A Suite and Magical Life

Chapter 25: A new beginning for them

August 19, 2011

New York City, New York, United States

Alex Russo was on top of the world. Her school years were finally over, and for ironic symbolism, what she had been wanting to do for years (destroy her school) had come true, though not at her hands: An asteroid had destroyed Tribeca Prep and ensured a spectacular ending to her years of schooling at that institution, and not even a last-minute credits crisis (resolved when she saved Mr. Laritate from the asteroid) had stopped her closing the book on her time at Tribeca Prep.

Her parents, Theresa and Jerry Russo, were ecstatic: Alex's academic record was solid, but peppered with sharp grade drops that had left them worried that she would be unable to graduate high school. The bombshell that she would have to repeat her last year had scared them, but now that the situation had been resolved, they decided it was time to celebrate Alex's achievement, much like they had celebrated Justin's achievement. As a result, they had thrown a graduation party and invited everyone they were close with or whom their kids were close with.

Alex had seen basically everyone she knew at this party: both sides of her family had turned up as had Harper's family, along with Zeke and Justin's group of friends, along with Max's girlfriend Thalia. Even Alex's old frenemy Gigi had her two sycophants had turned up and half-heartedly congratulated her on graduating. The two of them were even able to have a cordial conversation about college plans, before both of them gently disengaged themselves from the conversation.

Alex went around, interacting with people, all of whom congratulated her. But she wasn't aimlessly wandering around: she was looking for someone, but she couldn't find him. She wondered where he was, longing to talk to him again. Tears came to her eyes: would he turn up?

"Looking for someone?" a familiar voice behind her asked, startling her. Alex turned around and saw who she had been looking for: he'd finally turned up. She hugged him, and he hugged back. She wanted to bury his herself in the neatly tailored black suit over his chest, to feel his arms around the red fabric of her dress covering her back, but she knew it would have to wait.

Zack Martin smirked mischievously. "Happy Graduation, Lexie. How does it feel?" he asked her.

"Like liberation." Alex responded, causing the two of them to laugh knowingly at the joke.

"Well, don't get too comfy. You still have college to go through." Zack reminded her, grinning.

"I don't think I have to worry about that for a while now." Alex said flippantly. Her nonchalance and overconfident arrogance amused Zack, as he remembered what he had to give to her.

"Speaking of which, something came in the mail today. I've been meaning to give it to you as a gift, and I think there's no better time than the present." Zack said, lightly emphasizing the pun.

Alex giggled at his silliness. "You're unbelievable. What is this present?" she asked him curiously.

Zack silently took out a white envelope from his pocket and handed it over to her, placing it gingerly in her right hand. Alex froze when she saw the famous embossed coat of arms on it: in her hands, she was holding her future. It made her feel dizzy: she felt her knees weaken. Zack, recognizing this, took her left hand and squeezed it reassuringly. "Whatever happens, I love you, Lexie, and I'll always be there to support you." he said, looking at her.

Alex smiled nervously at him. She gently opened the envelope, her hands shaking nervously. She pulled out the letter and opened it. Her eyes rapidly scanned the first paragraph of the letter, looking for either those much-desired words, or those much-dreaded ones. As the message had rapidly spread around the room, the chatter and noise giving way to a graveyard-like silence. Even this silence was momentary, broken by the excited squeal of Alex Russo.