My Final Love

Chapter 1

"Are you coming tonight?"

"Too what?" I asked, looking at my best friend Casey before I continued to put some stuff in my bag. The thing about Casey is that she has always been my biggest supporter and has always wanted the best for me and ever since the incident last year with my ex-boyfriend she's also been my biggest protector outside my dad and my brother. After last year I was so ready to put my walls up and shut everyone out except for three people and that's my dad, my brother Jackson and Casey.

"To Alexandar Grahams party! Maria, I've told you about this party like 10 different times!" Casey states, obviously offended that I didn't know what she was talking about.

"I don't remember a single conversation about this so-called party. Anyways, if it's an Alexander party we both know the guy who shall not be named will be named is going to most likely be there and I really do not feel like seeing him." I stated as I shut my locker before I turn to walk away to my next class but of course Casey continues to follow me.

"Yeah, I get that but are you really going to let you know who determine the rest of your life?" Casey questioned, deep down I knew she was right but that doesn't mean it hurts any less.

"Not really but..."

"No buts, Maria you can't let that sorry excuse of guy dictate the rest of your life and letting be the reason that you don't have fun. I get this last year has been really hard for you but your mom wouldn't want you to live your life in the past. She would want you to have fun and live your life and for you know who, forget him there are so many other amazing guys out there for you!" Casey exclaimed.

"Oh yeah? Like who?" I asked as we stood outside my next class.

"Like..." She then starts to scan the room as if she is trying to find someone to say, "Like Alexandar Graham!" She says as she points to him as he had just entered the same classroom that I was about to go in.

"Alexandar Graham?" I gave her a weird look and I really appreciated what Casey was trying to do for me and everything but I am not in the right space in this moment to date.

"Yeah! Why not? He is such a nice guy and very athletic. He is the captain of the football team. He also spends his free time at the animal shelter donating his time there. And he is smoking hot. Alexandar is the perfect dream guy and he is single at the moment." Casey tries to convince me but I think she's forgetting one big thing.

"Casey you are forgetting one big factor in that whole speech." She then looks at me like I'm stupid.

"Oh yeah? And what's that?

"Zack is his best friend! My ex...the one I am trying to avoid! I am not about to try and date Alexandar when I know that he is the friends with the guy that did me wrong in so many ways!" I exclaimed.

"Alexandar is not Zack!" She huffs as we both then look at for a quick second before looking back at each other.

"I know that! But being around Alexandar means being around Zack and that's going to bring back too many painful memories. Now can we just drop it?" I sighed knowing she wasn't going to drop it, "Look, I appreciate what you are trying to do and I know that it's all out of love but as of right now I'm just not ready to jump back into dating just yet."

"But..." The bell rings hinting that class was starting.

"I got to go." I say before heading into class looking for a place to sit and to no surprise, the only seat open was next to the one and only Alexandar Graham. I sigh before taking my seat next to him. He looks up at me and gives me a gentle smile.

"Hi." I look at him confused as I then look around to see who he was talking to and when he started to laugh, I knew that he was talking to me.

"I'm sorry, where you talking to me?" I questioned which only seemed to make him laugh even more.

"Yes, who else would I be talking to?"

"I don't know, anyone but me." I answered as I then start to get my laptop out as we waited for the professor to show for class.

"And why's that?" He asked seeming intrigued.

"I don't know, maybe it's because we have never had a single conversation in the single time, we've gone to school together. I am sure you don't even know my name." I said and when he didn't say anything I just give him a knowing look before going back to my laptop.

"Maria." He said and my head shots up so fast that my neck actually hurt.

"Excuse me?" I asked more confused and shocked.

"That's your name, isn't it? Or does that laptop you have with a name on it belong to someone else?" I then looked at the back of my laptop where I had my name in big bold letters printed on the back. I start to mentally curse at myself.

"Congratulations, you can read!" I said sarcastically as I continued to curse at myself and this seems to make him laugh.

"You're a feisty little thing now, aren't you?" He asked with big goofy smile, that stupidly cute big goofy smile. Snap out of it, Maria, you can't think of him like that.

"And I have a feeling that's just you're type." I snapped back right as the professor walked in and just like that class started. All I could think about was our conversation and his cute smile. I said I couldn't date him but I didn't say anything about thinking about him.

"See you later, Ria." I looked at him confused.

"Huh?"

"Class is over, it's time to go." I looked at the time to see that he's right and that I day dreamed the whole class away.

"Oh shit. I didn't even realize." I started to grab my stuff until something clicked, "Wait...what did you just call me?"

"Uh, Ria? Is that not, okay?" I smile a little, little did he know that it was more than okay.

"Yeah, that's okay. My mom used to call me that." He looked at me confused.

"Use too?" He asked confused.

"A story for another time." He only nods understanding that he shouldn't press any further.

"So, I'll see you at my party tonight?" He asked hopeful with a big pleading smile.

"I'm not sure yet." I answered but he didn't seem to like that answer.

"Why not?" He asked confused as I sighed debating if I say why or not.

"Well, let's just say that my ex is going to be there and I am not his biggest fan."

"Well, how about this, you come tonight and if this guy gives you any problems you come and find me." He smiles slightly at me as he waves to me as he walks away from me.

Maybe Casey was right, maybe Alexandar was so bad after all. Maybe it was time to let go of the pain of my past and hold on for the future. Once I leave my class I am met with a glum Casey, I then shut my eyes as I mentally prepare myself for what I am about to say and do.

"Alright! Fine!" This catches her attention and she slightly smiles not trying to get her hopes up.

"Really?" She asks gleaming in excitement.

"Yes! I'll go to this stupid party with you!" She then squeals really loudly as she runs up to me and hugs me tightly.

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Have I said thank you and that I love you! Cause I love you so much!"

"Yeah yeah, I love you too." I smile slightly as we walk to get coffee, hoping that this is the right thing.