Alistar James Stevens, 20 and was - like the others - born and raised in the small town that went by the name of Stamford. Al was the typical cocky, smart-arse; but he was adored and wanted by every girl in the town as he just had a quality about him that made girls crave him. Al was a rugged kind of handsome, the kind that Finn was; he had somewhat of a boyish charm to him and it was what attracted Rae so much in the first place. From the back, you could swear it was Noel Gallagher. His and Finn's characteristics and looks were similar; but that didn't stop the pair from clashing and competing - Al always coming out on top as he had Rae.
Al awoke from his slumber with dry lips and a fucker of a headache, last night's events soon repeating on him. He glanced around to see he was in his car, he frowned before huffing as he remembered why he was in his car - after his argument with Rae and storming out; the vodka called his name and next thing he knew he was here, hungover and freezing his bollocks off.
He yawned and rubbed his face, waking himself up. He glanced at the clock on his car dashboard to see it was eleven-thirty; meaning he had fifteen minutes to get to his boss's house and so, he turned the key in the ignition and put his car into drive.
On his drive to his boss's, he thought everything over - it was so unlike Rae. So out of character for her to overreact like that, and this was Rae he was talking about. He grew lost in thought and swallowed the hurt that bobbed in his throat, letting it curdle in his stomach - like week old milk. He did so much for Rae, sure, he may have been a dick to her but he loved her and tried his best to help her; which was all he could offer. He did wish he wasn't so short tempered and was a better boyfriend but he was new to it all - even two years later. He tried, he really did and he loved her - what more could he give to her. Sure, the odd showering her with gifts every now and again wouldn't go amiss but he knew Rae cringed at that kind of stuff, otherwise she'd be swimming in gifts.
He pulled himself back to reality as he parked up outside his boss's and gave the horn three beeps before he sunk into his seat as he awaited the arrivial of his boss's daughter. Today, his boss had assigned Al to take his daughter to his new house; to see if it won over the daughter's approval. Well, his eldest daughter as the youngest was too young to understand and plus; he needed Al to pick up a certain parcel for him and he didn't want the little girl seeing that.
"Alright?" Al heard on his left as the girl climbed in, shutting the door after herself. He flashed her a grin and asked, "Alright, Chlo?"
"Where's Al?" Frowned Chop, slumping himself down beside Izzy. He, Izzy, Archie, Rae and Finn all sat in the common room. Rae, head burried in a text book, shrugged before continuing to work. Finn then scoffed, "Why don't tha' surprise me?" In which Rae frowned and retaliated, "Ohhh wha's y' problem now?" Finn smirked, but not in an amused manner but more sarcastic, "Nowt, just sayin' it's nowt new", She then snapped, "Oh, an where's Chloe?" Which caused him to fold his arms and sulk into his seat, which caused Rae to continue, "Exactly, so wind y' fuckin' neck in, y' prick".
Archie then asked, "Where is Chloe?" In which Finn shrugged, just as clueless as Archie was.
"Oh my God!" Chloe gasped as she walked into the pool room, looking around, "I love it! I absolutely love it!" She then turned to Al, who trailed in. He nodded slowly, "Yeh, s'nice", She then scoffed, "S'nice? Al, it's more than nice. It's fuckin' amazing!" He gave her a smile and an eyeroll, snorting a laugh. Al then glanced over at the real estate agent, who eyed Chloe hungrily as she admired the large and well decorated room.
Al then coughed, purposely causing the young agent to snap out of his stare and stutter; the room suddenly his focus, "Yeh and as you can see marble flooring, steam room, jacuzzi and all of tha' malarkey", Al then nodded before Chloe piped up, "Right, well we're gonna discuss it. So, can y' give us a moment?" In which the agent gave her a once over before nervously scurrying out.
Once the agent was gone, Chloe gave Al a cheeky look in which he frowned at and asked, "Wha'?" She said nothing but stripped down to her underwear and dived into the pool, once she emerged he shouted, "Whoa, whoa, whoa. Wha' the fuck y' doin'!?" She gave him that infamous Chloe smile, "Well, if I'm gonna be living 'ere then I've gotta see if it's good enough, ain't I", She gave a giggle as he scoffed and playfully said, "Y' are fuckin' mental".
Then there it was, the change in atmosphere. He looked at her, tilting his head to the side slightly - his eyes smouldering. She looked up through her wet lashes and asked, "Well, y' gettin' in then or wha'?" There was a pause before he moved to the edge of the pool and looked down at her, he then smirked before glowering, threatening her, "Get out and put y' clothes on", She frowned but a confused smile played up on her lips before she asked, "Wha's changed y' tune? A week ago and y' wouldn't 'ave took more than two seconds gettin' in", He scoffed, "Changed man now, Chlo. Now, c'mon, get out and let's go", She widened her eyes and inwardly scoffed before huffing, "Ok then".
She swam to the side and climbed out, he turned as soon as she reached the top step. She smirked, amused, "Wha's up with y'? Y' actin' as if y' ain't seen underwear before", He rolled his eyes, snapping over his shoulder as he refused to turn round, "Chloe, just stop it alright? Y'know I love Rae, look, fuck it I can't be arsed. I'll wait outside for y', yeh?" He went to walk out when she called out, "Weren't sayin' tha' when y' fucked Izzy though were y'?!" Her tone full of such spite as she knew she wasn't winning him over.
He paused, went to retaliate before deciding against it and stalking out - Leaving a soaked and furious Chloe.
Once the paper's were signed and Chloe was dry, the pair decided it was time to take Chloe home. The pair drove in silence, when they pulled up outside Chloe's she piped up, "Look, I'm sorry for sayin' wha' I said before. It were bang out of order, I know but I just... I just got angry, tha's all", Without looking at her, he shrugged, "S'fine", She then turned slightly to him, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear before she looked down as she picked at a loose thread on the car seat before huffing and sitting back, "But it's not and I understand if y' 'ate me", He then looked at her, giving her a soft smile, "I could never 'ate y', Chlo", In which she shared his smile.
A moment passed before she stuttered, vulnerability playing in her eyes, "I... I still love y', y'know", He shook his head, "Don't, Chlo. Don't start", He then looked out the driver's seat window, a moment passed before she gave a sad sigh and climbed out the car; slamming the door after her. He shut his eyes and exhaled, it hadn't always been this way with them two - so tense and hostile.
He knew Chloe had been in love with him, ever since they were kids. Even to this day the pair could still remember the day they met. July 22nd '90 and it was a Thursday, the memory burned into the pair's brain as much as the pavement burned the sun during that day. They had met down the park, where she'd went to go for a walk to get out of the house as her parents were arguing... Again.
Finn and Al played footie on the field and Chloe sat miserably on the swing set. She watched the two play football with their friends, whilst girls giggled and watched them on the sidelines. Chloe watched and longed for friends, during primary; she wasn't a loner but she wasn't popular and only had a handful of friends. But none of them lived close by and they weren't into the same things as her, they were into all stupid stuff like boys and clothes; as where Chloe was into football and Yugioh cards. Chloe let out a sad sigh, her shoulders drooped as she watched Al chase a blonde girl around the field; grabbing her by the waist and hugging her; her squealing and trying to get away but loving it secretly.
Chloe, not wanting to watch any longer, rose to her feet and went to leave when, "Oi!" Was called out from behind her, she turned to see Finn jogging towards her. She raised an eyebrow, he then slowed down as he reached her; his speech coming out breathless, "Can y' pass me ball please?" Chloe then looked at her feet to find a muddy casey ball, she smiled, bent down and picked it up; tossing it to him which he caught with ease, "Cheers", He breathed and went to jog away when he stopped and turned, calling out to her again, "Is tha' the new United kit?" Chloe looked down at her attire before back up and nodding, a toothy grin on her face. Finn smiled, beaming, "Aw mate, tha' is so sick!" He then turned and called out, "Al! Al, c'mere!" Al then jogged over and moaned, "Wha'?" Finn then beamed as he pointed at Chloe, "Look! She's got the new United kit!" Al looked at her and frowned, "Y' support United?" She nodded, in which Al nodded; slightly impressed, "Ah, cool. I ain't got the new kit yet as dad said I have t' save for it or summat stupid", Chloe, trying to play it cool, nodded, "Oh right", Finn then intervined, "Well I think it's pretty cool that y' like United, my name's Finn and this is Al", She smiled and shly waved, "I'm Chloe", Finn then continued, "Well, Chloe, d'ya fancy playin' footie with us?" Al then butted in, "Mate, she's a girl. Girls don't play football", Chloe frowned, a little wounded, "Who says?" Finn piped up, "Yeh! Who says?" Al, realising he was now ganged up on, bit back, "My dad!" Chloe scoffed, "Well y' dad, is talking crap as I play for my school team", Al rolled his eyes, "Prove it", Chloe then took the ball from Finn, "Come on then!" She then raced off and the boys looked at each other before running after her.
Al smiled at the memory before downing the last of his whisky, he sighed as he placed the glass onto his coffee table - it was now evening and Al sat alone in the flat, Rae still yet to return. He then began to cut up a line, snorting it up in one swift movement. He sat back and let the coke kick in, taking him to a whole other world. He slowly took in the flat, how lonely it looked. When had it all started to fall apart? He loved Rae so much, so much it scared him - surely his love for her wasn't healthy. The guilt then took over, Izzy's large emerald iris's overtook his mind - he needed to sort things out with her and he needed to now.