The bathroom mirror was fogged with steam from the incredibly hot water that Alex had bathed himself under no less than ten minutes ago. His shoulders were pink as he stepped out onto the rug, gripping his towel as he shook his soaked head against the fabric. A happy sigh fell from his lips as he trotted over to the mirror, cleaning a small area so that he could see himself before he wrapped the towl around his waist and began to brush out his tangled mop.


Tonight was sort of a big night for himself and the gang. Cassadee would be making her first appearance to the group since tour break started. Alex adored this girl for more reasons than one: She had an amazing voice which blended with his own smoothly when they sang together, she was the type of chick that would do anything for anyone and she made Rian happier than he's ever been. That was enough reason for him to at least attempt to put on his game face and celebrate her arrival with his band. Perhaps even having Cass around would distract him from the ache in his chest to see Brooklyn again. It was so strange to think she still crossed his mind as often as she did. He'd only met the girl once and she was almost dating his friend.


Groaning to himself for feeling so foolish about a girl, Alex plugged in his blow dryer and let the heat send his hair flying in all different directions. With the brush in the other hand, he managed to smooth out the caramel mess and applied just enough hair spray to keep it in place without making it so stiff he looked like a cross-dresser. From there, Alex decided to brush his teeth and get it out of the way. With foam trickling from his mouth, he was just about to spit out the paste when a loud knock came from his the door. He hadn't been expecting anyone, so without even taking the time to clean his mouth, Alex shuffled through the house to pull open his apartment door.


Standing in the doorway was a beautiful girl; A girl he'd been dreaming about for days. Her hair was slightly wavy, trailing right down to her breasts which were extremely perky today through her skin-tight tank-top. Had it not been for the tooth paste dripping down his chin, Alex probably would have began drooling on himself, especially when Brooklyn flashed him a smile.


"I don't mean to bother you, Alex," Brooklyn shifted her weight, tilting her head so she could see into his empty apartment. "Zack was supposed to take me dress shopping today but he never showed. I'm worried. Can I come in?"


Alex nodded his head, trying his best to suck in the white foam without making a bigger fool of himself. It was bad enough he was in a towel thinking of dead puppies to shake the feeling in his loins.


"I'll be right back."


Brooklyn rose an eyebrow, not fully understanding him through the tooth brush, but took a seat on his couch anyway. Alex dashed through the house and cleaned his mouth before rinsing off his tooth brush and tossing it on the sink.


Clothes. He needed clothes.


Quickly, he ran into the bedroom and dressed himself in skinny jeans and a white V-Neck. He pulled on some socks, not even bothering to see if they matched, and grabbed a pair of shoes from his closet. Adjusting his weight in the shoes, he took a moment to steady himself before he cooly walking into the living room and propped himself up against the wall, smiling sweetly at Brooklyn as she played with the hem of her shirt.


"So he didn't show up, huh?" Alex was excited about the fact that Zack blew Brooklyn off, but he didn't want her to know that. "You can blame Ri for that. Sometimes he freaks out when Cass comes back to town because he wants everything to be perfect. Nine times out of ten he calls Zack to come help him pick up and sort out laundry before her flight lands."


"Oh. So he just blew me off to help out Rian?" Brooklyn grinned, standing up from her seat to make the short walk to the door. "He's really sweet, isn't he? I guess I'll get out of your hair now. Thanks, Alex."


Just as Brooklyn turned to leave, something clicked in Alex; he could have Brooklyn all to himself today, what with Zack being busy with Rian. She did say she needed to go dress shopping, after all. Smiling to himself, Alex took a step forward and gently grabbed her shoulder, spinning her around to face him.


"I could take you. I've got nothing else planned today."


"Awe, that's sweet, but the whole point of Zack taking me was so he could buy. I really have no problem going alone."


"My treat," Alex smiled, hope glistening in his orbs. "I have better taste than he does, anyway."


She pondered it for a moment, twirling her dark hair through her freshly painted nails. Alex's teeth were digging into his lips as he watched the wheels turn in her mind. He needed her to say yes to this, if for nothing more than to find a flaw in her so he could get her out of his mind.


"Sounds great. Are you ready to go now? I can wait if you aren't."


"Nah, I'm good to go now."


Brooklyn flashed him another grin and stepped out of his apartment, her feet making the short walk to the parking lot. Alex sucked in a sharp breath and tried to calm himself down. He would have to remind himself all day that this wasn't a date, he was just helping out Zack's friend in a time of need. Smiling to himself, he closed the door and locked it, mocking Brooklyn's actions.


They spent most of the ride sharing in small talk, which pretty much revolved around All Time Low and Zack, the only two things they really had in common. Eventually Brooklyn turned up the radio and began singing along with the music, making Alex's heart flutter in his chest. She wasn't the best singer in the world, but her voice was.. Different, one he could get used to hearing while she showered.


When they arrived at the mall, Alex held the door open for her and let her lead the way to any store she wanted to go, but apparently Brooklyn wasn't much of a shopper and had no idea where to even begin. Neither did Alex. With no sense of direction, the two sumbled in and out of stores, scanning the racks while telling jokes and stories to one another. Someone on the outside looking in might even believe the two were a couple. Something about them just.. Clicked.


"Alex, what do you think about this one?"


Alex let his eyes linger on the red dress. It was long enough to prove that Brooklyn wasn't a slut, but short enough to capture the attention of every man in a club. The top of it was low cut with gems lining the straps. Swallowing, Alex nodded his head and forced a smile to his lips.


"I like it, but maybe you should try it on. You know, just to be sure."


"Smart thinking, Gaskarth," Brooklyn giggled. "I'll be right back."


He sat there uncomfortably for a moment. At least if he saw Brooklyn in the dress right now, he'd be a little less stunned when she arrived with Zack tonight. Still, he knew she'd look so beautiful he couldn't take his eyes off of her.


"Alex?" Brooklyn poked her head out of the door, a grin on her lips. "I need your honest opinion, okay?"


Alex nodded gently as she stepped out of the door, the dress fitting her body perfectly. Her curves stood out in the dress, but she still managed to look classy. Alex blinked a few times, looking her up and down. My God, she was gorgeous.


"You look amazing, Brooklyn."


"Really? You don't think it's too trashy?"


"It's the perfect amount of trash."


"Okay," she giggled, spinning around in the dress. "Let me change and we can get out of here."


A soft sigh fell from Alex's mouth. What had he gotten himself into?

Notes

Oh snap. Alex & Brooklyn are getting some alone timeeee. <3.