strings attached ; firstprince

chapter five

The first note he wrote, stuck behind the cover of 'Sense and Sensibility', reads:

"Dear Henry,

I had no sense in letting an opportunity to kiss you go by,

I deeply apologize for my lack of sensibility.

Your (not so) secret admirer."

This was the result of countless attempts and many hours of contemplation but it suffices. His second best option would've been "It would make sense and sensibility for you to go out with me." That sticky note now sits, scrunched up inside Alex's bin beside his desk.

Tuesday morning rolls around and Alex's phone is still absent from anything Henry. He contemplates what to write on his next note for the inside of the next book. Alex remembers–very fondly–Henry rambling about Pride and Prejudice, how he enjoyed the silliness and the absurdity of the people. Alex learned that night that Henry has a romantic soul–Henry would like to think he hides this well–and mentions that he loves the way she writes romance and relationships. Henry made sure Alex knew that "Lizzy and Darcy essentially invented enemies-to-lovers."

Inside the cover, on a sticky note, he writes "Dear Henry, let's rewrite history and be the next best enemies-to-lovers."

Alex does another knock-and-run delivery of the second book on Tuesday afternoon but this time decides not to stick around to watch Henry's reaction. What he doesn't expect is to find the sticky note stuck to his door with 'That's impossible darling' written—in the neatest handwriting he's ever seen—underneath his previously written message. Alex feels a glimmer of hope at the response and is quick to start thinking about tomorrow's note.

On Wednesday morning, Alex brings his copy of 'Emma' to a coffee shop nearby. He brings his pad of sticky notes, a pen and a folder of his lists. Alex picks a table in the corner of the shop, tucked away from the noise and stares blankly at the book in front of him. He's not sure what to write for this one.

"Alex?"

Alex glances up to see Pez looking down at him.

"Oh, Pez. Hey," Alex responds slowly.

"Since when did you read Jane Austen?" Pez asks, grinning widely. Alex examines the expression on Pez's face and comes to the conclusion that Henry hasn't mentioned the notes. He's almost relieved.

"Since Monday apparently," Alex shrugs breezily and then adds. "Is Henry still mad?"

"I considered getting him a dartboard with your face on it," Pez says with a hint of a smile. "If that's any consolation."

"Great!"

Pez laughs. "Okay but honestly, I don't know. Henry doesn't really talk about those things. He is a very mysterious specimen."

"You're telling me," Alex murmurs. Pez smiles.

"You know, you already did your part. You don't have to worry about it anymore," Pez tells him in a hushed voice.

"Yeah... Right," Alex replies softly. Alex feels himself deflating a little bit, Pez is oblivious to Alex's turmoil. He decides not to tell Pez that he's fallen for his best friend and roommate. If his plan backfires on him, he'd rather pretend like it didn't happen and that involves having very minimal witnesses.

When Pez leaves after he collects his coffee, Alex lets himself breathe again but finds himself staring thoughtlessly at the novel in front of him. He can't even think of a play on words for 'Emma'. Poetry isn't as easy as he initially thought. He decides to phone a friend.

"What do you want?" June answers flatly.

"I need your help," Alex says as he clamps his phone between his ear and his shoulder to flick through the book.