Alexandria's Superman

(ten) this is my version

(Liam's POV)

Ali gets home today.

I knew that getting my hopes up these past two weeks is definitely something I should've avoided, but I couldn't. There's something about Ali that draws me in and I can't get enough of it.

With a small rectangular tote in between my arm and the side of my body, I attempted to enter into the bar from the back room, but Taylor put his hand on my chest.

"Watch this." He pulled out his phone from the pocket of his black slacks and played a video for me.

It was of Ali and some other guy that looked to be from the same social class as Ali - they kissed. The description to the video said Lexi Dickson and Brody Hudson were caught kissing on their date late at night after day 3 of New York fashion week.

Not knowing how to react or reply, I nibbled on the inside of my cheek.

I wasn't hurt because I had no right to be. Ali and I weren't together or even remotely close to it, all that had happened was that we agreed to talk when she returned. Instead of hurt, I'd say I was disappointed. I was genuinely happy and nervous to finally be able to talk things out with the girl who hasn't exited my mind since the minute I laid eyes on her over a month ago.

I acted too late. Maybe if I wasn't a douche to her that night before I went to Shelby's, things would be differently, but they're not.

So, I lost the girl.

"Don't go out there." Taylor shook his head.

I bit my lip and went around Taylor, despite the fact he was encouraging me to not.

Sitting at one of the booths against the wall in the back of the bar was Ali and the guy in the video, Brody Hudson. Well, she did promise she'd come to Dooley's when she came back, no matter what.

"You got this one, Taylor?" I mumbled. I picked up several dishes and dropped them into the tote I was still holding. Once all the dirty dishes were in the tote, I dropped them off in the back with the dishwasher, Finn.

While leaning on my elbows on the counter, I watched Brody get up from his seat and go to the bathroom. Ali, then, stood up and approached me. I seemed to be glued in my spot because I wanted to move and walk away, but my feet wouldn't allow me to.

"Hi, Liam," she said softly.

"Hey," I tried to come off coolly.

She should've stayed in her spot at the booth all the way over there. It was easier to deal with my feelings when she wasn't standing a mere few feet away and talking to me with her angelic voice.

"I'm sorry, I didn't-" I shook my head and cut her off - I finally gained control of my feet and they allowed me to turn around.

"We agreed to talk about things, Alexandria. That's all. You weren't tied to me and I wasn't tied to you."

I walked away from her again, but this time I didn't regret it. I wish I didn't have to, but I couldn't stand there and look at her any longer. We had a connection, but it's clearly one-sided now.

Returning from my break about a half hour later, the booth Ali was sitting at was no longer occupied by her, but a group of girls chatting amongst themselves.