~~~
When you kiss me are you breathless?
When you touch me do you fall apart?
Do you shiver when you dream?
Is there a pounding in your heart?
When I talk do you hear?
When I cry do you care?
When I wake up in the morning do you want me there?
~You’re the Only One That’s Real~2gether~
~~~
“I’m gonna go get ready!” Max shouted as she entered the apartment, lugging several bags. Alec, who was pacing back and forth in front of the sofa, waved her silent. He was listening to someone on the other end of the phone. Max’s foot began to tap out I’m-W-a-i-t-i-n-g on the floor.
“Look it isn’t that difficult!” Alec shouted into the receiver, “Alright- fine- you’ have a crayon you can write this down with?” he ran his free hand through his blonde hair and gave an exasperated sigh, “You know what? Screw it! I’ll be down there in a couple of minutes and I’ll handle this myself alright?” He clicked the cell phone closed and threw it at the wall. It fell to the floor, miraculously, unharmed. He stormed over to the coat rack and yanked on his jacket.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Max demanded, grabbing the doorknob before he could turn it.
“I’ve got something I’ve got to do,” Alec explained, carefully peeling her fingers off the doorknob.
“It’s Valentine’s day,” Max reminded him, her tone a petulant whine, “It’s our chance to act coupley in front of Logan!”
“Which we will do,” Alec interrupted, “I will meet you at Crash and we will act as coupley as you’re demented little heart desires. In the meantime….” He trailed off. Max stepped back and reluctantly let Alec pass. She watched him shut the door behind himself before making her way to the bathroom.
~~~
“He’s late,” Max snapped, glancing at the wall clock. “Is that thing right?” she demanded of Original Cindy who was sharing the table with her and Sketchy.
“Yes Boo. For the fourth time tonight… the clock is right. I’m sure he’ll show.”
“He better,” Max huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. Logan had been there for over a half an hour in which he had approached her twice trying feebly to start a conversation but they all ended up one-sided with him rambling on to himself and Max sitting there in frosty silence. He had nearly died of relief when Asha entered. Max shot the pair at the adjoining table an angry glare. She looked back at the clock and picked up a candy heart from the pile on the table chucking it at the offending timepiece.
“I hate this fucking holiday!” she muttered, picking up another heart, which she read before stuffing it in her mouth. “Kiss Me”
She began picking at a thread on her sweater, her anger slowly fading to disappointment. She was sitting in a crowded club wearing a fucking sweater with perky little hearts all over it and he was standing her up. She subconsciously fingered the ring on the chain around her neck and took a swig of beer.
“Don’t look now Boo but I think your boy’s here,” O.C. said, staring into the crowd. A quiet tittering was coming from the entrance and Max glanced up. She saw the balloons before she saw him. Bobbing above the crowd were nearly a dozen red heat shaped balloons. Alec made his way over to her and kneeled down in front of her.
“I haven’t been this scared
In a long time
And I’m so unprepared
So here’s your Valentine
Bouquet of clumsy words
A simple melody
This world’s an ugly place
Gut you’re so beautiful to me” he sang, taking her hand in his. Max’s eyes widened and she blinked away offending tears which, she wrote off as the result of a stray eyelash, and chewed on her bottom lip to keep from both laughing and crying. Alec finished the song and a chorus of shouts and clapping came from the occupants of the club. The ohing and ahing of every woman rocketing off the walls. Max leaned down resting her forehead against his, unable to keep the goofy smile off of her face.
“Sorry I’m late,” Alec whispered.
“We didn’t plan this,” Max whispered back.
“Surprise,” Alec said smiling. He kissed her gently on the forehead and she threw her arms around him in a hug. When the crowd had gone back to their own dates and left the pair alone Alec pulled away and handed her the balloons. Tied to the bottom as a weight was a small jewelry box. Max opened it and laughed as she pulled out a ring. She examined the inscription, “Tiger,” she read, slipping it on her finger.
“Do I get mine back now,” Alec asked hopefully.
“Not yet pretty boy,” Max said, “I swear to god Alec if you weren’t such a jackass most of the time….” She murmured, leaving the rest unsaid.
“Candy hearts!” Alec suddenly yelled, jumping up and flopping into a chair. He picked though the hearts popping the white ones into his mouth and setting aside several others. He smiled and began handing them out. Max glanced over at Logan and saw the flash of pure hatred flash across his face when he received his heart. Alec just laughed and returned to his seat. Max looked over to O.C. who nodded, assuring her that she would get a blow-by-blow description of Logan’s reaction to the scene later.
“Dance?” Alec asked as a slow song came over the speakers. Max raised her eyebrows looking at him skeptically but took his hand. Alec pulled her onto the dance floor. They stood at arm’s length from each other, not sure of how to proceed.
“I hate this song,” Alec complained.
“You can’t dance to punk,” Max reminded him.
“I’m sure I could find a way,” Alec replied, his blue eyes twinkling mischievously. Max laughed and buried her head in his sweater which he happened to look extremely handsome in.
“I really hate this song,” Alec grimaced.
“No you don’t you love it,” Max informed him.
“Do I now?” he looked down at her.
“Yes it’s your favorite because it’s OUR song now. Alec shook his head but a grin still resided on his face.
“Is he buying it?” Max asked, trying to peer over Alec’s shoulder. They had grown gradually closer together over the course of the dance until they were pressed intimately against each other. Like two pieces of a puzzle.
“Full price plus tax,” Alec said, flashing a 100-watt smile at Logan over Max’s head. Max peered under Alec’s arm and let out an evil little chuckle.
“Sadistic little bitch aren’t you?” Alec asked.
“I’m a real Tiger,” Max replied. Alec laughed and threw an arm around her shoulder, “I think we’ve made our presence known,” he said, steering her over to the table, “Get your balloons and say buh-bye. I do like a little more than four hours of sleep a night. Max grabbed the balloons and hugged O.C. and waved to Sketchy.
“Details tomorrow,” Max hissed in her friend’s ear. O.C. nodded enthusiastically.
“Let’s go Blondie,” Max said, dragging Alec out of the club by the sleeve of his jacket.
Logan sat staring mournfully after the two transgenics, a forgotten candy heart sitting in front of him. There was one word of the sugary surface but the message was clear. “Thanks”