Vegas & Friendships

Alex POV

We are in Vegas and I want to use this opportunity to talk to Bella. I miss my best friend so much. She was my go to person and I didn’t think that me wanting to have freedom from everyone will cause this separation. There’s things she doesn’t know. I am well aware of my fault in this. I also know that she stopped being my friend because she lost her respect for me. I think that was the toughest blow of all. I mean we really only dated for 3 months. But we were still acting like best friends. I do know something happened to her that summer. But I don’t think anyone noticed. I have also wondered why she was not married by now. According to the life she had planned she wanted to get married right after college graduation. She did go out with a few people while on college but they never went passed the first date. I always wondered why. I know some of her dates and they said that when they asked her out for a second date, she would tell them that it was best if they were just friends.

I miss her because there are things that only she knows about me and no one else. We were so close and I never thought that would change. I am stressing out because I don’t know what to properly say to get her to be my friend again.

She looks at me and ask “Are you okay?”

I look at her and say “I am okay, I am just trying to formulate how I want to say this. Just give me a moment to collect myself and please hear me out. Please don’t interrupt me because I need to get this out. Would that be okay?”

She now looks like she is concerned. I am clearly struggling here. I finally sit upright and look at her.

“I miss my best friend” I say she looks at me confused.

“What do you mean?” She responds

“Bells, I miss talking to you and hanging out. I miss dishing out our secrets. I miss how we were always there for each other. Is against the world remember. We promised we would always be there for each other and remain friends no matter what.” I say

She looks down at her hands like they are the most interesting thing in the world at the moment. I wish o knew what was going on in her head.

“Alex, I am still your friend that has never changed. But we grew apart. You wanted freedom to live your life without being under anyone’s thumb or receiving anyone’s judgement. I never wanted to interfere with that. When we got to college, I did not agree with your life choices. I didn’t want to impede or get in between your freedom so I kept my mouth shut and just stayed away. I was always there. I never wanted to be an overbearing friend that told her friend what they can and cannot do. You

wanted freedom to do those things and I allowed myself to sit in the background. Your freedom was a priority. Who am I to take that away from you. I was nobody. I was only your best friend. I mean at the time I was your girlfriend, but I understood. You wanted a clean break to do things that others were doing that you felt you will never be able to do with a girlfriend or your parents around. That’s why, every time your parents asked how you were doing I never mentioned a word. I said you were doing great. Pretended we still hung out together and let it happen. I understood what you wanted and because I cared about you, I wanted you to have the things you wanted in life and if freedom is what you wanted, freedom you got. I did not want to be the one holding you holding you back. That's what best friends do, support the decision of the other even if you dont agree with their choices." She responded.

I am completely dumbfounded at this moment. I don’t know if I should tell her everything or if I should just try to overlook the fact that it seemed like she was hiding something from me. She seemed awfully fidgety and nervous which I don’t understand why. I know eventually if she agrees to be my friend again I will have to tell her everything but it is not the right moment yet. There is still things that I have to confirm and find out. But, I know I cant blame her for something she is completely blameless in. After the incident, I did not care of my treatment for women, but there were only a few women I would never treat the way I treat and use other women. That would be my sister, Bells, and her mother, who happens to be my godmother as well. I have a complicated relationship with my mom.

"First off, you were never a nobody. You have always been important to me. We grew up together. Yes, we grew apart, but I take full responsibility for that. I was caught up in my own selfishness. Can we please be best friends again? Can we start afresh and rebuild our friendship. I know we are not the same people anymore, but we can get to know each other again. Please Bells?" I say

She looks at me like she wants to run and hide. I don’t understand why she is acting this way. What is she hiding?

"How about we start slow and as friends before we go ahead and claim BFFs for life" She says with an uncomfortable chuckle.

"I'll take it! Yes!" I go over to her and give her a hug and she stiffens. What is with her?

"Okay, calm down. I am really tired and want to get some rest. See you tomorrow?" She says

"Yes, by the way we have a schedule for tomorrow. We will pick you ladies up tomorrow for dinner, then we will walk the strip, and then we will go clubbing. Does that sound good for you?" I say

"Yes, that is fine. You don’t have to stay with us the whole night. I know John is going to be with Elise and wont let her go, and I will be with them so you don’t have to worry about me. You can also go ahead and have fun." She says. What is she talking about? Then I get what she means and usually I would but I want to rebuild our friendship.

"Nope, tomorrow is about rebuilding our friendship, no ifs and or buts about it." I say

"Okay, if you say so. See you tomorrow!" She says as I walk out and she closes the door behind me. I am actually quite excited

about it.

I go ahead and walk next door to our suite. I see John and my sister talking on the couch.

"Hey where were you, please don’t tell me you found someone already and were having your own personal fun?" Elise says while rolling her eyes. I glare at her. First she was the one that gave me the advice to talk to Bells and here she is already accusing me. Jeez, I can never win.

"I was actually taking your advice and had a conversation with Bells about being best friends. The whole conversation though seemed a bit off. Like she told me she wanted to give me my space while in college to explore the freedom I wanted, but she kept fidgeting and acting like she really didn’t want to be my friend at all. She ended up agreeing, but even when I gave her a quick hug, she stiffen. I don’t get it. Should I be concerned?" I say

I notice that both John and Elise look at each other with a weird look on their face. They then quickly change the look and look at me like nothing just happened.

"Umm, she just went through a break up remember, maybe she is just out of it right now. Give her time. She will eventually be open to the friendship and open up. She has been through a lot.” Elise responds.

That makes me even more suspicious. I said okay and then walked off to my room after bidding them good night. After showering I laid in bed and thought about our breakup.

FLASHBACK

Bella and I have been dating for three months. Nothing has really changed between us except for the fact that we were now heavily making out every chance we got. I knew that we will never go further. She was saving herself for marriage and I respected that. Last month I took a trip to my friends college to check it out. It was the same college that Bella and I are going to after graduation today. I had to get away from my mother. I don’t even know what to say or how to even confront her at this point. Because of her I have made a life changing decision on how I would like to live my life. I knew that my parents would not be happy with my decision but I don’t want to follow their life choices. I want my freedom. I care so much for Bella that I don’t want to ruin our friendship so I know that it is better to break things off now.

I know this is horrible especially with the plans we made for the summer. But I want freedom and I want her to still be my best friend.

THIRD PERSON POV

Bella and Alex have finally graduated. Their parents are excited and proud that their children will be going off to college and have graduated high school with high honors. Alex and Bella made a plan to go to their favorite spot after their graduation and before their party. Their parents were throwing them a graduation party together.

As they make their way to their spot they sit down on the flat rock in front of the river. Since their parents were neighbors, they bought a lot of land. The river is about a 10 minute walk from their house.

“So there is something I have been meaning to talk to you about.” Alex starts.

“Ok, what’s up?” Bella asked with a smile on her face.

“Well, before we go to college, I think we should break up. Before you say anything hear me out. I want to focus on me and have the freedom I am not able to have after o take over my fathers company. I want to enjoy what the world has to offer. I want to be able to experience different things. I also don’t want to ruin our friendship. It is important to me. I just don’t want to be judged and want some freedom now that o will not be under my parent’s thumbs. Do you understand.”

Bella sat there and looked away. She had fallen in love with Alex in the three months they were together. She was going to confess to him before they left for their summer road-trip. Even though the last month she can feel him pulling away she just thought it had to do with the stress of finals and his parents pressures. So she never said a word. She just supported him and wanted to be there for him like she has always been. It took everything to not cry at this moment. She was holding everything in. She could not breakdown now. She had to be strong because she knew at this moment that he did not feel the same way.

“I understand.” Bella says trying to hold it together.

“We can still be best friends right” Alex asked.

That just felt like another stab at Bella’s heart. She kept telling herself to keep it together.

“Of course” she responded. But the look on her face made Alex feel guilty. He couldn’t really explain to her the sudden change in him. He could tell that she was faking her smile.

“Ok, well if that is all I am going to go get ready for the party. Your sister is coming over in about 15 minutes to get ready together. I will see you at the party. Bye!” She responded and he could tell something was wrong but she ran away before he could even question it.

END OF FLASHBACK