ALEXANDER

"She's not coming mom."

I groaned at my mom for the thousandth time tonight. She didn't even say anything to me about her coming this time, but she was placing a fourth plate around the table.

"She told me she was." My mother protested and I groaned.

"She just said that because she didn't want to hurt you." I convinced myself.

I knew she wouldn't come, and I would have rather tell myself that, rather than letting my Mother's words fill a bag of hope in me.

The past few days had been hell. There was no worst feeling than having to let go of the only thing you wanted to hold on for dear life.

Sky helped me so much through tough times and I just wanted to keep her all to myself.

Now looking back at it, I could've just beat the shit out of anyone who tried to go near her.

I wanted Sky to be all mine. I didn't want anyone to be able to unwrap the beautiful gift. My gift.

The doorbell suddenly rang and my head shot towards the door while my heart beat fast. That had been happening a lot more lately.

My mother gave me a bright smile before going to open the door. A literal angel walked in the door, Sky.

"Sky!" Layla squealed before running towards her and hugging her legs. I wanted to do the same, but instead I was frozen on the spot.

When her eyes landed on me, I suddenly became nervous and started to change standing positions. She didn't smile like she did for my mom or my sister, just blankly stared at me.

Then I saw her eyes trail down to the ridiculous Christmas sweater my mom made me wear a small smile appeared on her face. I instantly was glad that I wore it because I would do anything to see Sky's smile.

She wasn't wearing anything extravagant, but I loved her when she wore things that were comfortable. She had a pair of jeans that showed off her curves and a long sleeve white shirt. When she took her shoes off, she revealed a pair of thick red socks.

I think she noticed me walking towards her because she immediately went over to Layla and started talking to her.

Sky sat on the leather couch next to Layla and I watched them speak about what Layla wanted for Christmas.

With the big smile on Layla's face, I had a feeling she liked Sky more than me. My mother was putting more ornaments on the Christmas tree as she watched them with a smile.

Sky just brought so much light to this family, I wouldn't mind if she was a part of it. My mom, my sister, Sky and I.

"Dinner is ready." My mom smiled before walking towards the dining room.

My mom cooked so much even though it was only Christmas Eve. She always went all out during Christmas.

I stood where I was and waited until Sky got up from the couch to make her way to the dining room. I knew she was avoiding me on purpose, her eyes not meeting mine and looking at the floor.

Not being able to stand her avoiding me, I stopped her in her tracks by her shoulders. No words came out of my mouth, because I didn't even know what to say, but these past five days have been hell, and I needed something more from her than just her presence.

"Not right now, Alex. Please." She begged, her eyes looking up at me with such plea that all I could do was nod and let her escape.

We sat across each other in the round table where the food was laid out. Layla was already eating some of the mashed potatoes but my mom didn't see her.

"Let's begin a prayer." This was about the only time of year where my mom prayed, so I found that funny.

Sky held onto my mother and Layla's hands as I did the same and she closed her eyes.

As my mother began the prayer, I kept my eyes on Sky the only time.

"Lord, my saviour and beautiful and gracious spirit." My mother began, and I watched Sky silently giggle at my mother's horrible attempt of a prayer.

"We bring this prayer..onto you.. to thank you for allowing us to celebrate today as a family." My mother continued.

"And I beg for one thing only. That whatever happened to Sky and Alex, that they put it aside during this time of year."

Sky's eyes opened at my mother's words, and she looked up at me from the top of her eyes. Seeing that I was already staring at her, she closed her eyes again.

"Amen." We all said as my mother's ridiculous prayer ended.

Layla wasted no time to dig into the food. My mother was basically harassing Sky by piling food on her plate. I just sat there not moving because all I could think about and look at was Sky.

SKY

Dinner ended and I was full like the last time I ate dinner here. We decided to watch 'How The Grinch Stole Christmas', but what was the funniest part was the fact that Layla was scared of the grinch out of her mind.

During the movie, Layla would cry when the Grinch would appear and Alexander was the one to comfort her. She eventually was not scared of him anymore thanks to Alex.

It was comforting to see someone so cold melt around someone he loved. Him with his sister was the perfect representation of how he would never be like his father.

I knew that I shouldn't be thinking these thoughts, especially when I was supposed to be hating him, but he was just here.

I missed him, and he was here.

I was staring at him for too hard and long that he caught on to my gaze like a tiger and a gazelle. I was trapped in his now stronger gaze on me, like in a trance with the main focus being those earth eyes.

He cocked his head towards the stair case, and like I was hypnotized, I obliged and got up.

"Where are you two going?" Caroline said, looking up at us.

"To study." He waved her off before grabbing my wrist and pulling me to his room.

When we reached his room, he walked over to me until I backed up against the door. His defined arms then pinned themselves on each side of my head, making me feel trapped for what felt like the thousandth time in my life.

"I'm so sorry, Skyler." He said lowly, then started to move his face towards me.

"Woah, woah, woah," I pushed him away from me before his lips landed on mine. I don't know if he thought by me coming here it meant I forgave him but if he did, he was severely mistaken.

"Y-You can't just kiss me without my consent." I ducked under his arms and walked to his bed and sat on it.

He looked down at me and stood up tall, and I felt out of power because of how he was towering over me.

I stood up on the bed, finally being eye to eye with him. He chuckled lightly at my actions but I crossed my arms.

"I'm sorry, Sky." He apologized, a real apology, full of emotion and truth.

I was already feeling myself start to give in, but how could I not with those beautiful eyes shining in the almost pitch black room.

"Tell me why you did it." I instructed.

"Cause I couldn't fucking bare the idea of the guys at school trying to get with you. They.. the way they fucking talk about you.." He explained, starting to get agitated at his own words.

Alexander started to look around the room, probably to look for another spot to add to his already room full of holes. It was crazy how such a small thing could get him angry.

I reached for his face, and forced him to face me. His eyes moved away from the wall to my eyes, and I could literally see the transition from night to morning in his eyes.

"You really said all of those horrible things just so guys would back off?"

He nodded his head in my hands, and I shook my head in disbelief, even though this isn't the first time he explained this to me.

I let go of his face and inhaled a small breath when he grabbed them and put them back on his cheeks. His eyes closed at the gesture. He needed something as simple as a touch from me, and I couldn't help but smile.

After a few breaths, his eyes opened and he looked at me. "I'm so fucking sorry, Sky. I told all of the guys it was a lie."

I was happy he did this, but I still couldn't trust him.

"Well, by now I don't think it even matters. They probably told half of the school." I looked down at the floor.

"I'll clear it up, I promise." He said.

"That's not even what hurt me the most." I scoffed. "I was broken because I thought you had used me. It's not the best feeling."

"I'm sorry."

"You were a dick." I said truthfully.

"I know." He nodded.

"You don't deserve my forgiveness."

"I know."

"I miss you."

"I know." Alexander smiled at my turn of words. He wasted no time to wrap his long arms around my back and I wrapped mine around his neck, resting my head on his shoulder.

A deep breath came out of his nose and a relax of his shoulders caused them to drop, at my arms tightening around him.

He pulled back and looked at me for a few seconds before walking to his closet. A small wrapped box was in his hands when he was walking back to me.

"You got me something?" I asked, taking a seat on the bed. He nodded and handed me the box.

When I looked up, he looked nervous. He was running his fingers through his hair multiple times and biting his lip.

I opened it up, and my heart felt like it was literally combusting when it revealed a snowflake necklace. It was beautiful, and it amazed me that he picked up on something that I loved.

"My mom helped me pick it out. It's not even real diamonds or anything... fuck.. you could return it if you don't like it." He stuttered, and I smiled at the previously hardcore man.

"Alex, I love it. It's beautiful." I smiled, and he looked at me. He gave me a small smile, that I swear stopped a rainy day somewhere in the world.

I handed it to him and he tied it around my neck. The beautiful jewelry rested on my chest and I played with it for a while.

"I love you." He whispered. A few flowers grew inside of me at the three words.

The last time I heard those three words from a boy, I thought it was real and got my heart broken, but Alex's words were different.

It all seemed real, everything seemed so real.

He kissed my shoulder, his cold lips hitting my burning skin which sent goosebumps to form on my skin.

When his kisses trailed on my neck, my eyes closed, I bit my lower lip and my head went back against his chest.

It was a way for me to cherish each kiss, because of the sensation it brought me.

I then turned around to get a kiss on my lips. He instantly gave me what I wanted before lightly pushing me back on the bed.

I didn't know why I was forgiving him, but all I knew was that I missed him and I wanted him.

He went at it the worst way, but his attentions were sort of sweet.

I didn't know what this territorial, anger-management needing, broken man was going to do to me, but I wouldn't let myself not risk it all to perhaps find happiness with him.