The Diary of a Crazy Teenager

Alice, concluded as she tried to process how the once joyful atmosphere became tense, that the saying of— holding out to the very end even when stuck in a dark tunnel because, there's a light waiting at the end of that tunnel; was a lie from the pits of hell. Because if it weren't, then there is no way Alice would be stuck there, reliving her worst nightmare.

Alice, squeezed her hand as she bit back the harsh words, burning to burst out of her.

Couldn't a girl enjoy a nice evening without any interruptions?

"Noah, let's go. Or, you could choose to stay, since it's your party." She added, not wanting to force the option on him.

Alice turned, with every intent to ignore the elephant in the room.

But the elephant, didn't want to be ignored.

"So you'll pretend as though I don't exist."

Alice tensed up, as though she weren't already guarded; when she heard the all-too familiar voice of the person she once admired.

Admired? She scoffed at the thought. Admired, was the word she would use if she wanted to put it simply. But, it was something more than that, something more bold, and painful than mere admiration.

But, Alice would never admit that she felt a longing because, the day she admitted it, was the day she would fall apart.

Alice, turned slowly to face the one person she loathed. "Eric, what do you want me to say to you? Do you expect me to throw myself at you?"

Her ex-boyfriend.

His handsome face, looked dejected which caused something to stir in her.

Eric, stepped forward, reaching for her. "Alice—"

Alice, stepped back to avoid his burning touch. "No right?" Answering her question. "Then I'll take my leave, I bid you a farewell."

Alice turned around and, sprinted as fast as her heels and dress would allow her.

In normal circumstances, she would have cringed at the thought of running away from a party, acting as though she were the main character. She always found it absurd, if not utterly ridiculous but; for the first time in her existence she could understand why they ran.

She wasn't crying, she absolutely wasn't. But if she stopped to think, she would.

So she did the one thing we was good at, or rather the one thing she learned from Eric— she ran away.

Without stopping to catch her breathe, she speed dialed her brother once she got outside.

"Give me a break Cinderella, it's not yet 10!" His answered sharply as soon as he picked the call. "Aren't you supposed to be enjoying the party?"

Alice, tried to say something but she choked on her words. She couldn't speak while trying to fight back the tears.

"Hello, earth to Alice. Is everything okay?" Alex's voice getting worried. "Hello?"

"Please... come pick me up." Her voice breaking in between sentences to catch her breathe. She didn't want him to know that she was about to break apart.

But Alex knew, he always did. "I'll be there in a minute, don't go anywhere." He threatened.

"You fool." She whispered, as soon as the call disconnected.

Alice, legs weakened so she sat on the pavement. She tried to control her emotions but the only thing she could think of was; why?

Why had he showed up? Why now when she has started to move on? Just when it began to stop hurting.

Who gave him the right to waltz in and out of her life whenever he pleased?

Alice, clung to herself, trying to fight the chill that came from the night wind and the confusion in her mind.

She knew there was no need to ask all these questions. As far as she was concerned, everything relating to him, ended the moment he left, without even bothering to tell her.

"Alice, thank God I found you. I've been searching for a while."

Alice, looked up to see Noah in front of her, panting.

"What are you doing here?" She asked him.

"I should be asking you that. Come back inside, it's chilly out here."

Alice, turned her face away from him, refusing to look at him further.

Could he see that she was about to break?

"Go away Noah. I want to be alone."

"I'm sorry, I didn't know you knew him. Is he your enemy? Did something happen?"

"Nothing that concerns you!" She snapped.

She felt bad when she saw him flinch at her harsh words but she couldn't be bothered. It was his fault to begin with.

"Is he someone you loved?"

Alice, paused and she feared that she might collapse. That was the one word she didn't want to hear.

"Alice!"

Alice, stiffened as she saw Eric run towards her.

"Go away Eric." She muttered.

Please!, she screamed internally.

Noah, walked to Eric, blocking his movement.

"Eric, I have no idea on what's going on but, I don't think she wants to see you right now."

"It won't take long. Let me just—"

Alice, covered her ear with her palm, refusing to hear anymore of what they were saying.

Someone, anyone please save me. She thought.

A hand grabbed unto hers, causing her to break out of her thoughts.

Alice, looked up and she stared at the annoyed face of her brother.

"Alex..." Her voice, trailing off.

"Come." He pulled her up. "Let's go home."

Alex, leaned forward, stopping when he was close to her ear. "Only focus on me. Whatever happens, don't let these bastards see you cry."

Alice nodded and allowed her to pull her away. While Noah and Eric, remained silent, watching them.

Alex stopped, removing his hand from hers.

"Sorry Ali, but there's something I failed to do before."

"What?" Alice asked.

Alex, walked to Eric and snarled before he swung his fist, punching him hard in the face.

"Alex!" Alice shouted.

Alex, ignored her and punched Eric again, causing him to fall on the floor. "You bastard, I told you I'd fucking kill you if you hurt my sister didn't I?! You piece of shit."

"I deserve that." Eric groaned at the pain. Using the back of his hand to wipe the blood from the cut.

"And you!" Alex pointed at Noah, who looked stunned. "Stay away from Alice."

"But, I didn't -"

"I don't give a damn! Stay away, this is the only warning I'll give you."

"Alex, please." Alice pleaded.

Alex, turned sharply to her and pointed at the car. "Shut up and get inside that car. Now!"

Alice, mouthed an apology to them before she opened the car door, and entered inside.

Once, Alex was sure that she was away, he focused on Eric. "As much as I'd like to beat you to pulp, I won't because of the friendship we once had. Count yourself lucky, Eric. "

Alex, looked at his former best friend one last time before he headed to the car.

"And you." Alex he turned to Noah . "Do yourself a favor and steer clear, you'll only get hurt."

"But—"

"Trust me, the worst thing you can do is desire something that she cannot give you."

Alex, entered into the car, and slammed the door shut. He squeezed the steering wheel, ignoring her teary eyes.

"It's okay, you can cry now."

As though that was the trigger to her locked up emotions, the tears that Alice had held back, poured down her rosy cheeks.

"I'm stupid right? Crying over something."

Alex, focused on the diving, listening to her passively. "Well you got the first part right, you're downright stupid."

"Thanks for the support."

"But, crying isn't stupid. It serves as a proof that you felt everything you possibly could. Isn't that what makes you human? Besides, trust me when I say it'll be worse if you didn't cry? So release everything, feel everything. That's the only way you can move on. And if it's too hard, I could kill him for you?"

"Alex—"

"Shut up Ali, I'm trying to drive."

Alice, smiled for the first time in hours. Because she realized that even if everything was going wrong, Alex was going to be there.

That alone, was enough.

***

Alice, opened the front door of her house and the first thing that greeted her was the smell of cake and the smiling faces of her friends.

"Ronnie, Erica, Laura? What are you guys doing here?" She questioned as she looked at them in confusion.

Erica, raised a tub of ice cream which was placed on a table. "Special delivery for Princess Alice."

"Delivered with utmost care, the perfect care package." Laura chipped in as she raised the cake box in her hand. "Your favorite flavor of course, red velvet."

"Accompanied with the best classic known to man, Barbie, and packaged with an infinite amount of hugs." Veronica concluded.

Alice, looked at her friends and smiled slightly. "How did you guys know?"

"Well." Veronica started. "That brother of yours over there." She pointed at Alex who was leaning on the door. "Told us everything before he went to pick you up."

"So we came here as fast as we could." Laura said.

Alice's eyes watered, making her wonder if she had an endless supply of tears. "Guys..." Her voice, trailing off.

Erica, stepped forward and engulfed her in a hug. "Oh baby, we're here for you."

Alice, let herself melt into the hug, soaking up the warmth and vanilla scent that emitted from Erica.

Alice, was wrong to have thought she only had Alex. She had her friends and even though her love life was in shambles, she had a place to call home.

***