The Guys on my Flat

Chapter Forty Eight

Christmas was now a week away, and I watched as people started packing up to leave.

Cassidy was the first to leave, giving me a kiss on the forehead, promising to email, and then left. Everything went quiet for a bit then, then I went to go say hi to Liam, but he was beginning to pack up to head out as well. I noticed he was chewing something the whole time, and his apartment didn't smell at all like cigarette smoke anymore.

"What are you chewing?" I asked.

He replied with the most childish reply, he opened his mouth to show me it was some sort of gum, from the smell, peppermint. "You won the bet with the rock climbing, so I'm keeping my end of the bargain. I've tried four times and I'm determined to get this one. At least this time I have a reason to quit," he informed. This statement caused me to blush as he brushed a thumb over my cheek almost affectionately, and left me in his apartment.

I was too late to say goodbye to Booker and Adam, they had already left, either that or wouldn't answer their door when I knocked.

I went to go talk to Andy, and watched him pack his bags, he seemed to be going out of the country, so his bags were so large and many that I could sit on them and not even touch the ground. "Now don't throw any parties while I'm gone," he warned playfully as he kissed my temple.

"No promises," I replied. He laughed and soon left.

I looked at Andy's plants, poor things, they were covered in frost. I softly patted one of the leaves to reveal an actually well-conditioned green leaf. I smirked as I rose to my feet and went to the fire escape. The cold bars went through my warm gloves and I was soon numb. I hopped on my floor, went through my apartment and down the hallway to make my way to Alex's door.

Alex opened the door, but he looked ready to go somewhere, a backpack on his back and a roller suitcase beside his bed. "Hello," he greeted.

I looked to each case of clothes and tilted my head, "where are you heading?" I asked.

He smirked as he hugged me tightly, "sometimes I love the fact you are you," he informed pulling back. I was frozen in confusion, "you're constant calling of my parents managed to get through to them. They're having a Christmas dinner at their house and I've been invited," he informed as he walked into his apartment. Thinking I've been invited, I walked in.

He seemed to be packing the rest of his bag, but I smiled nevertheless, he looked really happy to be going to see his parents and family. I wished I had that to look forward to.

"Congrats Alex," I said sitting next to him as he stuffed something in his bag.

He nodded his excitement and continued packing his bag, he seemed to be putting some clothes in and I stared at was on top, smirking as I did so. "Nice underwear, Alex," I stated holding it up, it was covered in different types of superheros and was really dorky looking. He went wide eyed as he snatched them from me.

"I thought it was the guys that are meant to raid girls' underwear," he said as he put them in his bag.

I chuckled as I watched him continue to pack. "So what's your plan for the rest of the holidays?" he asked.

I shrugged, "probably just hanging around here."

"That sounds like loads of fun," he replied. There was a long silence between the two of us then, I wasn't sure if it was awkward or not to be honest, I didn't really know how to act around Alex anymore and he didn't seem to either.

He finally spoke as he continued packing, "we're still friends, right?" he asked.

I fell silent for a moment, and I nodded, "yes, why wouldn't we?" I asked.