Almost Always You

Chapter 2

I showered a bit later and decided that I'll go to the party, as I wasn't tired and I didn't want to get bored sitting alone in my room. I decided to wear a white turtleneck crop top and a plaid black skirt. I wore matching white high-heeled boots and a gold-plated necklace. I did minimal makeup and was ready to go. Mercy was wearing a black top and grey suit pants. She didn't even do any makeup, but she was still gorgeous. "The frat house is just down the street; we can just walk," she said. I nodded.

We made our way out. When we reached the street, we heard loud music. "Come on, Ella, the party has already started."

Mercy began to walk faster. How in the world can she walk this fast in those heels? I tried keeping up with her, and we entered the house. There was a DJ and a dance floor where people were grinding against each other. There were balloons on the floor, and a big Happy Birthday banner was hung on the wall.

"Ella! You made it," said James. He was drunk. He put his hand on my shoulder and introduced me to his friends.

"This is Harry, Josh, Michael, and Pete."

They all said hi to me. I waved my hand and gave them all a small smile. They started talking about football, and that was my cue to leave. James was so drunk that he didn't even realize I walked away. I went to the kitchen and took a cup. I made sure it was unused before filling it with water. Yes! I've had alcohol before, but I didn't want to drink now, especially with all these unfamiliar people around me. James was wasted, and I didn't bother to go near him. I saw Mercy sitting on the couch looking around.

"Hey! I thought I'd lost you. Where were you? And you are already drinking?" she asked.

"Nope. It's just water; I didn't want to get drunk. Where's Peter, by the way? I thought he would be here."

"He's probably upstairs getting laid. Trust me, there are more gay men around here than straight. I'm going to go and get a drink for myself. Do you want something?"

"No. I'm good."

"Your loss," she said. She got up and left.

"Watch where you're going, nerd," someone said behind me. The voice was so familiar, but I was just scared to look behind. I thought if I didn't look, it might not be the one I'm expecting.

"Shut up," said Mercy as she flipped someone off and walked away.

The person came in front of me, and I was shocked and couldn't move. He stood in front of me in his glorious state. He had gained some more muscles since the last time I saw him; he's so tall and handsome as hell. It was none other than my childhood crush, Alexander Matthews.

"Hey! What are you doing here?" he asked. Oh my God! He got a tongue piercing.

"Hey! I'm attending this college. "My parents thought it would be a good thing if I stayed near James, as he can take care of me, but it looks like I've got to take care of him," I said, pointing towards James, who was now making out with some girl.

He laughed.

"When did you get this? Last time I checked it wasn't there." He pointed towards my belly piercing.

"Got it last year on my birthday. Wanted to do something daring. My mum doesn't know. When did you get your tongue pierced?" I asked, smiling.

"When I moved here. So how are you feeling? Do you like this party?"

"Yup! Just not sure whose birthday it is. I'm at a stranger's party with my drunk brother."

He laughed. God! I missed his laughs. I missed his voice. I missed him.

"You're not at a stranger's party. It's my birthday."

And now I remember. I knew his birthday. I wished him every year except for the last two years when he came to London. I forgot about today with all the traveling and unpacking.

"Happy birthday, Xander!" I said. Only I called him Xander. He loved it when I called him that back then. Everyone else calls him Alexander or Alex, but only I use to call him Xander.

His eyes changed when I called him that.

"I'm sorry; I shouldn't have called you that."

"No, El. It's still you who gets to call me that," he said and gave me a genuine smile. "Thanks for coming."

"Sorry I didn't bring any gift; I didn't know it was you whose party I'm attending, plus James never told me. Are you guys friends again?"

"It's alright, El. And what happened between James and me was a long time ago. It's all in the past."

As we were talking, a beautiful girl with red hair came towards Xander and put her arms around his neck.

"Hey babe! What are you doing here? "I missed you," she said, planting small kisses on his neck. I looked away because I felt weird; I don't know why.

"Was talking to her. This is Ella James's sister. El, this is Nikki."

"Hey! "Ella, nice to meet you," Nikki said, giving me a big smile.

"Hey! Nice to meet you too, Nikki."

"Come on, babe, let's dance," Nikki said, pulling Xander towards the dance floor. They started dancing, and I sat down on the couch again. Xander kept glancing towards me from time to time, and I got goosebumps every time he looked my way.

I was sitting there thinking about the time I had the biggest crush on Xander. He was James's best friend. I've been seeing him around my house since I can remember. He and James were like brothers. They did everything together. Xander was very protective of me. Whenever Mum and Dad were out, he would come to our house to play with James. James never let me play with them, but Xander would insist James let me too. He was really sweet. I always liked him. I remember when I was 9, James broke his hand, and Mum took him to the hospital, leaving Xander and me behind. Xander was only a year older, but he took care of me.

"Let's play prince and princess, please, Alex. "James never let me play with him," I said, giving him puppy dog eyes.

"Okay, but you have to call me Prince Xander."

"Yes!! I'll be trapped in my castle, and you'll come and save me."

I climbed up to my treehouse and pushed the stairs away.

"Prince Xander, please come and save me. "Please," I said while I faked crying.

"I'm coming, my princess. I'll save you; don't worry."

He then pulled the stairs towards the treehouse, and he held it tight.

"Come down, my sweet princess; I won't let you fall."

I walked down the stairs carefully, and I hugged him once I reached down.

"Thank you, sweet Prince, for saving me," I said.

"Won't I get a kiss for saving you?"

I shyly kissed him on his cheeks.

"Didn't you see that Disney movie where the prince and princess kiss on the lips?" he said.

I got on my toes, as he was taller than me, and gave him a peck on his lips.

"Thank you, Prince Xander, for saving me," I said. It was my first kiss, even though it was just a little peck. I fell head over heels for him since that day.

I blushed at the memory. I looked over the dance floor. Xander was still looking at me, and this time he gave me his cute dimpled smile. I blushed even more.

Xander was a playboy in high school. He used to sleep around, and it was hurtful to hear when he used to boast about it to James and their friends. Xander and James had a huge fight during their junior year in high school. Xander had stopped fooling around and was constantly with a girl named Riley for 6 months. But one day James got drunk and slept with Riley at a party. Xander was furious; he stopped talking to James. He stopped coming over to our house. He distanced himself from James totally. Before their senior year started, Xander came to our house to say goodbye to James and said that he is moving to London. His dad got transferred, so he will be completing his senior year there. James and Xander talked everything out. We both went to the airport to say goodbye to Xander. I was really sad, but I didn't want to cry in front of everyone because no one knew about me liking Xander. I cried for weeks in my room. After school started, I moved on with my life.