Chapter 30....

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Semi-Edited (do I need this at this point?)

Song above is....Nothing Like You by Dan and Shay. (This song fits Riley and Alex so well. Love Dan+Shay so much)

Happy Reading!!

:)

The week flew by without any other hiccups, which surprised us all. There was nothing from Mitch or Rebecca and for the first time since school started it seemed no one was making comments about me. I wasn't sure how long that would last but it was a nice change to say the least.

It was now thankfully Friday which meant sitting around the house in my PJ's eating junk food. Helen told me I had the entire weekend off since she was going to visit her daughter for the next few days. Which I was more than happy to have the days off since I worked everyday this week.

Currently all of us were seated in a booth at Monroe's Place after school. Derek had practically begged for us to go since I hadn't been able to Monday.

"I think we should do something fun this weekend." Olivia announced randomly.

"Why do we always have to be doing something?" Derek groaned.

"Fine, what do you want to do then?" Derek leaned back and rubbed his hands together like he had a huge idea.

"The boys and I want to play some soccer tomorrow." The look Olivia gave him made me quickly swallow my laughter.

"That's your big idea? Soccer?"

"Yeah." He said he in a 'duh' tone.

"That doesn't even sound fun."

"It does to us." Liv looked at Alex who just shrugged next to me, then she looked at Nico and Noah. They both shrugged agreeing with Derek much to Liv's dismay.

"I'm fine with it." Lexi added. She was practically seated in Nico's lap and it made me smile. Things were fine between them. I didn't want to gloat but....it was all because of me.

"Riley back me up here." Liv pleaded. I sent her a sheepish smile.

"It doesn't sound bad. A relaxing weekend sounds nice." I trailed off at the crest fallen look she got.

"Fine." She pouted.

"Don't worry Liv we'll play with our shirts off for you." Derek threw his arm over the backseat of the booth. Derek didn't see it but I definitely saw pink form on Liv's cheeks at his words. That was definitely something she wouldn't mind seeing. I've seen them all without shirts so I know it would be a good sight to see for sure.

"So that's tomorrow planned. What about tonight? Sunday?"

"We could go to the arcade tonight and go bowling." Noah suggested. Almost instantly everyone perked up and the mood shifted.

"Have I told you how much I like you Noah?" Liv beamed.

"You can tell me more often." He grinned.

While Noah and Alex started talking I took a moment to look at Noah. I couldn't deny how attractive he was. With slightly curly blond hair and blue eyes, Noah had that all american type of look. From first glance you'd probably assume he he's the popular jock, has it all, football player. In a way he had the same looks as Mitch but he couldn't be further from him.

Unfortunately Noah and I haven't talked much one on one but from the moment we met there was something about him that I liked. Maybe it was the easy going smile he had, or the vibe that came off of him that just screamed 'friendly'.

There was still so much I wanted to learn about Noah. It was clear him and Alex were the closest of the group. From what Alex has told me they've been best friends since they were little. Both of them losing people they loved definitely brought them closer than anyone else in the group.

I was hoping to be able to talk to him alone at one point, maybe even later. He knows I know about his sister and I felt like I had to say something. What, I don't know.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * 

Once we decided on going out tonight us girls went to Liv's house, while the boys went to Noah's. Something about them having stuff to do but I was pretty sure it was so they could play video games for a few hours while we got ready.

As soon as the three of us were seated in Liv's room she immediately launched into questioning me.

"So what's going on with you and Alex?" She asked, even Lexi leaning forward to know the answer.

I wish I could say I knew but I wasn't even that certain. A week ago he asked me if I wanted to go on a date with him but nothing has come of it. We've kissed a few times since then and during school he's been keeping close by holding my hand, but that's about it. Nothing else about going on a date or anything else.

"I don't know." I answered truthfully.

"I thought you said he asked you out." Lexi asked.

"He did...kinda of. He hasn't said anything else about it though. It's been a week." I shrugged. "Maybe he isn't interested anymore."

"Trust me he is still interested. The guy has been pining after you for ages." The way Lexi said it made me sit up straighter.

"He has?"

"He's probably planning something big." Liv added. I couldn't help the flutter in my chest at their words. Was Alex really planning something big for our first date? Is that why he hasn't brought it back up?

"I know Alex and when he likes someone he isn't subtle about it."

I couldn't help but wonder just how many girls Alex has been with. I mean look at him, he isn't a virgin by any means. I briefly remember him being with a few girls in school but I can't remember if they were serious relationships or not.

I hesitated wondering if I should even ask but my curiosity got the best of me.

"Has...has Alex been with a lot of girls?" I asked, looking down at my hands as I picked at my nail polish. When neither of them spoke after a moment I grew nervous. That many?

I finally glanced up at them and found both Liv and Lexi looking hesitant. Maybe he's been with more than I realized.

"I wouldn't necessarily say a lot...." Liv trailed off. Maybe I shouldn't have asked.

Liv must have seen the crestfallen look on my face for she quickly spoke.

"After his parents passed away Alex...well he went through a bad phase. He wasn't really here. He was but he wasn't, you know. He was moody, never talked, always out and entering those stupid fights."

"He kind of went off the deep end for a while. Whenever he was with Harper he seemed okay but so withdrawn. I don't know all the details but from what I've heard from Nico he...he got around a bit." Lexi added in.

"Oh."

"I think he did it to get away from everything."

Despite hearing about it I wasn't mad. I mean yeah I wasn't thrilled hearing all about Alex's sexual capades. No one wants to hear about the person they like sleeping with someone, but I understood.

What Alex went through was traumatic. I wouldn't have been able to survive that. No way. With how Alex talks about it he blames himself, so it is makes sense that he would try and drown that pain with girls, fighting, alcohol. He did it to escape.

How could I be angry or upset that he's slept with other people. We didn't know each other until a month ago. We weren't dating, we weren't even friends. It was all before he met me so it shouldn't bother me. And surprisingly it didn't.

"He doesn't do that anymore." Liv reassured me. "He stopped all of it, besides fighting, a few months ago. Actually wasn't soon after he brought you to the bonfire."

"Having you around has made him more tolerable." Lexi huffed leaning back in her chair. Nothing could stop the grin from forming on my face. I was happy to hear that they've seen change in him. It was hard to think of Alex as someone who was like that. All I've known is a different side to him.

"I think you guys make a super cute couple." Liv beamed. I blushed at her words as images of Alex and I being a couple. I quickly push the thoughts back before I could imagine it more. We haven't even gone on a date yet. Better not get ahead of myself.

"Don't worry Riley, you and Alex are meant for each other."

* * * * * * * * * * * *

"You girls ready?" Noah called up the stairs at us a few hours later.

"One second!" Olivia yelled back as she applied the last swipe of lipstick on my lips.

Even though we were going to an arcade and bowling, Liv demanded on doing my makeup. I tried, I really did, to say no and just go with a swipe of mascara and lip gloss but she wouldn't take no for an answer. So instead I had to sit there in the chair for a good thirty minutes as she did her thing. I sometimes cursed myself for never being able to say no.

Thankfully Liv didn't force me to wear something other than my jeans and sweater. I didn't really see the point of dressing up since we'll be in a dark bowling alley/arcade but I didn't want to rain on Liv's parade. I think she had it in her head that if I looked super hot Alex would ask me on a date right then and there.

"Ready?" I asked once she stepped back to admire her handy work.

"Yep. We are good to go." Through the mirror I watched Lexi mouth 'thank god' as she pushed off the bed and headed for the door. I grinned as I trailed after her.

For some odd reason as I reached the stairs I felt a bit nervous. I've seen Alex everyday for the last two months, this wasn't anything new. Yet my stomach erupted into butterflies as I descended the stairs.

As I came down the stairs my eyes immediately sought out Alex. He was standing a bit away talking to Nico but just the sight of him made me bite my bottom lip. Once again he was dressed like he walked out of a magazine. The boy was too hot for his own good.

"Great I'm going to be seventh-wheeling." Noah spoke beside me, drawing my gaze away from Alex.

"Seventh-wheeling?"

"Nico and Lexi, Derek and Olivia, and now You and Alex. Seventh-wheel." Noah pointed to himself. He didn't sound upset about it just matter of fact. I went to argue but he was right. We all had someone, even Derek and Olivia who wouldn't admit their feelings yet.

"You don't..." I wasn't quite sure how to bring it up. It wasn't really my place but I was curious. "You don't have a girlfriend?"

It was surprising that Noah didn't have a girlfriend. He had the looks, the personality, etc. Hell when I first met him at Sofia's Bookstore I was thrown by how hot he is. Now I know his personality he was even more attractive.

"No not anymore." His voice dropped just a bit but I noticed.

"What happened?" I found myself whispering and moving a bit closer to him. The others were occupied with something else to notice us.

Noah was quiet for a moment making me think he wasn't going to reply.

"I drove her away." Something in his tone made my chest ache.

"Noah I'm sorry I didn't....I shouldn't have asked." I knew better than to ask anything more. Just from his tone I knew things didn't end well between him and her.

"Don't be." He waved me off. "It happened a while ago. No one's fault but mine." I knew that tone, knew those words. Said them to myself hundred times a day since Mitch. I knew better than anyone else that I wouldn't be able to convince him it wasn't his fault.

Instead I reached out and grabbed his arm. I wrapped my own through his and sent him a small smile. Just that simple move seemed to contact us together. Noah sent me a small smile back and squeezed my arm with his knowingly. We've both been there and didn't need words to know what the other meant.

"So you ready for me to kick your ass bowling?" I said, breaking the tension.

"Oh you think you can take me?" Noah raised an eyebrow at me. I noticed a slight spark to his eyes that wasn't there a moment ago.

"Just you wait." I smirked. Little did everyone here know that I was a pro at bowling. Secret hidden talent of mine.

"You sound so confident...want to place a bet on who will win?"

"Sure. What will I get when I win?"

"You mean when I win." Noah made a show of rubbing his chin like he was deep in thought. "Loser becomes the winners slave all weekend."

I raised an eyebrow at the word 'slave'.

"Not like that. If the winner wants food the loser brings it. They want back massages, which I will, then the loser has to do it."

"Back massages."

"Better get those hands ready." Noah smirked. He was definitely too cocky but I let it slide for now.

"Okay deal."

"No backing out." Noah extended his hand for me to shake. With a shake of my head I shook his hand.

"Don't go crying to your best friend when I kick your ass."

"Why is Noah going to come crying to me?" A voice pipped in. Walking up to us Alex looked between his best friend and I.

"I won't."

"When I beat him at bowling." Noah and I said at the same time. Alex stared at us amused.

"I'm just gonna let whatever this is," He gestured towards us. "happen. Ready to go?" This time he turned his attention to me, a soft smile on his face.

"Yeah." I smiled. He offered his hand which I gladly took in my own. Any chance I got at holding Alex's hand I was gonna take it. Just the simple act of holding hands made my heart flutter. His hand fit perfectly with mine.

"How was your afternoon?" Alex as we all trailed out of Liv's house.

"It was good. Just sat around talking. How about yours?" I always wondered what he did the afternoons after school. I now knew he worked at the auto shop and he had to pick up his sister from school.

"Took Harper to a friends for a sleepover, then the boys and I played xbox for a bit." For some odd reason that took me by surprise. I wasn't even sure why. Alex just didn't scream video game player but then again he is a teenage boy.

"Why the surprised look?" Alex laughed.

"I don't know." I shrugged. "Your the school bad boy, I guess I thought you'd be out doing 'bad boy' stuff after school." I made my voice lower when I said bad boy. The title was so far from the truth. After getting to know Alex he wasn't a 'bad boy' at all. Sure he drove a motorcycle and fought in underground rings but that was about it. All the rumors were in fact rumors.

"Even bad boys play videos." Alex smirked, bumping his shoulder into mine. With my free hand I tapped my chin.

"I think I'm evoking your bad boy title."

"You can't evoke the title when you didn't give it." He pointed out.

"Nope, still evoking it. You didn't live up to the title." I struggled to keep the teasing grin off my face.

"In my opinion I agree with Riley." Derek pipped up behind us. "Out of the four of us he's the weakest."

I bit down on my bottom lip as Alex pulled us to a stop on the front lawn. From the corner of my eye I could see everyone stopped to see what was gonna happen. I didn't fail to notice the little smirk that both Noah and Nico had on their faces. They were going to be no help.

"The weakest huh?" Alex asked.

"Yep. If I had to rate us it would go Me, obviously, Nico, Noah and then you." I let out a giggle at the fact that Derek put himself before everyone else. Derek could be scary when he wanted to be but that didn't mean he was more 'scary/badass' than everyone else.

Alex gave my hand a quick squeeze to let me know what was about happen. Derek was too busy talking about himself to notice Alex dropping my hand and turning around. In literally seconds Alex lunged for Derek. At the last second Derek noticed and let out the most girlish squeal I've ever heard.

Alex easily got him on the ground and put Derek in a head lock. Almost surprisingly Derek was able to get out of his. I shook my head as I watched the two of them wrestle in Liv's front yard.

"My bet is on Alex." Noah said while watching the pair.

"What about Derek?" I asked.

"He may train with Alex but doesn't mean he's better."

"I heard that!" Derek wheezed out. Alex was currently on top of Derek putting him in some hold.

"I said it loudly."

"Come on you two." Liv whined. "The bowling lanes are going to be packed by time we get there. You two can continue this later." Alex and Derek didn't seem to hear or care what Liv said as they continued on wrestling.

"If you two do not stop this instant I will come over there and pull you apart myself." Olivia said loudly, her voice instantly changing to authoritative. Her inner mom voice coming out strong.

At her tone the two quickly let go of one another. Nico, Noah, Lexi and I snickered at how the two of them got scared of Olivia's tone. Not gonna lie though she could be very scary when she wants to be. She may only be 5'2 but boy could she be intimidating.

"Now that's settled, lets go." Lexi and I shared an amused look at how each of the boys obediently followed after Liv.

Instead of all 7 of us trying to fit into one car Me and Noah got in Alex's car. While Nico, Lexi, Derek and Liv took Nico's truck. In no time we were all headed to the bowling alley across town.

With it just being me, Alex and Noah in the car I took the opportunity to ask a question I've been holding in for a while now.

"So..." I started, leaning forward a bit to see the two of them. "How long as Derek had a crush on Olivia?" I thought it was better to just flat out ask.

They were both quiet for a moment as my words sunk in.

"How do you know if he has feelings for her?" Noah vaguely asked, turning around in his seat. 

"I'm not blind." I sent him a flat look. "Anyone could tell he likes her expect for Liv."

"Pretty certain he's like her since the moment they met." Alex responded.

"He's never once acted on it has he?"

"And ruin his friendship with Liv? No." Noah shook his head.

"Derek may seem like a goofball and never takes anything serious but when it comes to Olivia he does. He's not going to ruin their friendship by telling her how he feels." Alex looked at me through the review mirror as he spoke.

"But Olivia feels the same."

"So? Derek doesn't see it like that. Trust me we have tried to convince him to tell her for years." By the tone in Noah's voice they've had this conversation quite a few times.

I leaned back in my seat as a plan started to form in my head. The two of them deserved to be happy and happy together. If they weren't going to do it for themselves than maybe they needed an extra...shove. I had thought my conversation with Derek would spur him into action with Olivia but it appears not. So now it is up to me.

"Well you didn't have me before."

"Freckles what are you thinking?" Alex asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Nothing....just a plan to get our two friends together." I grinned.

"First off, that grin is creepy as hell." Noah said. "And two, how do you plan on doing that?"

"I've read plenty of teen/romance books on Wattpad, and I've seen enough Rom-Com's to know how this is gonna go." I waved him off. All my time of reading and watching romance prepared me for this moment. "We all just need to work together."

"Are you asking us to go behind our friends back to get him to ask out the girl he's been pining over for years?" Alex asked.

"Yep. Are you in?" The two of them looked at each other, silently having a conversation that I couldn't hear. After a moment they both shrugged.

"Sure." Alex shrugged.

"Anything to get him to stop whining about Olivia."

My grin widened now that I had them on board. Operation get Olivia and Derek together was a go!

* * * * * * * * * * *

"You know this may not work."

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