Semi-Edited! (not new news anymore :D) 

Song above is...Falling Like The Stars by James Arthur (This song is everything!)

Happy Reading! :)

Alex and I stayed up on the roof for another hour or so before my ass couldn't take it anymore. The rough roof was digging into my butt making it beyond uncomfortable, and I bet Alex was thinking the same as me.

When I finally got up I swore I heard Alex mutter 'thank god' under his breath, which made me laugh quietly. Walking towards the edge of the roof above my window, I moved to get down on my butt when a hand on my elbow stopped me.

"How are you getting down?"

"The usual way." I looked up at him confused.

"It's a far drop." He peeked over the side of the roof before looking back at me. Alex looked a tad bit concerned as he spoke.

"Is the supposed bad boy scared of heights?" I teased.

"I'm sorry I'm not keen on falling to my death." Alex deadpanned.

"You won't die from this height." I looked up at him. "You'll probably just break something." We weren't that high off the ground, but you may break something if you did. Trent once fell off and broke his elbow.

"Cause that makes me feel so much better." I just grinned.

"I promise it isn't that bad. I'll show you how to do it." I scoot my butt closer to the edge, my legs dangling off. "It's just like how you got up here. The window is closer than it seems, just reach down for ledge with your foot. My brother put a little handle where you can grab so you can swing your legs through the window."

As I explained I watched as Alex stared at me like I grew two heads. He clearly didn't think all of this through when he got up here. Coming up to the roof was easier than coming back down so I wasn't going to tease him too bad about it. The first few times I wouldn't go back down either.

Seeing Alex's expression I instantly knew I shouldn't joke anymore. Alex really seemed nervous. I had no clue that he was scared of heights but him coming up here even though he was afraid made butterflies erupt in my stomach. He really came up here to make sure I was okay despite the height.

"I'll go first and then help you down." I sent him a reassuring smile before wiggling down until my foot hit the ledge of my windowsill.

In one quick move I was off the roof and in my bedroom. To me it was a piece of cake having done it a million times before.

Sticking my head out I looked up.

"You are good to come down." I yelled up at Alex. It took a minute before I eventually saw Alex's legs come into view.

"Your long legs will reach here in a second. And then grab onto the handle to come through the window." I instructed. I wasn't ever going to admit it out loud but it was kind of cute how nervous Alex was coming off the roof. It isn't everyday you see the local 'bad boy' scared of something.

It was funny how the closer I got to Alex the more I could see he was far from a 'bad boy'. Yeah he had that brooding, mysterious vibe about him that people from the outside would believe he was a bad boy. While I wasn't severely close to Alex I've seen enough to know he definitely put on a facade around others.

Seeing this side of him let me know Alex trusted me a bit enough to see it. While I wasn't quite sure if we could call ourselves friends yet, we were getting there. Add in the fact he came to my house after what happened earlier, I think we it was safe to say we were almost there.

"There you go." I coached as Alex's legs came through my window. I stepped to the side as he stepped through. When he turned to face me I grinned. "See not so bad."

"If you tell anyone." He started to say but I cut him off.

"Yeah, yeah." I waved him off. "I won't tell anyone you're scared of heights." He narrowed his eyes at me. "I'm kidding, I won't tell anyone. I promise." I made an X across my chest as I said it.

"Thank you." At his words I paused.

"Alex...." I looked down at the ground for a second before looking back up into his grey eyes. "Thank you for coming here tonight." My voice got soft at the end, my cheeks turning a soft pink.

"Just so you know, we never believed the rumors. Even before you told me the truth." I couldn't describe the amount of joy that filled my chest at his words. It almost felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders right then.

Hearing Alex say he believed what I told him and that he didn't believe a word that was said about me, was enough to make up for this entire day. I didn't like not knowing what Alex thought about the whole thing. Thinking he may have believed the horrible rumors. Now I knew the truth and so did he.

"Thank you." I didn't have to elaborate any further. The two of us knowing what those two words were for.

After a moment of us just staring at each other, Alex cleared his throat.

"I better go. Harper is probably waiting up for me." A quickly glance at the clock on my bedside table made my eyes widen. I hadn't realized how late it suddenly was.

"Oh gosh I'm so sorry." If I had known the time I would have come off the roof sooner and sent him on his way.

"It's no big deal." Alex shrugged but I still felt bad keeping him here so long.

"I'll walk you out."

The two of us made our way downstairs towards the front door. A part of me wished he didn't have to leave but I knew he had to get home. I couldn't keep him here when his little sister was waiting.

"Be careful going home." I finally spoke as he stepped through the door.

"I live like three streets over freckles."

"Still." You'd never know what could happen in just a few blocks. Alex just laughed under his breath at me.

"Goodnight freckles."

"Goodnight Alex." I replied. I stood there in my doorway watching as he got in his car, looking back at me once more before driving off.

Despite everything that happened I found a smile creeping onto my face as I such my door and headed back upstairs.

* * * * * * * * * *

The next morning when my alarm went off I made the executive decision to skip school today. Just the thought of going to school made my stomach churn. I was caught up enough in all my classes that missing a day wouldn't hurt. With my decision made I turned off my alarm and turned back over, burying my head under my duvet.

I was in the middle of a wonderful dream about Ryan Reynolds when a loud banging jerked me awake. Sitting up, my eyes half closed, I looked around my room disoriented. What the hell?

The loud bang happened again making me jump. As I threw my blanket off and stumbled out of my room, another bang echoed around the house. The whole scenario felt familiar as I headed for the door. Since I was still half asleep I couldn't figure out why it felt so familiar.

The sight in front of me as I opened the door shouldn't have surprised me but it did. Standing there was none other than Alex. A pair of sunglasses covered his eyes but I could still feel his gaze looking me up and down.

"Get dressed." Was all he said as he pushed past me into my house. I stared after him, my mind slowly catching up to everything.

"Alex?"

"Cute PJ's." Glancing down I forgot I changed my outfit after Alex left last night. I was wearing a pair of shorts but you couldnt see them under my large t-shirt, making it look like I was bottomless. The huge t-shirt I was wearing I bought purposely too large with me and it had a picture of Eeyore on the front.

"Don't judge me." I mumbled, moving around him to go into the kitchen. "What are you doing here? Aren't you suppose to be at school?"

"You're not the only one who can skip freckles." Alex leaned his large frame against the counter, watching me as I moved around the kitchen.

"The whole point of skipping is to sleep in." I muttered.

"It's 8:30." I inwardly groaned. I only slept in an extra hour, so not fair.

"Still too early." I went to grab coffee to make when Alex stopped me.

"No coffee."

"What?" I looked over my shoulder at him.

"No coffee. Get dressed so we can go."

"But...coffee." I said, lamely.

"No." Alex shook his head while crossing his arms over his chest.

"But I-"

"You are really making this surprise hard." He blew out a breath.

"Surprise?" My eyes went wide, excitement starting to wash over me. I've always liked surprises...well the good kind. Like birthday surprises, weekend surprises, trip surprises. But never the hurtful blind-sided surprises.

"Yes so if you could kindly go up and get ready we can go."

"You could have just texted me and I would have been ready."

"That neglects the whole purpose of it being a surprise."

My need for coffee was growing and I knew the sooner I got dressed the sooner I could have it. So not bothering to reply I turned and headed for the stairs.

"Give me ten minutes!" I called over my shoulder. Knowing Alex was impatiently waiting downstairs, I put my butt into high gear. Getting completely ready in ten minutes was going to be a challenge.

As soon as I got into my mood I went straight for my bathroom. A quick glance at my reflection I grimaced. Alex saw me looking like this! Cause that's not embarrassing at all.

I had no time to feel embarrassed at how I looked. So pushing that aside I quickly washed my face before putting on some much needed concealer. The bags under my eyes stuck out like a sore thumb. Thankfully I took a shower last night so I just threw my hair up into a high ponytail. Why waste time on my hair when I'd end up annoyed at it, putting it into a ponytail later.

Picking out an outfit proved to be a lot harder than I anticipated. I had no clue what Alex had planned and I wasn't going to go all the way downstairs to ask, only for him not to tell me. I would hate to wear something 'fancy' only to be over-dressed. So instead I stuck with a simple sweater with a pair of black skinny jeans. 

(Outfit on the left) 

Grabbing a pair of boots I hopped around my room trying to pull them on. I instantly knew it was a bad idea as my foot got tangled in the blanket on the floor. My body tumbled forward and I fell into a heap on the hard floor.

Groaning loudly at the pain going up my side I laid there on the floor. I was still laying there when my bedroom door opened. Alex came into my line of vision, peering down at me with raised eyebrows.

"Did you just trip over your own feet?"

"It's all your fault." I groaned.

"I wasn't even in the room."

"Yeah but I was trying to hurry and ended up hurting myself. So yes, its your fault."

"That's not even a logical reason." Alex crossed his arms still staring down at me.

"It doesn't have to be." I responded. "Now can you be useful and help me up?" I held out my hand giving him a look.

"You are such a klutz." Alex shook his head at me but grabbed my hand, hoisting my up. He pulled too hard making me bump into his hard chest with my face. Yes my face.

"Ow." I pulled back to rub my nose, only to wince at the pain both my nose and hand. "Did you have to pull so hard?"

"Not my fault you weigh less than a feather. You really need to put some meat on those bones."

I rolled my eyes at his comment. It was actually the opposite, I needed to lose some weight not gain it.

"Fake compliments aren't going to get you anywhere."

"It wasn't-" Alex started but I cut him off, not really in the mood to hear excuses.

"Let me hurry and put my shoes on and I'm good to go." I pulled away from to sit on the edge of my bed. I wasn't going to chance putting on my shoes standing up. I already embarrassed myself a minute ago.

I made quick work of lacing up my shoes. My stomach was starting to growl and I prayed Alex was taking us to get some breakfast. If not I was definitely going to be grumpy.

Alex stood off to the side of my room and watched me as I gathered my phone and bag, making sure everything I needed was inside. With a quick glance around I was ready to go.

"Ready?" I asked. My words seemed to knock him out of whatever trance he was in. Alex had such a weird look on his face. "You okay?"

"Yeah I'm good." He physically shook his head as if to clear his thoughts. "Lets go." He gestured for me to lead the way. I shot him one last look before moving past him.

Alex didn't say anything else as I locked up the house and headed for his car only to stop in the middle of my drive way. Sitting there wasn't his car.

"Your motorcycle?" I raised my eyebrow at him.

"Yep." He went over to his bike and grabbed the helmet laying on the seat. I gulped when he came up to me, standing inches away. "Rule one of riding a motorcycle...helmet."

Standing still I let Alex slide the helmet over my head, not even caring it would mess up my hair. With Alex standing so close to me his cologne overwhelmed my senses. Whatever he wore I suddenly fell in love with. It wasn't too over powering and nothing like the Axe Body Spray boys use bathe themselves in. Whatever the smell was I wanted to smell it forever.

"Rule two, hold onto me at all times. Don't want you to fall off." Alex instructed, clasping the strap of the helmet under my chin. "And rule three, lean when I lean. Don't go against the curves."

When he glanced right into my eyes I had to blink through the fog that was threatening to cover my mind. Being up this close to him I was finding it a bit hard to concentrate.

"Got it?" I nodded, although I wasn't even sure I heard what he said. I mentally shook myself and took a step back. Peeking around him at his motorcycle I swallowed thickly.

"Scared freckles?" Alex smirked going over to his black motorcycle. His jean clad legs swinging over the seat. It was so unfair how hot he was being right now. Sitting on top of his motorcycle, wearing a black leather jacket, sunglasses covering those mysterious grey eyes, and don't get me started on the slight stubble appearing on his face; making him look severely sexy.

At his words I narrowed my eyes. Scared? Me?

"No I'm not." And to prove my point I stepped towards the bike, not even hesitating as I swung my leg over the seat. I sat behind him, feeling the surprise coming off Alex. Ha, in your face! When he didn't immediately start the bike I peeked over his wide shoulders.

"Are you going to start it?" I smirked when he fumbled starting the bike.

I wasn't going to admit it out loud but I was secretly excited to finally ride on a motorcycle. I've always been curious about it, even after my parents told me how many motorcycle accidents there were.

"Hold tight." Was all he said as he suddenly let go of the clutch and lurched us forward. Not having had a hold on him, my arms immediately wrapped around his torso and the bike shot forward. My eyes closed on their own, slightly scared of the unsteadiness feeling. It felt like if either one of us turned wrong we'd tip over.

"You're going to choke me out if you squeeze any tighter." I barely heard him over the wind and the helmet over my head. I finally opened my eyes but kept my eyes on the back of Alex. It was only then I realized he didn't have a helmet of his own on.

"WHERE IS YOUR HELMET!" I yelled over his shoulder at him.

"On your head freckles." I instantly felt horrible. If we crashed and he didn't have one he would be more likely to die than me. "Don't worry I'm fine." Alex seemed to answer my inner questions. When he glanced back at me I squeaked, grabbing his torso tighter.

"EYES ON THE ROAD!" I screamed. He only laughed, his stomach moving under my hands. "It isn't funny."

"Freckles, we are only going 35 miles an hour." I knew he was right but for some reason it felt like we were going well over 80. Trying to steady my racing heart I looked away from his back and to the sides of us.

While we weren't going that fast the trees around us seemed to fly by. The longer I looked around us and felt the air on my face, the more I got use to the weightless feeling. The feeling of almost floating and flying by was starting to make the blood in my body zing.

My arms were slowly unclenching the more comfortable I got sitting on the bike. Of course when Alex suddenly took a sharp turn, my hands gripped the front of his shirt. I couldn't hear his laughter but I felt it.

"It's not funny!" I yelled into the wind. He was such a jerk!

I held onto him until I was certain he wasn't going to scare me half to death. I closed my eyes, enjoying the rush of air on my face. After a few minutes I found myself leaning my upper body against Alex's back, my eyes open watching the scenery pass by us.

Just as I was feeling content to sit there leaning against Alex's back, he started to slow down. Forcing myself to move away from Alex's comfy back, I leaned back looking around. There wasn't much around us but maybe a few little stores. Nothing looked familiar, even as Alex pulled into a parking lot.

"What are we doing?" I questioned, curious when I saw a building up ahead but with Alex's big frame I couldn't see what it said yet.

"I said you'd get your coffee." Alex replied, rolling us to a stop in a parking stall. When he put the kick stand down I finally saw where we were. In front of us was Mel's diner. I felt a grin tugging at my lips.

My brother and I would come here to Mel's all the time. Right after Trent got his license he wanted to go for a ride and we ended up here. It was about 25-ish minutes from Astoria and kind of in the middle of no where. There were a few stores down the street and a gas station but that was it.

Trent use to take me here after I got straight A's, when I had a hard day, or when our parents wouldn't come home when they said they would. This was our little tradition. Sure we went to Monroe's Place in town but there was something different about coming here. Plus it helped that they had the best curly fries and pancakes ever.

Getting off the bike proved to be a little harder than I thought. With it being tilted I felt like I was going to tip the bike over, and I had apparently been clenching my legs so hard they wobbled as soon as I stood up.

I grabbed onto Alex's arms as my legs almost went out from under me. I made a mental note not to clench my legs so hard next time. It was hard though with the whole bike shaking beneath you.

"You okay there?" Alex asked, amused.

"Peachy." Once my legs were okay I let go of Alex and stepped back.

"You get use to it." He reached out, unclipping the helmet from under my chin. He helped lift it off my head, and from the smirk pulling at his lips I knew exactly what he was looking at. I didn't need a mirror to know my hair was everywhere; probably looking like a birds nest at the top of my head.

"You could have warned my about helmet hair." I muttered, reaching up and pulling my hair tie out. Looks like my hair will be down