Years Later

Chapter 1- Surprise!

Author's Note:
Here we go, Chapter 1! Please vote and comment!

Chapter 1- Surprise
There is no word to describe the emotions I am feeling right now. Excitement? Anxiety? Fear? You are probably wondering why, well the answer is simple, in a week's time I am finally going to see my brother and Alex after spending 2 years away from them, halfway across the world, in London. James promised me that one of them would come and collect me from school and then we would all go back to LA, where they both live. I am mostly worried about what things will be like between Alex and I because when I first came to boarding school, we emailed daily, but we gradually turned that to weekly emails, then monthly and now,I'm haven't spoken to him in almost a year. What will he think of me now? Still James' little sister?

The school made us pack up our bags a week in advance because we need to leave the rooms completely empty and warned us that whatever we forgot would be thrown in the trash. I did not want that to happen because some of the items I own hold sentimental value, for example, the leather band Alex gave me just before I left. It had his initials carved onto the inside and mine on the outside. I remember it like it was only yesterday...

"C'mon Sarah! We need to leave now if you want to make your flight!"James shouted, agitated and annoyed that I was still not ready to go. It's not my fault he enrolled me last-minute, but no, of course 'James is always right.' As I placed my last few items into my hand luggage, Alex entered the room. After waking up next to him, things were still quite awkward between us, we'll at least, that is how I felt.

"Hey Sarah, I just thought that as I may not be able to see you in a while... Um well... This is not going as I planned... Basically, here. Open it when you get there." He muttered, while handing me a small gift, hand-wrapped might I say, which is an improvement for Alex who usually just puts the gift in a bag and adds tissue paper on the top to cover it.

"Thanks, whatever it is, I'm sure I will love it. I'm sorry, I didn't have time to get you anything..." Well if this wasn't awkward, what is? To be honest, I didn't know Alex would get me a gift so I didn't get him anything, but he doesn't have to know that. I turned to walk away but Alex suddenly grabbed my wrist and pulled me into a hug.

"Don't forget me! And if you ever need to talk and James is being stupid again, know that I'm here for you." He mumbled into my hair. Aww, that is probably one of the sweetest things anyone, let alone Alex, has said to me.

Suddenly I hear a door slam, bringing me back to reality.

"Hey Girl! How's your packing going? Do you want to go to a pool party with me? I promise there will be some cute guys there, for both of us" My annoying best friend, Hugh, says. In case you haven't guessed, he bats for the other team, but I don't mind, he is an awesome friend with great fashion taste, unsurprisingly.

*****************2 hours later******************
That was one of the best parties ever- it is fun to just let go sometimes. Having Hugh with me made it even better because he was shamelessly flirting with everyone who approached me, yes me. They wanted to talk to me, but no, Hugh has to go and ruin it, but I don't care because it was amusing to watch. Now that we are back in my room, I decided to feign annoyance and let him experience my wrath.

"Hugh, what was up with that? I understand you are an attention seeker, but really? Taking away my time with those guys?"I said while pouting. I take slow, hopefully intimidating, steps towards him and then start poking him with each question. What I wasn't expecting was him to fight back and throw me over his shoulder, running around like a headless chicken until I am so dizzy that when he finally puts me down, I practically collapse onto the floor. And even after that, he decides to sit on me and start tickling me, not stopping even when I am practically screaming his name.

I hear the door open and expect another friend, like Katie, to waltz in but I am shocked. Standing my the door in all his glory is, of course, Alex. Let me tell you, he has changed since I last saw him. Over the span of two years he has become a God. He is wearing a tight black v-neck t-shirt, which makes his abs easily visible, and some washed jeans. How can an outfit so simple make him look so good? I am brought back from my obvious drooling when he clears his throat. That is when I realise the compromising position I am in: Hugh is still sitting on me, and I am in only a bikini, not to mention I was screaming out his name to make him stop. Now this is just plain awkward.

"Surprise!" Alex says with little to no enthusiasm, but I can't blame him. He probably thought he would come to see the old Sarah, doing some homework in the corner of her bedroom, but no, he sees me like this. For some reason, I feel ashamed that he had to see me like this, I wonder what he is thinking right now. Probably wondering what happened to me in two years. Have I become everything I vowed to never be? The answer is simple, no I haven't, but that is not what is going through his head at this exact moment.

" James was going to come pick you up as a surprise, but I guess you are lucky that it was me. I'll be waiting downstairs," and with that he slammed the door shut and left. What have I done?