ALEX

Uriah came on time as instructed. I turned to look at him and there was Four and Eric with him. What the hell was Eric doing here? I'm guessing someone had to accompany Uriah, that's why Four was here, but after what happened earlier, I really didn't want to see anyone.

"Marlene is going to walk through there," I said looking away and pointing towards an old pathway, trying to focus.

"How do you know," asked Uriah.

"Really? You're going treat me like that too?"

Eric looked down. I wanted to scream at him, but this moment wasn't about me. It was about Marlene and Uriah. Uriah looked at Eric and then back at me.

"I just want to know what the plan is." I nodded at Uriah, feeling guilty for snapping at him. Uriah gave me a small smile. Focus, Alex.

"Tris and Shauna are walking her up here under the impression that it's to change a last minute move in tomorrow's routine for half time. They're going to use that path, because I asked Tris to come and get me for extra practice since I had to miss," I explained throwing a glance Eric's way. "It on Wednesday, because of some stupid mishap."

"So, she's expecting to see you."

"But, Marlene will see you, once they round the corner in that path. It'll be perfect, since you're going to stand here," I said moving Uriah a few steps to the left. "I'm going to go there and set off the chemicals."

"Wait what?"

"Aidan isn't the only one who can mix things up in the physics lab. The only thing is that I know this won't blow up." Four chuckled and shook his head. From what I heard, him, and Zeke were part of the explosion prank too.

"How do you know you got the right amount for what ever it is you're going to set off behind me?"

"Because, someone tutored me," I said looking down. It was Eric who had helped me in Physics class. All those moments that we spent together, were they all just a lie?

I walked off and Four and Eric followed me to the spot where I was going to hide and set off the chemicals.

"This is for Uriah and Marlene," I said without looking at them. "I don't know why you two are here, but after this is done, just stay away from me Eric."

"Alex, please, just let me explain," he said walking towards me.

"Don't," I said putting up my hand to stop him. "Just stay away."

"Really, Kent," Four interrupted. "I didn't want to come here and help..."

"Then, you can leave, too!" I don't know why I snapped again. First it was Uriah, now at Four. Eric was that one I was mad at.

Four turned to stare me down. I felt scared, probably the same amount of fear as Peter did that time Four stared him down last week.

"Right now, yes this is for Uriah and Marlene. But after this is over, you and Eric are going to talk." He said it like an order. I wanted to say something back, but I heard walking in the distance. I looked behind Four and Eric. Four turned around and then motioned for all of us to be quiet. There was Tris and Shauna dragging Marlene up the path.

Just as Marlene caught sight of Uriah, Uriah almost ran away. I threw a rock where he was and he stopped. The song started to play just as I threw the rock. Immediately Uriah turned to look at us and smiled.

It was the Bruno Mars song from that silly Twilight movie. Marlene and Uriah went on a double date with Christina and Will to watch the movie and Christina sort of forced them to have their first kiss. Marlene loved the song ever since then and apparently so did Uriah.

"How did you know," he whispered to me.

"I'm roommates with Christina," I whispered back. "Are you okay now, Uriah?"

"Yeah, I got this," said Uriah straightening out and smiling. He turned back to Marlene.

"Uriah what's going on," Marlene said warily as she took a step closer. I saw Tris and Shauna slowly retreat. Every time Marlene took a step, water mists would explode in the sky above her. She started to giggle. Perfect timing, I thought to myself as I added everything together. As soon as Marlene reached Uriah, the chorus of the song came on and a cloud-like smoke appeared with a mist like rain coming down. I fixed the lights on the path so it would shine at the fake rain. It looked like sparkles of light danced around them. Just as Marlene reached Uriah it looked almost like a rainbow was going to appear above them. I couldn't help but think, Eric taught me all of this. I shook my head. NO! This is about Marlene and Uriah.

Uriah started to sing...

"Cause there'll be no sunlight

If I lose you, baby

There'll be no clear skies

If I lose you, baby

Just like the clouds

My eyes will do the same, Unless you say yes, Marlene..."

I shook my head. Of course, he had to add a little bit of himself in there. Which was okay. Marlene had the hugest smile on her face.

"Everyday it'll rain, rain, ra-a-a-ain. Please make the rain in my life stop Marlene. I was just supposed to ask you to the dance, but besides that will you be my girlfriend?"

Marlene jumped into Uriah's arms. "Yes, I will!"

"Go with me to the dance or be my girlfriend," Uriah asked holding onto Marlene.

"Stupid Uriah," I muttered.

"I think she meant yes to both, you idiot," called Shauna from behind the other tree.

"Aw Uriah this was so perfect," Marlene screamed again as they ended up kissing.

"Okay, okay, like we're all still here," said Tris coming out who looked away. I decided to follow their lead and walk out too with the two boys trailing behind me.

"This really was sweet. It was like we kissed in the rain, but it was a mist," Marlene exclaimed while sticking one of her hands out to feel the mists. "I can't believe you thought of this," Marlene said still ecstatic.

"Alex, actually helped me a bit," confessed Uriah. A bit? I thought. Then again, that's all I really did. Marlene and him liked each other, they just wouldn't admit it. All I did was set up the backdrop. I looked away. Because just as they didn't want to admit their feelings, neither did I want to admit mine.

"Thanks so much, Alex," Marlene said jumping into a hug.

"It never would have fully worked unless Shauna and Tris brought you here. Four brought Uriah here, which was another main highlight of the evening too." I looked down hesitating the next sentence.

"Of course the mists were something I learned from Eric, so I guess you can thank him too." Marlene ran around hugging everyone, then back to Uriah and threw herself into a kiss.

"We're all still here," cried Tris.

"Our first kiss as friends was to that song," she said pulling away.

"And now our first kiss as boyfriend and girlfriend was to that song, too," added Uriah.

"Oh my Alex," Marlene said running back to me. "This really was awesome!"

"Well, Christina told me about your first kiss," I said trying to wiggle out of Marlene's arms.

"CHRISTINA! I have to tell Christina! I have to tell Lynn, too! They'll be so happy! Oh Uri, I'm so happy!" She ran back over to Uriah. "I wish I could stay with you right now, but we have to go and practice," said Marlene excitedly to Uriah.

"Marlene, that was just a rouse to get you here," said Shauna.

"Oh, you guys!" We all ended up laughing at her as Uriah took her hand and they walked back to the rest of campus. I was about to follow, when Four stepped in front of me.

"Perhaps you should stay here, Kent." Four then turned to walk away following behind Tris and Shauna, to leave me alone with Eric.

I turned around to face him but refused to look up at him. All the pain I felt this afternoon was coming back. I can do it, I thought. I shut myself off earlier, when I was in front of Aidan and the rest of the guys. I can do it now.

"Alex, just let me explain." Eric started to walk towards me.

I looked up at him with all the hatred that was growing within me and he stopped where he was. I let him hold me, touch me, kiss me yesterday and he told me to just forget about it! FORGET about all of that! How could I have been so stupid to let him touch me like he did yesterday? How could I have been so stupid to listen to all the things he ever promised me?

"Let you explain? Explain why you lied to me this whole time? Why you played me? Why you kissed me and then forgot about me the next day like I meant NOTHING?" I thought I would be too upset to cry, but there were a couple tears running down.

Eric reached his hand out to touch my cheek.

"No," I yelled while I reached back and slapped him. He looked at me shocked. I looked down at my hand. This was the second time I slapped him, but I never thought he would start bleeding.

"Where did all this blood come from," I asked him as he wiped his nose.

"Why is there blood on your shirt, Eric," I screamed.

"Your brother," Eric answered simply and quietly. "He punched me a few times before I came here."

I started to laugh a little. "Remind me to thank Aidan later for defending me. Although I never would have been put in such a circumstance, if I didn't allow myself to get played by you!"

"I didn't play you, Alex."

"Really, Eric?"

"Just let me get this out, before we say anything else, we're going to regret later on. Please. I just need to say this." I stood there for a while. Why did I feel compelled to hear him out? Because I still liked him. I wasn't over him. I wasn't ever going to forget about him. Even now, though I was mad, I still wanted to be with him. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

"You have one minute, Eric and that's it."

I opened my eyes to look at him. He nodded and then started to pace.

"May I remind you, your time started already."

"Alex, you have no idea how much that meant to me yesterday. No idea. Whatever was said, whatever we did, meant everything to me. When I told you that I had been waiting so long to kiss you, that wasn't a lie. And I didn't want to kiss you, just to add you to a long list of girls. I wanted to kiss you, because I like you." I wanted so long to hear that, but now that I finally did, my heart broke even more.

"I like you so much, Alex. I've always liked you. I just was so scared to say anything. I didn't think that you would like me back. Every time you heard something about me, I could feel like I was losing you. Like I said I was becoming this new person with you. You were like my fresh start, my second chance. I tried to show you in every kiss, every touch yesterday just how much you meant to me."

"You told me to forget about yesterday."

"Because I thought you were going out with Edward."

"You what?!"

"After we had made out, I thought that's what Edward was asking you. To go to the homecoming dance."

"He needed help asking Myra to the dance."

"Then I saw you with Trick at the locker room."

"He was doing the same thing as Edward, asking for my help."

"But I wasn't there for that part of the conversation that you had with them. Just stop," he said putting up a hand when I opened my mouth to respond. "Let me finish." I nodded.

"I felt so used, like I did last year. You were with me, you were just with me, and then Edward was the one leaving with you. You were smiling at me, and then I saw you smiling at Trick. It was like I was looking at Rachel or Tara all over again. Alex I thought that all those kisses, all those promises we made, all those secrets I told you, meant nothing to you. You were the only one I ever told those things to, besides the guys. You were the only one who actually saw me as a real person, the only one who made me feel like someone worthwhile. I didn't know about you helping them. So when I saw you leave with Edward or at the lockers with Trick, I felt even more alone. You made me feel brand new and then I thought you were just going to discard me. I just couldn't stand to look at you anymore, thinking about all the things we did and then you were acting like Rachel, Tara, Britney, or even Emily. That's the only reason why I did what I did."

"See! You are treating me like those sluts."

"No, Alex, I'm not."

"Yes you are! Eric, you should know that I wouldn't do any of that. I meant everything I said to you when we were together. To me everything felt real, because I like you too. That day I was supposed to meet you after PE, I was going to tell you."

"I was going to tell you the day before, when you were telling me about the DU scouts and your brother gave you the oleander."

So many missed chances, so many missed opportunities. I couldn't help but think that's all it was now. Our relationship was just a big miss.

"I think you're minute is up now Eric," I said and started to walk away.

"Alex," he said pulling me back to face him. "Please don't leave me now. I explained what happened. Can't you see, I just made a big mistake? Alex, please I'm begging you. Don't walk away from me now. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." His voice got softer and he leaned in to press his lips to my forehead. That kiss! Did he really mean it?

I slowly eased out of his arms.

"Eric."

"Alex," he whispered as he hands traveled down my arms. He took my hands in his and pulled me close again. "I mean it. Everything I ever said to you. I had let you into every part of my life. Every part of me is consumed with you. I just got so heartbroken seeing you with the other guys, I thought that I meant nothing to you."

"You should have known better, Eric," I whispered.

"I know. I should have known better. I acted like a fool. I was stupid. I was a complete jackass, thinking the worst of you. I never should have doubted you. You gave me so much and in that split second, I treated you as if you and everything you did for me was nothing. But Alex you're everything to me. Please forgive me." With that he pressed his lips to my forehead again and left it here.

Minutes seemed to pass before either of us moved. I really didn't want this to end. I wanted us to be together. But I just felt so broken after today. I still didn't know if I could trust him.

"You really hurt me, Eric," I said breaking our silence. "I was so ready for us to be together." I pulled back a little.

"And I want us to be together too. Please Alex, just give me one more chance. That's all I need. One more chance and I'll prove to you how much I care about you, how much you mean to me. Just one chance." His hand ran down my cheek, he pulled me closer and pressed his lips to my neck. I almost melted, but the pain was still too fresh in me.

"We can be friends again Eric. You get one chance at that." He pulled away and looked at me questionably.

"I won't get a chance at us to be together?"

"It really hurt Eric. I think I can overlook you thinking that I would be with Edward or Trick. I guess that was an honest mistake. But I can't get over how you treated me at the lockers. All I could think about was after all we went through, you were just going to throw me away. You got the kiss you wanted and now it was time for you to leave. You talk about feeling used and broken. That's exactly how I felt in that moment, Eric. I don't know if I can open up to you again or let you back in right now. But I'll give you that chance at being friends again and that's it."

I kissed his cheek and pulled my hands away.

"I have to go now, Eric. I'm so sorry." Then I turned to walk back towards the rest of campus.

The next morning, Christina woke me up again. I looked at the time. It was too damn early. Hell would freeze over though, if she didn't spend hours getting dolled up for a pep rally or a game. But, last night I swear I told her I wanted a few extra minutes of rest for the volleyball game today.

"Christina, look at the time, didn't I ask..."

"Forget the time! You should look outside," she said interrupting me. "And I thought it was for me, too," she whined as she crossed her arms. What was outside?

I got out of the bed and opened the door. There in the hallway were several dozen purple roses. There was a nice mixture of white and purple lilies here and there between the roses. Purple and white balloons were set up behind it. I wasn't big on flowers, but this was breathtaking. There was a single card in the first bunch of roses that said "I'm really sorry. Good luck tonight. - Eric"

"Wow, Alex," called out Mia from a couple doors down. Other girls were standing in the hallway too, melting over the romantic gesture.

"That looks so romantic. One of the best displays I've seen a boy put on so far," added Giselle.

"Who's it from," asked Jenn from the opposite direction.

"It's from a friend," I answered looking back at the card. "I'll be right back."

"Alexandria Kent, we need to get ready for today!" I left Christina pouting in our doorway.

I ran down to the next level, knocked on the door and after a minute, it opened.

"I'm glad to see you, but this is too early," said Myra half yawning.

"I need to know what to do."

"About what?"

I handed Myra the card.

"I thought you forgave him for talking to Emily."

"I did, but..." I started to pace. "The next day he thought that I was going out with Edward and Trick and ended up treating me like nothing."

"You explained to him that you was helping Edward ask me to the dance right? Which by the way was so perfect, thank you Alex." I ended up sitting next to her on her bed.

"Edward really likes you Myra. He was really nervous about everything. He actually threw in the last part and ended up improvising almost every line. He made it his own and that was from his heart. I think that's what made it special for both of you. I'm really glad you liked it, I didn't think you were going to cry, though."

"I rarely see that side of Edward that's why. He always acts so tough and hardcore, yet he's so caring with me. I felt like I was on air." Her smile got wide and it looked like she was about to drift off into a day dream. I snapped my fingers in front of her face.

"Sorry," she said while blushing. I smiled at her and looked down. Myra took my hands in hers and smiled back.

"Eric is like that too, Alex. Always acting tough. He has a hard exterior. But somehow Alex, you got through that and you got into his heart and his mind." I rested my head on Myra's shoulder and started to tear. "Eric likes you, I know it."

"He admitted it last night," I said as a tear ran down my cheek.

"See. He's probably just as hurt as you are right now. He saw you spending more time with the guys, especially after that fight you two had about Emily, and saw his chance of happiness with you disappear almost as quickly as you saw your chance disappear when you saw him talking to Emily."

"It really hurt though, Myra. It still hurts," I said sitting up and wiping away some of my tears.

"It hurts because you really like him."

"I let myself like him." Myra shook her head.

"No, Alex. He allowed you to like him. If you knew everything about him, you would realize that it wasn't a matter of liking him. A lot of people like him. But there's very few people he allows that close and wants to keep that close."

She pulled me up to look at me.

"He let you in and he wants to keep you there. I'm not saying you should forgive him right now, later on today, or even a couple days from now. The two of you didn't talk for almost a whole week after Aidan tried to get you to admit you liked each other. Do you remember that? You dismissed Eric's feelings for you then," she said almost half laughing. "Yet, after that, you both found your folks way back to one another. Were you happy to have him back, then?"

"Yes, I was."

"Besides you were the one who said you didn't want to rush things with Eric, remember?" I nodded. "You'll know when you want him back. And from the looks of things, he's willing to do whatever it takes to get back to you too."

We were in the cafeteria eating lunch before the game when Jessie ran over from the next table to get my attention. There were several members of the junior varsity football team standing on the cafeteria tables with a sign that read: "Alex - I want you back"

The speakers in the cafeteria started to play a song that I didn't recognize, until Shauna said it's one of Christina's old boy band favorites. It was I want you back by *Nsync.

"It's where Justin Timberlake came from," said Tris. We all turned to look at her. "What? I like JT. Just don't mention that to Christina."

The JV football team started to dance and lip sync this song to me. Christina of course knew the words to whole song and was singing along with it.

"This morning there were flowers and balloons. Now Alex is getting this? See, that is how you ask someone to the homecoming dance," she said to Will.

"This is the most entertaining one I've seen all week," said Shauna laughing.

This wasn't him asking me to the homecoming dance though. This was trying to get me to forgive him. Every now and then I would glance down the table at Eric who had been staring at me. I felt bad that Eric made the freshmen and sophomore boys do this for me. It started off with just five of them. Then right as the last part of the song came on, the whole JV football team in the cafe started to sing it out loud.

It was sort of embarrassing. Yet, I couldn't help but start laughing too.

"They don't dance that bad," joked Lauren as she nudged me.

"Someone must really like you, Alex," screamed Marlene from the other end of the table next to Uriah.

"Yes," said Myra who was sitting by Edward. She turned to look at me. "I know for a fact that he really does." I saw her glance and wink at Eric across from her, who gave her a weak smile in return.

The whole cafeteria started clapping when the song was done and Hec, Lynn's younger brother, JV team captain, came and gave me a single purple rose. I thanked him and looked down the table to Eric. He put a slight smile on his face and I looked away. It still sort of hurt.

"Good job, JV," called out Aidan. "Now, let's go get ready for the game today." Aidan came by hugged me and told me good luck. Before I could turn back around in my seat, Eric was there. He leaned down, kissed my forehead and then left with the rest of the guys.

The flowers this morning were nice, but getting the JV football team to dance for me was pretty cool, too. He was going through all this trouble and I couldn't help but think about what Myra said. He was willing to do whatever it took. I wasn't going to give him a one chance at us, but that didn't mean that he wasn't going to try and do everything in his power to prove how much he was sorry, how much he wanted us to be together, how much I mattered to him.