Wanna come in? Completed (A/I,CC, TEEN) 18-OCT-05

[StargazerUK]

Wanna come in?

Author: StargazerUK.

Email: dj.meade@btinternet.com

Category: A/I & C/C.

Rating: Teen

Disclaimer: I don’t own any of these Roswell characters, I have borrowed them.( If I did Alex & Isabel would be living happily ever after. )

Author's Note: This story is based on a challenge from Trude that is listed on the Stargazer’s challenge thread on this site. I believe the idea for this challenge comes from an MTV show of the same name. Sadly I am a too old to be watching MTV nowadays so I haven’t seen it but I think I get the general idea from what Trude has explained and I hope that I can do her idea justice.

What started out as a one part story has quickly turned into a three part story. The intention is to post the next two parts within quick succession.

This is simply a bit of fun, which means no bad guys and forget most of the usual back story. I will just use a certain point in the show as a jumping off point.



Part 1


“Tell me it isn’t true!” Maria cried as she came crashing into Liz as she stood at her locker.

“Good God, Maria!” Liz exclaimed as she felt her heart leap into her mouth. “What the hell are you doing, jumping out at me like that? I’m quietly putting my books away, minding my own business when I am suddenly set upon by some kind of raving lunatic.”

“Forget that, Liz! I need to know if you have heard the news.” Maria continued to babble, totally ignoring the fact that Liz had just called her a raving lunatic. “When I first heard it I thought it was some kind of joke but I kept hearing it from more and more people on my way over here so now I’m beginning to think it might not be a joke after all.”

“Two things.” Liz stated calmly. “Firstly, if you don’t stop and catch your breath you are going to hyperventilate and end up in the nurse’s office like last time, do you remember?” Maria simply nodded, suddenly looking rather sheepish. “Secondly, I have absolutely no clue as to what you are talking about so if you don’t stop and tell me I might end up doing you an injury myself let alone anything hyperventilating might do to you.”

“OK.” Maria nodded. “OK. It’s just so weird that I thought you might have heard by now. I was just leaving my history class when I bumped into Mary Connor who was surrounded by half of the class, all hanging on her every word. Now we both know what a complete gossip she is so I generally try not to get involved in what is going on in her life but with so many people taking an interest in her I knew that something big had…”

“Maria!” Liz called loudly, stopping her best friend mid-ramble. “Now focus!” Liz commanded.

“Sorry.” Maria smiled apologetically. “So as I was saying. I had just come out of history and bumped into Mary Connor and the huddled masses. It turns out she was telling everyone about that competition the school paper is running.”

“Not that blind-date / queer-eye hybrid thingy they have been going on about for weeks.” Liz moaned, clearly not a fan of the various concepts. “I mean how demeaning can things get? Find some poor excuse for a human being who has little or no self-esteem and have him coached by some empty-headed Casanova before pairing him up with some vacuous bimbo. All the while the sole intention of the idea is to see if they make-out with one another by the end of the night or end up humiliating themselves.”

Maria stood silent for a moment having been previously unaware of Liz’s dislike for this particular TV genre. “I think you are being a little harsh, Liz. MTV makes a show called ‘Wanna come in’ which seems to be quite popular.”

“Maria, think about it.” Liz cut in. “The whole premise is built around a guy who is presented as some kind of loser when it comes to girls and they get some clueless incompetent who thinks of himself as some kind of Romeo to coach the aforementioned loser into romancing whatever vacuous airhead they put in front of him. I mean what are the chances of finding true happiness in such circumstances? None! If people don’t have common interests or a mutual attraction it’s never going to amount to anything more than a publicity stunt for the paper and I will never understand why people would put themselves through that and for what? Public humiliation, that’s what!”

“I’ll hazard a guess and say you don’t like the idea.” Maria joked with a smile.

“It’s not just this idea that I don’t like.” Liz explained. “It’s reality TV as a whole. They’re not interested in normal people doing normal things because that would be boring and not a ratings draw. They want conflict and turmoil, which usually ends up with someone getting hurt.”

“I hadn’t thought of it like that.” Suddenly Maria looked crestfallen. “Now I no longer wish I had the news that I was about to tell you.”

Liz was now concerned for the change in Maria’s demeanour. “I’m sorry if I have put a sour tinge on your previously good mood but I am sure things can’t be that bad. It’s only a school newspaper and it’s not like it really affects us in anyway.”

When Liz saw Maria lift her head to look at her and she noticed the pained expression on her friends face she knew things did somehow affect them.

“Oh no!” Liz began shaking her head. “Where is he?” She asked slowly. “Maria, where is Alex?”

“I don’t know but it’s all over school so I think it must be true.” She stated mournfully.

“Why would he do such a thing?” She asked absently.

“You know why.” Maria stated firmly.

“But I thought he had gotten over that.” Liz sighed. “We have both spoken to him and he said things were fine.”

“Alex told us what she said to him, Liz. You know what she did.” Maria pressed.

“She’s confused and doesn’t know what she is doing.” Liz offered as a way of explaining Isabel’s actions. “I’m sure she didn’t mean to hurt him in the way that she did.”

“She told him she didn’t want to date him or date anyone and in the next breath she went all doe-eyed over that Grant dude.” Maria countered. “That would be more than enough to upset anyone but she did it right in front of Alex, seconds after she had plunged a knife deep into his heart by saying she didn’t want to see him anymore. She has to know how he feels about her. God, they even dated for a while so to do what she did has shattered what little confidence and self-respect he had for himself.”

“That doesn’t explain him doing this…” Liz paused for a moment. “Actually, now that I think about it that’s exactly what it does. Alex has always worn his heart on his sleeve when it comes to how he feels about people so the fact that he has just had his heart stomped on means he no longer cares what other people think of him.”

“You don’t think he sees this as a way of getting back at Isabel, do you?” Maria asked wide-eyed.

“If Alex is willing to put himself forward for something like this I’m not sure he knows what he is doing.” Liz reasoned. “Maybe he sees it as a way to get back at her or maybe he sees it as the final nail in his coffin. We’re going to have to stop him.” Liz stated forcefully.

“I’m not sure we can.” Maria answered ruefully.


“Afternoon, ladies.” A familiar voice called.

Both girls turned to see the smiling face of Kyle Valenti.

“Hey, Kyle.” Liz greeted their friend. “I’m sorry. We don’t have time to talk. We have a minor crisis to sort out.”

Liz watched as Kyle turned to look at Maria. “You mean you haven’t told her yet!”

Liz then turned to look at her friend who had suddenly dropped her gaze and seemed to be finding her shoes very fascinating at the moment. “You have something more to tell me, Maria?”

Maria slowly lifted her head. “I didn’t exactly get a chance to tell you as we were still so busy talking about Alex.”

As Maria spoke Liz’s brain was not only listening to everything her friend was telling her but it was also trying to work out what she hadn’t been told yet. It didn’t take a genius to put two and two together, having heard Kyle’s cryptic comment, and come up with the most likely answer. Liz slowly turned back to Kyle only to find a rather amused grin staring back at her. “Tell me you’re not his coach.”

Before Kyle could reply Maria cut in. “You said it would be an ‘empty-headed Casanova’ and ‘clueless incompetent who thinks of himself as some kind of Romeo’ that would be the coach.” Maria waved her hands in the direction of Kyle in her best game show hostess manner. “Liz, I present you with our very own clueless, empty-headed Romeo.”

“Hey!” Kyle called. “What did I do?”

“Nothing, Kyle. Now keep quiet.” Maria instructed. “You’re a victim of circumstance now keep silent, there’s a good boy.”

“So let me get this straight.” Liz was desperately trying to get things straight in her mind. “The school paper is running a competition along the lines of an MTV show called, ‘Wanna come in’, the basic idea being like a blind date?”

Maria nodded and then continued for Liz. “They get a guy who is a self-confessed loser when it comes to women and he is coached by a guy who is usually much better looking and much more savvy when it comes to the opposite sex in comparison to the contestant.” Maria glanced at Kyle, who was standing silently as instructed, before looking back at Liz. “As I said, usually! The coach is meant to offer advice and prepare the guy to go on his date. He then has to go on a date with a girl of the papers choice and perform one or two challenges, just to make it interesting. In the TV show they get money for carrying out the tasks.”

“He gets money for achieving the set goals?” Liz repeated, trying to get things clear.

“In the TV show.” Maria nodded. “But the paper isn’t doing that part as it would get into trouble for offering students money.”

“And!” Kyle chimed in, looking at Maria.

Maria glanced at Kyle before looking back at Liz. “What I haven’t mentioned is that he has to get invited into his date’s house to complete the date. On the TV show that is how he is awarded the money. That’s where the ‘Wanna come in’ part comes in.” Maria finished.

“But money or not he still has to get invited inside the house for the date to be deemed a success?” Liz pressed.

“That’s the idea.” Kyle affirmed. “And just so you know, I have already spoken to the paper and they have confirmed that there will be no stunts. It seems they are worried about creating a situation that might get out of hand and end up getting sued!”

The three friends fell silent for a moment. Finally Liz spoke up. “Who is she?”

Maria and Kyle exchanged a quizzical look before looking back at Liz. “Who is she, what?” Maria frowned.

“Who is the girl that Alex has to go on this date with?”

“That has yet to be decided.” Kyle informed both girls. “They wanted to create a bit of a buzz first before announcing the lucky girl. I think the intention is to get people talking and speculating first and by the looks of things around school it seems to be working.”

“And when does this all take place?” Liz pressed for more answers.

“Soon!” Kyle stated firmly. “I think the intention is to announce the girl tomorrow and the date’s the next day.”

“Saturday?” Maria cut in. “Why so fast?”

“Something to do with the deadline for the newspaper.” Kyle checked his watch. “I think the original plan was to set things in motion last week but the paper wasn’t ready so they forced it back to this week. As they already had their deadline set they have decided to just push on through as is. After how well things turned out for the radio station the last time this town saw a public blind-date the paper is unwilling to stop things now.” Kyle turned to look at Liz specifically. “We all remember what happened last time, don’t we, Liz.”

“Yes.” She nodded before mumbling under her breath. “Most of us do anyway.” Her veiled comment with regards Max was missed by both her friends, as intended.

Kyle turned to leave. “I have to split else I will get my ass kicked by coach for being late for practice.”


After saying their goodbyes and watching Kyle head off towards the gym and basketball practice Liz and Maria walked out to the parking lot to see if Alex was waiting by the car. Their plans were not always set in stone but the simple rule was that if Alex wanted a lift home he could just wait by Maria’s car.

As they approached the car it initially looked like Alex had made his own way home as he was nowhere to be seen but at the very last moment his tall, slim frame appeared from behind an adjacent car.

“God! Will people ever stop leaping out at me and scaring me half to death?” Liz exclaimed. No sooner had she recomposed herself when, rather out of character, she reached forward and punched Alex on the arm, hard!

“Oww! What did you do that for?” Alex cried as he rubbed at his arm.

“You really need to me to explain why I just did that?” Liz questioned sternly.

Seeing the fierce look on her face and knowing what he had done earlier that afternoon he suddenly realised that maybe he did know why Liz had done what she had done. “You won’t understand so I don’t think there is any use in me trying to explain.”

Unexpectedly Alex felt another punch, this time to his other arm. “Oww! What did you do that for?” This time he found himself looking down at Maria.

“I’m not really sure.” She replied tentatively. “I just decided that if Liz is showing you how concerned she is by punching you I should do the same.”

“OK…OK!” Alex threw his hands up in a defensive pose. “Can we just take it as understood that you both care about me and that there is no longer a need to hit me to prove it?”

Alex was pleased to see both girls nod in agreement. He paused for a moment, looking from one girl to the other. “I know you both love me and you might not understand why I am doing this so I guess you will just have to trust me when I tell you that I just need to do this to get it out of my system. Even if the evening is a complete bust, which it probably will be, it will still feel good for me to get out and think about someone other than Isabel.”

“Ahem!” Maria coughed slightly to catch Alex’s attention.

“I know.” Alex nodded. “I know you are both there for me when I need it but I just need to let off steam, which is something I can’t do with you. It will only be one night, I promise. Then I will be back to my old self.”

“And your date, what about her?” Maria asked.

“What sort of girl is going to volunteer for a night out with someone like me?” Alex questioned. “She will most likely be in it for the notoriety so I don’t think I will have to worry about offending anyone if I don’t put my heart and soul into this thing.” Alex snaked an arm out each side and pulled the girls close to him. “I didn’t think, in a million years, that I would get picked but I did. It was simply a way of letting off steam and even though I have gotten further than I expected it is only a little bit of fun and it’s not like anything will come of it.”


*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*


“What do you mean, ‘You’re not going to let him go through with it’.” Max frowned. “With all due respect dear sister it’s none of your business anymore.”

Isabel rounded on Max. “What do you mean by ‘none of my business’? Just because we are no longer dating it doesn’t mean we are no longer friends. If he is allowed to care about me than surely I am allowed to care about him!”

“That’s not what Max is saying, Isabel.” Michael cut in cautiously. “It’s just that if you can get a little something from that Grant guy then surely Alex can get a little something from whomever he wants to as well.”

“Let’s get one thing straight!” Isabel turned her attention from Max to Michael and advanced on him. “Grant is not getting anything from me and certainly not ‘A little something’! As for Alex, we all know him so I think him ‘Getting any’ is not top of this priorities so we can forget that as well!”

“I guess I touched a nerve.” Michael quipped sarcastically. “If he’s not after anything then maybe he is interested in the girl or the fame.”

“That’s just it.” Isabel implored the two boys to understand what she was saying and why. “He doesn’t even have a clue who he is going to go on this date with and that is aside from the fact that it will make him the laughing stock of the school when…” Isabel suddenly trailed off.

“Finish what you were going to say, Isabel.” Max pushed. When his sister remained silent he decided to finish her sentence for her. “He will be the laughing stock of the school when his date finishes badly.”

“Don’t presume to know what I am thinking, Max.” Isabel countered sternly.

“Actually, Isabel. That is something I have never been able to do…” Max paused for a moment. “…until Alex came along.”

“And what? I’m now an open book to you, am I?” She pressed.

“That was not what I was going to say.” Max shook his head slowly. “It’s just it is obvious to all of us that you care about Alex so when it comes to worrying about him and defending him we know what you are thinking, even if you don’t always show it or act upon it.”

Under any other circumstances Isabel would have torn into her brother but this time with a combination of not only what he said but the way he had said it she knew she must have been showing her true feelings so there was no point in trying to deny it.

Isabel slumped down onto her bed. “What am I meant to do now?”

“Well we already know that Liz and Maria will always look out for Alex and watch his back.” Max began.

“And we now know that Kyle Valenti of all people is going to act as coach for Alex on his date.” Michael shook his head before continuing. “I still can’t believe our school thinks of someone like Kyle Valenti as a chick magnet.”

“Anyway.” Max called to draw their attention back to the problem at hand and away from Michaels feelings on the subject. “Maybe we need to give a little helping hand to stack things in our favour.”

“You’re not thinking what I think you are thinking?” Isabel asked quizzically.

“If you don’t want Alex to go on this date with any other girl that only leaves one solution.” Max reasoned. “We have to make sure that it is you that he ends up going on that date with.”

“Me?” Isabel asked in amazement. “I can’t go on this date with Alex, not after the way I have treated him.”

“Then the choice is yours to make, Isabel.” Max said matter-of-factly. “Either he goes on this date with some other girl…” Max turned to look at Michael. “…and I think we both know the newspaper will make sure she is very beautiful for the pictures…” He then turned back to look at Isabel. “…or we can fix it so that he goes on this date with you. You decide!”




To be continued…

[StargazerUK]

A/N: I think this is what is called 'a swing and a miss'! This doesn't seem to have captured people's imagination, which is a shame, but I guess you can't get it right all the time. ( Not that I am saying I got it right in the past . ) The third and final part should be along in a few days. Cheers, David.

Part 2


As Alex stood in the centre of the office that was used by the school paper he couldn’t help feeling like he had made a terrible mistake. He wasn’t sure if it was the cold light of day that had brought him to his senses or the fact that it looked like half of the school had deemed to turn up to see which girl he would be going on his blind-date with.

Time had simply flown by since he had originally found out that he had been picked to be the male half of this very public blind-date. He was still undecided if it was good news or bad that it was actually Kyle Valenti who was going to be his coach for the upcoming date. It was a surprise to find out it was Kyle, not only because he didn’t imagine in his wildest dreams that it would be someone he knew but also, and he didn’t wish to appear mean by saying this, he wasn’t entirely convinced he saw Kyle as worthy of being his ‘Dating’ coach!

True, he was infinitely more successful than Alex had ever been when it came to dating girls but that wasn’t really saying much. There was a strong rumour that many celibate religious leaders had seen more action than Alex C. Whitman but as this wasn’t exactly a life and death situation he decided that he could live with their choice. He determined that if Kyle gave him what he thought was bad advice he could simply ignore it.

The fact that it had been made known around school that the girl had already been chosen earlier that day did nothing to calm the excitement that had been building. It seemed that to make the choice of girl an impartial one they had involved the schools IT department. The papers editor had invited girls to enter their name onto a sheet that had been kept in the administrations office where it could be kept an eye on. He then took the list of names to the IT department who had entered them into a quickly compiled program that was designed to pick a name at random and automatically print it out on a piece of paper. That piece of paper was then folded, without anyone looking at it, and inserted into an envelope that was then sealed and placed inside the school newspapers small safe until it was required.

The reason the newspaper had gone to such lengths to demonstrate a purely random choice was to stop the usual complaints and calls of favouritism whenever a competition was held. The number of mothers who had cried foul when their precious daughters hadn’t been chosen in previous contests was mind-blowing to say the least.

All of that brought everyone to the here and now. Alex was looking around nervously and it was only the fact that he had Liz and Maria a short distance off to the side that stopped him from having a panic attack. His anxiety was temporarily forgotten about when, to his surprise, he saw Max and Michael squeeze their way into the office. He was pleased to see Max give him a comforting smile and it even looked as though Michael gave him a nod of solidarity.

When he realised that he couldn’t see Isabel anywhere he wasn’t sure what to think. He hadn’t exactly been expecting her, they weren’t on the best terms at the moment after all, but the fact remained he felt a little crestfallen that she wasn’t there.

He had no more time to dwell on Isabel’s absence as the door to the side office suddenly opened and the guy Alex recognised as the editor of the school newspaper stepped into the room looking all too pleased with himself. He would concede that this had been a publicity triumph for the guy but it wasn’t like he had found a lost continent or the cure for the common cold. This would all blow over just as quick as it had arrived.

“Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen.” Robert Stiles began. “I’m truly overwhelmed to see so many of my fellow students taking such a strong interest in the school newspaper and one of our frequent competitions.”

“Get on with it!” A voice called from the back.

The surprise heckle threw Robert for a moment but he quickly regained his composure. “I can see that you are all as keen as I am to find out who our mystery woman is that is going to date young Mr. Whitman here.” He gestured towards Alex.

Alex felt a little better when he heard quite a few calls and whistles of support upon being introduced by the editor. It was true to say that both Liz and Maria were leading the cheers but he appreciated it all just the same.

Robert reached into his pocket and pulled out a white envelope. It was just at that moment that Liz happened to be looking at Max and Michael when she saw Michael give Max a surreptitious nudge. As she watched Max turned slightly towards his friend with a knowing smile and gave a little wink.

Alex suddenly felt butterflies in his stomach as he heard the envelope being torn open. His last thought before the much anticipated announcement was one of utter confusion. Had he really done this to let off some steam as he seemed to be telling everyone or was it simply a rather desperate and childish attempt to get back at Isabel?

“I take great pleasure in announcing that the mystery date for Alex Whitman is none other than…Isabel Evans!”

Alex didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

Unlike when he had put himself forward for this blind-date Isabel would have known who she was going to be going out with and he wasn’t sure what to make of that realisation. After what she had done to him with regards Grant and the way she had gone about that whole affair left a bitter taste in his mouth so he wasn’t sure he was exactly pleased by this unexpected turn of events. If Isabel thought she could simply make nice with him and he would forgive her she had another thing coming.

Just then the crowd began to part like Moses at the red sea as the tall figure of Isabel walked into view, must to the appreciation of the crowd, and she seductively took her place on the opposite side to Alex. After much picture taking by the school photographer Robert called for everyone’s attention so he could make his final announcement.

“With both Alex and Isabel now selected it only remains for me to announce the venue for this much anticipated date. Now thanks to the generosity of one of our fellow students, Liz Parker, the date is set for tomorrow night in her parent’s diner…The Crashdown.”

With the announcements made and the mystery solved the crowd began to disperse pretty rapidly. Within a matter of moments the room had emptied and even Robert Stiles had ambled back into his office and closed the door, his job done. This left just a handful of interested parties including Kyle who could now be seen where he had been sitting on a chair at the back of the room.

The room fell silent as it became apparent that people didn’t know what to say to one another.

“Bit of a coincidence, you and I ending up on a blind-date with one another.” Alex suddenly announced, bitterness apparent in his normally jocular voice.

“What are you trying to say?” Isabel barked defensively. “That I somehow managed to stage this? Next you will be telling me I forced you to put yourself forward!”

“All I am saying is that it is one hell of a long shot, us two being paired together like this. I know why I am doing this but I am not sure why you would want to do this.” Alex confessed. “I wouldn’t have thought you would have time for this. Shouldn’t you be out with your new boyfriend?”

“Oh, I get it!” Isabel nodded vigorously. “This is all about you being jealous…”

“Don’t flatter yourself, Isabel.” Alex cut in forcefully. “Not everything is about you!”

“Well, you shouldn’t flatter yourself either!” She countered. “Thinking I would set this up just so I could be with you.”

And with that, the two stormed out leaving their friends behind simply staring at one another.

“Is he doing this because of Isabel?” Max asked Liz softly.

“Yes.” Liz nodded. “Can I take it that you guys fixed the random choice of girl so that Isabel would end up with Alex?”

Max tried not to look guilty. “We distracted Robert earlier and sneaked in to change the name in the safe.” He confessed. It seemed now was a good time to come clean. “You offered the Crashdown to keep an eye on Alex?”

Liz sighed heavily. “We thought that if we offered a free meal at the Crashdown the tight-fisted newspaper wouldn’t turn it down. That way we could make sure Alex didn’t get out of this depth and that we would be close at hand if things went horribly wrong.”

“What are we going to do about getting the two of them to realise they should be with one another?” Maria questioned, anguish evident in her voice. She turned to look at Kyle. “With all due respect I hope we aren’t pinning our hopes on Doctor Love over here.”

“I don’t believe this!” Kyle exclaimed as he lifted himself from his seat and headed towards the door. “I offer my services free of charge to help those who find they are perpetually single and what thanks do I get? None! Instead all I get is abuse, especially from you, Deluca.”

“Shouldn’t you go after him?” Max was clearly concerned due to Kyle’s dramatic exit.

“He’ll be fine.” Maria said confidently. “We promised him free food at the diner this evening when he comes around to coach Alex and the one thing no guy can ever turn down is free food.”

Max shot a quick glance Michael’s way. “I understand.”


*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*


“You’re kidding me, Right?”

Kyle sighed heavily. “No, I am not kidding you. Obviously things I am going to suggest to you will appear alien in concept but the thing you have to keep in mind is that whatever lines and ideas you have used before haven’t worked so it is time to try something new.”

“I understand that but are you honestly telling me that the best you can come up with is for me to hire a 5.0 litre muscle car to impress the chicks?” Alex frowned. “I’m not sure I can do that anyway but certainly not with Isabel. She knows what kind of car I drive and she isn’t impressed by cars.”

“Trust me.” Kyle stated confidently. “All women love cars.”

Alex turned in the booth both he and Kyle were sitting in and looked towards the counter. “Maria, are you impressed by Kyle’s muscle car?”

“Definitely.” Maria nodded making Kyle smile broadly. “I mean it is always nice to know that when a guy is lacking in a certain department he can simply go out and by a big car to make up for it!”

Suddenly Kyle wasn’t looking so smug as Alex turned back to look at him in triumph. “OK.” Kyle conceded. “Maybe the car thing isn’t the way to go with someone like Isabel so let’s try a few lines.”

“Lines?” Alex frowned.

“You know, your lines!” Kyle tried to explain rather poorly. “You have to know what you are going to say if you want to sweet talk the ladies so I just want to check what you have, ready for tomorrow night.”

“Check what I have?” Alex repeated in distain. “I don’t have anything. I’m not going to try and smooth talk a girl into getting what I want.”

“So what’s your plan?” Kyle questioned. “Bore her to sleep with that usual crap you talk and then have your wicked way?”

“I’m not out to have my wicked way with anyone!” Alex stated firmly. “I don’t want you making me out to be some kind of prude or killjoy. I know this might be an unknown concept to you Kyle but not everything is about sex or what base you can make it to with a girl. Sometimes it’s nice just to sit and have an intelligent conversation or to simply be with one another, enjoying each others company.”

“Boring!” Kyle cried loudly.

“Fair enough.” Alex agreed. “I’m boring but answer me one question. Which would you rather, making out on a first date with a girl you hardly know and couldn’t really careless about or spending some quality time with a girl and building a relationship so that if things do go further it means so much more?”

“Count me in for the first one.” Kyle offered glibly. “Your second option takes too much time for too little reward.”

To his surprise Alex simply smiled. “So I guess you are a quantity guy rather than quality, Kyle, which is pretty much how I guessed you, would want to be seen. The fact that you are the captain of the football team and basketball team means you have a certain reputation to uphold, I understand that but I think we both know the real truth.”

“And what is that supposed to mean?” Kyle asked quietly as he leaned across the table towards Alex, not wishing for this particular conversation to be overheard.

Alex leaned forward and aped Kyle’s actions. “Guys who really go for the first choice I mentioned don’t date girls like Liz Parker! It may have been a long time ago since you dated but the principle is still the same. The fact that you wanted to date a girl like Liz speaks volumes about you, Kyle, even if you would rather your team mates think otherwise.”

Kyle was all set to dispute Alex’s comments but then he realised that not only was he probably right in what he was saying but also that if he did deny it he would be doing a disservice to Liz, which he didn’t want to do. The fact that it turned out that he and Liz weren’t meant to be together didn’t in anyway mean he didn’t enjoy their time together.

“So are we good?” Kyle suddenly asked. When Alex frowned in confusion Kyle realised he needed to explain himself a little better. “Is there anything else you want to discuss about tomorrow? We’ve talked about what to wear, although I don’t hold out much hope…”

“Hey!” Alex cut in. “Not all of us follow fashion trends like sheep or rely on our position in the schools athletics department to date girls.”

Kyle held his hands up in a defensive pose. “OK, I get it. I’m not you and you’re not me but I have done my best to tell you what I know and I can’t do anymore.”

After a brief pause Alex smiled at Kyle. “Thanks, man. I appreciate your help although I am not entirely sure that there was a lot you could really do for me but I’m grateful that you tried.”

As Kyle stepped out from the booth he reached across and shook Alex’s out-stretched hand. “Good luck, dude. I’m sure everything will be fine and the fact that it is Isabel you are going on this date with means it will either end up with a visit to the local hospital or the local wedding chapel. I can guess which one you will be hoping for.”

Alex watched as Kyle left. Having two girls as his best friends meant he didn’t get a chance to talk about girls and dating with someone of the same sex very often so even though he wasn’t sure he could use a lot of what Kyle had told him it was still interesting to hear about what he had been missing.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

As Kyle stepped outside into the cold night air he was blissfully unaware that he was being watched. As he sauntered along the sidewalk towards his car he was oblivious to the silent steps that were creeping up behind him, closing the gap between them with each stride. As he reached his car he pulled out his keys and bent forward to open the lock when he felt a hand firmly grab him by the shoulder and spin him round.

“Isabel!” He exclaimed.

“Tell me everything you said to Alex tonight.” She ordered. “I need to know what damage you have done to my blind-date!”


To be continued…

[StargazerUK]

A/N: It took slightly longer than planned but here it is, the third and final part. I've discovered that I am not cut out to write two stories at once, I don't know how people do it! . cheers, David.


Part 3


“Wow!” Liz enthused.

“You mean it?” Alex asked nervously.

“Oh, I mean it.” Liz nodded. “You look great.”

“You’re not just saying that?” Alex pressed. “You know…to make me feel better.”

“Alex, have I ever lied to you before?” When Liz saw Alex tilt his head to the side slightly and look at her with raised eyebrows she realised what she had just said. “I mean other than the whole alien thing.” She continued, having lowered her voice.

“No.” Alex agreed. “But I also know you are quite capable of doing things just to bolster my confidence.”

“That’s true.” Liz admitted. “However, in this case I am being 100% truthful. I’ve never seen you look so smart.”

“Holy crap!” Maria cried as she stepped into the back room at the Crashdown. “I think somewhere in town there must be a shop window with a naked mannequin missing some very sharp clothes.”

“Don’t you start!” Alex moaned.

“What?” Maria held up her hands. “Can’t a girl tell a guy that he’s looking hot?”

“Guy? Yes. Me? Not so much.” Alex was beginning to get embarrassed. Both girls had always been kind to him and very loving but he wasn’t used to hearing them describing him as being hot, especially as they were his best friends.

“Well I guess you are just going to have to get used to being a sex object if you are going to continue to dress like that.” Maria stated. “Speaking of being dressed like that, where did you get those clothes?”

Alex frowned. “It was the weirdest thing. After Kyle left last night I thought we had finished with our coaching session but first thing this morning he called my house in what sounded like a blind panic and told me to be out front in five minutes because we were going shopping.”

“Shopping?” Maria yelled. “Kyle?”

“I know.” Alex nodded. “I tried to argue but he just put the phone down and sure enough, five minutes later, he was outside my house sounding that ridiculously loud car horn of his. I had to go shopping with him just to keep him quiet.”

“And Kyle told you to buy that shirt, those trousers and those shoes?” Liz asked incredulously.

Again Alex nodded. “He was like a man possessed. He was carrying this sheet of paper that he seemed to be reading off of. I tried to take a look at it and he nearly took my arm off. I asked him what it was and he simply said he had jotted down a few things overnight and thought it might be better if we went shopping for a few necessities.”

“Well whatever has happened he seems to have developed a very good taste in clothes.” Liz confessed. “I’ve never seen him wear anything this smart but maybe he just hasn’t had the right occasion.”

“Don’t worry, sweetie.” Maria rubbed her friends back in a comforting manner. “I’m sure he would have worn something this nice for you when you were dating…if he hadn’t been such a tool back then!”

“Maria!” Liz exclaimed in surprise. “I’m not worried that he didn’t dress like that while we were dating, far from it. It just seems a little out of character, that’s all I’m saying.”

“If you two have quite finished.” Alex cut in.

“Sorry.” They both replied.

“Maybe we should have some sort of code word or phrase in case things are going disastrously wrong.” Alex suddenly suggested.

“You mean something like, ‘Get me away from this spawn of Satan!’?” Maria rather undiplomatically suggested.

“Exactly.” Alex agreed. “But with a little more subtlety and a little less rudeness, maybe. Possibly something that she might not be able to pick up on like ‘Do you have any fresh strawberries’ rather than mentioning the spawn of Satan, which might give the game away and make her feel a little self-conscious.”

“Whatever you feel is appropriate.” Maria conceded. “Just remember that if you call, Liz and I will come running. Isn’t that right, Liz?” Maria asked as she turned to face her friend.

Liz had simply remained motionless and silent. Finally she said. “‘Get me away from this spawn of Satan’?” She slowly began to shake her head as she returned Maria’s gaze. “I wonder, sometimes, exactly how your mind works.”

“I know.” Maria smiled broadly. “It’s a gift.”

Liz shook her head to break herself out of her stupor. “Hadn’t you better get going?”

Alex checked his watch. “Damn! You’re right. I only dropped by here first so that you could checkout what I was wearing. I mean, I quite like it but as it was Kyle that chose it I just had to make sure.”

“You look fine.” Liz confirmed and she stepped forward and hugged her tall friend.

A moment later Maria stepped forward and pulled Alex close, squeezing his midriff with all of her might. “Don’t take any crap…and enjoy yourself.” She added as an afterthought.

Alex stepped out of the back door that led to the alleyway and his waiting car. Five minutes later and he was pulling up outside the Evans house and it was only then that his nerves really began to kick in. As he stepped out of the car and slowly walked up the driveway he was thankful that both he and Isabel had already spoken to the papers reporter and photographer earlier in the day.

Unlike the radio blind-date that had taken place previously with Liz the schools newspaper didn’t require a minute by minute account. Simply interviews and photographs before, photos of the actual date and then an interview first thing Monday morning to get each participant’s personal thoughts on how things had gone. The only problem that Alex could foresee was that they were going to be watching, from a distance, at the end of the night to see if Isabel was going to invite him in. This meant that even if this night didn’t turn out to be a total disaster, which was unlikely given how the two parted yesterday, he could still end up with egg on his face when he didn’t get invited in.

For a few brief moments Alex had gotten himself so tangled up in his inner-thoughts that he had almost forgotten where he was. With a final, deep breath he reached forward and pressed the doorbell.

A fraction of a second later the door flung open causing Alex to jump back and he found the large frame of Michael standing in the doorway. “I was beginning to think I was going to have to come out and get you, you were out here so long.”

“Thanks, Michael, but I think I can manage a doorbell.” Alex replied nervously. “I just wasn’t expecting such a quick reply or such a familiar face at the door.”

Michael waved his arm to gesture Alex in. “The inquisition is this way.” He said with a mischievous smile.

Alex tried to ignore just how much Michael appeared to be enjoying himself and stepped inside. He followed him down the hallway and could feel his heart trying to beat its way out of his chest as he stepped into what turned out to be the kitchen. He found Max sitting at a table with a couple he recognized as Max and Isabel’s parents.

“Mom, Dad I think you know, Alex. He is Mr. & Mrs. Whitman’s son.” Max offered by way of an introduction. “Alex, these are mine and Isabel’s parents, Philip and Diane Evans.”

Alex watched as both Mr. and Mrs. Evans stood up to greet him and it was all that he could do to hide his distress at discovering just how big a man Isabel’s father was.

“Hello, Alex.” Philip offered his hand in friendship. “My wife and I know your parents, they’re lovely people.”

“Thank you, sir.” Alex croaked, trying to clear his throat.

“Isabel will be down in a minute.” Diane tried to reassure their clearly anxious visitor. “Can we get you a drink or anything?”

“I’m fine, thank you.” Alex smiled nervously.

When Diane heard both Max and Michael whispering behind her she turned to look at them. “If you two boys want to stay and keep us company the dishes from dinner still need washing.” Before she had a chance to smile at her own devious little plan Diane watched as both boys darted out of the room and up the stairs. “It never fails.” She smiled broadly as she turned back to look at Alex.

Just as the room fell into silence Alex could hear steps slowly descending the stairs out in the hallway and then along to the door. Just as he turned around he caught his first sight of Isabel as she stepped into the room and in that moment his world stopped. He wasn’t sure if he was happy or sad that both Isabel’s parents were standing almost at his side. He knew that if they weren’t there he would be inclined to make a stupid noise or an inappropriate remark due to how nervous he was so that was good but because they were there he couldn’t express to Isabel just how truly beautiful she looked without embarrassing them both in front of her parents.

“You look incredible.” He whispered softly before he could censor himself.

Isabel blushed slightly as she absently glanced down at her dress before looking back at Alex. “I’m glad you like it.”

“It’s red.” He stated, drawing a broad grin from Isabel.

Both teens were so lost in one another that they didn’t notice the quizzical look Philip gave his wife upon hearing Alex make the most obvious statement of all time by saying her dress was red. Of course it was red, anyone could see it was red. However, when he saw the look of joy that sat on his daughters face when she heard Alex make his obvious comment he quickly realised that there was more to that statement than he currently understood.

“You had better get going otherwise you will be late.” Diane cut in.

Isabel quickly gave both parents a hug and a kiss. Alex then said his goodbyes and the two stepped out into the evening sun and headed towards the car. Isabel wrapped herself in a shawl that she had brought to fight off the cold night air as Alex opened the passenger door for her to climb in.

Diane Evans stood at the door with her husband as she watched both her daughter and her daughter’s date climb into his car. “I like him.” She stated firmly as her husband wrapped a protective arm around her shoulders.

“You like him?” Philip repeated. “Already? He hardly spoke two words. He seems nice enough but I think I want to see a little more of him before I pass judgment.”

Diane turned slightly and looked up at her husband. “Did you see the way he was looking at her?”

“I saw he looked at her but then again every teenage boy looks at her, she’s a beautiful young woman.” Philip replied gruffly.

“I said the way he looked at her, not just the fact that he was looking at her.” She explained. “If you know the right things to look for then you can know about someone and how they feel and I am telling you that that young man has it bad for our daughter.”

Philip released his hold on his wife and turned to step inside. “If you’re such an expert how was she looking at him?”

Diane closed the door and turned to her husband. “Exactly how she has dreamt of looking at a young man since she was twelve years old. You know how defensive she has always been about letting new people into her life. She never lets anyone get close to her but that’s not the case with this young man. This time things are different, I can tell and I am overjoyed at the prospect.”

“You got all of that from just the way they were looking at each other?” He questioned.

“And a few other things that you witnessed as well.” When Philip simply frowned in confusion Diane explained. “You heard the comment about her dress being red?”

“What was all that about?” Philip asked quizzically. “It was obvious her dress was red. What is he, some kind of idiot?”

Diane simply shook her head and smiled. “It means she wore the dress for him. I can only assume he either likes red or likes seeing Isabel in red so that was why she wore it and why he was so taken aback by her wearing it, hence his comment.”

“I think I prefer my ‘he’s an idiot’ explanation better.”


*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*


Alex pulled his car up outside the Crashdown and parked. It had only been a few minutes drive from the Evans house but they had remained silent throughout the short trip. After the initial nervous meeting in front of Isabel’s parents things had calmed down a little. It wasn’t lost on either teen that they had parted on difficult terms the day before and that their relationship currently had rather a lot of baggage to contend with but it seemed both were willing to try and remain polite and courteous, for the time being at least.

“How was your interview?” Alex asked as he helped Isabel from the car.

“Fine, I think.” She smiled nervously.

“They didn’t ask too many intrusive questions, did they?” Alex was trying to hide the usual concern that he had for Isabel but was failing dismally.

“Not really.” Isabel shook her head. “I think they were more interested in whether or not I was going to invite you in later at the end of the date.”

Upon hearing that they both dropped their heads as the slightly embarrassing subject of the end of the date reared its ugly head. Looking for any light relief Alex stepped forward and pulled the door open that led into the diner. As the couple stepped inside it wasn’t a complete surprise to find the Crashdown packed to the rafters.

As soon as she had seen the young couple enter the diner Liz had stopped what she had been doing and made a beeline for her friends. “Hi, I reserved you a booth at the back near the kitchen hoping to give you a little privacy but as you can see I’m afraid you won’t be getting much of that tonight.”

“No worries, Liz.” Alex smiled. “Thanks for trying anyway.”

“Yeah, thanks for trying, Liz.” Isabel echoed.

After being led to their table Liz took an order of two burgers, two fries, one cherry coke and an orange soda before leaving the young couple to contend with their date in a goldfish bowl, as it was turning out to be.

“I was surprised to hear your name called out yesterday at school.” Alex suddenly announced. When he saw the look on Isabel’s face he quickly added. “I don’t mean anything by that other than I was surprised. I don’t want to argue and their will be no hidden means to anything I say.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” Isabel also realised that her comment could appear a little stern so she smiled slightly. “I’m beginning to realise that I haven’t thought this through properly.”

Alex was confused by that comment but before he could ask Isabel about it Liz had returned with the drinks. Once she had handed out the drinks, having explained that Isabel’s drink had been ‘taken care of’ she left to pick up the food from the kitchen.

As soon as Liz had stepped away Alex leaned forward in his seat. “I’m sorry, I didn’t understand that last comment you made.”

Isabel eyed Alex for a moment before dropping her head. “I just meant I thought this date might have allowed us some time to talk but I am just seeing now that it isn’t exactly the best place to try and set things right.”

“So you did fix the draw!” Alex almost cried in triumph.

“Don’t get too excited, Alex.” Isabel stiffened up in her seat. “It was Max and Michael who did that not me.”

“But you were in on it.” He added hurriedly.

“Well I couldn’t have had this conversation with you if you had been on this date with some air head now could I?” She remarked defensively. “Don’t flatter yourself. I’m here for the conversation not for the romance.”

“Well don’t you flatter yourself.” Alex countered. “I’m just here for the food.”

“Suits me!” Isabel barked.

“Me too!” Alex countered.

Thankfully they were interrupted again by Liz as she brought their food. She could hear part of their conversation as she approached but now that she was at the table things had gone quiet. She smiled at each of her friends as she placed their food order in front of them but she knew things weren’t going well.

*~*~*~*

“How’s it going?” Maria cried as soon as Liz had stepped into the back room.

“Not good.” She stated solemnly. “They’re both as bad as each other and I am not sure how to knock some sense into either one of them.”

“Do you think we could give them a hand?” Maria was desperate for any sort of positive solution.

Liz simply shook her head. “Not this time and especially not with half the school and a newspaper reporter watching.”

*~*~*~*~*

Realising that anything they would try to say to one another would only end up in a fight Alex and Isabel ate their food in silence. Other than the occasional visit from Liz to top up drinks and to check all was well with the food the pair were left alone for what must have been the longest and most painful meal of their lives. They were so lost in their own despair that they hardly noticed the occasional visit from the school newspapers photographer who would suddenly appear, take a couple of quick snaps and then disappear once again.

As soon as their dessert and coffee had been consumed they decided to leave as quickly as possible to put them both out of their misery. The crowd looked on as the pair left and they couldn’t help but notice that the reporter was scribbling away furiously as they stepped outside. By the time they had reached their car the reporter and the photographer came rushing out to get into their car so they could follow the lucky couple home.

The evening had turned into one big anticlimax. They had not only failed to repair their ailing friendship but it seemed that they had actually made things worse. Now, as Alex pulled the car up outside the Evans house, it seemed they had to endure the added humiliation of being watched by the staff from the school paper.

“Aren’t you going to walk me to my door?” Isabel asked softly.

Alex wasn’t sure why they were carrying on the charade but he soon realised that the least he should do was walk Isabel to her door and get her home safely. “Yes, sorry. I wasn’t thinking.”

Both Alex and Isabel tried to ignore the fact that they were being watched but it made them both very self-conscious. When they reached the door they were both feeling rather foolish.

“Isabel, I’m sorry.” Alex stated in a rush.

Before he could say anymore Isabel cut in. “No Alex, It is me who should be apologising. I’ve treated you so poorly over the last few weeks and I understand now that I hurt you with the whole Grant fiasco, which was never my intention despite how it might have seemed.”

“Speaking of Grant…” Alex trailed off.

“You don’t have to worry about him.” Isabel almost smiled. “I think I was infatuated with the thought of an older man showing interest in me rather than actually having an older man being interested in me. Having spoken to him for a while I discovered that we have almost nothing in common.”

“Much like us.” Alex stated mournfully.

“Don’t say that, Alex.” Isabel insisted. “Don’t ever say that. We may not be two peas from the same pod but we have plenty in common and more than that we enjoy each others company. What’s more important than that?”

“I guess you are right.” Alex conceded before he paused for a moment. “I think I had better be going.”

Isabel looked shocked by that remark. “Don’t you want to come in?”

Alex’s head snapped up. “You mean you are still going to invite me in, after all we have been through and after how tonight turned out?”

“Alex, I would invite you in simply to save us both from the reporter that is watching our every move but I have a thousand other reasons to invite you in, not least because I would like to think we are still friends.” Isabel explained.

“We are, Isabel.” Alex nodded. “We are still friends. We’re just in a difficult place right now. As for your kind invite? I think I am going to have to decline.”

Isabel was stunned by his refusal but she could see that he had made his mind up. “OK. Goodnight then.”

“Goodnight, Isabel.” Alex waited until Isabel stepped inside before turning towards the car. Much like in the restaurant he couldn’t help but notice the novice reporter writing in a furious manner. He didn’t mind, he had no reputation to destroy but Isabel’s reputation? That was a different matter entirely.

*~*~*~*~*

Isabel entered the kitchen, moved to the table and sat down. She could feel the tears beginning to run down her cheeks as she unwrapped her shawl from around her shoulders and laid it down on the table.

A moment later she felt a hand on her shoulder and when she looked up she saw her mother looking down at her. “What’s wrong, Honey?”

“I’ve made such a mess of things I don’t know where to begin.” She replied as she started to sob.

Diane pulled up a chair beside her distraught daughter and sat down before pulling her into her arms. She allowed Isabel to cry herself out before she even dared contemplating a question, but slowly, Isabel began to recompose herself. When she had, Diane asked the only question she needed to. “Can you tell me what went wrong?”

Over the next ten minutes Isabel laid bare her relationship with Alex. How she had always pushed him away and how he had always been there for her in spite of that. How he was the most loyal and trustworthy of friends and how she had come to rely on him without even realising it. Finally she explained about Grant and the events leading up to and including tonight.

“Why didn’t he come in, Mom?” She spluttered. “Even if it was only to save face from the school paper he should have come in.”

“You never told me about the ‘wanna come in’ part of your date and I have to say, Isabel, I’m not too thrilled.” Diane admitted. “I’m not sure I am overly happy that the school paper is encouraging teenage girls to invite boys into their homes at the end of a date. I know I might be being old fashioned but it’s about what it is implying as much as anything else.” Diane paused for a moment. “Is it possible that Alex didn’t come in so that the paper would have to report that he failed in his attempt to get invited in by you and in turn stop any rumours and stories from circulating?”

“It’s possible.” Isabel nodded. “And now that I think about it I have to say it is more than likely but I still think he’s a fool for ruining his reputation simply to save mine.”

Suddenly Isabel stood up and stared at her mother. “Oh my God! That’s what he’s done. He’s hung himself out to dry to save my reputation around school.”

Isabel quickly glanced around the kitchen and suddenly darted for the counter-top by the fridge. Diane watched as her daughter moved to the work surface and picked up her car keys. “I need to borrow your car, Mom. I don’t plan to be long.”

“Take as long as you like, just make sure you drive safely and don’t speed.” Diane called as she watched Isabel leave in a rush.

*~*~*~*~*

Alex lay on his bed staring at the ceiling. Every thirty seconds or so he would lean over with his right hand and punch himself on his left arm. He wasn’t quite sure what he was achieving by such an act but he felt such an idiot at the moment that he was sure he should be suffering some kind of punishment and this was the best he could come up with at short notice. When he thought of something more appropriate he would switch.

The reason he was punching himself was because of how poorly he had behaved while out on his date. He had been so intent on playing it cool and being Mr. Standoffish that he had missed the most important parts of the evening, namely all the nice things Isabel had done for him. Not only had she, with the help of Max and Michael, set it so she could go on the date with him she had also worn a red dress that had to be specifically for him. Also, now that he thought about it, it wouldn’t surprise him if he later found out that Isabel had picked out the clothes that he had bought and worn. There was no way that Kyle was that savvy when it came to clothes and he looked mighty scared while they were shopping earlier this morning. There were only three girls that Alex knew that could instil that sort of fear and two of them were surprised when they saw the clothes…that left Isabel.

Suddenly there was a gentle tapping on the window that made Alex sit up on the bed. The fact that his room was on the ground floor meant he wasn’t entirely unused to visitors entering via the window but the fact that both Liz and Maria were supposed to be at work meant he was more surprised than usual.

When he pulled open the blind his shock was increased when he saw the beautiful face of Isabel Evans looking back at him. “Isabel, is everything alright?” He asked after he opened the window.

“It wasn’t.” She smiled. “But it will be.”

When Alex saw her simply stare back at him he realised his lack of manners. “Sorry, do you want to come in?”

“I was hoping you would ask.” She reached out a hand and took hold of Alex as she lifted herself over the ledge and into the room. Once in side Alex closed the window behind them and pulled back down the blind.

They fell into a brief silence with neither sure where to start. Suddenly they both went to speak and ended up talking over one another. “I know what you did.” They both stated at the same time.

That caused them both to frown and laugh at the same time. “You first.” Isabel offered.

“I know you fixed the date so we could be together. I know we discussed this already but I didn’t fully appreciate what you had gone through just for me.” He admitted. “I also realised that you wore that red dress for me and probably orchestrated me getting these.” Alex pointed to his clothes. “I’m not sure I deserve to have someone going to so much trouble for me and I just wanted to say thank you.”

Isabel blushed slightly as she dropped her gaze for a moment. “I went home and sat in the kitchen, struggling to work out why you wouldn’t come in and then, with the help of my mother, I got the answer. You were sacrificing your reputation for mine.”

“I think you give me too much credit, Isabel.” It was Alex’s turn to drop his gaze.

“I don’t.” Isabel stated firmly.

“Alex…” Isabel waited until her companion had raised his head before continuing. “…will you kiss me?”

Alex frowned. He couldn’t possibly have heard her right. “What did you say?”

Isabel smiled slightly but was pleased when she discovered that, unlike in the past, she wasn’t losing her nerve. “I asked if you would kiss me.”

Having now heard it twice Alex was confident he wasn’t hearing things. “Yes.” He simply replied.

As he leaned forward and their lips touch he realised that he didn’t want to close his eyes as he wanted to continue to look at Isabel. To his surprise he found Isabel was doing the same. Not long after the kiss began the flashes started. In an instant Alex saw Isabel crying in her mothers arms as she regretted how she had been acting. At the same time Isabel saw Alex admonishing himself for being such a fool not to have noticed the things she had done for him.

Finally they broke apart. Alex could feel his pulse racing and his heart fluttering but he didn’t care, this was Isabel Evans he was kissing. The girl he didn’t think he would ever kiss again.

“Alex, what are you doing tomorrow night?” Isabel asked seductively.

“Erm…nothing, why?” He replied absently.

“I was wondering if you wanted to go on another date. This time just me and you, no school, no newspaper and no intrusions.” Isabel offered.

“I think I’d like that.” He smiled broadly.

“Oh, and Alex.” Isabel continued.

“Yes, Isabel.”

“You’ll be coming in at the end of the evening even if I have to drag you in kicking and screaming.” She stated with a seductive smile playing on her lips.

Alex aped Isabel’s broad smile. “I don’t think that will be necessary. I think we have both finally come to our senses.” He then leaned in for another kiss. This was something he could definitely get used to.



The End.