You promise?

Chapter 9

Char

The nights out continued every week, I got to know more people—Alex's friends, some strangers too. We frequented one bar, but from time to time we went to meet new ones.

Many traveled with their families for the holidays, and many of them decided to spend it together.

The planning took weeks—who was bringing what, how they were going to decorate the place, everything.

"Char, can you pass me those lights over there?" Mosi, climbing a ladder, points me to a box full of lights.

I nod, getting up from the one where I was with Emi and other girls, making some decorations with a lot of glitter.

I grab the box carefully, pulling out the lights. I reach for one end and pass it to Mosi, standing still, waiting for him to put them up to give him more.

The doorbell rings, and Alex appears from the garden, where he was with some other guys tidying up some tables. He runs to the door and opens it, handing a bill to the delivery boy before closing the door with bags of food.

"I'll put them in the kitchen and bring out some plates," he says to no one in particular.

The guys outside start to come in, eager to eat after a morning of much decorating.

"Thanks Char." Mosi's hand passes over my head, he comes down the stairs, and I smile at him. "Come on, I'm starving."

We go into the kitchen, where the plates of food are ready for everyone to grab one.

I walk over to Alex.

"Do you need help?" His eyes twitch at my voice, and I laugh as I see the big smudge he has on his face.

I grab a napkin and dampen it a bit before carefully wiping it away.

Alex smiles as I finish.

"Grab a plate, eat, I'm almost done here," he says. I walk to the counter and grab a plate, analyzing the free stalls around the table.

I walk to the free place next to Emi, but the girl puts her hand on it.

"Alex is going to sit here," she says, and I smile.

The table is momentarily silent. Alex stops serving and turns with a frown.

"Come, Char, sit here," a red-haired guy next to Mosi calls out to me. I smiled at him by way of thanks before walking over to him.

Alex turns around, his face indicating he's annoyed.

Mosi gets up from his seat and pats his friend's shoulder.

"Sit here, I'm bothered by the light," he says, walking over to Emi and sitting down next to her.

Everyone notices the change, everyone notices the lies, but only Emi seems annoyed about it.

Alex settles in next to the red-haired guy, gesturing for everyone to go back to eating.

The dishwasher is exploding, but the red-haired guy manages to put his plate in before closing it.

"Sorry about Emi, she's always been so overprotective over Alex," he says, and I smile.

I take some time to think about his words as I take a sip of my soda. Alex mentioned no alcohol until later; otherwise, the whole party would die before its time.