(With Alex)

Alex finished showering and he took a good look at the mirror and held his left cheek, the area where Alexa kissed him yesterday following their tutoring session at the library.

Alex: I can't believe she kissed me on the cheek

He was feeling both happy and confused that the girl of his dreams and at the same time someone out of his league admired him, an average high school student. His mind and heart were in conflict with one another.

Alex: no, I gave up on relationships, I'm done

That's what his mind said, but his heart says otherwise. The high school junior put on his uniform and left the house.

(With Alexa)

Haruka: you what?!

Alexa: I was in a moment; I don't know what came over me!

Haruka: I bet Alex is all confused like a cute little puppy

Alexa: he did have that cute and confused look after I kissed him

Haruka: but the question is, do you like him?

Alexa looked down to hide her blush. Then she let it out.

Alexa: yes, I like him as in like like him

Haruka: aww, someone's in love

Alexa: but there's one thing that I'm wondering

Haruka: which is?

Alexa: does he have feelings for me; well since he said he has a crush on me

Haruka: it's all up to Alex

Alexa: I have a feeling something is holding him back

Haruka: hmm?

Alexa: he is smart and nice and all, but he's quiet as well

Haruka: now that you mentioned it; he is mostly silent when he's by himself

Alexa: and when he is with Seth and the others; he's all outgoing and friendly

Haruka: you should ask him out

Alexa: oh come on Haruka, you know I'm not like that; I want Alex to make the first move

Haruka: the crucial part of that is if he has the courage

Alexa: we'll see

(Back with Alex)

Alex went inside the school grounds to see Seth and Kaoru.

Alex: where are those two at?

Seth: reading their "precious treasure books"

Kaoru: good thing I'm not there to punch them

Alex: well, you guys ready for the quiz today?

Seth: I am

Kaoru: me too; I don't know about Tachibana and Umehara

Alex: let those two have their fun

Seth: come on, let's not be late for the quiz

The three friends went inside all prepared for the quiz.

(30 minutes later)

The quiz was finished, so the class were allowed to leave. Some of the students were feeling stressed because they don't know if they did well or not. Alex, Seth and Kaoru came out with some confident looks on their faces.

Alex: I expected more

Seth: what was that?

Kaoru: that was nothing

As for Junichi and Masayoshi, they weren't looking too good. When they came out of the room, their hair was messy and they have eye bags.

Seth: well you two don't look so good

Alex: the hell were you two doing last night?

As Junichi was about to say something, he and Masayoshi collapsed to the floor due to fatigue and exhaustion from their boys' night out session last night.

Kaoru: typical; come on let's just leave them and get lunch

Seth: yeah, they'll wake up anyway

The three went to the cafeteria and luckily for them, the hellacious lunch rush was not chaotic. The three got their lunch and sat down and ate; Alex began to space out and he thought of Alexa and his complicated feelings of someone like him has interest to someone way out of his league.

Seth: dude!

Alex: huh?!

Kaoru: we're halfway done with our food and you haven't touched yours

Seth: anything wrong, man?

Alex: nothing

His peripheral vision saw Alexa with Haruka, Billie & Peyton, and Kaoru immediately noticed it.

Kaoru: it's Alexa isn't it?

Alex's cheeks began to show a light shade of red.

Kaoru: I knew it!

Seth: did any significant event happened yesterday?

Alex: well you know that I was studying for today's quiz yesterday, and then Alexa came to me for help

Seth and Kaoru: oohhhh

Alex: I only helped her with her math homework, nothing else

Kaoru: well math is one of your strong suits

Seth: nothing else? Dude, I know you for a long time, and as your best friend I know you're hiding something

Alex: you know me too well, Rollins

Seth: yeah, so is there something you have to say?

Alex: well guys, get ready for a story

Alex went on to tell Seth and Kaoru that after he helped Alexa with her math homework,  the two of them walked home to Alexa's place. He went on to tell that Alexa kissed him on the cheek before he walked home. The story was a big shocker to Seth and Kaoru as their eyes widen.

Seth: hold up Alexa Bliss, one of the most popular girls in Kibito High kissed you?

Alex: don't get over-dramatic Rollins, it was just on the cheek

Kaoru: still, she kissed you

Alex: can't believed it happened

(With Alexa and Haruka)

The two popular girls looked over at Alex's table.

Alexa: what do you think they're talking about?

Haruka: maybe you and your kiss

The two girls laughed. Then an idea flew into Haruka's head.

Haruka: hey Alexa, I got a suggestion for your date?

Alexa: what is it?

Haruka: you and Alex should have your date here for Founders' Day

Alexa: that doesn't sound too bad

Haruka: and you'll see me in the Miss Sexy Santa contest

Alexa: which you won for the last three years in a row because of your revealing outfits

Haruka: it's not revealing, it's cute

Alexa shook her head and stared at Alex with love in her eyes.

(Back with Alex)

Kaoru: so Founders' Day is next week, who's going?

Seth: I am

Alex: I think I'll pass

Kaoru: wait why?

Seth: Kaoru, you know why?

Kaoru realized that the school's Founder's Day Christmas festival is on Christmas Eve, which is the same day that Alex got stood up two years ago.

Kaoru: it still hurts?

Alex: the memories are still there

Seth: hang in there, man

After lunch they went back to class and spent their last three hours of instruction before heading home. As class ended and the school Christmas break started, Seth and Kaoru left before Alex to drop Junichi and Masayoshi home as the two best friends slept the entire day.

As Alex left the main school building, he saw that all of the school clubs were setting up their booths for the Christmas festival headed by the head of the festival committee and Class 2-A rep Tsukasa.

Alex went to the park, but it was the same park where he got stood up two years back. The terrible memories came running back to his head as he went to the look out spot overlooking the ocean horizon.

As he spaced out, he felt a hand touching his shoulder. He turned to see a happy Alexa Bliss in front of him.

Alex: Alexa?

Alexa: hi Alex, what are you doing here?

Alex: I just came here to clear my head

Alexa: was it your test today?

Alex: no, the test was nothing, it was not much of a challenge to me

Alexa: is there something on your mind? Remember, you can tell me anything

Alex took a deep breath before he slowly start to open up to Alexa of his backstory.

Alex: it's just I'm skipping Founders' day this year

Alexa: aww why?

Alex: are you ready for a story?

Alexa: remember you can tell me anything

He took another deep breath before telling his story.

Alex: two years ago on Christmas Eve, it was at this park that I was supposed to have a date

Alexa: oh that sounds nice

Alex: we supposed to meet at 6:00 p.m., I came here at 5:30 to wait for her, but...

Alexa: but? What happened?

Alex: I waited for her for an hour to an hour and a half, with a max of two hours, but she never showed up

Alexa's face showed a feeling of concern.

Alexa: you got stood up?

Alex: stood up so bad that it hurts, and since then I shut myself away from love and developed a disliking for Christmas

Alexa put her hand on Alex's shoulder to comfort him. She knew now why Alex has been a silent person whenever he is alone.

Alexa: are you willing to give love another chance?

Alex: well, with you here, and since you know and accept that I have a crush on you

Alexa: yeah of course

Alex: well I was thinking...

Alexa's heart was racing as Alex is about to make a move.

Alex: Alexa, I want to ask you out on a Christmas date at the school's Founders' day festival, if it's okay with you?

Alexa's cheeks turned a light shade of red. A cute smile was on her face; she regained her senses before she replied.

Alexa: I would love that Alex; it's official, our first date is on Christmas Eve tomorrow at the festival

Alex felt relieved as Alexa accepted his offer. This was his first date in two years since the incident.

Alexa: come on, don't be lonely; give me a smile

Alex smiled which made Alexa giggle and blush.

Alexa: you're so cute when you smile

She playfully pinched his cheeks.

Alexa: come on, let's walk together

Alex: sure

The two left the park and walked home together.

As they walked, Alexa talked about Haruka's three straight wins of the Sexy Santa Contest.

Alex: her outfits are skimpy, but she still won

Alexa: you know Haruka, she wants to go all out

They reached Alexa's house.

Alexa: here's my stop

Alex: okay, I'll pick you up here tomorrow for our date

Alexa: yeah, sounds good

She smiled and before she went in her house, Alexa kissed his cheek again.

Alexa: consider that an early Christmas gift

She giggled as Alex blushed heavily.

Alexa: I'll see you tomorrow, Alex

Alex nodded as Alexa happily went into her house.

Then Alex headed for home. He went into his room and relaxed in bed. He put his hand on his cheek where Alexa kissed as he thinks of his date with Alexa tomorrow.