He held me, tight in his arms for a minute or two, a perfect second, with the rain pouring down all around us. It was like a scene out of a movie.

"You should get inside," he said. "It's cold out here." But I stayed in my place, with my arms around his neck.

"I'm sorry," I muttered. "About all of this." He squeezed me a little tighter, and I could feel his light smile.

"We'll figure it out, Hope. Don't worry." But I was worried. Because he was talking about now, about running away, and I was talking about him being mad at me.

"I didn't mean to get jealous," I started. "I didn't mean to accuse you, or jump to conclusions.... or anything like that." I had no thought in my mind about the rain, or the cold, it was blank on everything except for apologies.

"I... I got scared. And everything felt wrong, except with you, and I thought maybe that was bad... and... that doesn't make sense. I just..." My voice trailed off.

"Hope," Eli began, but didn't know what to say.

"I'm just so sorry," I cried, my voice finally breaking into a sob. He rubbed my back.

"Don't be," he said. But I was.... I sniffled.

"I love you," I mumbled into his shoulder, probably getting tears all over him.

"I love you too," he whispered. I could tell he meant it. I didn't need to ask him about earlier. I knew his words were true.

"I shouldn't have brought you into this, Eli. You should be home right now... I'm sorry I had you come with me..." I told him. Letting go, he looked me in the eye, becoming serious.

"I'm not. I chose to," was all he said. I felt better. Taking me by the hand, we both walked inside.

"So..." I said, just before we got back to the room. He stopped.

"Are we okay?" I asked. Eli nodded.

"Yeah," he said. "We're fine." I breathed a sigh of relief, not my first one today, as we walked in, hand in hand.

"Took you long enough," Alex said, looking up. I wished I wasn't dripping wet as we walked in. Faith noticed it immediately, and ran to grab us towels. I stood in the doorway after she gave them to us, and Eli walked in. She lingered near me for a moment.

"Are you okay?" She asked. I nodded, afraid to say too much. Afraid to ask her the same. She held out an arm, and I walked in, giving her a hug.

"I think we should talk," she said, quietly. Nervously.

I knew she what she meant though: "I'm not mad anymore, but I think I deserve an explanation." I nodded.

"Are you sure you're ready to hear everything?" I asked. She shook her head, and I knew she never really would be. It's not like I was either, but I guess sooner or later, just like I did, she'd have to come to terms with it. She knew that Dallas was my father. She knew that I had told Eli about this first, Eli, who I had known for a few short months, and felt more connected to than anyone in the world. Eli, who I had accused her of cheating with. There wasn't much explaining to do, really, when I thought about it. Just a lot of apologizing.

She took my hand and led me into the room. We both sat on the floor. Eli and Alex both made themselves comfortable down there too.

"We need to talk," I began, looking around at my little gang. "All of us." No one said a word, waiting for me to keep going. I didn't know where to begin. The beginning, when everything began? Or did I start by begging for forgiveness, explain that I hadn't been myself lately, that I wasn't sure who I was anymore? That I was grateful for each and every one of them, and I don't know where I'd be right now without even one of them?

"I don't know where to start," I explained, "so I guess I'm just gonna talk... and see what happens." I spoke about the day my life turned to shit, and told them it was because of Alex, who sat the whole time, listening, her eyes filled with tears. Faith took her hand at one point, surely letting her know that none of us were mad anymore. That no matter how she thought of her mother, or how Alex thought of her dad, that they were going to be friends now. Step-siblings. Sisters?

"When I found out, Faith, that Eli was in... kind of the same situation I was in, things changed. I was afraid to tell you, I had been since I found out. I knew you new something was wrong with me, but I was... utterly terrified that if I had told you," I began to tear up, "you would never speak to me." I tried my best to put into words that I didn't want to lose my best friend. She would always be my cousin, my sister, no matter what blood told us.

I apologized to Eli, for accusing him. To Faith, for acting so jealous of the two of them. I told them about their chemistry, how real it looked from the outside. I thanked Eli for doing it, for trying so hard to make sure Faith wouldn't be taken away from the place she loved so much. They both told me they loved me, and that they understood, and I felt better.

I looked at Alex from there, feeling like I should say something to her too, but I wasn't sure what. I thanked her for being there for me the past few. . . days, and taking me under her wing. For being a loyal friend and changing her ways and. . . she interrupted me from there.

"I feel like I should explain myself," she told me. I looked her in the eye, shaking my head.

"You don't have to," I said. But she smiled.

"I do. You've told me before I didn't have to apologize, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't know," she said. I shrugged, not sure what she meant exactly. But I listened to what she had to say, barely breathing, for fear that I might miss something.

"I'm not sure where to start... Maybe an apology? But I'm not really sure what to apologize for exactly... Just, everything in general I guess?" She began.

"God, I never meant to make your life a living hell. Never in a million years did I want to do that... I was just so goddamn sad, especially recently. You had the life I wanted. A good family, friends that were always there, you had everyone. And everything. I didn't even have a father, you had two... And also... you were never gonna see me the same way I saw you, and I didn't know how else to get your attention. It wasn't just that I wanted to be you.. You hating me was better than being just another face in that hall. I knew you would never like me, and that we could never be friends, so.. I did this. And I'm so sorry." She paused for a moment to catch her breath as I tried to process what she was saying.

"I grew up hearing the stories my mom told me. Some about you, some about Faith, the other kids that lived around here... There was always something different about you, Hope, just from the stories I knew it. And when I met you for the first time, I knew that it wasn't normal. It wasn't okay. I always wanted to be something to you. But I never wanted anyone knowing, and only my mom did, up until now..."
Her voice trailed off, and everyone was silent. Eli looked confused. Faith was wide eyed, her face indescribable. I wanted to reach over and hug Alex, but I didn't know how to move in that moment. I had no idea of what to say. I had had no idea. About anything...
She had hated me since we were kids, or so I thought. The world spun as everything around me changed.

"I know it doesn't make up for any of what I've done... but I..." I nodded. I understood. I wanted to reach over and squeeze her hand, to let her know that I accepted her, that I was flattered even. But I couldn't.

"I'm so sorry," she muttered. A tear slipped down my cheek, and I felt guilty for it. I wasn't even upset, just confused.

A/N: Here's to being inactive for 4+ months!! I'm so sorry guys... this story is going to be finished up soon, I promise. The next chapter is in the works already!!

So what do you think about Alex? Leave me a comment and let me know!! Love you guys.
-Katy