"No way." My face contorted into an odd mix that channeled shock and contempt. "Carter Beizen?" I thought I'd seen the last of him, but apparently not. The gut wrenching disgust I felt for what he did for Chuck was still boiling my blood.

"Lexi? I- wow. I wasn't expecting to bump into you, especially not here." Carter frowned, his hand reaching to relieve the worry lines stressing his head.

"I didn't expect to ever bump into you again. I heard you left the city. And for good this time." My tone conveyed my dislike towards him being back.

"I did and I plan to leave again, I just had to come back for a little bit. I was planning on laying low... I'm really sorry Lexi, I honestly have changed." And damn them big puppy dog eyes, behind all the asshole he was kinda cute. "I promise you I'll stay away from you and Chuck."

I laughed and shook my head. "No if you wanna put anyone with Chuck, put Blair."

"Your sister Blair?"

"Do you know any others? I'm not with anyone." I shrugged.

"Cool. I'll keep that in mind." His smile could almost be described a flirtatious.

I bit down on my lip and nodded. "Okay cool. Oh and carter, don't think this means your forgiven. You have to earn that."

"How about I start my probation tonight at seven?" He asked.

"And why should I trust you?" I asked.

"You probably shouldn't." He shrugged with a smirk. "If you want a little risk, meet me outside yours tonight." And with that he took his coffee and left.

"I don't get it. What just happened there?" Samantha asked.

"I think I'm going on a date with Carter?" I frowned. "Huh, who'd have thought?"

"So are you going to go?" She asked.

"Maybe, I mean- God I don't know? How am I supposed to get over Nate if I don't try to move on?" I asked. "And okay, maybe Carter isn't the most conventional option, but did you see how sincere he looked? And those cute little puppy eyes? Who could say no to that?"

"Oh geez, you're in trouble."

"No I'm not, who says anyone has to know?" I asked with a devilish smirk.

We left the shop at half five and Sammy had to go home. With all that had happened with Carter I had completely forgotten about the drama with my father, needless to say I couldn't be bothered to deal with it.

"Alexia, where have you been young lady?" Came the booming voice of my mother, my father following behind her.

"Out." I said bluntly, already walking up the stairs. "I know, I know. I'm such a disappointment, I should be more like Blair. Blah blah blah." I slammed the door behind me and made my way to my shower to get ready for my date.

Once I was showered and clean, I curled my hair into tight curls and put a doll trimmed red dress with a black bow in the middle. I then gave myself a bronzed smokey eye and red lips. I pulled on some black heels and matched it with a black clutch.

I slowly opened my bedroom door and tiptoed out of it when I saw the coast was clear.

"Going somewhere?" A voice asked when I made it to the elevator doors causing me to jump out of my skin.

"Oh Roman, hi." I paused and shuffled on my feet. "I was-uh-just heading to a last minute pizza pick up."

"Dressed like that?" An accusing brow was raised before he broke out into a smile. "Don't worry belle, you go have fun. Tomber amoureux (fall in love)."

"Merci Roman." I smiled and laughed a little. "You're okay you know." I got into the elevator and smiled as the door closed. This date was making me anxious but it excited me, the thrill of Carter excited me.

"Hey, so what are we doing?" I asked casually when I saw Carter stood outside my house. He looked hot. A white shirt with a loose black tie and dark skinny jeans.

"You look beautiful." Carter smiled once he saw me and pressed a kiss to my cheek. "I'm gonna take you to the nicest little place I found, you'll love it." He got onto his motorbike and passed me the helmet. I put it on and hopped on the back of his bike, holding onto his waist.

st

"Cool bike. Who'd you rob to afford it?" I jabbed before I could control my mouth.

"Is the night gonna be full of comments like that?" Carter asked.

"Probably." I shrugged. "I have to test you during your probation after all."

"It's second hand, I fixed it up myself." Carter explained. "I got it cheap."

"As disgusting as it is to think that some sweaty stranger has sat on these exact seats, that's pretty impressive."

"A compliment? Wow, I must be doing something right." Carter teased.

"Shut up and drive." I laughed. It felt good to be holding onto Carter, he was strong and nice to cuddle.

We stopped outside a house and got off of the motorbike. He helped me off and I took of my helmet, making sure not to mess up my hair. He took my hand and led me down the steps to a basement. "Okay Carter you tell me where the hell we are, I'm not going into a basement with you."

Carter paused and turned to me. "You have your phone on you right?" He asked.

"Uh, of course." The confusion was clearly written on my face.

"Then you have an escape option. Look, I know I probably don't deserve it but just trust me okay?" He was looking at me with those big eyes again and I couldn't help but let my worries fade.

"Okay." I nodded and walked into the basement with him.

I was honestly surprised with what I saw, it was an underground dance club. It was retro styled like something you'd find in Grease or Footloose. "Wow, this is..wow."

"Can you dance?" He asked.

"Why don't you try me and find out?" I smirked.

He led my onto the dance floor and I had the most fun I had in ages. I was twirled, dipped and made to feel like a glamorous part in a musical. It felt so surreal but it was a magical night.

"That was amazing." I laughed when we hit the fresh air again. As much as o was sad the night was over I was excited to get home. Being out that long had exhausted me.

"Tonight was fun." I smiled as we walked back to his bike.

"Yeah it was, I'm glad you came." Carter wrapped his arm around my waist with a soft smile.

"Me too." I nodded.

"So have I redeemed myself?" He asked.

"Maybe, how about I give you an answer on our next date?" I smirked.

"We're having another one?"

"Yeah. I had a great time, but we can't tell anyone else about us, they wouldn't understand. Trust me when I say we're best kept a secret."

"I'm happy to be your dirty little secret." Carter smirked and before I could retaliate he leaned down and pressed his lips against mine.

Kissing Carter felt amazing, it wasn't overwhelming like Nate or too angsty like Chuck. It was sweet and fun and refreshingly real. I pulled away before things could get too heated and smiled at him. "Do you wanna come back to mine?" He asked, his voice gruff.

"I-" I paused for a second and then shook my head. "No, I don't wanna sleep with you on the first date. If I do then I'll have no respect for this and I don't want us to fizzle out before we have the chance to grow."

"I get it, and I'm not going to pressure you." He reassured me.

I hoped on the back of his bike and put on his helmet again. If Carter had a chance to change then maybe that meant I got one too. I couldn't be the broken little girl forever, maybe it was time for me to grow up.

Carter kissed me once more when we got to my house before we parted ways. I tiptoed up the stairs, making sure to be as quiet as possible.

Once in the safety of my room I undressed and changed into my pajamas. It was only then I realized that the necklace Nate had given me was never taken off my neck. I ran my fingers across it and a small smile appeared on my face. Maybe it wasn't a symbol of love, maybe it was a symbol of everlasting friendship. At least that's what I could convince myself to believe.

I took out my phone and tapped a message to Nate. 'Thanks again for the necklace. I love it. You'll always be my best friend - A."

As I was just about to fall asleep I got a text back. 'I'm sorry I lost you. Friends is good for now, but I will fight for you -N'

I was too tired to tell him not to fight for me and I never did reply to that text. Maybe that was what caused so much trouble. I didn't nip the thing with Nate in the bud. Perhaps that moment was what defined the rest of my personal fairytale. Maybe that was when I should have learned that the drama hadn't finished, it'd only just begun.