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Chapter 12.5--Reflection Friday night found Alex Norton stomping into the family's apartment irritably and nearly slamming the door behind him, momentarily forgetting that his sister was just paces behind. She managed to catch the door and pushed it open, closing it behind her gently.

"Can you believe that wolf?!" Alex breathed angrily, wheeling around. Lexi watched her brother curiously, head cocked slightly to the side as she watched him work out the tension that she could see rippling through his fur. "I mean, what the hell could he possibly see in Zack?!"

"Probably the same thing you once saw in him," Lexi answered sensibly.

His gaze turned on her, his expression venomous. "I don't know what I saw him! I can't believe Chance is so... stupid! We warned him about Zack and he's still dating him!"

"Alex--"

"Why can't he take advice?"

"Why can't you let it go?!" she countered, raising her voice for the first time in months. "He's made his choice!"

"Because it's so frustrating!" Alex yelled back. "Why is it that Zack's ruined everything I've had in high school? First he wrecks our relationship, then he steals Chance away! And now he's even fucking up our friendship!"

"Only because you're letting him," Lexi explained.

"I'm not letting him!"

"Then why can't you let it go?!" she said desperately. "Alex, it's been over a year since you and him broke up! Wash your paws of it and get over it! Do you still like him?"

"What? I don't! No!" Alex remarked.

"Do you like Chance?"

"Y--No!" Alex answered. He sighed heavily. He walked to the kitchen and pulled a cup from the cabinet. He filled it with tap water before walking back into the living room where Lexi was seated on the couch. "Sis, can I ask you something?"

"You're going to anyway," Lexi answered irritably, unpacking her homework from her backpack. Alex could hear the anger in her voice as she spoke.

"Should I even be upset right now?"

"At who? At Chance or Zack?" she wondered as she opened her math textbook.

"Either one."

She hesitated. "Do you like Chance?"

"I did," he admitted. "Kind of thought he was cute when we met." Alex smiled at the memory. "And he's a really nice person." He sighed heavily and looked over at her; she was looking back worriedly. "But now, he's with Zack. I don't get why he likes Zack so much?"

"Why did you?" she asked.

He shrugged. "He was handsome and strong and he can be really sweet when he wants to be." He grinned as nostalgia warmed his heart. He remembered the first embrace he'd shared with Zack. The first kiss they had... But he shook his head. "But after what he did..."

"You still never told me the full story," she reminded him.

Alex nodded. "It's not something I really like talking about."

"Maybe if you told me, I could understand how to help a bit better," she said kindly, closing her textbook. "We've got time. Mom won't be back for another hour at least." He nodded. "Well, you know we were going out on a date, right? Dinner and a movie."

"What movie did you go see?"

"That's irrelevant," Alex answered, "but it was awful." He chuckled. "We both thought it was the worst movie ever. But we went out to dinner afterwards. Nothing really fancy..."

---

"I can't believe we paid to watch that," Alex said kindly as he and Zack approached Red's Steakhouse together, both grinning happily. "Five bucks says it'll win a Razzie."

"A Razzie?" Zack echoed. "What's that?"

"The Raspberry Awards," Alex explained. Zack opened the door for him and Alex stepped inside. Alex smiled at the confused expression on Zack's face. "You know, kind of the opposite of the Oscars."

"Oh," Zack said. "Never heard of them."

"Welcome to Red's Steakhouse," the hostess. "Two tonight?"

"Yes, ma'am," Alex answered cheerfully.

"Right this way," she said pleasantly as she led them into the dining room. She seated them beside a window and set the two menus before them. "Your server will be Dudley. He'll be with you momentarily." And she returned to her podium.

"Never been here before," Alex said, looking over the menu.

"My dad said it was good," Zack replied. "Hope it's okay."

"Looks pricey," Alex added nervously.

"Don't worry about money," Zack answered. "Trust me."

A young buck soon walked over, dressed in a button-down red shirt and black trousers. He pulled out a notepad from his apron and grinned down at them.

"Welcome to Red's," the waiter said. "My name's Dudley and I'll be your--Junior? Hey, it's been a while."

Alex looked up from the menu in his paws and a wide, exuberant grin spread across his muzzle. He stood and gave Dudley a warm hug, smiling as they pulled apart. "I didn't know you worked here! How's it going?"

"Pretty good, can't complain," Dudley said. "So, what've you been up to recently?"

Zack cleared his throat noisily and Alex sank back down in his seat. "This is my good friend, Zack."

"Boyfriend," Zack said, standing to shake Dudley's offered paw.

"Nice to meet you," Dudley answered, sounding dismissive. He winced as Zack squeezed his paw. "Well, can I take your drink orders?"

"I'll have a Coke and he'll have a lemonade," Zack said bossily.

Dudley looked down at Alex who merely nodded in reply. "Okay... I'll be back with that in a minute." And he walked off.

"So," Zack began, "you know him?"

"Yeah," Alex answered with a grin. "We used to hang out all the time when we were little. He was my first kiss."

"Really?" Zack asked, mouth pulling into a scowl.

"Yeah, it was a dare," Alex explained.

"I see."

Alex's smile faded. "Are you okay? You seem upset."

"I'm fine," Zack answered, reaching over. He grasped Alex's paw in his own. "Happy to be spending time with you," he added, grinning cheekily.

A few minutes later, Dudley returned, setting the drinks and straws on the table. He pulled a notepad from his apron and smiled at them kindly. "So can I take your orders?"

"I'll have the sirloin, medium rare," Zack said.

"Sides?" Dudley inquired.

"Loaded potato and a salad," Zack said dismissively.

"I'll have the bacon cheeseburger, with everything on it," Alex replied happily.

"Fries?" Dudley asked, grinning down at him.

Alex returned the smile. "Yep."

Dudley wrote it down. "So, Junior, what're you doing tomorrow? I'm off. Wanna go hang out?"

"Yeah!" Alex answered happily.

Zack cleared his throat. "Weren't we going to marathon the Black Tail movies tomorrow?"

Alex hesitated. "Oh yeah... I forgot about that. Well, you can come over and watch them with us," he offered to Dudley.

"Sounds good," Dudley answered. "I'll go put your orders in."

Zack waited until he was sure Dudley was out of earshot to speak again. "Really? Why'd you invite him?"

"He's my buddy. We haven't hung out in years."

"But I wanted to just spend time with you," Zack grumbled. "I was looking forward to it."

Alex studied Zack's face. "Are you jealous?"

"No," Zack huffed as he took a sip from his drink. "Look, can it just be us tomorrow? I really don't want to--"

"Hey," Dudley said, returning, "you still at the same address?"

Alex looked up. "Yeah, same complex, same number."

"Do you mind?" Zack snarled irritably. "Can't you see we're talking?"

Dudley frowned. "Sorry... I just wanted to be sure to get--"

"Beat it, busboy," Zack growled.

Dudley's eyes narrowed. "I'm not a busboy, pooch."

"Zack, be nice," Alex hissed, but Zack wasn't listening.

"Don't ever call me 'pooch'," Zack growled.

Dudley looked over at Alex. "Is he always so angry?"

"No, I'm sorry," Alex sighed. "Zack, apologize. Please?"

Zack snorted indignantly and took another drink. He scowled. "Soda's flat. Can I get another one?"

Dudley frowned. "There's no way it went flat already."

"It's flat," Zack repeated. "Get me another one."

"Dudley, it's okay, he's just pouting," Alex said hurriedly. "Don't worry about him."

"Okay. I'll go check on your food." And he walked off.

Alex glared at his boyfriend, who seemed indifferent. "What's wrong with you? Can't you just be nice to him?"

"What do you mean?"

"You're acting so immature!" Alex griped. "When he gets back, promise me you'll apologize."

Zack huffed and let out a heavy breath. "Fine. I'll say sorry."

"Without being sarcastic," Alex insisted.

Zack rolled his eyes. "Fine. Whatever."

"No, not 'whatever'," Alex snarled. "I'm being serious. Please, just try. He's one of my best friends."

"Best friends? What does that make me? I thought I was your best friend."

"No, you're my boyfriend," Alex answered. "That's different."

"Can't we be both?"

"Zack, can you just apologize to him? For me?" Alex begged.

"Yes, I'll apologize."

When Dudley returned, he set the plates on the table and was about to hurry off when Zack cleared his throat. Dudley turned and looked over at him, frowning.

"Did you need another soda?" he asked condescendingly.

Zack swallowed the angry retort that almost escaped. "I just wanted to say sorry."

"Really?" Dudley asked in very clear disbelief.

"Yeah," Zack grumbled, taking hold of his knife and fork. "Really."

Intrigued, Dudley leaned down to whisper in Alex's ear. "I take it you had something to do with him saying sorry. Always the bridge-builder, aren't you?"

"You say that like it's a bad thing," Alex answered. "So, we still on for tomorrow?"

A loud chink caught their attention; Zack had just stabbed his steak with his fork viciously and the utensil had gone through to the plate.

"What's his issue?" Dudley asked Alex.

"I don't have an issue," Zack interrupted. "I'd appreciate it if you'd just go away now. Don't you have other tables to harass?"

"He's not harassing anyone," Alex answered.

"Yeah, I'm just talking to my friend," Dudley agreed.

"Go away," Zack ordered.

"Or what?"

Zack took two deep breaths before rising from his seat and walking away. Alex hurriedly followed Zack as the jackal rushed outside to take a few deep breaths of fresh air. He tapped Zack's shoulder and jumped back at the large jackal wheeled around, eyes wild with anger and hackles raised. He glared down at the fox who glared back.

"What's your deal?!" Alex snarled, arms crossed.

"I don't have a 'deal'," Zack scoffed. "What's your deal? Why're you flirting with the waiter?!"

"I'm not!"

"Really?" Zack raged. "Why'd you invite him to our Black Tail marathon?"

"Because he's my friend!" Alex yelled back. "Why are you always like this? You're so... jealous and... overprotective!"

Zack's angry retort was cut off by the sound of someone else walking out of the restaurant. His glare immediately turned towards the buck who had stepped out.

"Your food..." Dudley began.

"Do you mind?!" Zack snapped. "We're talking here!"

"Right but your food's just sitting at your table," Dudley countered. He took a few steps forward. "And besides, you two are making a scene out here."

"Dude, piss off!" Zack snarled, pushing Dudley away.

Dudley stumbled backwards. Quickly regaining his footing, Dudley stomped forward, shoving Zack away.

"Guys--" Alex began but Zack had already thrown a punch.

Dudley fell backwards but quickly caught himself. Alex attempted to step between them, but Zack and Dudley seemed to have forgotten he was there in their attempts to get at each other.

Alex suddenly felt a heavy blow on his cheek and Zack and Dudley seemed to pause, Zack's paw gripping Dudley's shirt. Zack's jaw dropped in shock and fear as he looked at his boyfriend.

"You... you..."

"Alex--" Zack breathed, releasing Dudley and moving towards Alex who stepped backwards with each step closer that Zack took. "I didn't mean to--"

"Don't! Just go!"

"Alex..."

"No!" Alex said, choking back a sob as he rubbed his cheek. He could feel blood starting to seep out of his mouth from the impact. "You hit me... You fucking hit me!"

"It was an accident! Alex, I--"

"Leave me alone!" Alex shouted, slapping Zack's paw away when he reached forward.

"I'm sorry--"

"That's not good enough!" Alex said, crying. "Just leave!"

"At least let me take you home," Zack said. "Please, I'll make it up to you!"

"You can't..."

---

Alex huffed sadly as he finished speaking, Lexi listening, entirely enraptured by it. He waited patiently for Lexi to speak, but she seemed to be processing everything that had been said and when she finally spoke again, her voice was weak and quiet.

"I'm sorry," she said. "I'm glad you left him!"

"But now Chance is with him," Alex said miserably. "And Zack's probably going to hurt him too..."

"Then tell him what you just told me," Lexi said. Alex nodded. "That is, if you want to..."

Alex's gaze drifted downwards towards the floor. "I don't know. I'm furious with Chance for just ignoring me when I try to warn him and I'm furious at Zack for taking Chance away from me and then Chance is dating him--"

"Do you like Chance?"

"Not romantically," Alex quickly said defensively.

"Do you like Zack?"

"Not really," Alex remarked. He sighed.

"Alex, look up at me," Lexi ordered. He looked up at her. "Chance was never yours to lose. You didn't ask him out or make a move. On top of that, I see the way you look at Zack when he isn't looking back. You miss him."

"I don't!"

"And I understand your dilemma," she continued, ignoring his denial. "One is the bad boy, the big strong guy, the dangerous person you think you can save. Meanwhile, the other one is safe, the boy-next-door, the take-home-to-mom type. You like them both. And it's even more complicated when one is a ten and the other's only an eight. However, you don't have the right to be territorial or jealous. Neither of them are yours and you had plenty of time to either make up with Zack or make out with Chance."

"I know..." Alex answered miserably.

"All you can do is to tell your story to Chance," she said. "And let him decide if he wants to take that risk."

Alex nodded sadly. "Okay. But I'm curious now. Which one do you think is the ten?"

Lexi shrugged and looked at her phone. "Oh, look at the time. I need to call my Benny-boy."

---

It was late on Friday night and Alex sat awake, staring up at his ceiling, too deep in thought to really consider sleep. He held his phone close, Chance's number dialed. All he had to do was to press the call button and he could speak to him...

Do I even want to? Alex wondered nervously. What if he's with Zack now? Or what if Zack answers his phone? Alex shook his head. Why would Zack answer Chance's phone? That's a bit excessive. But it is Zack...

Sighing, Alex tapped the call button and waited patiently. On the other side, the phone rang... and rang... and rang...

"You have reached the voicemail box of--"

Alex exhaled a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. Perhaps Chance was asleep; it was almost midnight after all. He waited for the automated voice to finish and listened for the beep before speaking.

"Hey, Chance, it's Junior," Alex said, trying his hardest to sound kind and warm. "Listen, I really want to talk to you about Zack. I have to tell you something. Please call me back when you get a chance... or we can talk on Monday at school. So have a good weekend. Bye. This is Junior, by the way. Okay, bye."

Alex hung up and set his phone aside. All that was left to do now was wait, to see if Chance would even answer. If he would, then Alex would tell him the full story. If not, then Chance was on his own.

---