ERIC

As we got into the cafeteria the next day for breakfast, I glanced over at our table hoping to see Alex sitting there before we went to stand in line. She gave me a smile and then looked down and continued to eat her breakfast.

"I'll be right back," I said.

Immediately as I left, whip sounds came out from Zeke, Uriah, Will, and even Aidan. Myra spotted me walking their way, turned and whispered something to Alex. Alex's head snapped up to look at me. I pulled her out of her seat and kissed her hard. Her hands quickly wrapped around my neck pulling me closer into her. I could hear the girls at the table start to giggle.

"What was that for," she whispered as I pulled away.

"I missed you that's all."

"We just saw each yesterday," she said as she stayed wrapped in my arms.

"Yeah, but that was too long," I whispered as I brought her closer but this time for a soft kiss. "I didn't get to kiss you goodnight either," I mumbled on her lips.

"You're so silly. But I like you so much," she said as I felt her lips smile.

"I like you so much, too," I replied. Actually I love you. But I'll save that for later. After talking with Four, I really had a lot to think about. Regardless of when I said it to her though, nothing would change how I felt about her. Like Four said, timing didn't matter. What did was that I needed to be honest about my feelings. When I know, I'll know. When I know, then let her know.

"Alright, silly, we're not supposed to show any PDA in front of my brother, remember?" We both started to laugh lightly. "Now go and get your breakfast," she said louder as she pushed me away. We smiled, she shook her head, and then sat back down.

"Don't even say it," I warned the guys as I made my way back in line. They all started to laugh.

"Next time warn me. It was kind of awkward for me to watch that," stated Aidan. "One reason why I made it a rule not to do that in front of me."

"Now, you'll know how Will will feel when he sees you with Cara," I whispered to him, but loud enough for Edward to hear. He started to laugh as Aidan started to sweat.

"Dude, Aidan you alright," asked Will.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm totally fine," Aidan said shaking his head.

"Three more days until Saturday," Edward teased.

"That's right, just three more days," I said half laughing. Aidan turned around to glare at me.

"Three more days until ... Who was it now that we're going to see," added Four, who was right behind Edward and I.

"I swear the three of you better shut it," Aidan warned as we started to laugh. "You too," Aidan pointed to Zeke, who did not hear our conversation.

"What did I do?"

"Nothing," Four answered. "Aidan might join our club pretty soon."

"Ha ha. You are all so funny," stated Aidan sarcastically.

"What's funny? I wanna laugh too," asked Uriah. We couldn't really tell him. He was roommates with Will.

"You'll find out later," called Four.

Classes were so bad. I couldn't really focus at all. If Alex was sitting in front of me, I would play with her hair. In another class, if Alex was sitting next to me, I would move our chairs closer, put my arm over her and run my fingers up and down her arm. I guess besides being in love with her, I really was whipped. I couldn't get enough of her.

"Stop it, Eric," she scolded during third period.

"You're distracting me," I responded.

"Well, you're distracting me," she said lightly hitting me.

"Stop flirting with me when your brother isn't here," I teased her.

"Stop flirting with me when my boyfriend is here," she teased back.

"Where is he," I pretended to look around.

"His name is Eric and I really like him. So stop it or I'll have him kick your butt," she playfully replied.

I still pulled her close to me. Even in the cafeteria, I ran my hand slowly up and down her thigh. She glared at me and nodded towards her brother sitting right across from us. I didn't care. He said as long as he didn't see it. We would walk down the halls or other buildings to our next class with me occasionally stealing kisses here and there from her.

"We're going to be late to class," Alex tried to sound irritated, but smiled against my lips.

"Just one more kiss," I pulled her back just enough to show her my smile. She rolled her eyes and pulled me in for another kiss. I guess she was kind of whipped too. She shouldn't have told me how much she couldn't turn me down if I gave her "that" smile.

During fourth period, I wouldn't let go of her hand. As much as she tried to wiggle it free, I kept pulling it closer to me.

"We have to do our work," Alex warned me finally pulling her hand free. I knew she enjoyed it. The whole time she was smiling. Every time she would look back at me I would pout and hold out my hand. After the third glance I threw her my smile. She smiled back and took my hand.

"Please don't act so lovey dovey in PE," called Trick during PE.

"I never thought I see so much PDA in my life," called out Justin. It wasn't that bad, I thought to myself. At least we weren't making out all the time, which is want I wanted to do. But I remembered our conversation last night and I told her I wouldn't push her that much.

"In his defense," said Peter. "Eric did have to wait a while for this. So I guess you have to take every opportunity you get now, don't you?" He winked at me as I threw one of my socks at him.

"I never thought Aidan would let Eric get away with so much PDA," teased Trick, which got a punch from me to his shoulder. He started to chuckle.

"He actually sat between us during fifth period," I said which made everyone laugh.

"I don't get it. What does Eric's PDA have to do with Aidan," asked Al.

"Because Eric is going out with Alex," stated Four.

"Yeah, so you could probably tell your buddy, Landon, to back off," added Justin. I was planning on saying that, but thankful that someone else noticed. Al looked down and then walked away.

"Has anyone noticed Al has been acting weird," asked Peter.

"I didn't see him during most of homecoming," stated Four. "Then the next day when I asked if he wanted to go with us to visit Eric, he seemed so distant and quiet."

"During practice the past two days he's been a little off too," added Trick. "Maybe he's nervous about filling in for Eric?"

"That's true," agreed Peter. "He didn't do so well the last time."

"I'll talk to him," said Justin. "See what's up."

"I'll go with you," I added. Maybe he was upset about me dating Alex. I don't know. But what Peter said was true. Ever since we got back to classes on Monday, he has been acting strange. After PE though, we didn't see Al anywhere.

Seeing that I had some extra time on my hands, I text Alex to talk to her about hanging out after cheer practice, like we did yesterday.

Unfortunately, I didn't see Alex that night because after cheer practice, she had volleyball practice. After that practice she and the volleyball team decided to hang out in Deena and Letty's room. We talked for a while on the phone, just to say good night and asked if I could meet her early in the morning, which she agreed. I couldn't help but think that I am definitely so in love with Alex. Today was such a good day with us, just being us.

The next day I met her early with a box of those white chocolate chip cookies she loved from the ice cream shop her parents took us to after our first game.

"What's the occasion?" Alex put on that gorgeous smile and looked at me with those beautiful eyes as she took the box and kissed my cheek.

"I can't get something for my girl just because I like her," I teased as I pulled her in closer for a kiss. Oh man do I love Alex.

We sat down in the cafeteria and just talked. How I enjoyed these moments too. I could be so open with her now. We barely even noticed anyone else coming in during breakfast. We walked to first period, totally oblivious to whoever was walking with us, as we talked about random things. I played again with her hair and thought today was going to be another awesome day as well. Little did I know fate didn't have that on our schedule today.

As we walked to third period, I tried to steal a kiss from her like I did yesterday, only to have her move her head and turn around. When she walked ahead of me she turned and smiled.

"You're teasing," I called out to her. She started to walk with that little shake of hers. "Do you have to walk like that?" Alex turned and paused and gave me that sad pouting face, right as she turned she flipped her hair and swayed that ass of hers like there was no tomorrow. "Tease," I yelled one more time. I hurried and walked behind Alex, wrapped my arms around her waist and started kissing her neck.

"Eric," she whined.

"Mm."

Alex spun around in my arms to face me. "Don't you think that you're..."

Just then I pressed our lips together.

"You were going to say something," I joked as I pulled away slowly.

"I hate you," she answered smiling. I ran my hand down her cheek. Well, I love you, I thought as we stared at each other for a while. She shook her head, took my hand and continued to walk to class. "If we are late to class, there will be no more kisses for you today Mr. Matthews."

"I better make every moment count right now then." I pulled her back in my arms again.

"We have to get to class," she whispered moving her face a little away from mine.

"Not until my girlfriend gives me just one more kiss," I responded as I moved my head to press my lips on her neck. I felt her body relax. She pulled back a little, smiled at me, ran her hand around my neck and brought our lips together. We started a slow and soft kiss again. I pulled away and looked down at her to see her smile brighten.

Do it now. Say it, dummy, I thought. Just then Alex's eyes shifted and froze in fear. I forgot about our talk on Tuesday and wondered if I pushed her too far.

"I'm sorry. Did I cross the line?"

She kept looking ahead as she shook her head. I followed her gaze and noticed who was waiting outside our class.

"Rachel," I acknowledged her. I grabbed Alex's hand again, trying to lead her past Rachel and into class. Rachel, Julie, and Emily had confessed into falsifying the evidence against Alex. Julie was suspended for two days, Emily just got some detention and other in school punishment. But Rachel was suspended for five days. She must have been furious.

"I need to speak with Alex," she said not even looking at me. She didn't even have any expression on her face and no emotion in her voice. But I knew she was mad. She had to have been mad.

"No," I said pulling Alex into class. Alex held me back.

"You go on ahead," Alex responded to me. "I'll be okay." She reached up to kiss my cheek. I kissed her forehead and then pulled her in pressed our lips together for a hard and deep kiss. When I turned back around Rachel was looking the other way. Damn right bitch, you're not going to take Alex away from me. I walked past and went into class.

Right before the late bell rang, Alex walked into class. She didn't look scared, angry, or anything. She came in, sat down, and gave me a weak smile.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah," she answered. "I'm fine." She turned to face the front of the class.

"What did Rachel want?"

"To talk," she answered shrugging. Alex didn't even look at me to answer. I turned in my chair to face the front, too. I didn't want to bring it back up and felt no need to, until I saw her talking again with Rachel outside the girl's locker room after PE.

Rachel and her weren't arguing. They were just talking. It got even more weird when I saw Rachel start to cry. Alex and her hugged quickly and then Rachel turned to walk away. Alex folded her arms and looked down, as if she was deeply concerned.

"Are you sure everything is alright," I asked as I walked up to her.

"Of course, Eric," she said with another weak smile. "I heard they're going to let you practice today." Why did she change the subject? Whatever, I won't make a big deal out of this, I thought.

"Yeah."

"They're going to take it easy on you, right?"

"Of course. Coach said it's just to make sure I'm still fit," I said smiling and flexing some muscles. She started to laugh a little. This was comforting. At least I was able to see that smile again. I wasn't sure what Rachel was talking to her about. But I really couldn't tell if she mad. At least now everything seemed okay.

"You're always going to be fit," she said as she walked up to me and wrapped her arms around me. I brought her closer and kissed her forehead.

"That's because I have my perfect fit right here," I replied. Alex smiled at me as I stroked her cheek.

"I'll see you later," she responded. Alex kissed my cheek and then walked away. I wanted to say that I wasn't worried. But, she would have said something about whatever it was Rachel told her. Right?

After practice as the guys and I went into the cafeteria, I glanced over at our table hoping to see Alex sitting there before we went to stand in line. However, she wasn't there. I scanned quickly to see if she went to eat with Jessie or Rogue, the other girls on the volleyball team. Nope, she wasn't there either. I looked over to where Giselle and Mia might have gone. She wasn't with them either.

I looked back to our table, to see Myra waving a fork at me. She pointed the fork over to the soda machine. Alex was there talking to Landon. I looked back at Myra and shrugged. Alex was mine, I knew she cared about me and only me. I trusted her. Myra pointed the fork again and made a face. I shook my head. Fine, I thought. I'll go and check it out.

"Save my spot, will you," I asked Four and he nodded.

They didn't see me approaching. Alex rolled her eyes at whatever Landon said and turned to leave. But then he grabbed her, pulled her back, and shook her.

Alex pushed Landon off and he stumbled a bit. I could finally hear them.

"You're a liar! Eric wouldn't do that. Eric would never do that to me. I wouldn't want you anyways. Just stay away from me." Alex tried to turn to walk away again.

"I don't think so," Landon pulled her back and slammed her up against the soda machine. "You can't be that stupid to think you can keep me away."

"I'm being serious. Get away from me Landon," she pushed him again, but he pressed up against her. It happened so quickly. But as she struggled to get away, Landon reached his hand back and then slapped her.

NO FUCKIN WAY! Her head turned back from the slap and just then her eyes caught mine and I saw fear in her.

"Landon," I called.

"What," he asked irritated as spun around to face me.

BAM!

I threw right hook at Landon, knocking him down on the ground. He looked up at me. His nose was starting to bleed. I was just about ready to jump on him and pound him some more until Alex ran into my arms.

"Eric," she urged trying to pull my face to look at her. I almost didn't hear her, all I could hear was the sound of Landon's hand on Alex's face. It echoed in my head. I wanted to kill him.

"Let's just go. Eric please, let's just leave." Alex pulled on my arms. Finally I turned to look at her.

"Please," she pleaded again. Her eyes looked frightened. Yet, they weren't scared because of the slap. They were scared because she knew I was going to beat Landon. They softened as she tried to urge me away. "I want to leave before everyone starts looking."

As much as I didn't want to leave the situation as is, I turned to Landon. "You're fortunate you get to walk out of this one alive. Stay away from her, Landon."

Alex pulled me back to the table. I looked there and only a couple of our friends had noticed. I looked straight at Myra and gave her a weak smile to thank her. She nodded in return. To think I wouldn't have done anything. I was just going to let them talk. I couldn't think what would have happened had I done that. Anger was burning all over me again. I glanced over to the dinner line where the rest of the guys were.

"Follow me to the line," I said to Alex as I gritted my teeth. She looked at me frightened. I didn't think she would follow me, but she did. All my muscles were tense and I kept balling up my fists as if I was squeezing a pressure ball. I got behind Aidan who gave me a questionable look. Edward noticed what happened and tried to talk about something else to Alex to distract her.

"Landon pushed Alex against the soda machine," I said as Aidan's fist clenched. "Then he slapped her." Aidan turned to look for Landon. I grabbed his arm. "Your sister didn't want to make a scene."

"Didn't want to make a scene," he repeated just as furious as I was inside.

"She just wanted to leave," I said shaking my head. I was still pissed! Someone just slapped her and she just wanted to walk away like nothing. What the hell was going on with her?

"Is she okay?" I took a step to the side to allow Aidan to look at her. From the corner of my eye, I could tell she was a little shaken, but Edward had switched the conversation to the puppy, which I was thankful for. I really did not like that she pulled me away. Part of me was upset with her for treating the whole situation like nothing. Knowing Alex, she wouldn't want to talk about it to anyone right now. From the nod I got from Edward, he understood both. He was trying to keep her off topic and allowing me to calm down a bit before talking to her about it.

"I'm just going to get dinner and then take her back to our room, just to make sure she's okay and to calm her," I told Aidan. "I already punched Landon," I said nodding in his direction. Aidan turned and a small smile crept on his face. "Thought you should know."

"You should have done more damage than that."

"Oh believe me, I wanted to, but..." I stopped and motioned towards Alex. "She insisted to just leave." I was slowly relaxing. Aidan still looked pissed. He shook his head and continued to glare at Landon. After we got our food, I grabbed Alex's hand and took her up to my room. It was a quiet walk, until she brought up that silly dog.

"Perhaps we can go check on the puppy, first before we head to your room," she asked. I turned to look at her and gave her a look that read 'are you serious'.

"Jack needs to eat too."

"You named the puppy Jack?"

"Actually Cara named it."

"You told her about the puppy?"

"Christina couldn't help herself."

We both started to laugh lightly. Of course Christina wouldn't be able to keep any secret for long. Despite the subject changing to Christina and that mutt. I welcomed the opportunity to relax my nerves.

"We might as well just stay here in your room," I said walking in and putting my food on the counter. I watched as Alex walked over, picked up that yelping thing and put it down by it's dinner.

"How did she get the name Jack?"

"Something about Jack Gusto," Alex said waving her hand. I started to laugh. "I'm saying the name wrong, aren't I?"

"Jacques Cousteau," I replied smiling at her. Alex shrugged.

"Cara told me he's some scientist or explorer or something." I tried to hold back my laughter. "Tease me all you want, nerd."

"Well," I started as she walked back over to me. "I'm your nerd."

We started to kiss, but all too soon she pulled away. I forgot she was still shaking from the dinner incident. She grabbed my hand and led me over to her bed.

"Did Landon try to ask you out again," I asked, sitting down on the bed.

"No, not really," Alex answered looking down. Why did she have a guilty look on her face?

I cupped her cheek and pulled her face up to look at me. "Alex, are you okay?"

"What do you mean, am I okay? Are you okay? You're not mad at me for going to talk to him?"

Is that what she's more concerned about? She just got slapped. I brought her into my lap and she played with my hand. I guess I understand a bit. I have gotten jealous of her talking to Landon before. But that wasn't the issue right now. I waited a couple minutes until I spoke up again.

"Alex, I trust you. I trust you so much that I wasn't going to do anything when I saw you two talking. But Myra kept insisting. I'm glad I went. I should have intervened the second I saw him grab you, but I didn't."

"Eric, the slap isn't your fault. I shouldn't have talked to him in the first place, especially after what..." she paused and looked away.

"It isn't your fault either, Alex. Landon was just being an ass." Alex rested her head on me. "Were you worried I was going to flip out like I did when I saw you with Edward or Trick?"

Alex put a small smile and nodded. "I didn't want you to think that I would leave you. I never would."

"I never would either Alex." I pulled her close to me as I laid on the bed, letting her rest her head on my chest. I stroked her hair trying to calm her down further and rubbed her back. Why was everyone trying to ruin us?

"You didn't answer my question," I said as her face turn to look at me. "Are you okay?"

"I'm okay now." She looked back down and ran her hand under my shirt. Did I mention how I always found her touch comforting? I assume being like this was comforting for her too. When I finally felt her body relax, I asked her what had been on my mind since this morning.

"Can I ask what you and Rachel were talking about?"

"It's not going to make the situation at hand any better," she answered.

"If she's accusing me of being unfaithful too, then..."

"It was about Landon." My hand stopped rubbing her back. I guess she could feel me tense. She leaned up and kissed my cheek.

"What about Landon?"

"I don't want to talk about that anymore right now." I gave her a soft kiss this time, letting her know I was okay with that. She went back to lying on my chest. Why couldn't today be like yesterday? Everything between us was just right yesterday.

Minutes passed by as I continued to hold Alex close to me. Practice must have been hard on me because I felt myself drifting off to sleep. The last thing I saw as my eyelids started to droop, was that Alex's were already closed. Today's events took a toll on her too.

It wasn't until her phone rang and Alex stirred, that we both ended up waking up.

"You're not going to eat?" Alex stuffed her phone back into her pocket, without answering it.

"You're my priority right now." She sat up to look down at me. "I mean it Alex. I want to make sure you're okay, before I do anything else. You're all that matters." I wanted to tell her now that I love her, but for some reason this didn't feel right. I would be like I was saying it to win an argument. I wanted to say it at the right moment. I ran my hand on her cheek.

"I should have killed him for laying his hands on you."

"Eric I'm okay now." She took my hand off her cheek, held it in hers, and let our hands rest in her lap.

"Did you want to go and tell Principal Phifer?"

"No, it might make things worst," Alex responded. I tilted my head. She was hiding something.

"I should have got to you sooner. I'm sorry Alex."

"It's fine Eric. You still came to my rescue. That I greatly appreciate." She leaned down and kissed me harder. She pulled on my shirt, making me sit up. She nibbled at my bottom lip. She was starting to light a fire in me. I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her closer. Then she quickly pulled away. I forgot again. I promised her I wouldn't push things and as much as my body screamed for her, I scooted a couple inches back on the bed and put on a smile. Even though we were in bed, that's all I was going to get for now, I told myself.

"I'm sorry, Eric."

"Alex, I care about you. You know that right?" She nodded and smiled. I leaned down and kissed her softly. "Is there anything else you need?"

"Well, I'll feel a lot better if you eat," she said as she put on her sad, pouting face. I chuckled and she smiled.

"Told you. You really do hold a power over me," I teased as I gave her another soft kiss. "I'll go and eat if it makes you happy." She laughed a little. I kissed her again, then pulled away and went to grab my food. It was still a little warm, but I put it in their microwave anyways.

Right when the microwave beeped, the puppy barked at me.

"Shut up Jacques!" The puppy whined and ran under Christina's bed.

"Eric!"

"What?"

Alex got up, took the puppy, and carried it in between her chest as she brought it over to the bed. I sat down next to her with my food and shook my head.

"Are we getting jealous of Jacques," she said the puppy's name slowly. I chuckled at her attempt. "Do I at least get points for trying?"

"I'll give you ten," I said as she started to laugh too. "It's Jacques."

"Jacques," she repeated. I couldn't help but chuckle. "Shut up!"

"And if you're wondering yeah, I am a little jealous. He gets to stay with you at night, watch you walk around half-naked. Does he sleep in your bed, too?"

She punched me in the arm. I wanted to start tickling her until Jacques ended up barking. While I ate, we talked more. I really did want to stay the night, especially after the day that we had. But the combination of that dog and her room mate were too much for me to handle.

"Another time," Alex said as we stood outside her door.

"Hurry and get him out of here, please," called Christina from inside.

"Now there really is a bitch in there," I replied. "And I'm not just talking about the dog," I yelled in the room.

"Eric!" I looked down at Alex. "I'm really hoping you two get along at one point. I know you like making trouble to her, but she's really dramatic, can you just please at least try to get along?"

"I'll do my best," I muttered looking away. Why did she have to have Christina as a room mate? She pulled me in for one last kiss goodnight. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.