Before the Factor

That One Thing

I never thought London would be so cold. For reasons unknown to me I couldn't remember the sheer weight of rain there would be here, like, it's ridiculous.

The bell rings softly as I enter the clothing store, it's name so complicated I can't say it, and the smell of fur coats so strong it nearly makes my eyes water. No one seems to be attending the counter, so I just walk around. There's a black coat on the rack beside me, with buttons as big as my eyes, and I take it from the display and hold it up.

"That's a nice one. Very warm." A voice startles me and I turn to see a tall, dark haired, blue eyed stranger. He smiles and I smile back, my words unable to reach the surface. He's handsome, very handsome. And young, probably my age or at least a year older. His black suit is dotted with raindrops, as if he'd been walking in the rain not too long ago, and a coat on his arm.

"Yes, I'd sure hope so. I was thinking of getting it." I say, finally regaining my composure.

He shakes his head and looks down at his shoes, then back at me, releasing the full force of his gaze upon me. "You really don't remember me, Amelia?" He says, his voice low and soft, accent hypnotizing.

Me eyebrows furrow as I try to recall this man. Where could I have known him from? Work? One of harrys friends I've met on several occasions? I smile apologetically. "I'm sorry, but I can't seem to remember."

He laughs and puts his hands in his pockets, "No, I'm sure you wouldn't." Those eyes again, "I'm Alexander. We were in band together before you had your accident and left."

Alexander? It comes back to me so suddenly I almost get knocked off balance, the boy that played guitar so beautifully it would make our teacher tear up and mesmerize everyone, the boy that had everyone wrapped around his finger simply by asking or looking at them. "Wow, Alex." I breath, simply awed. "You're so-so grown up!" He laughs and so do I, blushing at my ridiculous comment.

"Yes, I suppose I am." He laughs again and gathers me in a hug. It's so unexpected that I don't wrap my arms around him after several seconds.

"Amelia," he says after he releases me, "I can't believe it, but you've simply gotten more beautiful these past years."

Color floods my cheeks and I look down to my rain boots unconsciously, "Now, Alex, I have a boyfriend. So don't you go saying that stuff!" I laugh and a slow chuckle leaves his chest. We talk for several minutes, until the store clerk comes over and asks if there's something wrong or if if like to buy anything before they close, so I buy the coat and invite Alex over for dinner.

His eyebrows raise and he smirks, "And what about this boyfriend of yours?" He asks as we step onto the wet cobblestones of the road, umbrellas protecting us from the slight drizzle falling from the sky. "He won't mind me coming to eat?"

I laugh and nudge him with my elbow, not very eager to explain everything. Like how my boyfriend is a international rockstar, or is one of the most famous people on the planet, not to mention he's been on the 'Hot Guy' list for a while now and has several million girls fawning over him. So, no. I don't really want to talk about it. "No," I say, still smiling. "He's on a business trip."

So he just nods and walks by my side, cracking jokes and asking about my life since I left. I do the same to him of course, but it seems like my life has had bigger surprises than his. He left music behind after high school, discouraged by the lack of business in the field, and instead pursued law. Years of studying and mistakes later, he is now one of the most prestige lawyers in England and is recommended widely(for anyone that can afford him I suppose). I ask him about his love life, but he just laughs and shrugs, turning the corner so we're right in front of the house when I see it.