Chapter 11: Memories

This was it. Lexi was going to tell him everything. From that disaster of high school till the time when she walked into HQ for the first time, she would say it all. She watched as he sat back down, staying still and patient for what she had to share.

"You remember Pierce?" Ugh! Stupid question, Lex, she chided herself. He nodded and raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to continue. "Well, he and I go way back." She stopped, wondering what he would think of that, but he remained silent. "I was a social outcast when I went to high school," she explained. She shared with him her memories…

She could hear the popular girls snickering over at their table. She would've had to have been stupid to not know that it was directed at her. They had been doing it for days, and she wished they would stop. It wouldn't be so bad if she only had a friend.

"Hey," a deep voice came from beside her. She jumped, almost dropping the granola bar she had brought for lunch. "Hey," she replied as he sat down beside her. He was anthropomorphic, with dark, shaggy hair that curled at the ends, and warm brown eyes that yelled, "Trust me! Tell me anything!"

"What's such a pretty gal like you doing all alone?" he asked, and she could feel herself blushing. She wasn't pretty; she had braces and very circular glasses. She wasn't tall or well-built, either.

She was saved from having to answer when he heard a gasp from the popular table. He nodded and smiled at them, and she was instantly wary of him. He turned back to her and his smile disappeared. "I can't stand them," he complained, "Such hypocrites. They really think I'd befriend them? Eww!" He made retching motions, and she laughed. His smile returned, and he held out a hand. "I'm Pierce. Pierce Rockstead." She shook his hand, saying, "And I'm Lexi Bunny."

They started talking, and it seemed like only a minute had passed before the bell signaling the end of lunch period rang. She picked up her books, getting ready to rush off down the hall, when he asked, "What's your next class?"

"Trigonometry and Statistics," she said, feeling like a nerd for being a sophomore in a senior class. His eyes widened, and she braced herself for the worst. Instead, he said, "That's on my way to Physics! I'll walk you there." She smiled in relief, and together they marched off down the hall…

It was the summer before her senior year. She had been going to the gym and exercising, so she was very well in shape. She had gotten a spot on the varsity volleyball, basketball, and track teams at her school the previous year, and was determined to keep it that way.

For now, she had to get ready for a date. Pierce was picking her up at seven to go see a movie and maybe get an ice-cream cone afterwards. She didn't want to overdress, but still wanted to look good. She decided on a navy blue fitted T-shirt and jeans, with her navy suede shoes to go with it. She curled her hair and pinned it up, then applied her makeup with the utmost care. She had just put the finishing touches on when she heard her doorbell ring. She heard her mother answer the door. There were murmurs, then her mom yelled "Lexi!"

"Coming!" she shouted down the stairs. She grabbed her little black purse and flew down the stairs. She stopped right in front of Pierce. He seemed overwhelmed by her appearance.

"Hey!" she said, bubbly as ever. He managed a soft "hey" in return, still stunned by her. "Bye, mom," Lexi said, kissing her mother on the cheek. "Be careful, dear," her mother returned.

Lexi turned to Pierce. "Let's get going!" and glided out the door. He followed her, and opened the door of his sleek silver Saturn for her to get in…

It was homecoming coronation, and Lexi walked up the aisle, escorted by Pierce. She was beautiful, with a dress that matched the color of her emerald eyes perfectly. The announcer called out, "SENIOR ATTENDANTS: LEXI BUNNY AND PIERCE ROCKSTEAD!" There was clapping everywhere, almost to the point where it was deafening.

"AND NOW, THE ACME HIGH HOMECOMING KING AND QUEEN!" Silence fell upon the room, as everyone waited expectantly. "PIERCE ROCKSTEAD AND LEXI BUNNY!" Lexi's eyes widened as one of the cheerleaders placed the tiara on her head. Lexi had to laugh from the irony of it, the very girls who made fun of her were now crowning her. However, the way the girl's hands lingered in Pierce's hair after bestowing a crown atop his head made Lexi's gut twist in jealousy. He turned to face her, and she was consumed in his brown gaze. He leaned in close, but at the last minute she heard her name being called. She turned her head to the sound and felt his lips on her cheek…

She had done it! She got the job as a photographer for the Acme Daily Newspaper! She figured that what with all the recent pictures that were taken of the meteor's aftermath, she wouldn't land the spot. But she did! She picked up the phone to call Pierce, when she saw a note resting in the phone cradle:

"My dear Lexi, I've been called in to go to the opposite side of Acme to oversee a project. I won't have my cell on me, but I should be back shortly. I love you ~Pierce"

Her shoulders sagged, but she was determined not to let that get her down. She called up her other friend, Marcy, to share her news. Marcy thought that it called for celebration and a shopping trip. Lexi readily agreed, and the two decided to go the following Saturday…

"He's been gone for months, Lex," Marcy said. Lexi stared down into the depths of her latte, but all she could think about was how it reminded her of Pierce's eyes. She pushed the cup away and faced her friend.

"Marcy, I'm sure there's a reason — "

"He's gone, Lex. I can feel it. Can't you?"

Marcy was right. Lexi knew, deep down, that he wouldn't be coming back. She just had to accept it and move on…

Lexi was taking pictures of kids at Acmetropolis Park for a special the newspaper was having when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She looked, and had to do a double-take.

"Pierce?" she said incredulously. He grinned, but her insides didn't melt like they would've a half a year ago. She smiled back politely as he said, "Hey! Wanna come with me to the Corner Bistro?" She really didn't want to, especially after what he had done, but she could never say no to him when he made the Bambi eyes. If Marcy were still alive, she would definitely hit Lexi over the head with something.

They walked down the street, and Lexi couldn't help but wonder what was going on in his head. They ordered a few appetizers, a shake for Pierce, and a water for Lexi.

"Still worried about your figure?" he asked her. No, not really, she thought, but replied, "Yes, of course!" They talked for a while, then Pierce leaned in.

"Dear Lexi," he began in a murmur, "Ever since the day I came up to you in the lunchroom our sophomore year, I think I have been very well infatuated with you. Now that you've become a woman, and I a man, it's grown into something more…mature. I love you, Lexi." He pulled a box out of his pocket while she stared at him in confusion. "I want to spend the rest of my days with you. Will you marry me?" He opened the box to reveal a simple gold band. He picked up her hand to slide the ring on, but she tugged it away.

"What?" she shrieked. "You've been GONE for MONTHS and now you want me to MARRY you? There's NO way!" She jumped up and headed for the exit. "Lexi, wait!" Pierce called, but she was gone…

"You're fired."

"What?" She looked at the CEO of Acmetropolis Daily in stunned bewilderment. "But I thought – "

"There is an article in another newspaper that your boyfriend trashed the Corner Bistro. I'm so sorry, my dear, but now you've become somewhat…bad, for our image." He looked at her with solemn eyes.

"Boyfriend? What – " Then it hit her. Pierce must've turned the place upside down in a rage when she didn't say yes. She nodded at her former boss, and walked out…

She was jogging in the park on a late summer night. There wasn't a cloud in the sky, and the sunset was gorgeous. She sat down to admire it and the stars that were slowly appearing, when she had the oddest sense of being watched. She turned, and there was Pierce, lurking behind a bush.

"Leave me alone!" she cried, jumping up. He rushed at her, launching himself forward and grabbing her leg. She fell to the concrete with a thump, her hands and knees scratched up. She was terrified; she didn't know what to do to get away.

Suddenly, it came. He was blasted back from her with a pink laser beam. She knew that it had somehow come from her, but didn't think about it at that moment. Instead she ran to the police station and filed a restraining order.

From that day, she never saw her high school sweetheart again…