Chapter 1.3

Chapter 3, Generation 1
A Change Of Heart

 It was about seven by the time Alexandria arrived at the Bistro.

"Before we sit down, I have something to tell you, Connor." she said quietly as she gently smoothed some stray auburn hairs back.

"Yes, anything, but I am starved, what do you think you will get?"  Connor responded.  He was more open now than when he was in front of City Hall, however he was ignoring the question.

When she looked at Connor, he was staring expectantly at her, waiting for her response.  He knew it wouldn't be good.

"Connor, I think we should just be friends.  I don't know if I can go through with this," she said, trying to back up her quivering words with strength.

"What?"

"I know you heard me..."


You and I will be great together, we both love books, and we are both just awkward people trying to get along with life.  Let's face it, we probably aren't going to find anyone else." He shouted as he stormed off.

Alexandria looked down at her shoes,  unable to form words.

How could he say that to me?
What does he mean I won't find anyone else?  
What about-
No.
Not him.  He's just....


These thoughts raced through Alexandria's mind as she ate alone, just like usual.

Thought Alexandria knew Connor was partially true about her awkwardly stumbling her way through life, she knew what was right and she knew she had to be able do what she wanted, and what was right for her, and her future.

She couldn't lie to herself anymore.

As soon as she finished her lonely meal, she walked out to the street and hailed a taxi.

It was time for her to face the facts and go to where she was supposed to be.

As she arrived in front of the house, she mustered up all of her courage and walked forward to ring the doorbell.

The home had a comforting feel to it, despite the cold colors in the paint and stone.

Then she heard footsteps coming to the door, and the door creaked open.

"Hey, looks like Alex decided to drop by," he said.

"Oh, hello Jack, may I come in?" she said awkwardly.

"Anything for my hobo buddy," He said, holding the door open for him, quite gentlemanly.

The inside of the house was like the outside, strangely welcoming, like coming to a place you have never been before, but you know that's where you should be.

She followed him into the den.

"So what's up," he said, raising his ice-blonde eyebrows.

"I just broke it off with the guy I was seeing tonight,"

"I thought so,"

"Okay, I am going to be completely honest here," Alexandria gulped, "I cannot deny that I am totally attracted to you,"

"Hmm, I feel the same way," he grinned.

So Alexandria boldly leaned forward to give into her inner desires and kiss him.

"Woah, slow down there, speedy, whatcha think you're doing," he laughed.

"I thought you felt the same way I did,"

"Yeah, I do,"

"Then why-"

"Well, Alex, you just broke it off with your to-be boyfriend, and I have too much self confidence to be someone's rebound."

She was taken aback.  A month back, he was practically throwing himself at her, and now he was saying no?

"But I've always felt like this, I just haven't shown it until now! Jack, I've let my guard down for you, and you are the first person I've ever done that for!"

"I really like you Alex, and as much as I want to hold you in my arms, just... just... not yet.  I don't want to be a rebound, like I said." He stated sadly.

He walked away, and Alexandria could have sworn she saw a tear slip down his cheek.

He crouched down on the couch, and covered his freckled face with his hands.










Alexandria hurried outside, and she stood at the edge of the sidewalk, her frown was plastered to her face.  Her shoulders were slumped instead of the usual prim-and-proper stance they normally represented.

She stood and stared for a while, time seemed to slow down, and then she felt a hand on her shoulder.

She turned around and snapped out of her daze.

It was Jack.

"I can't be without you, I sat down and I knew that this would be my only chance of being with someone I am so drawn to," he shrugged.

"Jack, thank you,"

"I don't know what I was thinking, I was just surprised, all I want is you, and I've made a big decision, I-"

"It's okay, Jack, I just-


Their words were jumbling together and Jack was nervously fiddling for something in his pocket, when Alexandria leaned forward and pulled him in a tight embrace.

They held each other for a long time, and she inhaled his cologne deeply.

It was perfect.  She never wanted to let go.  At that moment, she forgot about everything- her job, Connor, her hobo-esque living conditions.

Then he let go and said something she had been waiting to hear her whole life:


"Alex, I don't know what love is like, but I can tell you honestly that this is the strongest I have ever felt for someone."

Alex covered her mouth.

"I think I love you, Alex," He whispered.

Then he began to fiddle with his pocket.

And he got down on one knee.

And he opened a small, light blue box.

"This is my mothers ring I have kept with me for someone, for you, who captures my heart. And before you say no, I am not asking you to marry me.  I this may be an engagement ring, but this ring is a promise.  It is a promise that I care for you more than any material posession, and possibly more than I care for myself.  I knew when I first met you that the chemistry between you and I was special.  It took me that ten minutes to realize all this, and I know this may be quick, but I don't want to let you go.  This ring represents for me a promise that I have made to never stop loving you.  There is no one else for me.  For you, it represents that you agree to this and that you want to be with me.  Even if you say no, I will still feel the same.  So will you take this ring, Alex?" he stated, his face glowing.

Alexandria's mouth hung open, and she covered her gasp with her hands.

Was this what I had been drawn to Sunset Valley for?  Can I handle this? Can I reciprocate these feelings?  she thought.

Her instinct kicked in, and she screamed the most important word ever:

YES.