[.14][Original] Forgot to Forget [Story][.14]

Saturday felt absolutely great! The sun was shining brightly, giving the beach a warm atmosphere. Zach had left to check in with his friends so I made haste in finding mine.

"Heey!! Catalina!"

She looked up and waved smiling. We met up and I could see George and Cecil sitting down next to where she was.

"I see you two have been getting pretty cozy lately."

"Shut up, we're just friends." I replied, blushing deeply since I still didn't have an idea just what we were

"Yeah yeah, well let's get our tan on!"

She playfully pushed George off his chair and sat herself in it. He got up, gave her a look that said "Just-wait-and-see" before leaving with Cecil. I sat in the seat beside her and took off the shirt I had over my suit. Catalina was laughing to herself when I finally got it off.

"Now where's Zach-y-Poo? He needs to see this."

I blushed even deeper than before. We had gone shopping that week to pick up a suit. I had wanted a simple one piece but noooooo. Catalina insisted on a two piece so I did the only thing I could think to do: Rock Paper Scissors. I lost 2 out of 3 so two piece it was. Thankfully she gave me the luxury of picking out one I liked. In the end I got a black one with white flowers on it because it looked the best.

"Hey look, it's working!"

I looked over to where she was gazing at and noticed Zach staring at me. I looked away in embarrasement. I wasn't used to showing so much skin, not even back in Illinois. How could it be Zach could get me in a bikini but not Conner? Then I realized how weird that thought sounded and just stopped thinking all together. I was concentrating so hard on not thinking that I didn't even notice someone walk up to me.

"Alexis? Wow, you look great..."

"Oh um thanks, Zach." I said flustered

"Hey, wanna play beach volleyball? You can be on my team."

"Alright, I'm game." I replied, feeling my competitive instincts speak for me

Zach took my hand and ran over to the volleyball net. His friends were snickering quietly to themselves and the girls were giving me the evil eye. I rolled my eyes mentally in annoyance to the immature and jealous nature of the people. Hadn't they known we were NOT together???

"First one to 15 wins!"

Zach was up first and hit the volleyball. By his strong serve, I knew it was game time.

~*Zach's POV*~

I couldn't help but stare at Alexis rather than than the volleyball game we were playing. She was absolutely gorgeous in her new bikini, but I could tell she was flustered when I told her she looked great. Ironically the volleyball game was clearly making her comfortable and competitive. I still had my eyes on her when the ball hit me in the head, jarring my attention to the game.

"Serve lover boy!"

I looked and saw Michael laughing at me. I stuck my tongue out and sent my signature serve in his direction, which even after a few years, he STILL missed.

"Whoa, that's game! Zach's team wins!"

"Whoo, we won Zach!"

Suddenly the most surprising thing happened: Alexis ran up and hugged me. I had no idea of how to react so I just hugged back. She let go just as soon, though, and kept her eyes down.

"Sorry, I-"

"Hey, let's go talk."

~*Lex's POV*~

"Hey, let's go talk."

I was in mid sentence when Zach said for us to talk. I blinked, trying to understand why he suddenly wanted to, but nodded in agreement. He didn't grab my hand like he usually did so I followed him to a quiet area on the beach. Most people had left since the stars were coming out, but there was still a warm bonfire burning a ways down. Sitting down, I stared up at the stars so I wouldn't have to look him in the eye.

"Here, you must be cold." Zach quietly said, draping a really warm blanket around me.

I smiled and quietly said thanks and held it closely around my body. We sat in small silence until he started talking again.

"Look Lex...I've been thinking of that day in the mall a lot."

"You have? Why?"

"Because I really, really like you Alexis. Everything about you...I just can't get you out of my head." He said quickly, clearly embarrased by his confession

"Me? Why? I'm no one special."

"That's just the thing. You're different. You're not like the idiotic girls that flirt with me. They only want one thing: To look good. What better way to do that than with the "most popular and hottest" guy in school. I'm not like my sis, I hate that kind of stuff. I want to be with someone who likes me for me, you know? And I feel that when I'm with you. That you like me for me and I like you for you. There's no strings attatched."

"Zach...I don't know what to say." I answered softly

"You don't have to say anything..."

I looked up at him in total surprise. My eyes went wide as he looked at me with sincere eyes. It made my heart feel like a fuse being lit, it'd only be a few seconds until it took off out of my chest.

"I'm sorry, I mean we've only been friends for two months but I can't help it. I'm falling for you, every second we're together."

"Zach-"

"If you don't feel the same it's ok. Maybe it's just better if we stay-"

This time I cut him off. The same way I had to do other times: With a kiss.

~**~

That did it. Seeing that skank make out with my brother was the LAST straw. I had a plan, but it'd take a few days to go into affect. It was only just a matter of time before her life turned into a living, breathing Hell.