What Did You Expect From Me?

Two weeks has gone by since the argument between Mackenzie and Alex. Mackenzie hadn't seen him since that day, much to her pleasure. When Mackenzie returned to the hospital that day, Brooke had bombarded her with a million questions, all of which Mackenzie answered truthfully. Within an hour, Brooke knew most of Mackenzie's history with Alex. The older Geller sister automatically felt guilty, but warned her younger sister that the wedding was still on, and would only be called off if Alex dumped her.

So Mackenzie sat on edge for the next two weeks waiting for news on the wedding, but nothing was ever mentioned. Mackenzie knew Alex wasn't going to call it off, but she secretly wished that he would. As Mackenzie wallowed in self pity for those two weeks, Christine's health had improved. She was released from the hospital and Mackenzie was able to return to Los Angeles with a slightly clearer head. She could now focus on work for the next month until she flew back to Baltimore in June for her mother's birthday.

But as Mackenzie stepped out of the airport into the California heat, the past month became a distant memory. Mackenzie felt like herself again. She was finally home and she no longer had to walk on eggshells. By the time Mackenzie reached her loft apartment, she already regretted making a promise to return to Baltimore. But she had five weeks of the California sun to keep her mind off of the thought. Once she stepped into her apartment, Mackenzie pulled her luggage up her spiral staircase that led to her bedroom. She unpacked her luggage and ventured back down the stairs. She quickly noticed the layer of dust that accumulated during her absence. So without a second thought, she began blasting music and started to clean her apartment.

Two hours later, her loft was spotless. Mackenzie began putting her empty luggage in the depths of her closet when she realized it was Saturday evening and she missed her friends. After exiting the closet, she immediately called her coworker, and best friend, Lindsey. Twenty seconds later, her best friend's voice echoed through her speaker.

"Mack! Please tell me your home!"

Mackenzie giggled into her phone before answering, "Yes, Linds, I'm home. What's going on tonight?"

"Me, Casey, and Becca are going to a concert tonight at eight. Casey got us backstage passes because it's her new boyfriend's band. Then after we were all going out to a club. But now that you're home, you're coming with us. From what I've heard, the lead singer is beautiful and we all know you have a soft spot for lead singers," Lindsey explained.

"Alright. I'll be ready by eight," Mackenzie smiled into her phone.

"I'll be there at seven thirty," Lindsey responded just before hanging up the phone so Mackenzie couldn't argue.

Mackenzie groaned and looked at the clock by her bed. She quickly took notice to the time in bright red, angry letters. It read six-fifteen. Mackenzie quickly ran into the bathroom to shower and get ready. She was out of the shower by six forty but she spent twenty minutes unsuccessfully looking for an outfit. She immediately called Lindsey.

"Mack, I'm leaving soon. You better be ready," Lindsey groaned.

"But I have nothing to wear," Mackenzie groaned back.

"Alright, I'll be there soon," Lindsey huffed.

"Thank you!" Mackenzie yelled before hanging up and running back into her bathroom.

She quickly straightened her hair then began applying her makeup. She opted for a gray smokey eye with black winged liner. It took a couple of tries to get the wings even, but once they were, Mackenzie felt relieved. She looked herself over and knew something was missing. So to change things up, she grabbed her burgundy colored hair extensions. As she began putting them in, she heard her door open and shut. Then came the pounding of feet up her spiral staircase. She knew Lindsey was present. Seconds later, Lindsey was in the doorway, and Mackenzie was teasing the last piece of hair to make sure her extensions were secure and covered. Once finished, Mackenzie looked at Lindsey who pointed to the bedroom.

Mackenzie made a beeline for her bedroom to see what outfit her best friend came up with for the night. Before even putting it on, Mackenzie was impressed. Lindsey had picked out black, leather pants, a black bralette, and lacy ankle boots that had a six inch heel, which made Mackenzie feel like a giant. After putting everything on, she decided to stand out more with deep red lipstick. After glancing in the mirror, she grabbed her silver clutch and headed downstairs to meet Lindsey in the kitchen. Mackenzie grabbed her keys and phone and the duo were out the door. Once settled in Lindsey's car, it was seven thirty on the dot.

Mackenzie didn't understand why Lindsey wanted to drive so bad, but she knew better than to question her. The girls spent the car ride gossiping about everything that happened the past month. Mackenzie left out the part about Alex because she simply did not want to relive that and plus, Lindsey didn't know Alex so it wouldn't have mattered anyway. Lindsey went on to talk about Casey and her new boyfriend. She told Mackenzie that his bandmates were cool, too, but she hadn't met the lead singer yet because he was visiting his fiancé. Bells went off in Mackenzie's head, but she knew that there were plenty of other lead singers who could have been engaged. Eventually, the duo made it to the venue and Casey was letting them in through the side door.

"The guys are about to go on, so Mackenzie, you'll just get to meet them after the show," Casey announced.

"That's fine. Who is this band anyway?" Mackenzie asked.

But as soon as she heard the voice coming from the stage, she didn't need Casey's answer. As soon as they were side stage, Mackenzie wanted to bolt. But within seconds, she felt eyes on her. And those eyes were coming from the stage, the lead singer to be exact. He stumbled with his words as he spotted Mackenzie, but recovered when the guitarist saved the day.

"Come on Alex. You shouldn't be stuttering yet. I only gave you two shots!" Jack cheered, bring Alex back to reality.

"Sorry about that. I don't know what happened," Alex chuckled, glancing back and forth between the crowd and Mackenzie.

Soon enough, the show was coming to a close and Mackenzie was tipsy. Alex watched her for most of the show and this made her nervous. She prayed he didn't do anything stupid, and she used the alcohol to calm her nerves. It helped to an extent but it certainly did not prepare her for what was to come. Mackenzie watched as Jack, Rian, and Zack ran offstage, leaving Alex by himself.

"Los Angeles! How ya guys doing tonight?" He began. "I have one more song for you guys, but before we start, there's something I need to get off of my chest. A very good friend of mine is here tonight, and I need to apologize to her. I've done some messed up things to her the past month, and I never meant to hurt her. We stopped talking six years ago and for the past four years, I have been betraying her trust and made it so much harder for us to be friends again. MJ, I am sorry for the past four years. Hell, I'm especially sorry for the past five months. You are truly amazing and I will never deserve someone as special as you. I love you, baby girl. MJ, this one is for you," Alex finished as the opening chords to Remembering Sunday started and the boys ran back on stage.

Mackenzie stood there in shock and awe. All she could worry about was Brooke finding out about the stunt that Alex had just pulled. He never made rational decisions and that pissed Mackenzie off more. Not being able to take his hard gaze, Mackenzie turned her back to the stage, but she was immediately met with Matt Flyzik.

"Matty!" She screamed before lunging herself at the man.

Flyzik only laughed and held his arms open for Mackenzie. She quickly latched onto him, then noticed the microphone in his hand. She pulled away and examined his face. But Matt was never one to crack under Mackenzie's gaze.

"No," she stated before he could even ask.

"Come on Mackenzie. Sing Juliet's part," he urged.

"Not happening. I haven't sang in years. How do we even know I'm still decent?" Mackenzie asked.

But instead of answering, Matt put the microphone in her hand and pushed Mackenzie out onto the stage. Rian watched the whole ordeal from his drum kit, but couldn't figure out who the girl was; until she started singing. On her cue, Mackenzie belted out the lyrics like nobody's business. Alex froze while Jack and Zack surrounded her with pure happiness in their eyes. By looking at Mackenzie, they would have never known it was the girl they were best friends with prior to her leaving six years ago, but her voice was a dead giveaway. Once she finished singing, the guitarist and bassist lifted her up and carried her off the stage. Rian left his drum kit and followed his bandmates, while Alex was left alone to close out the set.

Once Mackenzie was set back down, she attempted to hug all three boys while her friends looked on with curiousity.

"Are we missing something?" Lindsey finally asked.

Mackenzie turned back to her friends and explained that she knew the guys before she moved out to LA and that she lost contact with them when she left. The girls seemed content with that answer and the group made their way to the green room so the guys could get ready for the night ahead of them, but Mackenzie stayed behind. For some reason, unbeknownst to herself, she wanted to wait for Alex. But when he walked over to her, she wished she hadn't.

"Looks like the guys missed you," he smiled sadly.

"And I missed them," Mackenzie responded.

"How'd you enjoy the show?" Alex asked, genuinely wanting Mackenzie's answer, but as much as she loved it, she didn't want him to know the truth.

Instead, she responded with another question. "Didn't I tell you not to call me MJ?"

"Obviously I don't listen," Alex smirked.

"What if Brooke finds out about your little stunt?"

"So what if Brooke finds out about my little stunt?" Alex asked, stepping closer to Mackenzie.

He rested his hand on Mackenzie's cheek, and she automatically leaned closer. Alex began inching closer and closer to Mackenzie and she was responding the same way. But before anything could happen, the pair was being pulled apart by their friends and being dragged out of the venue towards a nearby club.

After a few hours, Mackenzie was beat. She had spent hours drinking and her head was spinning. She spent her night downing shots with the girls, Alex, and Jack. Every time she went to dance, she felt Alex behind her. Any stranger would have thought the two were together, but they were just drunk and dancing together, if that's what you would even call it. Things eventually started getting heated and Mackenzie needed to leave before she did something stupid. She said goodbye to the girls and hugged the guys, with a promise to hang out soon. Then her eyes met Alex's.

"Ready?" He asked.

"Who says I'm leaving with you?" Mackenzie asked.

"MJ, I just want to make sure you get home safe," Alex slurred. Mackenzie only laughed and shook her head.

She started walking away from Alex but he quickly grabbed her hand and followed her outside. Alex hailed a cab and Mackenzie recited her address to the driver. Within minutes, they were back at her loft. Mackenzie didn't feel right just leaving Alex at the door, so she invited him inside. As soon as her door was shut and locked, Alex's lips were on hers. But Mackenzie didn't have the will to pull away. Instead she kicked her heels off and dropped her clutch on the floor, all without breaking their kiss. Alex's hands were roaming her body as she guided him towards her spiral staircase. Mackenzie stepped up one step but Alex had other plans. He lifted Mackenzie up and blindly led her up the stairs. When he felt that they were on solid ground again, he dropped Mackenzie and pulled away.

"We shouldn't be doing this," she whispered into his chest.

"I can leave if you want," Alex said through ragged breaths.

Mackenzie thought about it for a split second before pulling him towards her bed.

"Fuck it," she huffed.

And just like that, clothes were strewn around the room, leaving Alex and Mackenzie to make a decision they would surely regret in the morning.

Notes