5 Chapter 5

"What?"

"Yes, Clay. I don't know how to say this but, we were really close when we were 10. But I will never forget what he and Alicia did to me together", he said. Wow! He looked really worried.

"What's Alicia got to do with this?", I was curious.

"Why don't you ask that in our friends presence, cause I can't keep explaining to everyone separately", he said shrugging.

"Okay. Guess I'll just go home then. ", I said.

"Call me soon"

"Bye", I said.

Just then I received a message from Alec to meet him in a park which is not from Sam's house. Just a five minutes walk. I headed there with a smile in my face. I saw him waiting for me.

"Hey Alec"

"Hey sweetie", he said with a smile and brightness in his face.

"So... what can this sweetie do to her guy??", I asked playfully.

" 'Her guy', huh? ", he asked smirking.

I blushed... so deeply.

He chuckled and "Just stay with me", came his reply.

"With pleasure", I said.

"Hey Alec, can I ask you something?", I asked after sometime.

"Of course sweetie, anything", he said.

"What happened between you, Sam and Alicia?", I asked hesitantly.

I saw his face suddenly turn into the colours of sadness, pain and helplessness. Just then I received a call from Sam. He asked me to meet him in his room with Alec. He said that all our friends are already there. I hung up and went there with Alec. And... there she was. Alicia. There was quite a shock in Alec's face. Everybody --- Dan, Ryan, Renee, Lucy --- were there.

" I owe everybody some explanation ", began Sam, " Me and Alec were best friends since we were 10, for nearly 4 years. He was my mother's friend's son. Kinda family friends actually. When we were 14, I dated Alicia from some time. Very short period of time like only a week or so. I didn't even tell that to Claire. Well, I was going to tell her and I took off from school when I saw something in the corridor ", he paused.

" Umm... something?? ", Renee asked.

" Well... to put it exactly, I saw Alec and Alicia kissing in the corridor ", he said glaring at Alec.

" I didn't kiss her, Samuel. She kissed me. I never laid my hands on her ", he pleadingly said.

" Oh, and you expect me to believe that?! ", Sam was on his nerves now.

" Okay... now easy Sam. Listen to me first. That evening, she came to me to talk about our history project since we were partners. She suddenly put her hands on my chest, pushed me hardly on the lockers and started kissing me furiously. I didn't even touch her. I tried to fight but... she just wouldn't let go. And that time, you came. I tried to explain it to you that moment itself, but you won't listen. I was just hurt that you fought with me for a girl", Alec finished.

Everybody was looking at Alicia when she realized she has to say something.

" Okay okay... whatever Alec said was true. But-- "

I cut her off.

" No buts, Alicia. How could you do that to them? Alec is my boyfriend and Sam is my best friend and both of them are hurt because of you. And I'm ashamed to call you my friend ...", I snapped at her.

" There was just no fun at that time. And I wanted to break up with Sam. So... ", she dragged shrugging off her shoulders.

" Hey! Sam is my best friend and----"

She cut me off.

" Best friends huh? You didn't even know that your boyfriend and you best friend were childhood family friends. And he didn't tell you -- whom you call yourself as his best friend -- that he dated a girl like 4 years ago... And you say that you're his best friend. What kind of a great friendship you have with him?! Throw that into the trash can. Trash can! Understand?! ", she shouted.

" Get out of my house Corner ", I heard Sam say, " or else I might throw you to the trash can ". His voice was calm but indeed threatening.

" Oh!! I have been waiting for that ", she said delightfully and walked away humming a tune. Everybody was silent.

" Hey I'm sorry Claire and Alec. I should've listened to you that time. I really regret it. ", Sam apologized to both of us. And he knew that I will forgive him, so he didn't wait for my answer. I just smiled at him and I know he noticed it.

" So... am I forgiven? ", he asked to Alec.

" I don't know...", he said playfully.

" How about a dinner for all of us in McDonald's tonight ", Alec said grinning ear to ear.

" I'd like mine with extra cheese ", I heard Lucy say. And everybody laughed.

" Common, Sam... ", Ryan pleaded.

" Okay. But apart from that... Apology accepted?? ", he asked nervously to Alec.

" Yeah... ", he said.

" All of this sweet reunion is over. Now let's go eat ", I said.

The meal went well. We all chatted and the time flew away like a fly.

Around 7 pm, I got a call from my mom. I picked up and exclaimed, " what??!! ", with happiness and excitement.

" Any big news?? ", Dan asked.

" My dad's home ", I exclaimed.

" After 2 years, right? ", Sam asked.

" Yeah. "

" Well, what are you waiting for? Go!! ", Lucy urged me.

I planted a kiss on Alec's mouth and bid bye to everyone.

" Have fun ", Alec said.

I reached home in a few minutes. Both me and my mom were so happy to see him finally after 2 years. But he wasn't though. I could easily see it in him.

" Look Cassidy, I'm not here to tell you some happy news. I'm here for a reason ", he addressed to my mother.

" Yes, Charles? ", she responded.

" I want divorce ", he said.

What??!!! Seriously??

" What??! ", my mom asked.

" Well... I'm love a woman---"

" You mean, you have an affair ", my mom snapped at him.

" Well... if you put it that way... yes ", he said without hesitation. I must say, I was quite surprised at his guiltlessness. my mother was at the verge of tears but she blinked them back in.

" Look, I want to be with Lily legally. You know that our marriage was an arranged one. I want to live with the woman I finally fell in love. She is widowed ", he finished.

" Okay... Charles, I guess it's up-to you then. ", my mom said.

" MOM!! ", I protested.

Ignoring my protests, she went on.

" So... does she have a child? ", she asked.

" Yeah. She has a son of Claire's age. His name is Alec. I've never met him though. ", he said.

" Alec as in Alec O'Brien? ", I asked hoping it should not be true.

" Yeah. That's Lily's last name. Why? Do you know him? ", my dad asked curiously.

I felt like my heart stopped.