Close As Strangers // C.H.

Chapter 14:

Brooke's POV

A week. It's been a whole week.

I either stayed in my room, still going through everything I own. Some stuff I decided to toss in the trash and other, I thought it would be good to donate. My books, on the other hand, I decided to take them with me back to New York.

Other than staying alone, I actually spent time with my mom and I got out to see what I missed in Sydney. I even ran into some old friends, who invited me to go to a party Saturday night, which is tonight.

Calum will be here tomorrow. That thought has been in my head all week. Calum's flight gets in tomorrow morning. Well all the guys are coming back to Australia so they can spend some time with their family, but Calum is coming to stay with me for a day or two. Then, he wants me to go with him to meet his family.

I haven't talked to Calum or the guys all week. I would dodge their calls and texts by using the excuse that I'm simply busy.

In all honesty, I don't know what to say to him or them. I'm happy and I know that they will be happy when they hear that I remember. Knowing Max, he probably already told them.

The thing is, no one cared to mention the fact that Luke and I used to be a couple. Knowing that detail, it could have helped me remember everything sooner.

Another thing is looking back at everything that has happened this past year. I, we have gone through so much.

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"Does this look okay?" I ask my mom for probably the hundredth time. She helped me pick out this dress and do my make up (picture above).

An old friend, Meg, invited me to her party tonight. She thought it could help me relax some after all that has happened. The only thing is, mom is the only one that knows I'm going. I haven't told Max, and I don't plan on it.

He would either talk me out of it or tag along, like I need a babysitter. What could be the worst that happens?

*At the party...*

"Oh my gosh, Brooke. Hi," Meg greets me at the door. "So happy you decided to come."

"I wouldn't miss a little fun," I tell her with a smile.

"Okay, I need to go greet some more people but I will be back. The drinks are in the kitchen, help yourself."

I barely had enough time to thank her before she disappeared. That's just how Meg used to be in high school, a social butterfly. I make my way in the little bit of room between people I haven't seen since high school and other that I have never seen.

I check out the kitchen counter, only to see bottles and bottles of beer. "Ugh, seriously Meg. You need an upgrade from beer," I say to myself.

"I know where she hides the good stuff. If you won't tell, I won't." I hear a familiar voice from behind be say. It's so familiar, but I need a face to recognize who.

"Oh my god, Alex." I quickly walk over the him sitting on the counter on the other side of the kitchen.

"It's been a while, B." Alex uses his old nickname for me.

"I haven't been called that since..." I remember the day automatically.

"Since you kissed me to piss Luke off?" Alex finishes for me.

"Um...yeah, about that. I'm so sorry, I was just so mad and you walked by..." He stops me.

"It's cool, it's in the past. Don't worry, no hard feeling."

"Are you sure? It screwed up your friendship with him."

"No, it didn't. What screwed it up was when he moved away. I haven't talked to him since he left, but I have been keeping a few tabs on his band. I even went to a concert." Alex explains, hopping down from the counter.

"Really? How was it?"

"I left early. There were to many screaming girls," he laughs.

"True," I agree.

"Oh, let's go get those good drinks."

I follow Alex to another room that I notice is a walk-in pantry. He reaches to the very top shelf and grabs two bottles.

"Blue Kinky Vodka," I smile. "How did you know?" I ask Alex.

"It's what Luke would always sneak out," he smiles and hands me a bottle.

"Thanks. Do you think you would want to go to the backyard and have a few drinks?"

"Sure, why not?"

I head towards Meg's back door with Alex behind me. We take a seat on the grass, facing each other.

I struggle opening my bottle, catching Alex's attention. "Need some help?" I laugh and nod.

"Calum usually opens it for me," I explain.

"Ah, Calum? You're new boy toy?" Alex jokes.

"Boyfriend, thank you very much." I let out a small laugh.

"I heard you got in an accident."

"Yup, lost my memory. Got it back though just last week." We both take a few sips of our drink.

"That's good. How does Luke feel about you dating his best friend?"

"It was hard at first. So many things went wrong." I shake my head remembering the drunk truth or dare.

"I think we're good now. We understand each other. Oh he even had a girlfriend for a little bit while I was around."

"Really? I haven't heard anything about a girlfriend."

"It's my friend's roommate, well it was."

"Ah, Luke will get back up soon. He'll have another one soon." We take some more sips of our drinks until we have them finished off.

Alex and I just talked about everything and anything. He filled me in on what's happened in his life since high school was over. Before we know it, its two in the morning.

"God, I have to get back before Max sends out a search party." I explain to Alex, slowly standing up.

"He's still like that?" Alex asks with a hint of mischief in his eyes.

"Yes, sadly. He almost scared Calum away," I joke.

"Mind if I give you a ride?" Alex offers like he always used to.

"You've been drinking," I point out.

He shows me his half full bottle. "I didn't finish it off. You had two and I only had a half. Plus, you know I can handle my vodka." Alex talks me into his offer.

"Okay, but it's not my fault if you get the third degree from Max."

"I can handle Max," Alex tries to joke.

"Yeah sure, what ever you say." I laugh at him. Alex has to help me to his truck. I'm not drunk, just maybe a little tipsy.

Coming to this party maybe a good thing. Maybe I can get Alex his best friend back.

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