* I was ecstatic so I decided on writing Chapter 23 immediately. ;)

I mean-- I can't wait to write their childhood flasbacks! (sniff)

Dedicated to my BUBOI, @AldwinSo a new comer on Wattpad! Say Hello everyone!;)

==

✾ Alexis Reed ✾

Darren and I are currently on our way to this said cafe we used to go a lot to.

Both of us are silent that was until Darren turned on the radio and he sang along.

That was the first time I heard him sing and honestly-- It was too funny.

He couldn't reach the high pitches.

In short, he's a horrible singer.

"Love like wooe, girl's got a love like wooooooe. I kinda feel like you don't make sense-- 'cuz you're bringing me in and now you're kicking me out again." He sang.

Love like woe's playing on the radio.

"Love so strong, when you moved on.. Now I'm hung up in suspense, 'cuz you're bringing me in and now you're kicking me out again.." I sang along.

He was surprised to hear me sing and I was surprised to know the lyrics.

It's like I've been singing this song ever since.

"That's odd.. How come I know the lyrics? And it's like I've been singing this for ages..."

"It's our theme song before." He chuckled.

"Theme song?" I asked.

"Yeah, another flashback please." He winked.

~~~

We were eleven years old at that time.

I got home wearily that day.

I've been crying for hours and hours already.

"What's up?" My childhood best friend, Alexis asked.

I was stunned to find her in my room, flipping a few of my ADULT magazines.

"HEY! THIS ROOM IS OFF LIMITS TO GIRLS!" I cried out.

"Your mom let me in so I did." She shrugs casually.

"Geez, my mom still treats me like a baby." I pouted, crossing my arms on my chest.

"That's because you look like one." She says, sticking out her tongue at me.

That's right, girls mature faster than boys.

She looks like my older sister when we're together if you ask me.

"Don't worry, I'll be taller than you someday." I scowled.

Yes, Alexis was far more taller than me.

"So what's up? Your eyes are swollen." She says, changing the topic.

"I... I..."

"It's Candice, ain't I right?" She inquired.

I sighed in defeat, nodding my head.

At that time, I had a crush on Candice. She had a crush on me too. But then.....

"Let me guess, she chose that tall football player, Adrian rather than someone wimpy looking as you." Alexis finished off for me.

Ouch, but that's true.

Alexis gave me a bone-crushing hug and I cried my eyes out on her shoulder.

"Don't worry, there are better girls out there." She smiled faintly.

That's when the song "Love like Woe" played on the radio.

It fits the situation perfectly and as time passes by, I couldn't care less about Candice anymore but the song became our (Alexis and me) usually-sung song.

~~~

"I thought you promised to marry me and yet you liked a girl named Candice?" I scoffed at him.

"Hey! I was young back then when I said that, and you were a gigantic girl."

"I'm seriously turned off." I teased.

"Don't worry, I won't break that promise somehow..." He says calmly.

I blushed when he said this and looked away.

Does that mean he wants to marry me? But come on, a lot of things can happen.. He said so himself.

He was young and he liked a girl even with the promise he made.

Although I can't blame him, I mean-- I forgot everything.

We arrived at the place a few minutes later.

The cafe was small, made of wood and has this Alice In Wonderland feel to it.

Darren parked the car near the backyard and he asked me once more with pleading eyes.

"Are you sure about this?"

"Heck yeah. Why? Is there something wrong?" I asked questionably.

"You'll see when we get in." He simply says.

We got off his car and walked down the stairs only to see a very small door with the labels, "Beware, white rabbit on the loose", just like the ones in Alice in Wonderland. The door is cotton candy pink, the small cafe looked a lot like a mushroom. Its roof looks like the head of one. There were loads of greenery, plants and flowers surrounding the door.

"You ready?" He gulped.

"Totally." I smiled.

When we entered--

It was mayhem.

Kids were running around everywhere.

The place is for kids and teens, we're like the only adults here.

"Told you so." He shrugs, although I find it really fascinating.

The interior is really cute, we took a seat on the small white stools. I admired the flower-shaped table and the table set ups of small bottles that says either "Drink Me" or "Eat Me". There is also a cute English tea set inthe middle. Also, a small menu on the side. I didn't hesitate in taking a look at it. The prints' font is cute and childish.

"This place is too cute." I giggled.

"This is embarrassing." Darren says, covering his face from the kids.

That's when a white rabbit (not kidding), took our order.

Of course, it was a mascot.

"Welcome to Alice's Cafe. May I take your order--"

She stopped talking when she noticed Darren.

"Is that my baby D?" She squealed.

Baby D?

I chuckled and slowly, Darren put down his hands.

"So this must be Alice, right?" She says, wiggling her eyebrows at him.

Alice?

"Yeah, that's A."

"Oh god, I missed you so much, Alexis!" She giggles.

Who's this?

He took off the bunny head and there's this blonde haired, green eyed guy that looks really really familiar.

She-- No, it was a he! But his voice is so shrill I thought he-- I mean. I thought he's a she.

He gave me a quick hug and I raised one brow.

"I'm so glad you remembered your memories! You remembered me and this place!"

My heart sank..

Just how many people have I forgotten?

I thought it was only Darren--

Or maybe I forgot all the people connected to Darren...?

"Ah... Rainie.. She doesn't remember yet." Darren softly say.

"That's.. too bad." He frowned.

"Anyway, we're ordering the usual." Darren smiled.

"Coming right up." Rainie winks.

He left with his bunny suit and I sighed heavily.

"How come I don't remember him? This is so frustrating!" I sighed, my tears welling up in my eyes.

Darren held my face tenderly and smiled.

"Don't worry, you'll remember him."

"Who is he anyway?" I asked.

"Oh, he's the son of the one that owns this place. We were childhood friends with him before and we often eat here. His treat." Darren winks.

"Yeah? That's nice. He seems nice."

"He is."

Our food arrived and I gasped at the very small portions.

"We serve kids here, not adults." Rainie laughs.

"Come, sit with us, Rainie." Darren offered.

He sat with us and I stared at the food in awe.

It's served in rainbow colored bowls, plates, utensils and cups. It's really kid-friendly. The straws are all twisted and curly. Everything looks-- kiddy.

I poked my fork inside the heart-shaped baked lasagna.

Oh, it's really cute! I so dig heart-shaped pastas.

"This is so good!" I smiled, the taste of the creamy cheese in the lasagna melting in my mouth.

Somehow, this taste.. feels so homey.

This is going to be my new favorite.

"Tell her about the wood carving, Rainie." Darren laughs.

"He knows?" I asked.

"Yeah. The three of us are together at that time." Darren smiled.

"Okay!" Rainie smiled back.

~~~

I was bullied by the big kids.

I'm not from a rich family and the only family business that's sustaining my tuition fees, allowance and everyday needs is "Alice's Cafe". I will be forever grateful to that business.

"Give us your allowance!" A bulk guy with shaggy red hair and freckles says, his name's Ted, the bully in our school.

He cornered me with his gang.

They were all big, muscled and bulky while I was wimpy and short.

I couldn't fight for myself.

"B-But... this is my allowance for the whole entire month." I cried, tears streaming down my cheeks.

"We don't care! Give us your allowance!!" He demanded, pulling my shirt.

I scrambled on my pockets and sniffed.

I'm sorry, mom. I'm sorry, dad.

I cried so hard, knowing I'll be giving my parents' hardwork and efforts to some bullies.

"HEY! MOVE IT."

I heard a voice.

I'm saved!

My savior!!!

"What's your problem?!" Ted says with his gang, cornering two people.

One's a guy, the other's a girl.

"Don't bully on little kids like that! Didn't your mother teach you?!?" The guy shouted.

"And who are you to tell us that?!"

Then it was like a lightning flash.

I covered my eyes and the next thing I know, all of Ted's gang, including him are down to the floor, groaning in pain.

Ah, the mastermind of it all....

"Alexis! You're so cool!!" The guy squealed.

I looked at the girl, her eyes burning with anger, her fists clenched.

The girl was the one who beat them all up?

"That's thanks to taekwondo." The girl smiles.

"T-Thank you..." I stammered on the words.

"You're welcome! My name's Alexis!" The girl chirped.

"I'm Darren." The guy smiled.

"My name's Rainie.."

"Want to play with us?" Darren offered.

I smiled, nodding my head.

I never had friends before.

Hand-in-Hand, the three of us went to the nearby playground.

"Look, Rainie! It's our favorite hang out." Darren smiles.

"Yeah!"

We played our hearts out and it feels so good to finally have friends.

"Rainie! I wanna write something on that big tree!" Darren says.

That's when he climbed the tree.

It wasn't that big before-- but it was big for his size.

"Ugh! I might get bruises after this!" Darren complained.

"Why are you climbing so high?" I asked him, and I followed.

After climbing the tree, I sat beside Darren on one of the tree's branches.

That's when he flashed me a swiss knife and started carving on the rough tree trunk.

"I want to help!" I smiled, pulling out my swiss knife.

My dad always told me to bring one in case of emergencies.

That's when we carved,

"A, D, R = Frends 4Evr"

I smiled when Darren told me what we're carving.

It brought tears to my eyes.

"Why are you crying?" He asked.

"I'm just so happy I finally have friends.." I whimpered.

He flashed me a smile saying,

"I want to carve another one."

I saw his cheeks tint pink and when Alexis spotted us, she climbed up as well.

"What are you guys up to?" She asked, sitting beside me.

"Wood carving!" Darren chimed.

"This is so cute!" Alexis giggled, seeing the wood carving Darren and I made.

"I want to make something that will profess my love for you!" Darren squirms, looking at Alexis with loving eyes.

I saw Alexis blush and that's how I knew both of them having feelings for each other.

But I guess they haven't realized that yet-- I'll keep it to myself then until they realize it themselves. ;)

Darren held Alexis' right hand and together they carved the heart shaped containing "A + D".

"As long as the carving is still here, my love for you will never change." Darren blushes.

Alexis simply nodded her head.

I don't think it will disappear though-- If we're talking about Darren's love here.

After carving, we went down the tree together and I invited them for dinner in our cafe.

~~~

"How come I don't see the other carving anymore?" I asked curiously.

"Maybe it disappeared over time." Rainie shrugged.

"How old were we when that happened?" I asked.

"Twelve or thirteen, I think." Darren replied.

"Wow, Darren. You love me soooo much." I teased.

It was really adorable.

Darren's so adorable.

"Shut up. That was a long time ago." Darren says, although his cheeks were flushing crimson-- I

wonder why.

"It's depressing that I don't remember any of it." I sighed.

"No worries. It will come to you. Enjoy your food! I still have to entertain other customers." Rainie smiles, then he left.

"I have to admit.. I had an awesome childhood." I laughed.

"We certainly did."

We talked more and ate the mini-sized food.

That was until in the corner of my eye, I saw Carson.

I flinched when I saw him.

The part which made my heart sank is he's with Patricia.

Why do I still care?

He tried to rape me...

He's a psychotic loon who kidnapped me so that he can kill me with his bare hands-- according to Eve.

"Alexis?" Darren asked then followed my gaze.

"It's about time they get together." Darren snickered.

He stopped snickering when he saw me not looking okay.

"Are you alright?" He asked.

I smiled, nodding my head at him and decided to finish my food.

I don't get it.

I'm here with Darren. I shouldn't be feeling sad about Carson with another girl.

"Are they dating?" I asked curiously.

Darren shrugged his shoulders,

"All I know is, Patricia and him-- They had chemistry before. They never dated but there's always this spark between them." Darren explained.

Oh.

I see.

I don't know why I suddenly feel so glum.

Ain't I enjoying Darren's company?

Do I just miss Carson? Or do I still have feelings for him even after what he did to me?

After eating, we left the place.

I'm not sure if Carson saw us but.. I think it would be noticable since there are a lot of small kids here and fewer adults.

Why is he here anyway? With Patricia even?

"You okay?" Darren asked once more.

"Yeah." I responded but my voice seems to disagree.

"I'll take you home. You don't sound okay." Darren says.

I guess he's not convinced when I said I'm alright.

"Okay." I sighed, not wanting to argue with him anymore.

Darren drove me home.

The rest of the trip was dead silence.

I don't even know why seeing Carson with another girl bothers me so much.

I guess Darren also knew that.

He dropped me off in Eve's house and I bid my goodbyes.

When I got off, I waved goodbye.

He simply smiled faintly, he didn't even bother getting out of the car.

I watched as his car distance from the neighborhood.

I rang the doorbell and Eve answered it.

"Well, you're early. It's like.. three in the afternoon. What happened? Didn't your date go well?" She asked worriedly.

"My date's okay."

"Then why are you here so early?"

"Carson happened." I spat.

"What??! TELL ME EVERYTHING."

"Let me in first. I'm so exhausted."

"Okay."

I went inside and told Eve everything..

About Darren, Rainie, Carson and Patricia.

"You saw Rainie? That's so cute!" Eve gasped.

"You know him?"

"Of course! I'm your best friend. How could I not know who Rainie is? Speaking of which, you shouldn't care about Carson anymore! He's a psychotic loon! Who he dates or who he doesn't date should not matter to you." Eve lectured.

"I know... but it's just that.. we've been together and.. for so long, I thought he was the one. I couldn't erase that easily even if it was only a part of a big lie." I explained.

"I get what you mean." Eve sighed.

"I don't know.. I'm so confused."

"Don't worry. It will be clearer to you soon, okay?" Eve says, giving me an encouraging smile.

"Thanks Eve."

"You're welcome."

**

HI PEOPLE OF WATTPAD! :3

Yes, love love love heart heart heart!

Oh no! Alexis still has feelings for Carson!?

And why is he with Patricia anyway? Are they really dating?

Comment below if you got any wild guesses. ;)

Send some vomments y'all!

Xx,

me. ;)

Rainie on the side! Isn't he such a cutie? >> Jake Abel >>