I pace around my room as I pull my hair into a bun and think about how this evening is going to go.
Alex will be here any second and I have no idea how we're going to act natural in front of our moms when we were basically sucking face just about an hour ago. I pause at that and groan.
Then I hear the doorbell and my mom calling my name. I chew on my lip nervously and make sure what I'm wearing is right. It consists of a simple pair of shorts with a black shirt tucked in and sneakers like usual.
I walk downstairs to see Natalie and my mom talking animatedly but no sign of Alex or Lily.
"Oh, Sophie!" Natalie gushes when she sees me. I smile as I walk into her embrace.
"How are you?" I ask.
Her red lips pull up into a grin. "Wonderful now that this long awaited visit has happened." She winks at my mom and my mom chuckles.
I laugh and look over her shoulder to try and see where Alex is. Oh, and Lily. She catches my wondering gaze and chuckles.
"Alex is just getting Lily's toys out of the car." She informs me just as I hear giggling from outside.
Alex then walks in with a laughing Lily on his shoulders while she holds a barbie doll. When they notice that we're all watching them they stop and Alex and I immediately lock eyes. It's like I'm sucked into a trance and everything else has disappeared except for Alex.
However, I am transported back into reality when Lily squeals my name and Alex puts her down so that she runs to me and I lift her up in a tight hug as she wraps her arms around my neck. Emily chuckles as they move into the kitchen and I eventually put Lily down. "How are you?" I ask and she gives me a toothless smile.
"I'm fine and you?" I nod.
"I'm good."
"Lily! There's cookies here for you." I hear my mom yell and Lily's face lights up as she sprints into the kitchen leaving me and Alex laughing. When I feel his eyes on me, I look at him and my breath hitches in my throat.
"You... uh... want to go up to my room?" I ask and his mouth twitches into a smirk.
"We already there in the relationship?" He teases and I scoff with a smile.
However, I don't miss the mention of us having a relationship. That immediately sets my face on fire and butterflies to flutter around in my stomach. I turn around and head towards the staircase, trying to wrap my head around how I got here with Alex. We were strangers just a few months ago.
"We'll be upstairs," I tell my mom as I peek my head into the kitchen and she sends me a brief "Okay" before getting engrossed in her conversation with Alex's mom.
From there I head to my room, Alex following extremely close behind which makes me cast a quick glance at him over my shoulder.
When I reach my room, I silently thank luck for making me decide to tidy it up yesterday. I walk in first just as Alex follows in. He closes the door behind us, probably trying to make sure that our moms don't end up hearing what we're saying. As I turn around, Alex is already right behind me which makes me squeal in surprise. He cups my cheek and before I know it, we're kissing again and everything I originally wanted to say, everything that was running through my mind before, suddenly dissipates. I pull him closer to me and think about how long I've wanted this.
To kiss him. Him.
That immediately brings me to my original reason as to wanting to talk to him. With every fibre of my being, I manage to pull away and I take in a sharp intake of breath. I move my hands from around his neck to his toned chest and I push lightly, trying to create a little bit of distance between us so that I can actually think straight. His eyes scan my face and he frowns in worry at me. I purse my lips before letting out a sigh.
"What is this, Alex?" I ask softly
and he looks at me with so many different emotions that I struggle to make sense of them.
"What do you want it to be?" He asks me, looking me directly in my eyes and I am surprised by the intensity. My mouth suddenly turns dry as I try come up with a response. He eyes me expectantly.
"I... I want us to be together." I whisper softly, chewing on my lip nervously as I cross my arms over my chest. His eyes brighten considerably and a smile tilts his lips up. He nods, digging into his pocket for something.
"I guess now would be a good time," he starts before stepping back and going down on one knee which makes my eyes widen in confusion. He whips out a pink candy ring and holds it up to me with a grin. "to ask you, Sophie Cooper, to officially be my girlfriend?"
At first, I'm just shocked, surprised and in awe but when I realise what he's asking and how he's nervously waiting for a reply, my stomach erupts into butterflies and I grin from ear to ear, my face beginning to hurt from it. I look at him and shake my head in disbelief.
"How could I say no to something as cheesy as this?" I laugh and he chuckles.
"I was hoping you would say that."
I take the ring from him as he stands up and slips it on my finger before wrapping my arms around his neck and bringing his lips to mine.
When we break apart I chuckle and he raises an eyebrow at me.
"If only Ridgevale knew how sappy the bad boy really is."
He smirks at me.
"Only you get the pleasure of knowing it."
****
Dinner went well yesterday. I couldn't shake the happiness and giddiness that flowed through my veins now that I was officially Alex's girlfriend.
Girlfriend.
I still can't wrap my head around that.
However, it was kind of difficult fighting the urge to kiss him breathless and to wrap my arms around his neck. I managed, but it sure wasn't easy. I had called Rachel the minute they left to spill the news and I'm pretty sure I'm still deaf from the ear shattering squeal she had let out.
However, what didn't cross my mind was when I planned on telling my mother. So when Alex walked to my porch this morning to get me and I gave him a 'good morning' kiss, I wasn't expecting my mother to decide to come out at that exact same time and catch me in the act.
To say I'm embarrassed is the understatement of the year.
Even Alex's ears are tinged with pink as my mom looks at us in surprise before her eyes twinkle with a knowing look as her lips tilt up into a smile. I pull away from Alex and fidget with my denim skirt. Alex gives my mom a dazzling smile, not seeming fazed at all.
"Morning Emily." He greets and my mom gives him a smile.
"Morning Alex."
I clear my throat awkwardly, "We should probably get going."
My mom nods. "That's probably a good idea. I'll see you later. Don't get up to too much mischief." She teases. And them she winks. She winks! As if I'm not embarrassed enough.
She gives me a 'we'll-talk-about-this-later' look and I blush crimson as she heads back inside. I see Alex's shoulders moving up and down as he chuckles silently.
I swat his chest playfully and glare at him.
"Don't laugh!" I scold him as we walk down my porch to his car.
He holds his hands up in surrender. "At least she knows now." He comments.
I roll my eyes. "I would have preferred it if I had told her."
He smirks. "Too late." I roll my eyes as I climb into the passenger seat along with him. He smiles at me and I smile back, my heart hammering at his adoring look.
"What do you think it's going to be like at school today?" I ask him once we're on the road and on our way to Ridgevale. He shrugs as he drives casually.
"Does it matter?" He asks. I give him a genuine smile.
"Not at all." He grins at that and we drive in silence to school.
When we pull up in the parking lot, he cuts the engine but we don't make a move to climb out as we watch the students that litter the parking lot.
It's funny how natural this feels. One would think that maybe things would have being a little awkward between Alex and I since we moved from friends to a couple but if anything, it feels right. More right than when we were friends. This feels normal. It's like there was a barrier of feelings when we friends that constantly kept us at a distance like we couldn't really reach each other. However, now that we have broken that barrier down, I feel that this is how it is meant to be.
This is still the beginning. We haven't even being together for a full day yet but I've made the choice- taken the leap- to trust Alex with my heart. This is probably going to be a bumpy ride considering the Elite will have a lot to say about it, but I don't really care. I feel satisfied knowing that Alex is mine and I am his. I feel a slight tap on the side of my head and I look to Alex who switched me back into reality.
"What are you thinking up in that empty head of yours?" He remarks. I roll my eyes and flick his nose which he whines at as he rubs it.
I smirk. "I was thinking about how much I felt like punching you." He laughs, it being music to my ears, before he gives me a naughty smirk.
"Into kinky stuff now are we?"
I scrunch my nose up in disgust.
"No! What the hell?" He laughs at my reaction but all I do is scowl.
"Hey," he says as he leans across the console and over to me. He looks at my eyes before they travel to my lips, making my breath hitch in my throat and my heart thump loudly.
Is it always going to feel like this?
"It's Friday. You should be happy." He says. I lean closer, inches away from his lips.
"I'm happy for another reason," I answer and his lips quirk into a smirk as his gaze flickers between my eyes and lips.
"And why is that?" His minty breath fans against my face.
I grin. "Because they have discounts down at Starbucks."
I see his smirk immediately drop and I burst into laughter. He scowls at me but I can see the amusement in his eyes as he watches me laugh.
"You done now?" He asks me. I smile, my face feeling hot from the hysteria.
"Yeah, I think so."
He rolls his eyes before squeezing my thigh. "C'mon, let's go."
I nod, my smile faltering. Can't we just sit and laugh with each other in the car forever? That sure sounds better than going to school.
He opens his door and climbs out just as I grab my backpack from the back seat. He comes to my side, opens my door and I smirk at him being a gentleman. When he closes the door, I take a look around the parking lot and see a few students eyeing us carelessly.
When I look back at him, he gives me a reassuring smile and I feel my problems melt away. He throws his arm around my shoulders and pulls me into his side and I instantly feel secure. As we walk into the school hallway, a few kids start snickering and I feel smug at the girls' envious glares. When we reach my locker, we stop and he leans against the locker beside mine as I pack my bag.
"This school sure has no shame with staring blatantly." Alex comments as he looks around. I snort.
"No kidding." I remark.
He chuckles just as the Rebels round the corner. It's so strange to see them without Nina. She just brings this liveliness to the group that none of us can.
"Do they know?" I ask him. Alex shakes his head as they walk up to us.
"Hey guys." They greet and I smile at them.
"Heard anything from Nina?" I ask Martin. He shakes his head with an aggravated sigh and I pout.
"Speaking of which- what the fuck happened to you yesterday, man?" Martin scowls at Alex. "I was trying to get hold of you."
My ears begin to burn and I look away while Alex smirks and looks down at me.
"I was busy with some important stuff." He answers. I look up at him and smile before looking back at the Rebels who are eyeing us strangely before realization dawns on them. Martin breaks into a wide grin.
"You finally did it?" He asks Alex and he nods. He lets out a whoop as he pulls Alex into a bro hug. "My man!" He cheers. I laugh as Alex smiles. Cole pulls me into a hug.
"Damn, am I happy that it finally happened." He says just as I push back. "Shit, I thought I was going to wait another decade." I let out a hoot at that since I thought so too.
When he pats Alex on the shoulder, I am suddenly engulfed in a bone-crushing hug and I rest my head on Christina's shoulder with a smile. She squeals as she jumps up and down excitedly which makes me giggle.
"I am so fucking happy that Alex has decided to settle down with you, of all girls." She murmurs in my hair. I grin.
"Thanks Christina. I'm really happy too."
When she lets go of me and I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, I am lifted up from behind and I squeal as I laugh. When I'm placed back down again I turn around to a bear-hug from Martin who ruffles my hair.
"Stop!" I laugh, trying to push him away. "Martin! Stop!" I groan and he grins at me.
"Thank you for finally coming to your senses. I didn't know how long I was going to be able to keep quiet." He grins and I laugh.
"Wait." Alex cuts us off. "You knew about this?" Alex asks Martin incredulously.
Martin smirks. "I did."
"What the fuck man? Why didn't you tell me?" He says in disbelief.
Martin holds his hands up in surrender. "In my defense, your girlfriend threatened to castrate me." I punch Martin in the shoulder and Alex looks at me in curiosity.
I give him a sheepish smile and he shakes his head before he laughs. The bell rings and Martin pulls me into his side as we walk. "Nina is going to go crazy." Martin laughs. I chuckle with him before Alex nudges Martin.
"Hey, let go of her, man. She's my girlfriend not yours."
My girlfriend. My heart thumps at that. It's going to take me a while to get used to the title.
Martin rolls his eyes, "I know, bro. I'm just so happy that you two are finally together." Martin shrugs and I feel a wave of appreciation wash over me as I think about how supportive and happy everyone is for us. That's what true friends are like; if something makes you happy they'll support it.
Suddenly, Martin stiffens and as if he comes to a daunting realization, his eyes widen and he snaps his face back to Alex who is smirking deviously.
"You two are finally together..." Martin mumbles to himself and Alex cracks a wicked grin.
"You know what that means?" Alex asks Martin while I frown in confusion.
"Someone has to make a move on Nina," Cole answers for him and Martin scowls. I look up at Martin with an excited smile plastered on my face.
"You're going to ask Nina?" I ask.
Martin opens his mouth to respond but is cut off by Alex. "He has no choice."
Martin scorns and I raise a brow at Alex curiously. He pulls me towards him and intertwines our fingers. "The deal was that if I could own up and make a move on you then he would make a move on Nina Williams."
I grin, clapping excitedly.
"That's the last time I make a fucking deal." Martin grumbles as we walk into English.
****
I pat my stomach as it growls in hunger. Luckily lunch has finally rolled around and I sigh in relief.
Rumors of Alex and I have being surfacing all around the school and I can feel everyone watching me. When I reach my locker, Alex is already waiting for me and my heart skips a beat when he looks at me. I move my legs faster so that I can reach him quicker and when I do, he grins down at me while I open my locker and fish out whatever I need.
"How was Eco.?" I ask and he shrugs. I chuckle at his answer while he watches me. "The school is going mad over us." I mumble and he chuckles, sliding his hands into his pocket with a mischievous smile plastered to his face.
"C'mon," he says, getting up from off the lockers and grabbing my hand. Once we're inside the cafeteria, everyone watches us curiously while the Elite gaze at our interwoven hands. While we walk pass their table, Alex gives them a sarcastic smile before showing them his middle finger which Logan scowls bitterly at.
When we reach our table, I pull out my granola bar and water while the Rebels snicker around me. "Have you heard the rumors surrounding you lovebirds?" Christina asks and I roll my eyes as I lean into Alex's side and he puts an arm around my shoulder.
"Apparently, you're paying him to date you." She laughs and my eyes nearly bulge our of their sockets.
"What?" I splutter. They all laugh at my reaction.
"Oh, wait." Cole shakes his head. "That's not the worst of it." Before I can ask him what he means by that, Martin cuts me off.
"Apparently Alex thinks you're a Goddess so he's praying to you while you take the tribute of sex." Martin states, trying to suppress his laughter. I gape at that.
"Where are they coming up with this stuff?" I ask in disbelief.
Seriously? I'm a goddess? What the actual hell?
I feel Alex's chest vibrate against mine and I roll my eyes. I feel his fingers clip my chin and pull my face so that I'm looking up at him.
"How about we put an end to these rumors?" He says. I snort despite how much our proximity is making me nervous.
"How do you plan on doing that?"
He smirks, his eyes traveling to my lips and I realise where he's heading at. He leans down and presses his lips to mine and despite me hearing the faint gasps and snickers around the cafeteria and Martin saying "Atta boy!",
everything disappears except for Alex. He kisses me gently, cupping my cheek as I lean into him. However, when I hear Cole laugh I'm switched back into reality where I realize I'm at school, having a make out session with Alex in the cafeteria. I pull away and look at Alex who is in a daze before diverting my attention to my water as I try and suppress a blush at all the inquisitive stares and glances passed my way.
My gaze automatically slides to the Elite table and when I see how Chris looks at me, my stomach drops. The whole scene that happened Tuesday afternoon keeps replaying over and over in my head while his words ring in my ears.
I loved you.
His face that was so hurt, as if I had physically slapped him, pops into my mind. The way his eyes held so much betrayal like I lied to him.
As much as guilt consumes me, so does frustration and anger. Why does he want me to feel so bad for doing what makes me happy? Why can't he- as the best friend he was supposed to be- be happy for me and support my decision? Why couldn't he just be there. That would've been enough.
Alex makes me happy and if it means I have to let Chris go to keep that, then I'm more than willing to because I have never felt this way about a guy before; like the whole sun is burning in my chest when he looks at me, like a zoo is going on in my stomach when he touches me or how my heart thumps at an unhealthy rate when I see Alex's smile.
I am completely and utterly whipped for Alex and I'm okay with that. Even if the people, who I thought cared about me, aren't.
So I do the one thing I never thought I'd be able to do and that is move on
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