Alex

The Decision Wasn't Hard

     I woke up to the sun shinning in through the windows. I squinted into the room, trying to adjust my eyes to the light. I looked around, recalling what had happened last night. I had sex with Joe. Was that real? I looked to my left but Joe wasn't there. The sheets were crumpled where he might have been. I sat up quickly, looking around the room. I looked at my clothes thrown around the room, then to his sweats and boxer briefs at the end of the bed. I smiled, it was real. I moved to the edge of the bed, grabbing my underwear and skirt, wiggling them on and heading out of the room.

     Joe was standing in the kitchen, pouring a cup of coffee into a mug. He smiled up at me. I yawned as I walked over to him, passing Mike and Lily passed out on the couch. I smiled at them, looking around for Brit and Josh. They were laying on lounge chairs by the pool. "Good morning." Joe said, handing me a cup of coffee as he sipped on his. "Morning." I smiled back at him just as the door bell rang. I looked at Joe who shrugged at me. "I want to answer it." I giggled and quickly pranced down the hall to the front door. Alex was standing on the doorstep, my heart starting to race. Was something wrong? 

     I opened the door to him. He looked better than the last time I'd seen him, in a pair of board shorts and a black t-shirt. "Hi. Katie said you might be here." he smiled at me and hugged me, I hugged him back. "Is everything okay?" I asked as we pulled apart. "Yeah, things are as okay as they can be." he nodded to me. "I thought you were leaving for New York?" I asked wondering what was going on. "I am, I'm actually headed for the airport now." he looked over his shoulders to some younger guy behind the wheel of his car. The guy waved at us, Alex waving back. "That's good right?" I asked, giving a forced smile. I hadn't thought about him much last night but I still didn't want him to leave. "Yeah it is...I actually came to ask if, if maybe you wanted to come with me?" he rubbed the back of his neck, looking down at his feet. "What? To New York?" I laughed a little, was he serious. "Yes, to New York. You're my best friend Mia and I just know things would be even better if I had you there by my side." he said looking back to me now. "Oh Alex." I pulled him into a hug now, tears starting to prick the back of my eyes. "I love you so much but I can't come with you." I said and let him go. He stood there, staring at me with a faint smile on his face. "I'm sorry, I really am but I love Joe, Alex. And I need to stay here and see what happens." I shrugged at him now and he nodded. "I thought you might say something like that, but it was worth a shot." "You're going to do great without me." "Sure. I have to go now. Bye Mia." he hugged me again, kissing my cheek before racing off to his friend, climbing into the car.

     I stood at the door and waited till I couldn't see the vehicle anymore. "Who was that?" Joe came up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. "It doesn't matter now." I said, turning to face him and wrapping my arm around my neck. I kissed him hard, his hands running up my back. This is where I belonged, the decision wasn't hard.