The Bad Boy Returns

Chapter 47: Now Or Never

KAT'S POV

Sitting in front of my mirror I stare back at myself wondering how it got to this point. Within a year and a half my life went from being private and unknown to chaotic and tiresome. I smooth my navy blue dress down looking for my only pair of heels for occasions like this. I look over and see how worn out I have become. I pull myself out of it, shaking my head. I have to focus on today. It could go either way. I slip my heels on quickly, heading downstairs.
Before I left the house I got a call from a sickly sounding Nikki wishing me good luck. I asked her if she was alright but she brushed it off and kept telling me that she wants to be there wth me. I agreed. Afterwards I headed over to Shane's house where we were all meeting before hand.

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Arriving in front of the house I knock a couple of times, before leaning against the wall beside the door in wait. After a minute or so the door swings open, Alex on the other side of it.
Now I haven't actually talked to Alex since we did that science project together and he talked to me about Shane. He's been here for everything pertaining to the trial. He even went against his father and put in comments when we were all sitting around here and talking but we haven't talked directly for months at least. To be honest I haven't even thought about talking to him. I mean we left things in a bad place.
"Kat, hey come in." He stumbles, backing away to let me in. I step in slowly, looking sideways at him. I look around to find an oddly empty house in front of me. Catching my look Alex points to the window. "They all went out for something this morning they'll be back in a little bit." He stares straight into my eyes. I nod, wringing my hands awkwardly. "So it's just you?" I ask, trying to make small talk. His eyes flicker over to mine, making me look anywhere but his face. "Yup." He mumbles and then waves over to the couch. "Make yourself at home as always." He slowly makes his way over to the bottom of the staircase. Pointing up the stairs he sighs. "I'm going to finish getting ready, if you need anything you know where I am." He says before stalking up the stairs. I nod even though he is already gone. I take a deep breath, and look down to find my hands shaking. I don't know if it's the nerves or the tension between us but it's not helping me at all. I glance outside every five minutes hoping someone will come home before he comes back downstairs so I don't have to confront him.

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The echo of footsteps make their way down the stairs and I wince knowing Alex is about to be down here any minute. Once he reaches the bottom of the stairs I instinctively look over to find him all cleaned up. He gelled his hair and he has a nice shirt on looking ready for a court room for sure. We stare at each other in the deafening silence for what feels like hours before he makes his way into the living room settling into one of the seats across from the couch, directly across from me. I look to the door, biting my lip with nervousness. I don't need to be dealing with this on the day of the trial, but inevitably I have no choice.
He taps his fingers against the arm rests looking like he is going to say something any moment. After a long, awkward silence he speaks up, his voice cutting through the quiet. "How are you feeling? You know with everything." He asks, his eyebrows burrowed. There is no getting out of this so I might as well attempt to have a conversation with him. "Uh, it's nerve-racking." I sigh, laughing dryly. He gives me a sympathetic smile and it takes me back to when we used to be so close. We were the best of friends. It's crazy how things change so quickly. It's like we don't even know each other anymore.
"I bet, I can't even imagine." He states his eyes flickering around. He keeps moving like there's something he wants to say but can't. We sit back in silence once again and I continue to wring my fingers, biting the inside of my cheek. My heart pounds but not how it used to when I was around him. It used to be because I liked him, but now I don't even feel anything close to that. It's pounding in anticipation of what will happen.
"Kat..." He trails off causing me to look up at his somber face.
"Yeah?" I say, urging him to continue.
"I'm so sorry...for everything. I know that doesn't make up for what I did and how I treated you, but I truly am." He spits out like fire. I widen my eyes. That is not what I was expecting in the slightest. I raise my eyebrows not knowing how to respond. Do I forgive him? Do I not? I mean I forgave Britt and she was the one who actually hurt me.
I always imagined if we had this talk I would be angry and scream at him for just standing there and doing nothing to help me. But now this pales in comparison to what I'm dealing with currently and it doesn't really do anything to me now. Before I get the chance to say anything to Alex, the front door swings open and Shane saunters in with his parents behind him.  He's got a black button-up on with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He looks all fresh faced and handsome. On any other occasion I would be having so much fun mocking him but it's not the right time.
He stops dead in his track when he sees me sitting on the couch, Alex in front of me leaning forward on his chair. His eyes dart between us trying to puzzle it all together. "What's going on guys?" He tries to ask casually, making his way to my side. "We were just talking." I tell him honestly. Alex nods before making his way to the kitchen. "I'll leave you guys to talk." He mumbles before disappearing into the room. Shane's arm snakes around my waist, pulling me closer to him, pecking my lips.
"You look pretty, Kitty." He smiles, chuckling at his own joke. I roll my eyes, a smile making its way onto my face. I look down at his chest, my eyes making my way back up to his. "You look very handsome as well." I say formally, in a low voice. He scoffs playfully at my wording before looking over to the kitchen where Alex was not so slyly watching us. Looking back at me, his expression changes. "What were you guys talking about? I swear I could feel the tension." He mumbles, his face right in front of mine. His fingers run up and down my back softly, resting on the small of my back. "He was apologizing, I think." I tell him, shrugging. His face contorts into shock, widening his eyes. "Really? Wow what did you say?" He seems curious. "Nothing, you guys came in at that point. I didn't get a chance to say anything. Not that I even know what I would say." I explain to him, grabbing his free hand, gripping it in mine. He nods with understanding. "Are you going to forgive him?" He questions, looking down at me. I shrug again, my go to move.
"Do you want to?" He added.
"Of course I want to forgive him but I don't know yet." I tell him.
He senses my nervousness and backs off. "Okay Okay, I'll stop interrogating you." He lifts his hands up in surrender, smiling. "Thank you." I smile back over at him. He leans his face to mine, catching my lips with his, wrapping his arms around my waist again. He pulls back seconds after, hearing footsteps approaching. He pecks to top of my head before pulling me into a comforting embrace. Chase and Cassandra walk in cooing over us. "You two are so sweet together." She sighs and I notice Chase looking over at her with a sense of admiration. I scrunch my eyebrows in confusion. He knows I caught him staring at her when he looks over at us and gives me a mischievous smile. I look back at him with a sad but knowing smile. This all goes unnoticed by Cassandra or Shane.
"Are you ready?" Cassandra says, leading us to the front door. I shake my head but sigh. "It's now or never right?"

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A/N:
Here you go! The trial is inching closer!! Get ready!

Thanks for reading !! It means so much!