Chapter 8 - Throwing Those Two Years
It would send Timara in a fit. If she ever heard about it, she would have booked a flight in a snap of a finger.
"Really?" Alec asked with an ear splitting grin on his face.
I slowly nodded my head. A part of me was screaming. Was I really throwing those two years of trying to forget about Alec?
"Thank you," he said warmly.
I couldn't respond. So I just tried my best to give him one of my most believable smile and went to join the others.
When I sat on one of the white leather couches, I could feel Leo's gaze on me.
"Tequila, my dear?" Tate offered.
I chuckled and accepted his offer. As we talked and drank, what I did was flooding my mind. I have officially gave Alec a one way ticket to my freaking stupid walls.
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"He was your best friend?" Sasha exclaimed.
My hand went to cover her mouth before she could even say another word. There were some people looking at us as we sat on the wooden benches. We were at the 'park' that was located at the rooftop. I've been here but it was too dark for me to notice that it was actually a park filled with trees and green grass.
It was officially Saturday. I mentally gave myself a pat for surviving the week.
"Can you be any louder?" I hissed at her.
Even with my hand covering her mouth, the maniac smile she was sporting was very evident. Sasha slapped my hand away with a glare still intact on my face.
"Oh, wipe that glare," she cooed with a light chuckle.
"You cannot tell anyone," I warned her.
"Why not? You're the golden boy's best friend!"
I looked around to look who heard her. Luckily, she said it a bit softer this time. The people around us were still in their own bubble.
"I do not want to be branded as the asshole's best friend."
"Golden boy," she corrected.
I stared at her. How can she still put Alec in such high pedestal? I mean, okay, he does look amazing. The way he sport his white shirt and black jeans that hung too low against his hips was just so freaking hot. Or the way his hair would always be so messy and so damn sexy. I freaking understand that. But Alec was a jerk. He screamed asshole and bad.
"He's an asshole," I told Sasha. But inside I knew that I was also reminding myself.
"He can be nice, Tori. Look at him, he screamed angel," she said with her gaze somewhere.
I followed where her eyes were directed at. There I saw Alec, he had this huge smile on his face as he talked with an ash blond haired boy. The boy he was talking with was oddly familiar. He looked like he was about 9 years old. Alec, knelt on the ground and placed the football on the ground.
"Who's the kid?" I asked Sasha.
"You don't know him?" Sasha replied instead.
I looked at her with a sarcastic face. "Oh no. I know him. Like I just wanted to freaking ask with no freaking reason."
Sasha glared at me. "That's-"
"Hey, Tori."
I looked at the source of the voice with a scowl on my face.
"What?" I snapped at Alec.
He just smiled at me with the kid beside him. "Someone's in a good mood."
I narrowed my eyes at him.
"Hi, Tori!" the kid said.
I dropped my gaze at Alec and faced the kid. He had dark green eyes. That was all it took for me to completely remember who he was.
"Andre!"
He smiled at me. "You remember!"
Of course, I would remember this kid.
"Of course I remember you!"
I pulled him into a hug, not even minding that I was in touching distance with an actual human being.
"Where's your sister?" I asked once we pulled apart.
"She's with mum," he answered with a smile on his face.
"Are they here?" I asked.
Andre nodded his head. "Dad's with us too. He has a show tonight and mum has to meet some of the models at LA."
Thinking about it, I realized why Sasha was shocked that I didn't recognize him. Andre was probably the most famous kid,together with his twin sister Jessie Grey. Their mother was a hot shot fashion designer and a model while his dad was a freaking famous rockstar.
"I haven't been to their shows for awhile," I said.
"Well Alec's coming tonight. I bet dad would be psyched to see you guys at his show," Andre chirped.
I actually managed to keep the smile on my face even though the thought was sour to me.
"I got an extra ticket," Alec offered.
It would actually be really nice to see Uncle Jake and Aunt Lin. Just like Uncle Zach, those two never failed to treat Alec and I as their own kid. Uncle Jake would always bring us to his shows whenever he could, while Aunt Lin would bring us to her office. Let's just say that as a child Alec and I were pretty expose with the stuffs that our parents' friends does.
"Please please please come, Tori," Andre begged with his hands clutched together.
I sighed. "Okay fine."
The boys fist bumped each other with a smile on their faces.
"I'll pick you up at 7?" Alec asked.
I narrowed my eyes at him. "Why? We can
meet each other at the lobby at 7."
The smile on Alec's face wavered. He slowly nodded his head.
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I was already ready by 6:30. Looking at myself in the mirror, I felt satisfied. I was in my black leather skinny jeans and black shirt. There was a red plaid shirt that was tied around my waist just in case it will be chilly. And I wore my black converse.
"Tori?" Sasha called from the other side of my door.
"It's open!" I called back.
My door creaked open and Sasha went in with a smile on her face. I studied her. She was wearing a white dress that hung just above her knees. Her hair was tied in a neat bun.
"Where are you going?" I asked as I sat on my bed.
"I think I have a date," she murmured.
I smiled sillily. "With who?"
"Tate."
And I screamed. Believe me, it didn't only surprise Sasha but I was surprised too. Little by little I was starting to actually recognize my emotions. Like at the moment, I was excited for her.
"He's taking me to the carnival," she said.
I nodded my head with a smile still intact. Sasha stood there while fidgeting her hands.
"Do I look good?" she finally blurted out.
I wanted to toy with her. So I laid down on my bed and placed my hands at the back of my head.
"Spin," I said.
Sasha spun around with her dress. Without a doubt, she looked amazing.
"You look amazing, Sasha," I assured her.
"You look amazing too, Tori. Are you sure you're not trying to impress Alec?"
The smile that I was giving to her turned into a glare.
"Piss off, Sasha."
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As soon as I stepped out of the elevator, I saw Alec. He was leaning against the wall. He was wearing a black shirt and black jeans that looked too good on him. Just like yesterday, he was wearing his gray beanie.
"You're late," he hissed at me.
I rolled my eyes and just walked pass him. "Then stop the talking and start the walking."
We walked quickly towards the parking area.
"Here," Alec said, stopping.
I looked to where we stopped and saw that we were in front of a black Range Rover.
"Another gift from your uncle?" I teased.
Alec smirked at me and opened the doors.
"Nope. This came from me," he bragged.
I couldn't help but roll my eyes as I got in my car. Once we were safely in the car, Alec eyed me.
"Wear you seatbelt, love," he said seriously.
My body went rigid and I jerked my head to look at him. Alec was looking directly away from my face with his eyebrows scrunched together. He was gripping his steering wheel a little bit too hard, like he did something he regret.
"Tori, I'm not driving unless you wear that damn seatbelt," he hissed.
I clenched my teeth together to stop myself from making a snide comment and followed him anyway. Once I was secured, Alec started the car and zoomed out of the parking space.
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I would kill to have a life like Uncle Jake. Not really kill, but his life was to die for. Living with my parents, I have learned to love bands. As I grew up, I also wanted to have a band of my own.
It was like someone gave me a shot of adrenaline as my eyes shot from one spot to another. The place we were in was massive. It could probably fit millions of people here. The place was already crowded, making me more awed at the band.
"Exactly how near are we?" I screamed at Alec through the loud music.
Alec looked at me with a smirk.
"Depends, you want to be in front or at the side of the stage?" he asked.
I was beyond confused. Nothing came out of my mouth. Alec shook his head before producing two laminated I.Ds.
"Did you really think that Uncle Jake won't give us an all access pass?" he asked boastfully.
Alec handed me the I.D with a smile. My heart was pounding from the excitement. It wasn't like it was my first time. I have been to a lot of concerts but this was my first one for a long time.
I studied the I.D and saw that All Time Low was co headlining. It was like an impulse, a scream escaped from my mouth.
I faced Alec with a wide smile that I couldn't seem to remove on my face.
"All Time Low?"
Alec nodded his head with a smile on his face too. "Glad you like it."
"I do!"
It was weird. Happiness was something I certainly do not recognize, but at the moment, it was like it was too impossible to ignore.
Alec leaned closer to me. He was close enough for me to feel his breath fanning my cold skin.
"Just don't lose it," he whispered.
Hairs from all over my body stood at his voice. Shivers were present.
He pulled away with a smirk. He knew what he had done and how much that has affected him.
"The show's starting in 30. Want to go at the backstage?" he asked as if nothing happened.
The grip that I was putting on the I.D was enough to make my skin feel pain. I shook my head mentally and nodded at Alec.
Alec held out his hand for me to take but I just stared at it.
"Let's go?" I said, ignoring his hand.
Alec cleared his throat and masked his emotions with a grin.
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The feeling of being weirded out was gone. It didn't matter to me that I was starting to recognize my emotions. It certainly didn't matter that I was happy. It absolutely didn't matter that Alec was one of the reason as to why I was happy. I was facing the band that I was freaking head over heels for.
"Rian, I would like you to meet, Tori Adams," Uncle Jake introduced me.
My throat was clogged by something unknown. I internally kicked myself and pressed a grin on my face.
"Hi, Tori," Rian said.
I shook his hand and felt like I was going to pass out.
"Hi, Rian."
"So you're the pretty girl that Andre talked about?"
I blushed at that. What the actual hell?
"I'm sorry. I'm just so starstruck." I sighed.
Rian waved his hand and blew a sigh. "Oh, don't be. You should be starstruck with Jake."
I chuckled. With all the famous people on earth, Uncle Jake was someone I would never be starstruck with.
"But that's Jake," I joked.
Uncle Jake gave me a playful glare before pulling me into a headlock. I started giggling.
"Take that back, sweetheart," he joked.
His hold was starting to tickle.
"I take it back," I screamed.
He retreated his arms with a smile. "Not as playful as you were, huh?"
I shook my head. "Nah, you just stink."
Rian started laughing together with Alec. They didn't need to be introduced to one another since Alec already knew them and they already knew Alec.
"TORI!"
I turned my head to the source of the voice and saw a brunette with a perfect body walk towards me with her arms wide open for a hug. Not wanting to be rude, I didn't cower away and just allowed Aunt Lin to hug me for a fee second.
"I missed you so much, sweetie!" she said once I pulled away.
I grinned. "I've missed you too. We haven't seen each other for awhile."
Aunt Lin gave me another hug which was sending my body into tense mood.
"We have to shop together soon."
I just nodded my head.
"Why is Lin being all girly?" A male voice said.
And just like that excitement just sparked in me again.
"Tori, don't faint," Alec muttered beside me.
I gave him a glare before eyeing the three boys that came in.
Alex, Jack and Zack.
"Oh, Jack. You're just jealous because you can't be girly," Aunt Lin retorted.
Jack Barakat gave her a playful smile.
"Hey, Alec!" Zack greeted him.
"Hey, Zack."
"Ooh, Alec has a girlfriend!" Alex teased.
I moved away from Alec. "We're not together."
"Score!" Jack screamed, waving his fist.
"No no no. Move away, Barakat," Uncle Jake said as he pulled Jack away.
I couldn't help but laugh. I only see these boys act like this on video, and I have never thought that I would actually see them so playful in real life.
"What's your name, beautiful?" Jack asked with a flirty smile.
Everything felt like it was a dream. Here was I, standing in front of my idols.
"I'm Tori."
"And she's 17," Uncle Jake continued.
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The smile on my face couldn't fade at all as Alec and I walked towards our place. Seeing and meeting All Time Low was definitely one of the best experience in my life.
Alec let out an irritated sigh. "He's too old for, Tori!"
I turned to him with a confused look. "What?"
"Jack Barakat. He's too old."
I chuckled. I was not stupid. "I am not smiling like a fool because my idol was flirting with me. I was smiling because I was having a great time. Now, you're ruining it."
We got to where we were suppose to stay. I crossed my arms against my chest with a scowl on my face. I should be jumping for joy.The stage was directly in front of us, and no one was in front of us. This was one hell of a place for a concert.
"Tori," Alec finally said.
The noise that the people were creating was enough to drown Alec's voice, but I was able to hear him.
"I'm sorry for spoiling the night. I just can't help it."
I looked at him with glare. My arms were still crossed against my chest.
"What can't you help?" I questioned.
Alec's cheeks flamed. Even though it was dark, I could still see its redness. The screams of the crowd became louder by the second. They were pushing us, making Alec's skin touch mine.
"I can't help but feel-"
His voice was drowned by the people. And soon the music started playing.
"WHAT'S UP LOS ANGELES!" Alex Gaskarth screamed.
I guess I was not getting my answer.
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So what do you think is the answer?
I just have to put my babies here :))))
Vote? Comment? Promote? Follow?
Thank you!
Always smile!
:)
Xx