Just Friends

*27*

He hasn't seen Alice since movie night, has avoided her like the plague actually, not wanting to face her wrath when she hears about he and Lance's argument. So when he's invited to a party he knows she'll be at, he's on edge before he even spots her.

He finds her near Fred and Hermione, a drink in hand and a smile plastered on her face. At least she's in a good mood, perhaps it'll soften the blow when she rips into him.

"FP!" She squeals once she notices him, and he tenses immediately. She skips towards him and he braces himself to give the apology he had practiced.

"Alice, I'm-" His sentence is stopped short when she throws her arms around him.

"Thank you." She murmurs.

His eyebrows crinkle and he meets Fred's eyes across the room. "For what?"

"I know you're not the biggest fan of Lance but he had such a good time the other night, so thank you for making an effort."

"He did?" FP's just confused now. Does she not know what went down while she was asleep?

"He's just sorry he had to leave early. He said his mom called?"

"Oh, uh... yeah, he said he was sorry about that. I'm glad he had a good time though."

"I'm glad you two are getting along better now. You have no idea how much it means to me." She smiles brightly at him, and he just doesn't have the heart to tell her that's not the case.

"I like seeing you so happy, and if Lance is the reason, then I'll just have to make my peace with that." He teases.

She laughs, rolling her eyes dramatically. "You know I think you two would get along if you actually got to know each other."

"Who'd get along?" Lance asks, curling his arm around Alice when he makes his way over to them.

"You made it!" Alice cheers, pressing a kiss to her boyfriend's cheek. "I was just telling FP that you had fun the other night."

"I did," He agrees, curling his arm around Alice shoulders. "I'd love to come again some time if that's alright?"

FP forces a smile. "Yeah of course. I'm sure Alice will let you know when the next one is."

"And next time I'll make sure I bring something better than pretzels." Lance tries to joke.

"You did fine." Alice assures him. "I'll go get you a drink, anything specific?"

"Surprise me." He requests, pecking a kiss to her lips when she lifts up on her toes.

"She doesn't know?" FP questions once Alice is out of earshot, though he still keeps his voice low. Lance shakes his head. "You didn't tell her?"

"I didn't." Lance confirms, shoving his hands into his pockets out of awkwardness.

"Why?" FP questions, the question coming out with much more contempt than he meant. "I mean, I just figured you would."

"I thought about it, but she seemed so happy that her friends liked me, I didn't have the heart to tell her that isn't the case with you and I." Lance explains. "You mean the world to her, FP. I don't want to be the one to ruin that. We both care about her, so let's just be civil."

"I can do that." FP agrees. "For her."

"For her." Lance nods. "So we're good? We're calling a semi-truce?"

FP chuckles, genuinely. "Yeah, we're good. Now go find her, and take good care of her, she's a little tipsy."

"I'll switch her to soda." Lance assures him as he walks off in the same direction Alice went.