When we arrived at the party I was shocked. I didn't realise it'd be this big of a party. I was a bit anxious but I didn't want to show it in front of Alex. I think he realised because he placed his hand on top of my thigh.
"You okay?" He asked.
I placed my hand on top of Alex's, taking it off me awkwardly.
"Just a bit anxious that's all" I gave him a small smile.
"You don't have to be anxious or nervous. I'm here and so are your friends. I'll stick by your side all night if you want me to?" He asked.
Why is he being so nice?
I looked at him with a soft smile and gave him a little nod. He gave me a soft nod back. He got out the car and opened mine as well.
What is he doing?
"Thank you" I mumble.
"No need to thank me, Forbes" He says putting his arm out for me to grab.
I accept my fate and wrap my arm into his. Lord, his biceps.
Fuck sake, here I am doing this again. Going back and forth with myself.
As we both walk through the doors, all eyes were on us. Everyone's eyes looked at us for 5 minutes then went back to partying. I felt really self conscious within that moment and started to fix myself. As I'm pulling my dress down, I felt a hand stop me. I didn't even have to guess who it was.
"You look good, don't-"
"Alex, stop this. Stop whatever you're doing. I don't know what you're doing, but whatever it is that you are doing, stop. Stop faking that you don't hate me. Stop ignoring the fact that all you've done is make fun of me and laugh at me" I cut him off, snapping at him so suddenly that it took me a back.
I don't know why I did, but I was so sick of him acting like everything was okay between us.
"You pick me up from my place and suddenly act like everything's okay, ignoring everything that you've ever done to me and that I've done to you. You start pulling your flirty act that's driven me insane this whole time! God, I hate you so much!" I groan walking away from him before I could say anything else.
I went straight to the kitchen to find something to drink. There was a whole spread of drinks on the table. I grabbed a cup and looked for the strongest thing there. I really needed it. Pouring the liquid into my cup, and lifting it up to my mouth. Telling myself I need to take my time, but I ignored myself and downed it straight away. It burnt my throat, but it felt so good.
As I'm pouring another one I feel a presence behind me.
"Bella?" I turned around to find Max behind me.
"Maaax! This is such a good party~" I slurred smiling.
Did I mention that I don't have a good tolerance with alcohol? One shot and I'm already off the walls.
"Are you- Why are you drinking this stuff?! This is too strong for you. Come on, we're going to Ria and the rest" He grabbed onto my wrist softly, walking me towards a couch with Ria and many other people. Counting Alex.
We locked eyes for a second, but I quickly looked away.
"I don't wanna be here" I say.
"Izzy, what's up with you? Are you okay?" Ria asked looking concerned.
"I'm going for air. I'll be back" I slowly walked away making my way outside the party where the loud banging noise drifted the further I got.
Sitting down on the edge of the pool, I dipped my feet in taking everything in that has happened tonight. Wtf did I do? God, I am such a mess.
Before I knew it, I had tears falling down my cheeks. I was crying.
"God, I'm so pathetic" I chuckled wiping my tears away.
"You aren't pathetic" a voice behind me said.
I didn't want to turn around. I already knew.
He sat down beside me, dipping his feet in as well. Alex didn't wear simple shoes. He wore his shoes that took him 7 minuets to put on because of the hard laces and how the shoes are built.
Why is he putting so much effort in tonight?
We sat in silence before I spoke. "I'm sorry I flipped before. It wasn't intentionally. I just- I'm trying to take it all in. You've been acting all nice lately and I don't know how to feel about it" I said.
"I'm used to you making fun of me, laughing at me, embarrassing me, all the things you do. Not complimenting me, touching me, it's just all overwhelming. I'm sorry, I'm rambling on again. I'll sto-"
"Don't stop. Keep telling me how you feel" He says cutting me off. "I want to know everything".
I took a deep breath in before starting. "I'm just so sick of this game you play on me. I'm not a fucking doll that you can fuck around with. I'm so confused all the time because of you. If I'm talking to a guy, you always turn up and butt into the conversation, or I feel you glaring at the both of us. I'm sorry that I have guys that want to talk to me. I'm not yours Alex. So, I don't know why you keep treating me like I am!". The more I talked the more tears fell down my face.
"Bell... I didn't know this is how you felt about it all" he placed his hand on my cheek, wiping away my tears that were falling. "If you told me any sooner I would've stopped this and told you-" he stopped himself. "Forget it" he dropped his hand from my cheek and dropped his head low, looking down at his lap.
For as long as I've known Alex, which is pretty much all my life, this is the most vulnerable I've ever seen him since he was little crying over not having his teddy bear. So, I knew that he was being serious.
"No, Alex, tell me. Please" I grab his chin, making him look up at me.
Tears.
There were tears brimming his eyes, ready to fall down his rosy cheeks. He was gonna cry. It's a habit he's had ever since he was little.
"Fuck, Bella. I fucking like you" My heart dropped to my stomach.
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[ JAW DROPPED. I know this is getting to things really quickly, but just, trust the process, please😭🙏🏽 ]
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CHANGE
RomanceThey've known each other since childhood. But when they grew up, things started to change. Alex started to act differently towards Bella. He would embarrass her, laugh at her and make fun of her. She never understood why. It broke her every time he...
