I Knew I Loved You...Did You?

By Alona Basque

Amy Richardson had a not-so-memorable high school because she was not-so-pretty. Five years later, she attends her high school reunion looking totally different and suddenly she finds her love life to get more complicated.There's a previous lover, a previous crush, a male bestfriend, all who might have one goal: to get chosen by her.Who will she choose?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Alona Basque
• Release date: Nov 11, 2011
• ISBN: 9780987782502

Alona Basque

I love writing and reading books! I remember the day that I started writing my first story. It was a huge thing for me!I live in Canada but I love to travel.Driving is something that I love doing on my down time. Listening to music is another thing that I love doing.I am not so great with this whole filling out my Bio but it's something for others to know about me!

Book preview

I Knew I Loved You…Did You?

I Knew I Loved You…Did You?

By

Alona Basque

SMASHWORDS EDITION

*.*.*.*

PUBLISHED BY:

Alona Basque on Smashwords

Cover By: Chintan Patel

Edited By: Melissa O’Neill

I Knew I Loved You…Did You?

Copyright © 2011 Alona Basque

*.*.*.*

All rights reserved. No part(s) of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or any other—except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

This book is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogues are products of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author's work.

This story is dedicated to all of those who fell in love with their best friend…unintentionally. I hope your ending is a happy one.

Chapter 1: Amy Richardson

There I was, walking down the high school corridor carrying my heavy backpack and some books in my hands. With my eyes on the floor, I headed towards my locker.

Suddenly, someone slams into me making me drop my books. That someone was clad in a cheerleader outfit. She looked at me with disgust in her eyes while saying, Watch it freak!

Um, I'm Sorry, here let me help you out I said as I was reaching for her stuff that were dropped on the floor.

When I looked up, she had a sneer on her face, her head held high like I'm beneath her notice. You see, I'm the outcast, being the new kid in high school - very plain hazel eyes with glasses, big light brown frizzy hair and not-too-smooth pasty skin (thanks to puberty) in comparison to the life-size Barbie in front of me.

As I was bending over to help her, she suddenly shrieks, Eww, don't place a single unpopular paw on my stuff!

I looked at her with hurt in my eyes while replying Oh, okay sorry

As I was turning away from Miss-Stuck-up-cheerleader, I almost toppled over as someone else bumped into me. Boy this is not a good first day so far! I thought before having a face plant towards the floor.

I was expecting the impact to come, but it never came. Instead, an arm grabbed me by my waist to save me from falling. As soon as I was able to get my balance back, I turned around but the arm wrapped around me never let go from their grasp.

This ended in me face-to-face with the most beautiful green eyes I've ever seen. They sparkle like emeralds surrounded by thick eyelashes. I was taken aback by their intensity.

Are you alright? he asked. I shook my head trying to clear it from getting mesmerized.

I, um, yeah I'm fine thank you was all I could manage to let out from my lips.

Speaking of lips, his were starting to curve into a half-smile like he knows something I don't know which made me blush considerably.

Um, you still have your arm around me. I said as another blush forms on my face breaking the eye contact.

Ahem, yeah sorry he fake coughed as he lets go of me.

Hi, I'm Adrian he says while sticking out his hand to me.

I'm Amelia. My friends call me Amy I replied taking his hand in mine.

As our hands made contact I felt a tingling sensation coursed through me. Looking up, I saw in his face surprise as well like he felt the same thing. Now, looking at him from a non-intimate distance he is actually very handsome. He has brown tousled hair, a chiselled face, and those emerald green eyes staring right down my soul. I felt another blush as I felt like the only person in the world with this person...

RING! RING!

Hello? I answered as it took me out of my flashback recap.

Hey, Amy how's it going? my mom said on the other line

I'm fine mom, how's it going?

Well just wondering if you are stopping by the house before attending the reunion tonight? Your dad and I miss you! she whined

Oh course! I was already on my way there actually I said with an eye roll due to my mother’s melodramatic ways.

You're not driving right now, are you? Coz, that's very dangerous my mom inquired. I rolled my eyes again this time out of her overprotectiveness.

Yes, I'm driving but don't worry I got you on Bluetooth. Jeez, my mom is such a worrier.

Oh, okay. Well, we'll see you when you get here then! she chirped happily

Yup, see you soon mom! I said as I disconnected the call.

Hmm, I wonder what the reunion would be like. I haven't been back to this town in almost 5 years but it feels like those high school memories just happened yesterday. I look totally different now, maybe no one will even recognize me, I thought.

Not only am I not wearing glasses - thanks to my recent eye surgery - but my skin is also not as pasty and also my face is no longer full of embarrassing zits, blackheads, etc.(thank god, I'm done with puberty-for good). I also developed a not-so-skinny curvy-in-the-right places body.

You're probably thinking I'm conceited but who can blame me?! I was an ugly duckling and well these are my thoughts so I think I'm allowed to be proud of my accomplishments.

Oh, where are my manners, my name is Amelia Richardson, Amy for short. I'm 21, Single – just got out of a long term relationship – I was actually even engaged to the guy. But I found myself falling out of love with HIM which is not a good thing. So, after being engaged for 1 year I broke things off which turns out the feelings were mutual; tsk, tsk.

I know what you're thinking I'm devoid of emotions, Wrong! I actually am a hopeless romantic. I still love my ex; don't get me wrong, it's just that I'm not in Love with HIM.

This is a very BIG deal for me.

Anyways, I got the idea of falling truly, madly, deeply, stupidly in love with another person from guess who? My Parents. Even now that they have been together for almost 50 years they still sometimes act like they're teenagers who only met and fell in love with each other yesterday.

I sometimes wonder why I only have one other sibling if they are always at it. Eww, Okay, stop right there brain, we are so not going there! They're my parents for Pete's sake.

Back to the topic, I believe that there is a Mr. Right somewhere but ask yourself this, why do women stop looking when they find Mr. Right-Now? I guess it has something to do with convenience and the fact that we are too scared of getting hurt. Or we get too tired of looking or waiting for the knight-in-shining armour to come to our rescue? I realized at some point after high school then college that LOVE is very complex.

I have been in phases of puppy loves, infatuations, crushes, being in Lust, flings, and of course at one point or another being in LOVE. None of these really matter at some point because I stopped using my heart in deciding in the love life department and instead I used my brain.

Thinking back now, I think that is the reason why I accepted Rob's marriage proposal.

Oh, yeah, you're probably wondering what spur the earlier flashback. While I was driving on my way to my parents' house I was singing along to Katy Perry's song Teenage Dream

I sighed, while reminiscing to be honest I actually didn't get to live the teenage dream back in high school. Don't get me wrong, I was able to find friends even best friends - Alex and Caitlin.

Caitlin was my neighbour, as soon as my family moved next door her parents and mine became friends and so did me and Cate. We were totally opposite each other me with the brunette hair and hazel eyes, skinny body. Cate was with blonde hair and blue eyes and a body to go with it. I don't even know how we became best friends to begin with. Maybe it's because we were neighbours? No, that wasn't it, it's because as Cate likes to put, I have an 'I call them as I see them' attitude.

She and I hate fake people-AKA plastic-that's what we call them. She was popular but she didn't like hanging with the popular crowd as she finds them very fake because they only accept her for her looks. For the longest time Cate was in love with my older brother Matt who is 1 year older than us. But eventually Cate got over him or so she tells me... it turns out it wasn't love that Cate felt it was just lust. No matter, they didn't hook up which would have been very awkward if they got together as one is related to me by blood and the other one is almost family as well.

Back in high school Matt was your typical popular jock/jerk overall player. Nonetheless, he was still a sweet, kind and overprotective older brother to me. He's about 6'2 making me feel so short in my 5'7 height. Not that many people know we're related until people see us together. Matt inherited our dad's dirty blonde hair and grey-green eyes. And I got my looks from our mom. As you can imagine, all of the girls would drool over him even my own best friend. Eck! To me, he's just my brother.

His best friend is Alex Marks, who turned out to be my best friend as well. Just like me and Cate, Matt and Alex are totally opposite each other in looks. Alex is almost as tall as Matt but with black spiked hair with grey eyes. He and Matt were tagged as HG1 and HG2 – Hot God 1 and 2 – which, as I mentioned earlier I find that they just look pretty normal to me!

Cate, Alex, and I all attended the same University in Seattle – well, Alex switched schools after a year and a half. I still don't know the reason for that. Different majors of course, Cate with Interior Design, Alex into the culinary world, and me with Business Management. At the time we all shared the same house while in College.

Matt was the only one who didn't go with us – he went to University Of Calgary with his football scholarship while taking English as his major. Oh, as a hobby I do photography. I own a studio in Seattle which is where I live now – which is far, far away from Vancouver, British Columbia – 45 minutes away where my parents live – as you, can tell I was exaggerating because Seattle is only about a 2-hour drive.

Oh, look at that! A Tim Horton’s food chain! I should get some coffee, maybe even a doughnut? Yum! Well, looks like the drive thru is too long of a wait, I guess I can always go in the store, maybe it’s quicker.

As I go in through the glass doors of the store, I got a strong whiff of freshly brewed coffee in the air. Hmm, this is heaven! As predicted, there was only one person ahead of me. Nice.

What should I get? Duh. Coffee I guess this leaves me with the rest. Triple chocolate donut? A Chocolate glazed donut? A Double chocolate chip Muffin perhaps? Or a Boston Crème? A Long John perhaps? Maybe some Timbits? A cookie? So many choices. Ah, it's my turn to order.

Welcome to Tim Horton's what can I get for you today? says the cashier who's called 'Jane' on her name tag

Hi, I would like a Large Triple-Triple and Triple Chocolate donut? Thanks What can I say I like my coffee and donut sweet!

That would be $2.68 please. Would you like anything else? Jane asked me with a smile

No thank you that'll be all I replied as I hand her a five-dollar bill and she turns away to get my order

$2.32 is your change. Here's your coffee and donut. Have a great day! Now, that's what I call fast service! But I think I need more than 2 hands as some of the change that Jane handed me slipped through my palm and drops on the floor with a clatter. Oh, gosh what a clumsy move on my part! Oh, well its money gotta pick them up.

As I was straightening out from bending over to pick up the change that fell out of my palm I felt someone tap my shoulder.

I turned around to be shocked because none other than Adrian Evans was standing right in front of me. I made a mental note to myself not to let my jaw drop which lucky enough it didn't.

Excuse me, you dropped this he says as he handed me a quarter while giving me one of his half-smiles playing on his lips. Wow, I almost forgot how beautiful his emerald green eyes were. As I took the quarter from his hand I felt an electric shock tingle in my hand from the contact

Um, thanks was all I could say because the first time we met brought back nostalgia in me which made my legs work on their own towards the door leaving a shocked looking Adrian.

I got in to my Burgundy BMW; took a bite of my donut and a sip of my coffee while keeping an eye on the Tim Horton's door and at the same time telling my fast-beating heart to go back to normal. I can't believe he didn't recognize me. But then again, who would? As I was pulling up to my parents' driveway, I noticed an all too familiar Purple Honda CRV on their driveway-meaning Cate is also here! I can't believe it she didn't tell me she was coming by as well! I scurried out of my Burgundy BMW X5 SUV, I couldn't keep my excitement from bubbling up. Once I got to the door it swung open revealing my girl best friend Cate.

Ah!!!!!! we screeched at the same time while giving each other a big hug and jumped around like old times. These times are priceless.

OH MY GOD! I missed you girl! How long has it been? she says while we are still hugging each other.

Too long, Cate, too long! How have you been? I asked back

Oh, you know can't complain. It feels like I haven't seen you since I moved out! she answered back. You see, Cate moved out of the house we were staying at to live with her boyfriend Adam after we graduated from University. Even though we didn't live together anymore we still kept all communications open whether it was via email, IM, Facebook, phone calls, text messages, and even Skype. Yeah I know that's how we were progressing on our geeky-ness.

So, did you bring Adam with you? I asked Cate while looking around from behind her, then I noticed that she had this look crossed her face that tells me not to mention his name again. That brought my eyebrows to furrow.

No. He and I are not together anymore. she finally replied making it sound so final that she doesn't want to discuss the topic again. This made me hug her again.

So, what about you? Where's Rob? she asked as she pulls away from the hug and holding onto my left hand up for inspection. When she didn't find an engagement ring, her face scrunched together out of confusion.

No Rob either. We broke it off. You know it just wasn't meant to be. One day, we just found ourselves falling out of love I said quietly with a shrug.

Amy, is that you? Oh, honey it's been too long My mom says as she comes around the corner to where Cate and I were-which really is only the foyer of the house-my mom gives me a hug and a kiss on the cheeks.

Hi mom! I missed you too! I squeaked a little out of breath as she hugs me so fiercely.

Mom can't breathe! she finally pulls away but kept her hands on my shoulders looking me up and down. Damn, here it goes.

Amy, did you lose weight? Have you been eating right? You're not anorexic are you? there goes my mother with her barrelling of questions like all the rest of the mothers in the world.

Mom, relax, I do eat properly. I replied out of irritation. Geez, I haven't even been home for five minutes and already I get bombarded with these silly worrisome inquiries from my own mother.

Come on, let's get some food in you she says as she pulls me towards the kitchen. Gosh, I love my mother.

As I rounded the corner to the kitchen, I saw my dad in front of the oven looking very thoughtful as if willing whatever was in it to finish sooner.

Ahem, Hey Dad! Long time, no see! I said as he almost jumped a feet in the air from getting startled.

Then, he turns around and made his way to me with a big grin, arms stretched out to welcome me home. Hey baby girl, I'm sorry I was a little distracted that I didn't even hear all the commotion of you coming home he says

It's alright dad, I know how you are and food I replied with a snigger.

Ha-ha, you are so funny Amy. Of course, I love your mother's Lasagna! How are things? I miss you he says this while everybody else around us was laughing too.

I'm good thanks for asking dad I replied

You look thin, thinner than normal. Are you sick? he says while he looks me up and down. Geez, is there anything else that my parents don't notice?

I am not sick, nor am I 'thinner than normal', dad. Stop looking at me like that! I chastised him and everybody else.

Okay, well, would you like a drink? he asked while heading to the bar.

Dad, it's like noon, isn't it a little early to be drinking? I asked with a head shake

Nah, its 5 pm somewhere in the world. So, what would you like? Vodka Gimlet? White Russian? Beer? Name it. He says this so seriously like he meant business. I had to stifle a laugh as he looks up with puppy dog eyes.

Mom, is dad broken or something?

No honey, he's just happy to have you around. God forbid, he gets tired of me all the time. I rolled my eyes while she says this. But dad already made his way to my mom to get his arms wrapped around her waist and kisses her on the cheeks. This, in turn made my mom blush. As I've said before, they are too in love with each other it breaks my heart out of envy.

Kay, come now, you know I love you just as you are my dad tells my mom while pouting. This of course made my mom smile with glee.

Okay, fine dad, I will have a Vodka Gimlet please, what about you Cate? I said as I make my way to the bar stool in the corner of the kitchen.

I'll have a Smirnoff Ice thanks! she says as she goes around the bar and opening the fridge.

My dad made his way over to where Cate is and smacks her hand off the fridge handle.

Caitlin, you're too young to be drinking! my dad chastised

Dad, Cate will be 21 in a week. Besides, you know as well as I do that 19 is the legal drinking age here. I tell my dad with my eyes rolling.

Yes, yes, I was just kidding around he replies as he hands Cate a bottle of Smirnoff Ice and me my glass of Vodka Gimlet

Don't drink too much without eating my Lasagna! my mom chimed in.

So, how long are you both staying this time? You know, you don't even live too far and yet you don't visit often. my dad inquired.

Well, since it's almost the New Year I'm thinking of making my New Year's resolution to come visit every weekend. What do you think? Is that too much? Oh, and I'm thinking of staying for a month if that's okay with you guys. I look at both my parents who have big grins on their faces.

Silly girl, of course anything you want is okay with us. I wish you can stay longer than the weekends my mom says while my dad nods his head excitedly.

Do you know if Matt is coming too? I asked them.

Of course, Matt is coming A voice behind me says.

This made me turn my head so quickly I felt my neck crick.

OH MY GOD, Matt you're here! I exclaimed excitedly as I ran and almost tackle him for a hug.

I miss you too little sis he says while chuckling and hugging me back

Hey Cate, long time no see he says to her with a wink and she blushes then giggles. Hmm, did I miss out on something here?

Same here Matt, how was the drive from Calgary? she asked him

Oh, it was long and boring aside from me picking up a hitchhiker to drop off to Kelowna, it wasn't that eventful he replies with a shrug like it was a normal thing that happens to him

Matt, what the hell were you thinking?! Picking up a hitchhiker? I gasped out with a headshake.

Relax Amy; it was fine besides it was a teenager who needed a ride there. The kid actually looked more scared of me than the other way around. And as you can tell nothing bad happened. he explains I rolled my eyes

What if it was a psycho killer huh? I asked him

Just drop it Amy, I'm sure Matt can take care of himself Cate interjects.

Yeah right I scoff

Thanks for your vote of confidence sis, I feel so appreciated Matt says sarcastically

You're welcome big brother I tell him with a smirk

Soo, where's Casey? Please tell me you left her with the hitchhiker back in Kelowna I asked him hopefully. Gosh I hate that bitch! I don't even know what he sees in her.

Oh, she's around but she's not coming here considering we're not together anymore. For a few months now Whew, I was glad to hear the news.

Seriously? You Matthew Richardson, single? Huh, it sounds too good to be true I pondered out loud.

Why is that so hard to believe? Matt asked incredulously

I don't know. It's weird to see you without any girl latching on you wherever you go that's all. I replied honestly

Amy, it is not that weird. I find that being single for once is actually refreshing. I hear you are single yourself. What happened? Did that douche bag do something to you? Ah, right Matt and Rob didn't get along as well. As usual my big brother is always overprotective of me

No Matt, Rob didn't do anything, if he did I would have kicked his ass anyway

Me, too! Cate chimes in. I raised an eyebrow her way. What? You're my best friend if anybody hurts you, they get hurt by me as well she says

Thanks Cate! I said

Alright guys, let's eat! The food is ready My mom announced.

As we made ourselves to the dining room Cate grabs my arm to hold me back.

So, do you want to come over my house to get ready for the reunion?

Why not go straight to the reunion from here instead? I asked her

Oh, I don't know I just thought you want to get away sooner rather later she says with a wink which made me laugh

Maybe tomorrow, we can have a sleepover like always

Yay!!! she cheered. Wow, she's easy to please

I missed you Cate

After eating, catching up and drinking Cate and I headed to my room only to find a surprise there waiting for us...

Hey beautiful, long time, no see He said as he engulfed me in a bear hug with a kiss on my left cheek

Wow, Alex it is definitely a pleasant surprise but what were you doing in my room? How long have you been in here? I said while returning the hug.

Oh, didn't Matt tell you we met up in Kelowna? He tells me this in almost a whisper as we were still cheek-to-cheek.

Nope he didn't tell me all he said was he dropped off some hitchhiker in Kelowna but not picking up another hitchhiker from there I said with a shrug as I pulled away from him

Ha-ha, funny, you know why I was there. I was visiting some family. It's so good to see you since I switched college I never got a chance to see you again. I miss you... and Cate too, I guess he says sheepishly after finally realizing we weren't alone.

Hey Alex, what's up? Cate says while giving him a half hug

Can't complain, are you guys ready for this high school reunion? I can't wait to see their faces when they realize Amy looks like this now; not that you were never pretty before he says while waiving his hand up and down myself at the same time making me blush

Aww, Alex you always know the right things to say I joked

I meant every word he replied with a wink

Okay, please get out of here so that Cate and I can get ready for the reunion! I tell him while shoving him out my bedroom door

Yes yes, see you guys later. Oh, do you guys want a catch a ride with me and Matt? he asked by the door

No thanks Cate and I will be riding together in my vehicle.

Oh, Okay, see yah! Finally! I swear he was stalling

So, Cate let's get ready This will either be a good night or a bad night I guess we will see!

Chapter 2: Alex Marks

While waiting for Matt to arrive at my cousin's place here in Kelowna, I found myself getting anxious. God, what is wrong with me?! Why am I so nervous to see Amy again? It’s been like three and a half years since I've seen her. And yet, it feels like it was only yesterday that I found out that she was dating that douche bag Rob. Is she that blind as to not see that I was in love with her? I actually loved her since I met her that first day of school when Matt and she started as new students. I remember it like it was yesterday.

While sitting with the rest of my clique during lunch period, I saw from afar the new guy and girl come in through the double doors. I found myself getting out of my seat and approaching them. This is new to me as I never come up to people. People come to me.

Dude, where are you going? Caleb asked me with a confused face

Oh, I was just going to welcome the new students over there. I replied while motioning my head in their direction by the cafeteria entrance. I don't think it’s polite to point fingers at someone

Oh, okay. Don’t bring the girl over here. She looks such an eyesore Caleb said this with his nose stuck up in the air.

Fuck, sometimes I ask myself why am I friends with him again? As I was looking around the rest of the guys and girls on our table, I could see that it looked like it was unanimous that the girl is not accepted on our clique. I find this quite disturbing as they are judging someone by their looks. Didn't anybody ever tell them 'don't judge a book by its cover’?

As I made my way to them, I was trying to figure out if they are together-as in dating- but the closer I got the more I realized that they may be related. Their face structure is somewhat alike. Heart-shaped faces. Of course the guy has some roughness around his face and the girl has much softer features. Once I was in front of them, I could not stop myself from getting hypnotized from the girl's eyes as she looked up from my approach.

Hi, you guys are new here, right? From where? My name is Alex I say this in one breath as I extended my right hand towards the girl with a nervous smile on my face as if, expecting that she might not take my hand in hers.

Hello, yes, we're from Calgary, My name is Amy, and this is my big brother Matt. she replies as she took my hand in hers.

The guy looks decent. The girl on the other hand, W-O-W! I could not tear my eyes away from her. I mean yeah she has big frizzy brunette hair and not too smooth skin-but who hasn't gone through puberty? - and glasses over those gorgeous hazel eyes. I had to shake my head to get rid of the awe I was experiencing especially now that I realized that I was actually literally gawking at her with my mouth partially open.

It's nice to meet you, Alex