Enough (43 page)

I tried grabbing some but he told me to open the door instead.
I would have said something back but bit my tongue. Bryan was leaning against the living room entrance when we walked in. Alex walked over to the stairs. “I’ll bring these upstairs.” He said after saying hi.

“This is a nice surprise.”
I said.

“He wanted to see you.”
Bryan said pointing into the living room and moving out of the way, just enough to see his dad standing there.

Taylor
walked over to me and pulled me into a deep hug.

“I heard what happened. I know there isn’t anything I can say that can change things but if you need anyt
hing from me I’m here.” He said.

When he let go of me
, I looked over at Mom and Bryan. This is so weird…and awkward. I don’t know what to say or do. “Thank you.” I tried then crossed my arms over my chest. “Um…I know you’re my father…please, don’t take this personally but I already have everything I need.” I said trying not to sound ungrateful. “I don’t need you to step up and take place of the last one. I still think of you as my best friend’s dad and eventually I’ll get use to the fact that your mine too. Just not right now…I still need time to process this.” That’s sounds about right. Taylor nodded.

“I had a feeling you’d say that.
” He said. “I understand what you mean. Just know I’m here if you need anything.”

After an awkward
silence, he said goodbye to me and Mom. I walked both of them to the front door then Bryan turned to face me when his father was out of earshot.

“It’s going to be awkward for a while
, isn’t it?” He asked.

“Probably.”
I said nodding. But I’ll come around. Soon enough.

“
I see you and Alex had a good time today.” He said smiling. I nodded and then he surprised me by throwing his arms around me and hugging me tight. “Next time you should wear a sweater.”

“Declan said the same thing. Must be a brother thing.”
I said.

“It’s not weird between us
, is it?”

It could be but I’m not falling head over heels for him and I’m not getting lost in his eyes. I’m over it. The feelings are completely gone.

“No. It was at first but now I couldn’t be happier. Anyone would be lucky to have you.” I said. I don’t want to say anything that might seem to be incest so I kissed him on the cheek and hugged him. “I love you, Bryan.”

“
I love you, too, Em. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I nodded and said bye.

I walked back inside to find
Mom waiting by the stairs. “He just wants you to know he cares.” She said talking about Taylor.

“I know. In no time we’ll be seeing eye to eye.” I kissed her cheek and headed upstairs. “I love you
, Mom.”

“I love you
, too, sweetie.”

When
I reached the last step, I heard music coming from my room. I went in and found Alex lying on the bed on his phone.

“Do you want to try something on?”
He asked as I took off my heels and climbed into bed.

“
Do you just want me to get naked?” I asked.

Alex
sat up and gave me a look. Hopefully he says yes.

“
Amanda told me you have to try it on.” He got up and placed a bag on the bed. It wasn’t from Macy’s. It’s a big, plain, white paper bag. “And I promised you would.” Okay…

“
Fine but what would Amanda know what–” I thought about it. She only saw the white dress displayed in the window of the store. Alex didn’t get it. He couldn’t possibly have time to get it.

I got off
the bed and pulled out a big box from inside the bag. I looked at Alex. He just eyed the box and smiled. I pulled on the ribbon and flipped it open. There it was. The beautiful, white strapless dress is lying perfectly in the box waiting to be worn. “When did you get this?” I asked shocked.

“When you went to the bathroom.”
He said. The sneaky bastard.

I gently touched the fabric
and traced my fingers along the designs.

“I can’t try it on.”
I said.

“Why not?”

“It’s bad luck.”

“I’m pretty sure t
hat’s only for weddings.” Alex said smiling. I took it out of the box and admired it. I guess I can. Just for a few seconds. “I’ll be outside.” I looked over at him. Is he serious?

“Alex. It’s not like you haven’t seen me already.
” I said. I unzipped the dress, took off my clothes and slid in. Alex zipped it up. I walked over to the mirror and saw how truly beautiful it is.

Damn…I look
good. Definitely like Cinderella.

“One more thing.”
Alex said walking over to the bags where he pulled out two more boxes. “Jessie said both of these go great with the dress.” Inside the two boxes were a pair of silver sparkling stilettos and a pair of baby blue sparkling stilettos.

O
hmygod! More?! He has to stop.

Alex kneeled down and grabbed a shoe from both boxes. “Let’s see if she’s right.” He slipped on the two different color shoes and stepped back. I looked in the
mirror again. They’re beautiful. I lifted up the dress to get a better view. I can’t choose which one is perfect. Alex held up his phone and took a picture with a panty dropping smile. God…did he really have to…?

I tur
ned to see my back. The dress is low enough to see my tattoo. “This dress…” I looked back in the mirror and saw how the shoes matched the colors of the dress perfectly.

“Was made for Cinderella I’m told.”
Alex said walking up to me. “It was made for you.” He pressed into me and kissed me lightly on the lips.

“You’re amazing.
” I said against his lips. “Thank you for this.”

Time’
s up. I ran into my closet and took off the dress. I slipped into a tank top and shorts and brought the dress back to my bed. I folded it and slipped it back into the box and climbed into bed.

Alex
grabbed something off the nightstand and handed it to me. “This is yours.” He said.I looked at the pictures we took in the mall and studied them for a while. We look happy. I look happy. When was the last time I could say that?

I put
the photo on the nightstand and kissed Alex.

“Today was one of the best days of the year.” I said.

“Today was the first day of the year.” I stared at him. “I know what you mean.” He said pulling me into him. We stared at each other like lovesick fools for a while until
Glad You Came
by The Wanted played.

Alex smiled down at me
. “What?” I asked. Damn, I’m biting my lip and he sees it. We can’t do anything though. Not today.

“Whenever I hear this song
, it reminds me of you.” He said kissing the corner of my mouth then moving down to my neck.

As he nibbled and licked my skin, I thought of a song. It’s a thing I do with Justin but I want to include Alex. I’m pretty sure Justin will get jealous but he’ll just have to accept it.

“Did you see the thing Justin wrote on my wrist?” I asked when Alex pulled back and dropped beside me. He must know we can’t so anything because the family is home. They come around more often so it’s not perfect.

“Yeah.” Alex said
. “What does it mean?”

“It’s a thing we do. We write song’s on each other.” I said. “Whatever comes to mind.” I laced our fingers together and stared at my wrist. The color is still not mine but it’s getting better. “Do you want to do it?” I asked looking at him.

“It’s Justin’s thing.” Alex said running his thumb over my skin. “You probably shouldn’t throw in the boyfriend.” He found my eyes and I melted. I kind of expected that from him.

“Alright, then I’ll tell you one song that means a lot to me. Don’t tell Justin.” I said with a wink. “
Last Chance
by Kaskade and Project 46.” I took a deep breath and held his eyes. “It’s what I always wanted.”

Alex’s eyes searched my face trying to understand me and I promised that one day he will. One day, he’ll know everything about me.

The good and the bad.

I felt something hot tickling my foot. Gizmo. I slipped out of bed and walked into the bathroom. Last night Declan and Scarlett were off with friends before they start getting ready to head back to school and Mom went out with Garrett so I brought Alex over hours after he left last night. The fact that he’s still in my bed, with clothes on, tells me I didn’t get what I wanted. I’ll try again.

Today’
s the first real day back at school since the beginning of December. Thinking about school made me think about Mrs. Diaz. She must be fine or her husband would have told us something.

My cramps a
re completely gone and
my neighbor
as Tiffany calls it left and will return next month. I don’t understand why my period only lasted two days. Maybe I’ve been too stressed.

I
walked out of the bathroom and over to my closet but bumped into someone. I would have screamed but the warm hands that caught me as I fell told me I was fine. Alex. I hit my elbow against the floor when I landed but I was fine.

It’s still dark so I ca
n’t see a thing. Alex felt his way around my body and I smiled. “You didn’t have to knock me down to feel me up.” I said.

“You popped out of nowhere. Are you okay?”
He asked with one hand on my hip. The towel is the only thing standing between him and my naked body.

“I’m fine.” I
said finding his face. “You know, everyone should still be sleeping…” I brought my lips up to his. He moved the hand from my hip up to my face then he pulled away from me.

“
They can hea–”

“W
e just have to be really quiet then.” I whispered pulling off his t-shirt. He reached over me and unzipped a bag to grab a condom.

That’s better.

“Sometimes I think you use me for my body.” Alex said.

“You might
be right.” I teased.

Alex slid his hand
back down my body and pulled my towel open.

I
did my best to keep it quiet.

***

We were on the floor, our limbs wrapped around each other until the alarm clock went off. I wrapped my hair towel around my body and stood up against my will. I’d rather be wrapped around Alex then heading to school right now. I’d rather do a lot of things than head back to school.

Alex went into the shower as I g
ot ready. Since the Macy bags are still on the floor, I picked out a cute pair of nude color pumps that went well with the light blue top and skinny jeans I wanted to wear.

I
crawled into bed and turned on the TV. Gizmo made his way to my left shoulder and nuzzled his head on my arm. “I can’t believe I’m going back to school.” I said petting his head. “I’m going to be okay, right?” He picked his head up and barked softly.

I brought my hand to
my forehead and felt that I was heating up. Not again. I walked over to the window and stuck my head out. I rested my elbows on the windowpane and closed my eyes after checking for anything weird. A few minutes I brought my hand back to my forehead and I felt normal.

There was a knock at the door
and when I turned around, Scarlett was coming in. She held her hand over her eyes. “Emily.” She whispered.

“I’m up.”
I said. She slowly removed her hands from over her eyes and peeked at me. “What are you doing?”

“I do
n’t know what I’d be walking into.” She turned her head to the bathroom when the shower shut off. Yeah, guess Alex coming over last night isn’t a secret. “I heard Taylor came by last night.” She said.

“Yeah
…he heard about Giovanni.” I said walking over to my vanity and applying eyeliner. How can I apply eyeliner and act cool about this? In the inside I’m dying. I have a father who was always there for me but not really here. Bryan and I were friends since forever. Taylor was always around. I even pictured being one of the Vincent’s when I was younger. We looked alike, I made up a fantasy. Guess it wasn’t a fantasy after all. And then I have David. He cared about for ten years then he just stopped. I was never cared for by a dad like I should have been. “Scar…” I looked up at me. Nah, I can’t ask her this. “Never mind.”

The bathroom door opened and Alex walked out with a towel
wrapped around his waist. “Oh…” He cleared his throat. “Sorry.” He grabbed his duffel bag and walked back into the bathroom.

I turned to
Scarlett. “
Damn
…did you see that body?” She whispered with wide eyes. Obviously, I’ve seen that body. I’ve fucked that body. I’ve done more with that body and just thinking about it…damn!

I walked
over to my door and held it door open for her.

“
Were you checking out my boyfriend?” I asked.

“He walked out that way.
” She said smiling.

I gently pushed her by the shoulders out into the hallway. “I know.
Now go do something that doesn’t involve eyeing my boyfriend.” I said.

“Fine.” She said. “
Em…what did you want to tell me?”

I hesitated.
“It’s about dad. Both of them. We can talk later. We have to get to school.” I said.

“It’s only seven. School starts in forty five minutes.”

“Later.” She looked me over and nodded.

“Okay. If you want breakfast
, it’ll be done in ten.” She said heading downstairs. I walked back into my room toward the window. I closed it and saw a car pull up. I leaned in closer and noticed the police lights on the roof of the car. Oh…

“Is there something out there?” Alex
asked letting his hands fall on my hips and leaning over to get a look. This feels amazing.

“No, the patrol
car just pulled up.” I turned around and wiped a wet strand of hair off his forehead. “Ready to go back to school?”

“Not really.
” He said tracing a finger over my lips. “I’m going to miss all the free time. You?”

I thought about it
and honestly I’m not ready but I have to go. I want to go back to the normal routine but after everything that happened last month, it’s still a lot to deal with. “Me too.” I said. “But look how much changed. I think I can handle a regular day at school.”

“Knowing you, you can
handle anything.” He said gently kissing my lips. “Did I mention you look beautiful?” Keep it coming. I like it.

I blushed
. “I can get use to this.”

I heard a door
close and then footsteps. Declan passed by my room then walked back. He’s always interrupting.

“Are you guys going to have breakfast?”
He asked.

“No, we’re going to fuck each other first so we’ll meet you down there.” I said. Both Declan and Alex stared at me speechless. Then Declan surprised me by nodding…and smiling at Alex.

“Alright, go fuck each other then.” Declan said. He approves.

“We’re not going to fuck each other, are we?” Alex asked when Declan left. I glanced at him and he was holding back a laugh. “That was priceless.”

We grabbed our things and headed downstairs with Gizmo following.

Scarlett was finishing up whatever
she was doing then sat down at the table. “I made waffles and smoothies.” She said.

“What are
you doing up so early anyways? And what’s Mom doing?” I asked before taking a bite of the waffle.

“
She’s on vacation the rest of the week.” Declan said.

Oh, so she’s sleeping in.
Finally.

My phone chimed.

Tiffany: You almost here? Everyone’s waiting.

What i
s she talking about?

Me:
Waiting for what?

Tiffany:
Just hurry up :P

I put my phone in my back pocket and finished
eating. It was seven-thirty when Scar and Declan finally let us leave for school.

“Text me when you get out.” Scarlett said. I slipped into my heels
because it feels like a heel wearing day and opened the front door. She walked with me and Alex down the steps toward the patrol car. “I need to know who they sent.” She said shrugging.

Alex stopped by
the Camaro.

“It
’s been a few days…” I said running my hand over the smooth exterior. I turned and saw Scar talking to Officer Reynolds. The one who is her age. Oh, it’d be good if she sleeps with him. She always wanted to sleep with a cop.

I
got into the car and drove to school. Finally.

For the first time
ever almost the whole student body of Wilks Academy was outside of the school. No one ever stays outside except for the smokers. I pulled into an empty parking space and took a deep breath.

“Ready?” Alex asked. I nodded and got
out. It’s going to be okay.

I saw Tiffany, Sophie, Zach, Bryan a
nd Liam walking together toward me and Alex so we met them halfway. A lot of the students smiled and actually said hi to us, when we walked by. Some of them talked about the thing with Giovanni and asked if I was okay. They don’t know the whole story either. They think he died by someone else’s hand. I’m not going to say anything so they can think whatever they want.

The bell rang as we met up with everyone.

“How’s Justin?” I asked Zach right when I was close enough to him.

“He’s been better. H
e’s a little down this morning because he saw it’s official.” Zach said. I furrowed my brow.

“W
hat’s official?” I asked. I’m lost. Is the cancer that bad?

“You and Alex.” So
phie said. “Em, you guys made it official this morning.” What the hell is she talking about? I didn’t do anything.

“Facebook, Twitter
, everywhere… ring a bell?” Bryan asked.

“You didn’t go online yet?” Tiffany asked
pouting. More students passed us and smiled. What the fuck is up with them?

The second bell
rang telling us to hurry up. “I didn’t–”

Tiffany turned us around and pushed us to start walking.

“I hacked your accounts.” She said. I was about to say something, anything that came to my mind but she cut me off again. “Don’t be mad. It’s true, isn’t it?”

“How did you hack my account?” Alex asked. “I have the highest level of security on everything.”

“Alex…nothing gets past me.” Tiffany said. “Don’t worry, lover boy. It was a one time thing. I won’t do it again.” He nodded. I don’t know he’s mad or not but he doesn’t look like it. All she did was say we’re official. It’s not like she said we’re having a kid and getting married.

As w
e walked through the front doors and I swiped my ID, I thought of Mrs. Bond. Something on my face must have said something because Alex took my hand in his and squeezed. “It’s okay.” He said. We waited for everyone else to get swiped in when Alex searched my face. “If it’s too much, get some fresh air.” I nodded. I’m okay. I’m okay.

“Come on
, that old guy is a bitch to anyone who’s late.” Tiffany said. We walked up the stairs toward Mrs. Diaz’s room. I remember seeing Liam going down the stairs before. Isn’t his class down there? Hold on…

“Are you guys walking me to class?”
I asked. I don’t like it.

“If it’s the old man we can sneak in. There’s an assembly in a few m
inutes anyways.” Liam said. Just great. I’m being walked to class.

The first door was loc
ked so we walked to the back. When I stepped inside all eyes were on me. All the students were already seated and I looked at the teacher’s desk. My heart stopped.

Mrs. Diaz i
s sitting there with her coffee cup in hand.

Everyone else poured inside and saw what I was looking at. She looked in my direction and smiled. When she stood up
, I ran toward her and hugged her tightly, not caring who saw us. She pulled away from me and gave me a hard look. “Ms. Vasquez that is highly inappropriate.” She looked over at the group standing in the back and said, “All of you outside. Now.”

I followed her through the front door
with everyone following behind us. She pulled me into a hug when the doors closed.

“I didn’t know you’d be back.”
I said.

She looked
at the others and back at me. “Emily, what happened, I–”

“Don’t. Please
.” I said dropping my head. She must know I was raped.

“Are all of you
okay?” She asked. They all nodded. “You can stay in my class today. I’ll send out passes later but don’t tell anyone I’m doing that.” She looked over at Liam. “I guess I’ll see you twice today. There is an assembly in a few minutes so just pretend you’re doing something in my class.”

“What’s it about?”
Bryan asked. His class is right next door so he’s trying to hide. It’s funny because he’s tall. How can he hide?