Wonderwall

Chapter 2

“Is that everything?” Alexa asked as she scanned her eyes around the backyard for anything she’d missed. Dustin let out a chuckle at her as he reassured her for the millionth time that everything was ready for the guests to arrive.

Today was Isabella’s second birthday and they were having a party for her in their backyard to celebrate.  The usually boring stretch of lawn out the back of their house was now turned into every young child’s dream. There was a bright coloured bouncy castle – for both the kids and adults obviously – that Alexa knew would occupy her daughter for hours on end as she weirdly loved jumping up and down on the mini trampoline in the spare bedroom inside. Rows of tables were set up along the wall of the garden, overflowing with food and drinks and there was a mini dance floor that Dustin had helped to create.

Alexa had been planning this party for weeks so everything had to go without a hitch although she knew there was a totally different reason for her nervousness. Today was the first time she would see Carson since that night. In the two years since that night, they had not spoken face-to-face. The occasional text was sent between them to arrange visitations but when it came to it, either Everly or Daniel would take Isabella to Carson’s and collect her again. It seemed a bit stupid but back then Alexa couldn’t deal with the fallout of his decision and so the arrangement had just stuck. What broke her heart the most was the fact that this was the first birthday Isabella would spend with both her mom and dad. For her first birthday, tensions had been high between Alexa and Carson which resulted in separate birthday celebrations. It definitely wasn’t how she envisaged her daughter spending her first birthday so this year she was going all out.

 Obviously Carson had every right to attend Isabella’s party today so she knew she had to get over her nerves. From what Everly had told her Isabella adored her dad, and although Alexa held a strong dislike towards him, the thought of her little girl being treated like a princess made her smile.

Not long later, Alexa’s backyard was crowded with family and friends excited to celebrate Isabella’s birthday with her. Checking that everything that was needed had been taken outside, Alexa switched off the kitchen light before making her way out the backdoor into the garden. She only made it as far as the top step leading into the garden as the familiar sound of Carson’s laughter filled her ears, causing her eyes to frantically scour the garden for him.

When her eyes landed on him she felt her heart rate increase rapidly and she felt a wave of sickness pass over her. Dressed in a tight white button down shirt and a pair of denim jeans, Carson looked as handsome as he always had done. The only change in his appearance since she’d last seen him was his hair. No longer were his eyes hidden by a mop of shaggy hair, instead he sported a short cut that made him look older, hotter.

Carson must have felt Alexa’s eyes boring into him as he raised his head, locking eyes with her. Alexa couldn’t help notice the redness of his eyes as a flash of emotions passed over his face before an awkward smile settled on it. Alexa plastered a fake smile on her own face as Carson said something to Daniel who was standing alongside him and headed towards her.

“Hi Lexie” he greeted awkwardly as he came to a stop in front of her, “How have you been? You look good!”

This was far too much for Alexa and hearing his nickname for her run off his tongue so smoothly made her inwardly shiver. This was the first time they’d spoken face to face since that night and nothing had been resolved. Alexa’s feelings were unwillingly resurfacing again and she hated herself for it. She’d been so sure that having no contact with Carson would squash her feelings for him but it appeared to be harder than expected.

“I…I” she stuttered looking for an excuse to remove herself from this situation, “I need to go!”

She darted away from Carson hurriedly towards a concerned looking Everly. Reaching Everly Alexa grabbed her arm before dragging her away from the garden until they reached a quiet spot away from the celebrations.

“Are you okay?” Everly asked frantically as she eyed her distressed friend.

Alexa shook her head, searching for the words to explain how she was feeling, “I still have feelings for him” she deadpanned.

“What?” Everly yelled, “You can’t Lex, you can’t!”

“I KNOW!” she exclaimed, “But I do. I swear they’re as strong as they were two years ago. Maybe stronger.  I thought having you and Daniel handing his visitations with Isabella would help but it hasn’t. And he’s single. At least I think he is. It’s just a lot of ‘what if’s?” are flying through my mind. I know he treated me really badly, but I just can’t…EUGH I JUST DON’T KNOW EVES”

Everly shot her a sympathetic smile, “Maybe it’s your time for things to go right, to find happiness. Just see how things pan out today yeah?”

Alexa nodded, grateful that her friend didn’t launch into her usual anti-Carson rant. Before she could respond though they heard Dustin’s voice announcing that it was time to sing Happy Birthday. Giving her best friend a quick hug Alexa lead the way back into the garden where everyone was crowded around the picnic tables.

**

Carson watched as Alexa grabbed Everly pulling her away from the garden. He was hurt by Alexa’s reaction but he couldn’t say he was surprised.  He knew that his decision that night had destroyed her, Daniel hadn’t sugar-coated it, but he thought that she might have gotten over it in the two years they’d spent apart. Surely she’d moved onto someone new?

“Dude, what happened?” Daniel’s voice broke into his thoughts pulling him back to reality.

Carson sighed, turning to face his friends, “She freaked, made her excuses to leave. Can’t blame her, can I?”

Daniel patted his shoulder awkwardly, “Give her time man. You did fuck her over back then. You chose her best friend over her. Maybe she just needs more time. You haven’t seen each other in nearly two years you know!”

Carson nodded but before he could reply, he was interrupted by Dustin Edwards announcing that it was time to sing Happy Birthday. A part of this gesture made Carson sad; it should’ve been him telling their relatives that it was time to sing his daughter happy birthday, not Dustin. But it was his own stupid fault.

Sending a shrug to Daniel, Carson led the way towards the crowd that had gathered around the picnic tables. Pushing his way through the crowd, they came to a stop at the edge of the table where they could get a good view of the birthday girl. On either side of her stood Alexa and Dustin, as if they were the proud parents but Dustin wasn’t her parent was he?

Carson couldn’t think any more about the situation as the crowded erupted into song, as Alexa’s mom placed a cake down in front of Isabella, who burst out into a grin. Her eyes met Carson’s for a brief moment and she giggled as he stuck his tongue out at her before turning her attention back to her cake. It was in that moment that Carson realised he was lucky enough to be sharing this special day with his daughter, and who stood beside her as she blew out her candles was irrelevant. Isabella knew her daddy and she knew that he loved her very much. That was all that mattered.

That and the fact that he couldn’t get Alexa out of his mind.

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I'd really love to know what you're thinking of this book! Thoughts on Alexa&Carson and what will happen for them?

Also, if any of you would like to make banners for this story that'd be brilliant! You can pm them to me or send them to me on tumblr :)