By the time Victoria and Alex reached the pizza parlor, it was almost empty. There was a group of college students drinking too much and being obstrerous like college students are. Alex pushed open the door and held it for Victoria. Most of the time, Alex saw Victoria as the little girl who'd attempted to make the longest hopscoth in the world or ate Nutella by the spoonful--well, she still did that, but still. But there were some moments, like this one, just holding the door open for her, that Alex saw Victoria in a new light. Her red hair tumbled in waves down her back. She had changed from her jeans and Blink t-shirt to a tight black tank top and white skinny jeans. She was wearing black ankle boots. She looked amazing, and sometimes, every once in awhile, Alex took note of this. His best friend was absolutely gorgeous. Her beauty wasn't materialistic, either. It was pure and natural. She had an amazing sense of humor and she was a true friend. It was moments like this when Alex had to push thoughts back in his mind. Thoughts of doing things he shouldn't think about doing with his best friend.
"Alex." Victoria said. Alex snapped out of his daydream.
"Mm?" Alex responded.
"Where do you want to sit?" Victoria asked. Alex lead her to a booth on the opposite side of the parlor as the drunk college kids and they sat down. A waitress came almost immediately to take their drink orders. Alex noted that she was pretty hot. Short blonde hair, red lips, not a keeper, but definitely fuckable. Could be perfect for a one night stand to take his mind off of Victoria.
"I'll take a water." Alex ordered, giving the waitress a little smirk.
"Lemonade for me, please." Victoria said. The waitress returned a smirk to Alex and walked away. Victoria rolled her eyes.
"Can you not go anywhere without trying to pick up some girl?" Victoria asked, casually looking down at her menu.
"What?" Alex defended. "She's hot." Victoria stiffled a laugh.
"She's fake." Victoria said. Alex looked defeated. It was true. "I'm thinking about getting a slice of the Hawiian Pizza." Alex glanced at his menu.
"Do you want to get a full one and split it?" Alex offered. He would eat pretty much anything. Victoria agreed to split the pizza. When the waitress came back to take their orders, she slipped Alex her number. Victoria met it with another eye roll.
"She needs to work on being more discreet." Alex laughed. His best friend was amazing. He would date her in a heartbeat, but that would ruin everything if she didn't feel the same way. He needed to find out, and fast, because Victoria was making him go insane. He needed her. He needed her to be his.

They ate pretty quickly and, as promised, went to play air hockey. Alex tended to get pretty competitive when it came to air hockey, but Victoria was a passive-aggressive air hockey player. She acted like she didn't care, but when the game started, she was all about winning. After a lot of smack talk and dirty play, the score was tied 6-6.
"How about we make this interesting?" Alex said, raising an eyebrow.
"What are you going on about, Gaskarth?" Victoria asked.
"If you win, I'll give you a kiss." Alex smirked. Victoria shook her head.
"What makes you think I'd want a kiss from you?" Victoria teased.
"Who doesn't want a kiss from me?" Alex countered.
"I have a better idea. How about if you win, you get to kiss me? Since this was your idea." Victoria proposed.
"Game on." Alex said, hitting the puck. It took about five and a half minutes, and people were lined up to play, but eventually, Victoria ended up slamming the puck straight past Alex's hand, winning the game. She had a triumphant look on her face and she pumped her fists in the air, and before she knew it, Alex's lips were on hers. She kissed him back intensely, wrapping her arms around his neck. Alex put his hands to her slender hips and guided them forward until they were pressed together. Then, Victoria pulled away.
"That...that wasn't our deal." Victoria said. Alex grinned.
"No, it wasn't. But now I guess we both won." Alex said. Victoria touched a finger to her lips. Alex wondered what she felt. For him, it was the most powerful kiss ever. There was spark, connection, intensity like he'd never felt before.
"I have to get going. My parents said they have news for me at home." Victoria said.
"Do you need a ride home?" Alex offered automatically.
"No--no, I'll walk. See you around, Gaskarth."
That was it. He'd ruined everything. Was it possible for her not to have felt that spark? Whatever. He'd fucked up. Defeated, upset, guilty, Alex went home.

Notes

Even though it's not in first person, the next chapter is going to contain more of Victoria's thoughts and it's going to introduce the big plot, so let me know what you think! Long live you guys!