I knew I loved you...did you? - Alona Basque (best contemporary novels .TXT) 📗

friend. He's been there through my ups and downs. 'He left you once' my brain interjects. Yeah, he did leave me once I started going on dates and finally having Rob as my boyfriend; why am I defending him? Especially with my brain.
"...what about you?" Adrian asked bringing me out of my mental battle. Oh-uh, I didn't even hear anything he told me. Shit, what the hell am I gonna say? 'He’s asking what you've done in the last 5 years' my brain tells me. Whew, thanks brain!
“After graduating from high school, I went to University in Seattle for Business Management. I got my own Photo Gallery there. I was engaged for a year but we broke it about 6 weeks ago." I told him
"Oh, so, you and Alex used to be engaged? Is that why he says the things he said?" Huh? How the hell did he get the impression that it was Alex that I was engaged to? I never even mentioned a name. Damn, that rumour is going to be the death of me.
"No. I was engaged with a guy named Rob. You don't know him. He's from Seattle." I told him at the same time turning to the bar for another Gimlet.
"Oh, sorry" he says sheepishly
"It's alright"
Gosh, I can't believe how dull this gorgeous guy is. Where was that tingling sensation that I felt? The connection? How come it’s not there anymore?
I caught sight of Cate and Matt sitting on a table with a few other people adjacent from where the bar is. I started facing that direction to approach them when I felt Adrian's hand grabbed me by my elbow. I looked up to see why he did that and voiced what I thought
"I'm heading over to that table over there, would you like to come with?" I asked him while nodding my head in the direction where my best friend and brother are.
"Oh, yeah, Okay. I just thought you'd wanna catch up with me...alone." Adrian tells me sheepishly.
"Tonight is the reunion. Don't you wanna catch up with your old friends back in high school day? come onlet's start heading that way" I told him. He released his hold on my elbow and we started walking towards the table where Cate and Matt were. Hmm, I wonder where Alex is? Oh, well at least a few minutes of reprieve from his teasing won't hurt
"I guess you're right. I just thought of making up the lost time of not hanging out with you, if that's okay." Adrian tells me. Jeez, this guy is kind of cheesy.
"Of course, we can hang out. How long is your vacation for? I'm visiting only for a month."
"I'm back here indefinitely, at least until my mom decides to sell the house and finally move with me out east." he tells me. We were finally at the table. We waived at everyone on the table. They greeted us in forms of waiving, handshakes and half-hugs. Good times, good times.
Suddenly, music started playing making it hard to make any conversation.
Lady Gaga's 'Poker Face' started playing on all the speakers in the gym. I tapped Cate who was sitting down and motioned for her to dance with me on the floor. She stood up and started dragging me towards the dance floor. I knew she loved this song and loved to dance as well.
While we were dancing people started coming to us and danced with us while reminding me if we had any classes together.
"Hey Amy right? We had the same social studies class together..."
"Amy, you're Matt's little sister right? I was in your AP Math class..."
"Wow Amy that dress looks great with those killer legs, who is it by..."
Etc.
I answered all these questions and got into conversations. I never knew people actually knew who I was back in the day let alone remember me.
Three more songs - Ke$ha's 'Tick Tock' ; Timbaland and Katy Perry's 'If we ever meet again'; Edward Maya's 'Stereo Love' played until I felt myself parched;
I excused myself from the group and headed to the bar for my third and fourth drink of the night.
"Hi, two Vodka Gimlets please" I tell the bartender
The first of the two was gone before it even hit the counter. What can I say I was really thirsty. My second drink, I took my time as I scanned the whole room. I love people watching. I find it fascinating that after 5 years some cliques still existed within our high school batch. I guess old habits die hard. I can't complain though as I was never really in any clique let alone the 'IT' crowd.
I spotted Alex from across the room talking to his friend Caleb. As soon as I was going to look away he looked up and caught my eyes in a gaze so intense I could not pry my eyes away from them. He started heading my way, or maybe he's just heading my way because I'm right by the bar and he wanted a drink? As soon as he was in front of me, he leaned over and kissed me on the cheek.
"Care to dance with me? I know you're mad at me for that whole rumour bit. Will you let me explain things to you? Just one dance?" Alex asked me with a pout and puppy dog eyes. He is just adorable. I guess he deserves to explain why he acted the way he acted earlier.
"Fine. Just one dance. And I want the whole truth Alex." I tell him sternly
He takes my hands in his and right away I felt the warmth and familiarity course through me. As soon as we hit the middle of the dance floor, the lights dimmed and a slow song started playing. It was Paramore's 'Only Exception'
Alex snaked his left arm around my waist and took my left hand with his right hand and placed it to his chest close to his heart. I can feel his heart beating rapidly. I leaned my head against his chest feeling his heart beating in a soothing rhythm. My god, he smells fantastic! It’s like home mixed with the spring air after a downpour where everything smells renewed and fresh. Is there even such a thing? We were quiet for a while until I felt Alex kiss my forehead. When I looked up and locked my eyes with his grey eyes all of his emotions spoke to me to me with such intensity I almost felt weak to my knees. Good thing he has me by my waist or else I the wind would have knocked me out of my feet.
"Amy, I'm so sorry for making you uncomfortable earlier. I thought that if I went along with that rumour you wouldn't mind It." he started still looking me straight in the eyes.
"You know Alex I didn't mind the rumour much. It was the fact that we were never a couple then suddenly you just play along like it was a common occurrence. So you can tell I was a little miffed about how lightly you were taking my feelings; especially after that whole 'love child' rumour. How would you feel if everybody thought you were gay for the last 5 years?" I asked him quietly.
"I wanted it to be real." he said so low that I could not be sure if I heard him properly. He looked down on the floor silently mumbling incoherent words to me. Then he looked up gauging for my reaction. My eyes were wide.
"WHAT!" I whisper-yelled at him
No freaking way Alexander Ryan Marks actually has feelings for me? Is this some kind of joke? I've already come to the conclusion that I like the idea of him and me as more than friends. But can I trust my heart not to be broken by him? Or better yet, can I trust myself not to break his heart?
Why is he just looking at me like I never even uttered a single word? I swear it I find out that this was just a dream all will break lose. He opened his mouth as if he has something to tell me but decided closed his mouth instead. He stepped away from me and headed for the exit without a glance back my way. What just happened? I didn't even try to go after him. I was left in the middle of the dance floor stunned on what had happened. Why does my life have to be so screwed up?


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Publication Date: 01-22-2012

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