A few months went by. Alec had a constant vicious cycle of arguing, making up while arguing, and repeat. Course, they never showed that to Cera. They didn't want her to feel like she was hurting the relationship at all. It wasn't her and they both knew it. It was the both of them.
They fulfilled their Valentines Day plans but still, they were cold to each other. Alec desperately apologized and tried to work it out with Kiley but she wouldn't hear of it.
While the two of them had their problems, Cera was doing great with Ben. They dated for a long time and Ben eventually asked Cera to be his girlfriend. But she said she wanted him to meet Kiley and try to get on Alec's good side. So, they set up a double date.
They all decided to go to Denny's. By all, that means Cera and Alec really wanted pancakes and their dates agreed to go to Denny's despite rather wanting to a more sophisticated place to eat.
Kiley and Alec sat in a booth together, waiting for Cera and Ben. Things where quiet between them and they avoided any unnecessary physical contact. That was till Alec tried wrapping his arm around Kiley before she grabbed his hand and forcibly pushed him away. Alec got upset.
"We're going to have to act like we still like each other when Cera shows up, you know." He spat.
"It's not that I don't love you, Alec. Though, I am perfectly aware I can't speak for you." She crossed her arms.
"You know I love you. If I didn't love you- if I didn't want you- I would break up with you. Have I? No."
"Yet." Kiley said making Alec sit back, angry.
"You almost sound like you want to break up." He murmured, making her shift uncomfortably. The fact she didn't respond hurt him. He felt like he was slowly realizing something but hadn't put the puzzle pieces together yet which frustrated him. Suddenly, a happy Cera walked up with Ben a bit farther behind her. Alec and Kiley dropped their problems to momentarily act like everything was fine. They hated hiding anything from Cera but didn't want her feeling guilt for something out of her control. Alec wrapped his arm around Kiley and she leaned into him, like she used too. Alec missed that Kiley. Suddenly, he felt the girl he had his arm around was a completely different person. Suddenly, he felt lost and more lonely than he ever felt in his life. Not only has he lost his girlfriend, emotionally, but he can't even talk about it with his best friend, Cera.
"Hey, guys!" Cera smiled as she stood to wait for Ben to sit down first so it'd be easier to get in and out of the booth. Cera sat next to him before he mimicked Alec by wrapping his arm around Cera. Alec was irked by what he considered a bold move. Cera, on the other hand, blushed and didn't object.
"Hey. How are you?" Kiley smiled.
"G-good." Cera was still blushing at Ben showing her affection. Ben and Kiley laughed, knowing why she studdered. Alec, on the other hand, rolled his eyes.
"You are adorable." Ben said with a grin. Alec started bouncing his leg, annoyed.
"Well, Ben, It's nice to finally meet you." Kiley said. "She's been talking about you forever now. I even her you want a official relationship." Kiley questioned making Alec freeze. He asked her to be his girlfriend? He thought.
"Yeah, we've been dating since before Valentines day. I would really like to move things forward."
"You sound like you're in a hurry." Alec commented making everyone look at him and feel uncomfortable.
"It's not that. She's a great girl. I'd like to know we have a title so I don't think too much about where we stand." He explains defensively.
"I told him I wanted to wait till I got approval from you two. And I will take your opinion seriously as long as you are fair." She eyed Alec who sighed and looked down. He really was trying. Still, the guy gave off a vibe.
"Anyway, tell me more about yourself, Ben." Kiley smiled and tried to ignore Alec's behavior. They talked and ate for a long time. It was actually pleasant for them. Slowly, Alec lightened up. He knew he needed to anyway for Cera's sake. She wouldn't listen to him if he wasn't even trying. Everything was going in a good direction, until:
"So, Ben. You must know I can be very protective of my friends. Tell me, are your motives... pure?" Kiley smiled, almost suggestive.
"I want a real relationship, if that's what you mean." Ben chuckled.
"My friend tends to be conservative with PDA. Do you mind that?"
"I don't want to do anything till she's ready. However long that takes. I like when the woman I'm with enjoys our time together, if you get my drift." Ben winked at Kiley... yes, winked. Kiley giggled, flirtatiously. Alec and Cera were rubbed the wrong way by this. Neither said a word despite their discomfort. But, there was a continuation of flirting among those two. It was really depressing Cera and ticking Alec off but they tried to keep quiet.
"So, I'm sure Cera wasn't too happy with your second encounter. I mean, dance with a girl and ignore her? Harsh. Couldn't have been a good start for the relationship." Kiley said, curious.
"I know he had his reasons." Cera nodded.
"Besides, from what I hear, I got a better start than Alec!" Ben chuckled. This set Alec off. Now, he made up his mind. He hated the guy. Who the hell are you to say that? Were you there? No, you weren't.
"On the contrary. We actually had a great start. I just happened to ruin it." He said without thinking. This made everyone pause. Cera looked up at Alec, hoping wasn't about to do what she thought he was going to do.
"Huh?" Kiley asked, looking at him confused.
"Yeah. Don't you know what happened in the fifth grade?" He smirked.
"Alec..." Cera gave a warning glare.
"What?" Alec asked Cera. "It's not like anyone can blame you." He laughed.
"Blame her for what?" Ben asked.
"Alec, don't-" Cera begged.
"Oh, she didn't tell you? She had the biggest crush on me in the fifth grade!" Alec smiled and laughed.
"What?!" Kiley went wide eyed with shock. Cera turned red and felt ashamed.
"Yeah! Tried giving me a love letter! At first, I just laughed and ran away from her but then a few kids started giving me crap over it. That's why I tormented her for so long. I blamed her for my embarrassment. I swore she was going to pay- for liking me!" He chuckled. "Looking back, I was an idiot. But, honestly, I'm glad it got us where we are." He smiled. Kiley looked at Cera, angry.
"This whole time you had a crush on him?"
"No, it was a long time ago! It's not a big deal, really-" Cera stressed.
"If it's not a big deal, why didn't you tell me?!"
"Because you're already super jealous and I didn't want to make it worse!"
"Well, good job, you made it worse." Kiley glared, shocking her. Cera's feelings were hurt. She tried so hard to be good to her best friend.
"I..." Cera didn't know how to respond. She got up and started walking out.
"Nice going." Alec glared at Kiley before leaving the booth and running off to Cera. Yeah, that's right, Kiley thought. Leave me to run to her... like you always will.
Alec ran out of Denny's, following Cera.
"Cera!" He called out and ran after her. "Cera!" He grabbed her arm and turned her around to face him. She was crying. Alec felt bad.
"Why did you tell her?!" Cera cried. "Why?!"
"She kept flirting with Ben and he started acting like he was better than me..."
"You always let pride cloud your judgment! What the hell is wrong with you?!" Cera yelled, feeling her tears fall.
"I'm sorry..." Alec said sincerely. Cera stepped closer and started hitting his gut lightly. It didn't hurt and she wasn't trying to hurt him, but she did want to hit something. She started hitting harder and harder, crying, until he pulled her close. She laid her head on his chest and cried. She tried so hard to be a good friend and it wasn't enough for Kiley. Everything was Cera's fault in her eyes and she just couldn't bottle her sadness of Kiley's accusations anymore.
"I shouldn't have EVER given you that damn love letter!" Cera cursed under breath. Alec was hurt by what she said but didn't say anything at first. They stood there, hugging for a long moment, before finally pulling away and looking at each other. Cera sniffed as Alec wiped her tears away with him thumbs. She looked up at him. Then, he decided to speak.
"I'm sorry I tormented you, but... I wouldn't change a thing if it meant being this close to you. You're my best friend... and I wouldn't change that for anything. I'm glad you gave that letter to me... because, otherwise, I'm not sure we would be friends. I'm not so sure I could live with that." He smiled at her, making her smile back. But then she looked inside the restaurant. There was pain and hurt that ran through her heart. Is this jealously? She wondered, not too sure. She saw Kiley and Ben sitting together, smiling and laughing like nothing happened. No, this wasn't jealously. This was what you feel after finding out you were betrayed. But, strangely, Cera wasn't angry. Alec looked and felt his heart fall. He was looking out for Cera so much...
... he stopped looking at Kiley.
***
A few weeks past by at it was tense. Kiley said she liked him and gave them her blessing but Alec and Cera both felt cold towards the people they were dating. Cera accepted Ben as her boyfriend but warned him she would need to take a while to get used to the idea of being someone's girlfriend. So, she probably won't be very affectionate. He said that was fine and showed affection in anyway acceptable. When Cera was with Ben, she tried to avoid Kiley. Apparently, Gabe and Chris also started avoiding her, which Alec and Cera found out in Math class when Cera was complaining on how she never sees them.
"Yeah, you never hang out with us at lunch anymore." Alec agreed. Chris and Gabe shared uncomfortable looks.
"We've been busy." Was all Chris said. There was a moment of silence. Cera leaned close to Chris and talked softly, almost a whisper,
"If there's something wrong, you're my friend. You can tell me." She said. Chris looked at Gabe for permission. Gabe sighed, as if giving in, before Chris looked back at Cera.
"Even if I talk bad about your best friend? Your girlfriend?" He looked at Alec.
"We all know no one is perfect. What did she do?"
"It's not what she did it's-" Chris paused. A sigh escaped him before he whispered in Ceras ear. "It's who." He finished. Cera pulled away and stared at him wide eyed.
"You mean..." Cera couldn't finish her own sentence. No, there was no way! Kiley may not be perfect but she loves Alec... right?
"What?" Alec asked, wanting to be filled in.
"No, it has to be a misunderstanding..." Cera said, ignoring Alec.
"Nothing is confirmed but... I can't look at her right now. I can't deal with her." Gabe said, disgusted.
"Have you talked to her about it?" Cera asked.
"Yep. She denied it, as expected." Chris sighed.
"Will someone tell me what you're talking about?" Alec asked, annoyed. Cera looked at him, sorrowfully. She looked at the boys for permission but they didn't seem to mind either way. Cera looked at Alec.
"Well, It seems to me, they're suggesting they fear Kiley... is cheating on you." Cera said and held her breath for his reaction. Alec finally felt the puzzle pieces click. He finally put it together.
"How do you know?" Was all he asked with glassy eyes.
"We saw her get out of some guys car in the parking lot... alone. Their clothes didn't look right and it looked like they ran a mile but she denied it. According to her, they were just talking." Chris spat. There was an emptyness he felt in his gut. He felt he lost someone he dearly loved. Probably because he did. Still, he was reaching for the last few strings of their relationship. He knew they were right but refused to believe it. It was quiet in the group after that with the exception of Cera saying, "I'm so sorry."
***
At lunch, Ben greeted Cera with a kiss on her forehead.
"Hey." He smiled.
"Hi." She gave her best fake smile.
"How are you, beautiful?" He asked, making her giggle and blush.
"I'm good." She lied. "How are you?"
"Great. Now." He flirted. "Come on! Let's sit with Kiley and Alec today." He suggested. Cera hesitated.
"What if we sit with your friends today."
"Don't be silly! Come on." He dismissed her idea and they went to the table where Alec and Kiley sat alone, miserable, quiet, yet right next to each other. Cera sat across from Alec, Ben across from Kiley.
"Hey, guys." Ben smiled.
"Hey! What's up?" Kiley smiled, warmly.
"Ah, nothing much. I got football after school today."
"Wow. Cera gets to date a football player?" She scoffed. "I don't see why Alec doesn't try for the team."
"I told you. I'm no good at it." Alec rolled his eyes.
"Alec is more of a intellectual than an athlete." Cera defends Alec. Kiley sensed Cera was being cold to her but didn't say anything. Cera went to open her ketchup and mustard packets, because she never asked for help, when Alec noticed and reached to help. But Ben took it before he had a chance.
"I got it." Ben smiled and opened it up. Alec felt hurt but put his arms down. Ben has also been taking her books for her which bothered Alec. He liked their routine and Ben was ruining it, making himself the Bain of Alec's existence.
"Thank you." Cera smiled and giggled at Ben which pissed Alec off. She was more willing to let Ben help her and it bothered Alec. Why does it take so long for me to convince her to let ME help her but HE can just waltz in her life and do whatever?! He wondered. Does she not trust me...?