapped him as hard as she could. "Don't worry about me Jeff. I can take care of myself. I've been doing a pretty good job for the last 20 years. Good luck with your new life. I won't be in it to 'hold' ya'll down." She slammed the door in his face and fell against it. After a couple minutes of thinking she grabbed a duffle bag and a suitcase and started packing everything she could. Once she filled both bags she grabbed her backpack and walked out the door. She stopped in the kitchen and jotted a quick note. "Don't worry about me. I'll be fine." She left it on the refrigerator for her family to find it.