Alexander comes behind me, leaning against the wall and crossing his arms. "Why are you really here?" he asks Lena with a tone that doesn't hide he doesn't trust her.

Lena clasps her hands together in front of her stomach. "I just came here to talk and ... apologise," she says.

I look at Alexander over my shoulder, but he's giving her that scary, eye-narrowed look that just says she better not play with him because he's not afraid to attack. Figuratively, of course.

"I don't think I'm ready to listen to anything you have to say," I tell her. I actually have a hard time looking her in the eyes because she's been deliberately trying to put me through hell and I can't trust her. I think she's hiding something and she has an ulterior motive for coming here.

But she also makes me curious as to what she wants to tell us. She obviously came by for a reason. I look at Alexander again, but he's still giving her a relentless look. Lena's eyes move from Alexander to me until they decide to stay on me.

"I promise I'm not here to cause any trouble for any of us," she says.

I wonder what prompted the change of her heart? Why the sudden twist in her act towards us? Well, me mostly. She's always been fond of my boyfriend. My shoulders drop and I sigh. "Fine. Come in," I decide. If not for something else, I want to hear what she has to say because I'll admit I'm curious.

Alexander just give me a look, but lets her come inside, not moving away from me. We sit on the couch in the living room and I don't even bother offering her anything to drink because I'm still mad at her for what she did to me. She's drenched from the rain and she must be cold, as well.

Alexander remains standing and leans against the wall, crossing his foot at the ankle. Lady Macbeth is there immediately. She sits down at his feet and Alexander looks at her with a scowl. They get into one of their stare-downs again and Lady Macbeth decides to mess with him a little more by walking around his feet with her tail up high and meowing, looking at him with big eyes.

Alexander gives me a defeated look. Lena is looking at them both with interest and a little curiosity. "I didn't know you two had a cat," she comments, looking at Lady Macbeth and pursing her lips.

"It's a recent addition to our home," I say, crossing my legs and interlacing my hands. I wait for her to begin telling us why she decided to pay Alexander and I a visit today.

She sighs, sitting up straighter. "Okay. First of all, I think I owe you an apology."

Alexander snickers and I just shoot him a look. Lady Macbeth is still trying to befriend him by rubbing against his ankles. Alexander doesn't try to move away from her or even shoo her away, so that's a progress, as well.

"I've already told Rosalyn the truth about what happened. Well, not the whole truth because I left Sam out of it, but she knows it wasn't your fault."

I'm too stunned to say anything, I think. I don't think I've ever heard that tone of voice coming from her before, at least it wasn't directed towards me.

"Yeah, just because you woke up and did the right thing for once, doesn't mean we're going to forgive you and forget," Alexander says from where he's standing, giving Lena a hard, unforgiving look.

Lena's shoulders slump forward. "I deserve that," she says. I don't deny it. "That's why I'm here. I'm trying to make things right. I was wrong for what I said to you and what I was doing. I was just ... Jealous and lonely, I think. And scared that I won't fit in."

"What the fuck did you tell my mother to believe you, anyway? She fucking adores Gabrielle. What did you do?" I hear the angry tone Alexander asks this with and I now I realise he chose to stand there, away from us, for a reason.

Lena's mouth straightens. "I said that you're going to deny her and told her you were jealous and have been harassing me since I came here and you're just hiding behind that nice persona."

I'm stunned into silence. I've heard a lot of bad things about me before, but this ... this hurts me. Why would someone who doesn't even know me do that? And think that?

"I'll completely understand if you won't forgive me. I'm not proud of what I did, I promise. I just came here to say I'm sorry for how I acted and ask you for another chance. I thought we could maybe go out today and know each other a little more," Lena suggests with a small smile.

I scoot back on the couch and Alexander and I just give each other a look that says what the hell is going on?

"Going out?" I ask, not exactly sure what she's suggesting here. This situation is so weird and it just doesn't sit well with me. I don't understand why the sudden change in her towards me? She hated me yesterday and now ... she wants to be friends.

Truthfully, I don't think I could really be friends with her, knowing she was planning how to get me out of the picture so she could go after my boyfriend. I can't be friends with someone that wants to be with Alexander because it's just weird and it makes me uncomfortable. It'd also make me insane with jealousy, but that's another story.

"Yes, to a party or something. We could also call Sam. I owe her an apology, too," Lena says.

I give her a dumbfounded look.

"Gabby's not the partying type and she's not really into going out. And I really don't think Sam wants anything to do with you right now. Or ever," Alex answers for me.

I send Alex a look again and I know he understands exactly what I'm saying without words. "Look, Lena ... I think it's a little soon to be all buddy-buddy with you and go out to a party. I'm still not entirely sure what prompted you to change your attitude towards me?"

Lena lowers her head, looking down at the floor. "I have ... no friends here. I don't know anybody and those that I got to know aren't exactly the people I would want to be around for a longer period of time because they're not ... good influence, if you know what I mean?" Her eyes dart to Alexander quickly before they settle on me again.

I arch an eyebrow. Is she implying Alexander is a bad influence? It's kind of weird that Lena didn't even try to be our friend when she came here and instead went to straight-out being a bitch to all of us, except Alexander. "Lena, we're not the second choice just because it didn't work out with those people you were hanging out with," I say slowly.

She nods her head. "Yes. I know that." She lets out a sigh, letting a hand run through her long, dark hair. "I just came here to make amends and apologise. I completely understand the distrust."

"Did my Mum send you?" Alexander asks suddenly, frowning. He's been in a bad mood ever since Lena showed up here. It seems like he's not even noticing the cat climbing up his leg here and there, trying to get his attention.

"No," Lena says. "She doesn't know I'm here."

Alexander finally breaks the space between us and walks towards us, stopping in front of Lena. "Listen here since I don't know if I've made myself clear to you, but Gabrielle is the more forgiving one in our relationship, but we're also a team and if you come after her, you come after me and I'll come after you. Is this understandable?"

"Uh," Lena says, glancing at me. "Yes. I understand you." She sounds uncertain and I don't know where it's because Alexander makes her nervous or there's some other reason behind her act.

"Good. You better not pull your stunts anymore or I'll personally send you back to where you came from. Still on the same page?"

I see her throat bob as she swallows. "Yes. All clear. I'm telling you, I'm here to do better by you."

I clear my throat. "Well, would you like something to drink?" I offer finally as a peace-maker and Alexander's head sharply turns into my direction. He knows I'm on a path of forgiving her and he doesn't like it, it seems. But I'm not going to forgive her just like that, I just want to see where she goes.

I don't trust her words and I'll need her actions to prove them.

"A glass of water would be fine. Thank you, Gabrielle." She offers me a small smile that throws me off a little because I'm just not used to seeing it.

I stand up and go to the kitchen, bringing a glass of water for Lena back with me. "I suppose we could go out somewhere tonight," I suggest, sitting on the couch next to Alexander that decided to join us on it, as well.

He looks at me with a questioning look, his eyes roaming all over my face.

"Really?" Lena asks in excitement. "I would love that."

I tilt my head to the side, silently asking Alexander if he's okay with that. He puts his hand on the back of my neck, pulling my head closer. "Babe. What the fuck?" she asks quietly, his words for my own ears only.

I put my hand on his thigh and rub it. "Trust me," I say back, equally quietly. I turn to Lena then and give her a genuine smile. "I'll call Sam and ask her if she wants to join us." I think she'll say yes to me quicker than she would if Alex called her.

I go to the kitchen to get some privacy in case I have to explain things to her. I don't want Lena to listen to our conversation. "Hello, my favourite girl in the whole entire world. Did you get the pictures I sent you of Ace? Gosh."

I open my mouth and clamp them shut. She's asking about the pictures of her dog that she named Ace. She said it was unoriginal and she just Googled the names and picked one because she couldn't think of one. But to say Sam is in love with her dog would put it mildly. She absolutely adores the littles guy and she regularly sends me pictures. "No, I haven't had the chance. I'll look at them afterwards. I'm calling to ask you if you're free tonight and would like to come out with us."

There's a pause. "Like, a party?"

"Yes, I guess."

"Hell yeah!" she exclaims. "With Sin? And you?"

"Yes. And Lena," I add slowly.

"Sorry, who? I don't think I heard you right. Thought you said Lena." She chuckles.

"Yes. Lena. It's a long and weird story, but to sum it up, she came here to apologise and she suggested we go out to a party or something together."

"Oh, hell no, pretty face. That sounds sketchy. You know she's after your man. And mine. And God knows who else's," she grumbles.

I clear my throat. Yeah, I knew this wouldn't be easy. I look over my shoulder to make sure I'm still alone. "I know and I don't trust her, but maybe I want her to think that I do. And I want her actions to match her words, hence why I agreed to go out with her – to keep an eye out on her and see how she's going to act."

"Ah, look at you scheming. I taught you well, pretty face. Just text me where to come, I need to call my parents to watch Ace, and then, babe, the game's on."

"No, that's not –" The beeping cuts me off, meaning Sam ended the call. I sigh, rubbing my eyebrow. Okay then.

I walk back to the living room, finding Alexander on his phone with Lady Macbeth curled next to him and Lena awkwardly holding her glass. "Good news. Sam is coming. We just have to text her where." I look at Lena's drenched clothes. "You could borrow something from my closet," I suggest.

"That would be perfect. Thank you, Gabrielle."

˙˙˙

Once we're all in the club having fun, I realise this wasn't such a bad idea after all. Lena turned out to be a good company when she's not bitchy and she left Alexander alone to the point she didn't even look at him. That comforted me and I relaxed. Sam and Lena were both drinking and I drank the first glass with them, but then I decided that's enough while they continued drinking.

Sam wasn't a fan of Lena and she kept giving her a hard, assessing look every time she spoke, but I understand she's worried. As am I. Although I have to say I worry a little less now because everything's been going good so far. Great, even.

Alexander's warming our seats while we do our thing and dance or talk. He's not much of a dancer and he's not bothered by sitting back and just enjoying the evening in his kind of way.

When I get off the dance floor and walk to him to drink some water, his eyes travel up and down my body, a smirk appearing on his lips. I probably look like a hot mess, all sweaty with my hair going out in all different directions for running my hands through it so much, my chest heaving up and down because I'm in a spectacular condition, even for dancing. Cue the sarcasm.

"What?" I ask cautiously.

He shakes his head, still keeping the smile on his face. I sit down next to him and his hand comes to the back of my neck immediately. I try to move it away because I'm all sweaty, but he doesn't let me. "Havin' fun?" he asks, giving me his full attention.

I beam. "Lots of it, actually." For someone who's not used to going out, I started to enjoy it. Not to the point I'd go out every weekend, God forbid, but here and there is not so bad, especially if Alexander is with me. I feel safer whenever he's with me because I know he's looking out for me.

"Good," he says, taking the glass from my hands and taking a sip before giving it back to me. He's not drinking tonight which I'm thankful for because he acts weird when he's intoxicated and I don't like it.

"I'm going to the restroom," I say, putting my hand on his thigh to help myself stand up.

His hand comes to the back of my thigh. "Take Sam with you," he says, his hand squeezing, his fingers just a few inches under the centre of my legs, a promise of what's to come later.

"Will do," I say.

Sam accompanies me to the restroom in high spirits, winking and sending kisses to the men ogling us when we walk past them. "You stay here and don't move," I tell her when we're inside and it's easier to talk with music not blasing so loud.

She grins, her tongue licking her bottom lip. "You're bossy. I like that," she says sultry.

I chuckle. "Okay, Sam. Just wait," I say.

When I finish, I come out to Sam making weird faces in the mirror. Yep. She really had a lot to drink, apparently. And now I wonder if it was a good idea to ask her to come out with us because I know she's been having a lot of troubles that she likes drowning in alcohol, which I'm very against.

She puts her arm over my shoulders. "Let's make the dance floor our bitch, Gabby," Sam says and laughs to herself.

Oh, boy.

Her good mood is contagious. But not for long. Because when we come back, the floor literally sways from under my feet as I see Alexander with Lena.

And just in time when she walks behind him and puts her hand on his cheek from behind, turning his head and placing her lips on his.

And he kisses her back.

*

I'm just going to say that it's REALLY not what it looks like. And it's not going to happen what you've all been worried about, but I'm not saying anything else. 

A-l-s-o as you may (or may not) know, I'm not reading comments under my stories here on wattpad anymore because u h I'm a pisces and I get my feelings easily hurt, so that's for my own peace of mind, therefore, if you have any questions or there's something you want to tell me, do it directly (preferably on twitter @patriciakauthor - and I know I'm annoying with this twitter thing, but this is where I'll see it the soonest and you'll get the fastest reply). Replying to messages on wattpad can take up to one month sometimes, so ... yuh. There's that.

Also; part 2: if you're interested (and really, no pressure ... ok maybe just a little), I have a new story. Super fun, super light, not that much drama, super super funny, friends-to-lovers kinda thing ... all the good stuff. It's on Radish and you can find it (and yes, you're allowed to gush about the cover):