Hola! I want to thank you for your comments on the previous chapter :) Keep them coming! You motivate me to update faster. Seriously, I prefer the long comments. So, thank you! <3 And sorry for waiting!

The song for the chapter is Wonder by Lauren Aquilina. Photo from FlyingDragon04 deviant acct.

Happy Reading! (:

*****

It can't be.

Why can't he remember me then?

No, Alex isn't him.

That's what I've been telling myself repeatedly.

Ever since I found the bracelet at the Vandom's residence, I've been keeping my eyes on Alex. I can't just walk up to him and confront him. Besides, I'm a little sceptical. I know that he's not Alex, but what if he is? Can I accept it? Can I forgive him for leaving me behind?

Other than Alex and my past, there are still a lot of happenings in my life.

School is going on as usual.

Because we're done with Volleyball, we now move on to Swimming. Our school has this Olympic size pool. We're not really required to be professional swimmers; we just need to learn the basic; how to swim and how to remain afloat in the water.

I prefer it more than Volleyball. At least here, Maegan will not accidentally throw a ball at me. What I don't like is the attire. We have to wear a bathing suit. It can either be a two piece or a one piece. I chose a black one piece sleeveless and a cycling. I need to be careful; we still share the same class with the guys. I'm not stupid. I know how their mind works.

Mr. Asher is still our teacher in our swimming class. At the end of the semester, we have to play volleyball in the pool. I thought I'm done with volleyball. Apparently, not.

Meanwhile, the intern in Literature has a lot of activities for us to the point where it already becomes irritating. It's not as if it's the only subject in our school. We have a lot of difficult classes, but he's acting like the subject he's teaching is our major.

Seriously, I'm starting to hate him.

Caleb seems to like him though, as well as my classmates. He told me that he's having fun with the fresh ideas of Mr. Condie, rather than the boring lesson of Mr. Benitez's way of teaching.

I still get to hang out with my friends during break time, and I make a schedule where I can talk to Daniel. I don't want him to feel left behind.

It's not a good idea to be alone with Alex, but I need to know the truth about him. So the next weekend, when he asked if I wanted to accompany him at the mall, I didn't think twice.

Caleb is supposed to go with us but his mom needed his help in the house.

We asked our friends, but they already have plans. Alex didn't want to cancel, so even though it's only the two of us, we still proceed to go out.

It's just Alex and me.

No, it's not a date.

I've told myself that phrase for ten times now. It's just, I'm nervous. I've never went alone with a guy before, except Daniel, which doesn't really count because he's not real.

Alex is the total opposite of Caleb which means we're the same. He's sarcastic, serious most of the time, and he seldom smiles. He's not much of a talker either, so it suits both of us.

Earlier when I was preparing for our date—

No, I mean, in our—

What do you call it? Is bonding the right term?

Yeah, whatever. As I was saying, while preparing, I didn't mean to spend hours in front of the mirror, changing clothes. It also made me realize that I only own a few set of nice clothes. I mostly spend my money on books.

I need to buy a new pair of jeans, shoes, and a top.

Annalise, don't buy books in the meantime, I remind myself.

In the end, I wore my black sweater with a cat printed on the front, my skinny jeans, and my sneakers.

Alex picked me before lunch time; he's driving his car. I thought it would be awkward, but it's not. We're not uncomfortable with the silence. Aside from that, we both like the same type of music playing in the radio.

When we arrive in the mall, he says, "Help me to the salon."

"What are you going to do there?" I ask incredulously.

"I'll have my hair cut. My hair's long."

"But you look good with it."

He smirks. "I look good whatever my hairstyle is," he says.

"When did you become conceited?" I ask amusedly. It's not every day when Alex is being like this. "Why does it feel like you suddenly changed? Like, a hundred eighty degree."

"You bring out my childlike self." He smiles and ruffles my hair. "Do you like it?"

I nod, too stunned to speak. Does he mean he can only be himself when he's with me?

When we get to the salon, the staff greets him using his first name.

"She knows you," I whisper.

"I'm popular," he says, his lips curving in a smile.

"You brought your girlfriend," the staff says, giving me a smile.

"I'm not—"

"This is Annalise," Alex interrupts.

"Pleasure to meet you," the staff says, "I'm Ira."

"Hi," I say.

She asks Alex about what style he likes. He tells her the usual. I sit on the bench just behind him.

"So," Ira starts, "since when did you become a couple?"

My eyes widen at her question.

Alex chuckles; I can see his playful expression through the mirror. "She said yes a few hours ago," he says.

"Alex!" I gape at him.

"What?" he asks innocently.

"Stop it!" He turns to Ira and says, "She's still shy about it. She prefers keeping our relationship a secret."

My mouth drops open. Who is this guy in Alex's body? Where did he put the real Alex?

"You're so cute," Ira says, grinning.

I don't know how she can multitask; talking to Alex and me, and cutting his hair at the same time. I can feel the blood rushing to my cheeks. I get my book in my bag and pretend to read. I don't want to let them know that I'm blushing; it's embarrassing.

Alex is weird; I'm not sure what to do anymore. He's different from the Alex I'm used to. I can't even tell if he really is the Alex from my past. They have the same habit of teasing me though.

"You have pretty hair," Ira says after taking care of Alex's hair.

"Thanks." I'm not good with compliments.

"Is it natural?"

"Yes," I lie.

She tilts her head to the side; I can't read the expression on her face. "Next time you want a haircut or trimming, let me do it. It's on the house."

"What about me?" Alex asks. "I'm a regular."

Ira rolls her eyes, but she's smiling. "Annalise has a different case." She winks at me.

What did she mean by that? Don't tell me she knows—

"We gotta go," Alex says. "Thanks Ira!"

"Sure," she says. "Next time, bring Annalise again."

I smile at her while Alex and I exit the shop. "Why did you do that?" I ask Alex.

"What?"

"Back at the salon."

"I like teasing you," he says, grinning. "What do you think about my hair?"

"It's fine," I say.

He cocks his eyebrow. "Fine?"

"Yeah." He looks like he's not satisfied with my reply. "Why? Want me to tell you that you look good?"

"No, I know that already," he says, laughing.

I roll my eyes. Here we go again, another episode of conceitedness. It's cute though. He's funny, and I like this side of him.

"Where do you want to go next?"

*

I help him buy clothes. The sales ladies thought that we're together; she even offers us couple shirts. I want to vanish in that instant.

Alex, the cool guy that he is, pretends that we really are a couple and purchase the matching shirts.

"Thanks for helping me," he says, giving me the paper bag.

I accept it.

What?

There's nothing wrong with that. And it's as if we're going to wear the shirts on the same day.

Now, here we are, sitting on the steps in front of the ice skating rink. We just finished our lunch in a Thai restaurant.

 "Annalise," Alex says, tugging my hair to get my attention.

"What?" I ask, slapping his hand away.

"Let's ice skate."

"No."

"Why not?" he asks.

"I don't know how to," I say obviously.

"It's the same as rollerblading."

"I haven't done that either."

"You're kidding," he says, looking at me weirdly.

"I'm not."

"Come on!"

I notice he's still playing my hair with his fingers. "Stop it!" I don't want him to know that my neck is ticklish.

He grins. "I don't want to!"

I frown. "What are you up to?"

He shakes his head as he tucks the loose strand of hair behind my ear.

I swallow hard.

Breathe, I remind myself.

"Let's go, please?" he bats his long eyelashes at me.

I blink. When did his eyes become so blue?

"I'm just going to embarrass myself," I say.

"I won't let you embarrass yourself," he replies, his hands touching my cheek lightly.

"I'm going to fall down."

"I'll hold your hand, and I won't let go of you," he says, trapping me in his piercing gaze. When he looks at me like this, how can I say no? "I promise," he adds.

Alex takes my hand and leads me to the stall where he pays for our ice skating shoes.

Of course, I'm nervous. I don't want to look like an idiot. I don't want to be the cause of my own humiliation.

I'm glad I wore a sweater; the ice skating rink is cold.

Alex looks like a pro. He doesn't have a problem staying on his feet.

I've never even tried skating on ice when I was young, and when I started to stay in Margarett's house because there's no reason to. And it's true that I didn't have friends back then.

I didn't expect that I'll enjoy this day with Alex- skating on ice, and being on unfamiliar ground.

Yes, I slipped. But I don't feel embarrassed about it because before I could hit the cold ice; Alex is already there, catching my fall.

We just laugh it off.

For the first time, I didn't care about my flaws. I'm having fun, and it's all that matters.

Alex fulfilled his promise; he never once let go of my hand.