b r e a t h e

Chapter Sixteen

"He took me on a date to the park. Michael had set up a picnic for us, because he wanted Alex to forgive him. After the ass staring incident." I smile at my laptop screen and see my best friends squealing for joy.

"So...how long have you liked Alex?" Anna asks.

"Please don't hate me, but I still don't know. I love him, as a friend. I would absolutely date him, but can I trust him? Do I really like him enough?"

"Jesus fuc-" Samantha starts.

"Nope, nope, nope. Don't you dare start Samantha Kylie Anne!" I shout while Anna starts having another laughing fit.

"Haven't you guys like...made out? For God's sake Ella! You have a hickey from him!" Samantha yells at me.

"You called?" Alex pops into my room. "Hey Ohio people!"

"Hey Mr. Reed." Anna says. "We were just talking about how you and Ella make out."

"Like this?" He leans over me and presses his lips to mine gently. One of my hands travel up to his neck and one is being held down by his hand. The kiss feels similar to the one we shared in my room after he told me about his past. Anna and Samantha gasp and murmur for a bit before Alex pulls away.

"Yes, exactly like that." Anna gawks at us.

"See ya later, princess." He quickly kisses me and jumps back into his room.

"Sexy. Like, the kiss was very, very sexy." Anna comments.

"He's sexy as well. That's really saying something though. I mean...I'm gay." Samantha nods.

"That's not a valid reason to insist that he's sexy. Vegans can look at a piece of bacon and say 'Wow, that looks amazing', but not want to eat it." I roll my eyes and throw my hands in the air.

"Wouldn't you love to date him?" Anna asks.

"I would. Can I?"

"Yes. Yes you can." Both of them respond at once, nodding in sync as well.

"Let-let me think." I stutter, looking at my door. "The first weekend I spent here, I was arguing with Alex half the time. Now I'm making out with him."

"Wow, maybe you two will even-" Anna slaps her hand over Samantha's mouth.

"Hook up? Probably." I laugh.

"Oh, you'll finally sleep with me?" Alex calls from his window.

"Not so fast, Reed." I chuckle.

"How much longer is your winter break?" Samantha asks, her light brown bangs getting clipped back.

"One week."

"Perfect. We're showing up at your front door at five in the morning tomorrow." I check my clock.

"In twelve hours?" I stare at them shocked.

"Yeah, I don't just wear sweats!" Samantha stands up and shows me her extra large AC/DC shirt and red sweatpants.

"Pssh, I pretty much only wear sweats." Anna laughs.

"Thanks for the heads up guys." I bark.

"Your mom knows and she told us to come on the last week cause she has to go to a business meeting in New York." Anna tells me.

"I feel betrayed." I fake sob, looking away with a crushed expression.

"Gotta go, see ya in twelve hours." They hang up on me and I crawl into bed, closing my eyes.

I hear a thump and turn quickly to see Alex. "So you are alone all week?"

"My mom left just after our date." I nod.

"All alone for another twelve hours?" He raises a suggestive eyebrow.

"No."

"Yes?"

"Maybe."

"Please?"

"Fine, but you're gonna have to let my friends in at five in the morning and help them set up." I tell him and he quickly nods.

"So when will you sleep with me?"

"Don't push it, Reed. Stop thinking about getting in my pants when you haven't even gotten my shirt off."

"Making out is fine with me then." He chuckles.

I roll my eyes and turn on Save Rock And Roll. I have to admit, the boy knows what he's doing.

Date him.

Don't, he'll break your heart.

Do it! He can kiss really well.

That is a horrible reason.

The battle goes on in my head for hours while Alex makes reality spontaneously combust. After hours of kissing and talking, I fall asleep at midnight.

Before my mom answers, our heads turn to see our neighbors. A mother, looking around my mom's age and a teenage boy. His dark hair is messy in a typical "bad-boy" way. His green eyes quickly scan me and he smirks.

"Welcome to the neighborhood! It's been so long since we've had a nice neighbor," the mother smiles at us. "I'm Elizabeth Reed, call me Liz. Oh, and my son, Alex Reed."

I wake up an hour later and see Alex, staring at the wall. "Oh, hey babe." He turns to face me. "Can't sleep?" His tone is shushed, as if he were trying to make me sleep again.

"I just dreamt of the first time we met. I thought of you as an asshole-y bad boy. Now look at us." I smile and he quickly chuckles.

"Go back to bed, Ella. Your friends probably don't want a half-assed princess." He cooes and I close my eyes once again, drifting into thoughts of my past.

"Do me the favour of become mine?" Finn sneaks up from behind me.

"Do me the favour of leaving me the hell alone?" I say, a sweet smile spreading across my face.

"Aw, baby. No need to be rude."

"Aw, baby. No need to be alive."

He flinches and takes a step back. "Feisty little girl."

"I'm older than you." I bark. "Your birthday is in September."

"You do love me! How else would you know when my birthday is?"

"Last year, you wouldn't leave me alone and nearly forcing me to date you as a birthday gift." I narrow my eyes at him and start to leave.

"Babygirl! Don't leave me yet!" He calls and I flip him off, my back still to him. "Screw you!" Finn yells and I hear his angry footsteps walk the other way.

I hear Alex's soft whispers, "wake up, princess. It's time to get up."

"Wha-huh?" I sit up slowly, studying my surroundings.

"Anna and Samantha are downstairs. I made breakfast not too long ago. Ready?" He keeps his voice low and helps me up. I grab onto his hand, slowly waking up.

"Oh! Here she comes!" I hear Anna whisper. Alex smiles at me and lets go of fully awake me. The girls come running to me and tackle me with a hug. "We've missed you so much."

"I've missed you too." I mumble, smiling and sitting between the two of them.

"Alex is a great cook, did you know?" Samantha comments, with a laugh from Alex.

"He can bake too." I smile.

"I'm gonna head out, call me if you need anything." Alex leaves and shoots me a smile.

Anna waits for the door to close before starting, "tell us."

1.13.16-1164

-glo