| VEXED |

chapter | forty one

Alex

I slipped on the dress I picked out. I examined myself in the mirror. It had a little bit of a plunged neckline, not too scandalous though.  

it was fitting a little tighter up top but flared nicely at my waist. it went to about mid-thigh, and it was all white. it was the most old- Alex thing I could find in my closet.

my hair was curled loosely down my back. it had no more pink, my natural color remained. it may be a few more inches shorter, but it's not too bad.

I put on mascara, and some highlight like I would usually do instead of the darker stuff. I stepped back and took a long look at myself, I almost wanted to hug her.

this girl, the one I left behind when I joined larce. she seemed so fragile. but I love her,  she's strong. 

-

I carried paisley and sat her on the couch, she was still asleep. I slipped my light brown heels on and grabbed my keys.

"wow." I heard a voice behind me making me turn around. Ethan was standing there, with a red button up and black jeans.

he was looking at me with a certain look in his eyes, I haven't seen in a while. I can't exactly put my finger on it.

"you look... different." he tried smiling, but I don't think he can keep his jaw shut. "I should go, I have stuff to bring over and I have to put paisley in the car." I spoke up, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear.

-

"Wow, Alex, you look..." Ryan stood in front of me with a glimmer in his eyes. "bad?" I asked. I was confused about why everyone was noticing my sudden change.

"no. you look amazing." he smiled proudly and I nodded. I walked over to Elena and gave her a warm smile.

"We might just have to order pizza." she laughed fanning the smoke from the oven. I pulled her away from it and laughed. "you don't need to be around that." 

"but I will definitely call in for pizza delivery." I laughed walking her to the table. "is everyone coming?" she asked nervously. "yes. everything is going to be fine." I reassured her. 

I heard the doorbell ring, just as paisley woke up. I opened the door and saw Theo and hazel. "hey guys." I smiled opening the door wider. 

"It's been a minute." hazel laughed hugging me. "you look good." Theo smiled hugging me also. "thanks, guys." I laughed. 

I saw a few more people walking towards the porch. "hey Hagen, hey Landon." I smiled as they walked up together, yet separate at the same time. they still haven't told anybody.

"you know you're going to have to tell them eventually." I gave them a reassuring look and they nodded. "I know." Hagen smiled at Landon. 

the doorbell rang again, and I got up once more. everyone was socializing, so I was on door duty.

I opened it to see Jackson, he had a navy blue button-up, he looked great. "hey jack." I smiled bringing him in for a hug.

"Alexandra you look so different. I like it." he mumbled into my ear and I laughed. "thanks jack." I smiled letting him walk in.