strings attached ; firstprince

chapter six

"How did you guys get all this stuff in here?" Alex is asking, his voice echoing through the hall. He's tuning his guitar while sitting on the edge of the stage, his legs dangling.

"Our teacher gave us a key before summer break," June explains, a little breathless as she finishes moving a table with Nora. "And we had a few guys from class help carry some tables from classrooms not being used over the summer."

Alex hums in acknowledgement.

"So Alex," Nora asks, placing her hand on her hip with a playful grin. "Have you asked Henry yet?"

"Asked him what?"

"To be your date to the ball..." Nora says, sighing loudly when Alex's eyes widen in realization of the fact he definitely hasn't. "You haven't, have you?"

"Well... Not yet..." Alex mumbles. He has been planning on asking him, it's just he's been trying to plan for the right time to tell him about Pez's favour and it completely slipped his mind that the ball was coming up so soon. Henry doesn't push either, so he didn't expect him to mention it to him.

"Why the fuck not?" Nora asks incredulously. "You have been in each other's pockets for weeks and you haven't asked him yet?"

"I have a plan," Alex says only half lying as he idly fiddles with the strings on his guitar. "We haven't really been alone together much."

"So, you've told him about Pez's deal, right?"

Alex freezes and he feels his stomach drop. He has been trying to find the right time for way too long and it's honestly getting out of hand. June has been insisting on Alex telling Henry ever since he confessed his feelings to them. Alex unfortunately did take that advice and maybe if he did, he wouldn't be in this cycle of a predicament.

"Um, yeah," Alex lies, keeping his eyes on his guitar to avoid June's. Otherwise, she would see right through it.

"How did he react?" She asks.

"Fine, I guess," Alex shrugs. He wants nothing more than for this conversation to end.

"I told you it would be fine if you were honest about it," June says. Alex feels himself digging his own grave deeper and deeper the more he talks. It's a genuine problem and Alex really needs to tell Henry soon. He mentally notes that maybe after this he will tell him. Maybe.

Shortly after Alex rehearses for June and Nora, who seem very pleased with his setlist and performance, Alex heads straight to Henry and Pez's dorm. He knocks and only a moment later, Pez is opening the door.

"Hey- Oh, it's you," Pez says, not hiding his disappointment.

Alex huffs out a laugh. "I'll just go fuck myself I guess."

"What brings you here?" Pez asks with an amused smile.

"I'll give you one guess."

"Me? I can only think you'd be here for my remarkable company," Pez grins falsely. Alex stares blankly at him and Pez laughs. "He's on the phone with Bea right now. It'll be a while."

"Oh."

"But come in," Pez says, standing aside with an outstretched arm into their dorm. Alex walks past, sitting on their couch and Pez closes the door behind him. The moment the door is closed, and Pez turns to him, he has a smile that spells trouble engulfs his face.

"So," Pez drawls, taking a seat on the armchair adjacent to Alex. "How are things in paradise?"

Alex rolls his eyes fondly. "It's been good... He hasn't hated me for a few weeks now but honestly, it might not last much longer."