Chapter 34: Special invite (Alex's POV) It was Thursday today and we were all currently sitting outside for lunch in the field Abby has started sitting with us and Zach, a twenty-year-old has started showing up to high school again every day. We were all sitting there and talking while Abby went around. She wanted to throw a party tomorrow and she was planning on inviting everyone. I take it we're friends, but I'm just not a party person so I wasn't sure if I was going to go. "You guys have a special invite," she said while sitting down with us. "You all have to be there." "I don't know if I wanna be around so many high schoolers. I'm twenty-years-old, it's weird," Zach mumbled. I stared at him, putting my pasta down. "Zach, look at where you are right now." "Yeah, but…" "Except for you, everyone here is a high schooler," I snorted. "High school parties just go wrong. All the time," he shrugged. "But you'll still come. Right?" Abby asked him. I looked at Carter before looking between them. Zach hesitated, but he agreed nonetheless. He's whipped. "So then you're all coming," Abby smiled. Carter and I looked at each other, knowing that neither of us wanted to go. "I see you two. And both of you will be there, got it?" she said, looking between Carter and I. I sighed in defeat, slowly nodding. The bell rang shortly after and we all headed to class, Zach heading back to the gym. The remaining two periods went by as usual and then I headed back with Carter. He had been acting a little weird since yesterday. I couldn't figure out what it was and I didn't want to put him on the spot by asking him, so I thought it would be best to wait until he told me himself. But now I'm starting to think that isn't going to happen. Once we got to my house, I turned to him, contemplating whether I should be blunt and ask him. "Do you wanna come in?" I asked. "No, that's fine. I should get home. I have training later," he said. "Can I come?" I asked. "I don't know," he shrugged. "Zach wouldn't mind, right?" I questioned. "I doubt it," he said. "Are you okay?" I asked and he nodded quickly. "Is there something on your mind?" "No, it's- it's fine. I'll see you later," he said before turning around and leaving. I stared at his retreating figure in confusion. What is going on? When six pm rolled around, which had become the time Carter went for training, I decided to go there myself. Something felt wrong. I didn't want to say he's a liar, but I had a feeling he was lying to me. I grabbed my phone and then headed out. Once I got there, I walked in and up the stairs where I met Zach. "Hey," he nodded. "Hey, is Carter here?" I asked. His brows furrowed, "No, we don't have training today. Why?" he replied. "He said he would be here. I don't know, it's fine. I'll just find him myself," I smiled before turning around to leave. "Alex," he called out. I turned around and looked at him. "He's at home." "Thanks," I said before jogging down the stairs and heading for his house. Why did he lie? When I stepped into our neighborhood and got to my house, I halted. Should I go to his house? I sighed and looked around while debating with myself. I'm not chasing him down. I let out a huff and walked up the steps of my house and headed back inside. I walked in, closing the door behind me, and stopped walking when I saw him sitting at the bottom of the flight of stairs that led up to my room. "Hi," I said while walking over to him. "Hey," he stood up. "What are you doing here?" I asked. "I didn't go to the gym. I wasn't planning to." "You said you were." "Yeah, I lied," he mumbled. "Okay," I said slowly, "Can I know why?" "I think we should talk." Those words never end well. "Okay," I sighed, my nails digging into my palms. "Alex, I'm terrified." I'm confused. "Why?" I asked. "Because I fell for you so hard. So fast," he chuckled dryly, "I don't want a broken heart," he mumbled. "You think I'm gonna break your heart?" I asked. "I think I'll do that for myself," he scoffed, "And then I'll push you away," he scratched the back of his head while staring up at the ceiling. I stared at him, my fists coming undone. "Please don't let me," he whispered. "I won't," I said almost immediately. "Promise?" I held my pinky out. He chuckled before locking it with his. "I promise," I smiled. I stood up on my toes and kissed him. I felt his body relax against mine and a small smile stretched across his lips as I pulled away. "I should get back home. My dad's gonna get there soon." "You're staying here." "But we have school tomorrow," he stated. "So?" I raised my eyebrows at him. "You don't mind?" I shook my head in response. He shrugged before going upstairs with me to my room. "How did you get in anyway?" I asked as we sat on my bed. "I called your dad and asked where the spare key was," he admitted sheepishly. "You called my dad? Wait, you have his number?" I laughed. "Of course, I do. That's not weird," he shrugged. "It's not weird, it's just- we've been together two months. Give or take," I replied, "That's just… soon." "Too soon?" he questioned. I slowly shook my head, "Not too soon. Just soon," I smiled. I watched while Hannah tried throwing Carter out. We were supposed to get ready for the party but Carter was still here when she came over and he was refusing to leave. "Carter, get out," she grunted while trying to push him towards the door. "What? I can't hang out with my girlfriend now?" he chuckled. I grinned while she huffed and opened the door. "We have to get ready," she stated, "Alex, make your boyfriend leave." As much as I didn't want to, I probably should because otherwise, we'd be late. Hannah sighed before grabbing her makeup and going into the bathroom. I stood up and walked over to him with a sigh. "You're not gonna leave, are you?" I asked. He shook his head with a smirk. I put my arms around his neck and stared at him. "Carter, we have to get ready," I sang. "So get ready," he replied mockingly. "With you here?" I whispered. "Yes," he whispered while leaning in. "No," I said mockingly while leaning in as well. "Why?" he questioned. "Girls time," I answered. "No, girlfriend and boyfriend time," he pouted. "That's what this has been all day, my love," I said, noticing how he smiled when I called him my love. "Please," I whispered. "All right," he sighed in defeat before kissing me. "Bye," I pulled away. "I'll pick you up?" he asked. I nodded in response before he kissed my cheek and then left. I grabbed my dress and hung it up on my door handle while grabbing my makeup. I went into the bathroom and stood beside Hannah while she did her makeup and I did mine so it would match my dress. I then brushed through my hair and straightened it while Hannah put hers in soft curls. I finished off and grabbed my hoop earrings, putting them aside. "He's so in love with you, Alex. It's insane how quickly things happened with you two but they're still somehow going great." "We got to know everything about each other before we dated. I think that's why it's so easy. What about you and Connor? I hear he really likes you, you know," I said. "Well, he hasn't said it yet," she pouted. "Hannah, every guy in the past, you've moved so fast with. Don't you think just this once taking things slow would be a good idea? Just try it out. Give it time," I advised. "I know, I'm trying. It's just annoying. He hasn't even kissed me yet," she whined. "Maybe he will tonight. You never know," I bumped her shoulder with mine before leaving. She closed the bathroom door and changed in there while I changed in my room. I ran my hands over the dress to straighten it out before I grabbed the earrings and slipped them on. I ran my fingers through my hair, slipped on the matching red heels, and stood up with a sigh, spraying on perfume. I put it back down while Hannah opened the door and walked back out. "Ready?" I asked, throwing my hair over my shoulders. "Yup," she replied while spraying some perfume on. "Let's go then," I smiled. We headed downstairs and then left, leaving a note for my dad even though he already knew. . . . .