I left the school angrily not bothering to wait for Cade. I was so pissed and mad that i forgot i didn't come with my car.
Remind me never to accept a lift from anyone again.
Had i declined the offer of a lift then i would have been in my cat right now and not walking down breathlessly down the road.
I trekked down the road, muttering prohibitive curses as i kept swishing along the streets.
It would take me about thirty minutes to get home on foot and i didn't consider taking any bus since i didn't have cash on me,plus i hated buses.
"Hop in"Alex said smiling at me.
Wait.... Alex?
My eyeballs popped out of it's socket as i stared at him in horror.
"What the fuck are you doing here!"I yelled. Oh i forgot he attends the same school as me just a few yards away.
"It's nice to see you too Olivia"He smirked.
"Hey,if you're here to taunt me then you've chosen the wrong time cause I'm in no mood to talk or argue right now"I said and spun on my heels, walking away. I could hear his car following me from behind but i dared not to turn. I kept walking down the road without even acknowledging him.
I didn't hear the sound of his car anymore,he must have left.
I sighed and let out a breath of relief until I'm swept off my feet and i find myself on Alex's shoulder.
"Hey drop me you moron!"I screamed but he wasn't listening. He pulled the door to the passengers seat open and placed me down on it before closing the door. He walked around the car to the driver's seat and settled down on it, turning on the engine.
"This is kidnapping,let me out!"I yelled.
"You had all the time to run out of the car when i left for the driver's seat.... admit it babe, you're just playing hard to get,if you really didn't wanna drive with me, you'd have come down the second i put you in the car,all you did was scream"He told me as he steered the vehicle homewards.
I didn't bother exchanging words with him because i knew he was right. The drive was in silence until he decided to break it with his stupid voice.
"So.....why didn't you wait for your boyfriend?"He asked.
"Boyfriend?are you nuts? which boyfriend?"I asked.
"The one staying with us,Your homeless boyfriend"He told me.
"Um... Alex,i hope you also know that you're homeless"I told him.
"Homeless? I'm not homeless baby,i have a home but I'm only staying with you temporarily" He said.
"Same as Cade,he also has a home, why do you have a problem with Cade?"I questioned.
"That's none of your business, I've told you he isn't a good guy" He said.
"See who's talking,the bad boy himself, he's very much a better guy than you"I scoffed.
"No, I'm better than him in every way possible"He said in defense with his eyes fixed on the road.
"What makes you think you're a good guy Alex?"I asked.
"I never said i am a good guy, I only said I'm better than him"He bragged.
"Oh so you admit you're a bad guy?"I questioned.
"I didn't admit to that but i know for sure that I'm better than that dickhead"He told me.
"You see, that's the problem you have,you always think you're better than others,what did the poor guy do to you?"I questioned.
"I don't think I'm better than everyone,i know I'm not a good guy and I'm a player and a jerk but i fo have feelings Olivia and don't say things you aren't sure of,stop trying to defend people that you really don't know much about"He said. For some unknown reason, I don't say anything back to him.
The rest of the drive was in an awkward silence. I could trade anything to have annoying and jerky Alex back than to have this cold rude boy here.
We pulled up to the driveway and then i got out without saying a word to him. I walked into the house and headed for the stairs.
"Where are your manners Olivia Henderson?"I muttered to myself and then just as i was about to turn and go back to Alex,i slipped and tumbled down the stairs.
Why does it look so good in movies. Girl falls and hero catches her right on time.
Oh i forgot...there's no hero in this drama of mine,just an arrogant asshole who is walking towards me. He walked past me without even acknowledging my present state.
"How much more of an...."I'm cut off by Alex who places he bag on the shelf and then comes back to where I'm lying on the floor. He sweeps me off the floor and helps me to stand. I steady myself
Oh.
"Um...thanks"I told him and he turn around, grabbing his bag from the shelf.
"Alex" I call out to him and he stops on his track.
"Thanks for the ride"I told him and i could feel him smiling even though i wasn't seeing his face.
He walked upstairs to his room and i stood there smiling stupidly.
Maybe he isn't much of an asshole like i had thought.
***
"Hey Liv"Cade greeted as he walked in.
"Hey"i said dryly as i took a spoonful of ice cream into my mouth.
"Why didn't you wait for me? I was looking for you everywhere"He complained.
"Um... I'm sorry,i was too pissed to....um...wait"I told him as he sat down beside me.
"What happened,i heard you and Zoey got into a fight"He said.
Oh. I forgot how fast rumours spread in my school.
"Yeah...we um....we kinda... I don't wanna talk about it"I told him.
"It's okay if you don't wanna talk about it,i understand,but please let me know next time you're leaving"He said.
"Sure...i will"I said.
"Good,by the way....who brought you home?"He asked.
"I did"Alex's voice rang behind us. We turned to see Alex walking down the stairs, approaching us. "Do you have any problem with that?"He said rudely as he sat beside me,way too close. I shifted a bit, feeling uncomfortable with the contact of my bodies.
"Um...no...i was just asking"Cade stammered. For a bad boy like Cade,he seems to be intimidated by Alex.
"Good"Alex said and took the remote from the table, changing the channel.
"Um... I'll be....in my room"Cade said, standing up. I nodded my head in agreement and then he left. I stood up from the couch too and turned around heading for the kitchen but i was halted by Alex's deep voice.
"Stay"I didn't listen and continued with my movement until he added "Please" I don't know what came over me at that moment but i turned around to face him. He had a smug smile on his face as he patted the space beside him for me to seat.
"Liv"He whispered to only my hearing. I shook my head slightly and then went over to where he's seated. I sat down beside him, making sure to leave a good amount of distance between us.
"What is it?"I questioned.
"Why do you hate me?"He asked out of the blue.
"Pardon?"I rolled my eyes.
"What i mean is,why don't you like me?" He questioned.
"Like you?you want me to like you?"I asked.
"Not in that kind of way....i mean...we can do so much better than fighting all the time,we can actually be friends given that we are so much alike and crazy"He said.
"You and I?Friends?"I burst out laughing.
"Yeah...we can rather be friends than fighting all the time,u think it'll pay us more than these constant childish fights"He said and i stifled a laugh.
"Are you sick?"I said, checking his temperature.
"I'm not joking here Liv"He said calmly.
"Neither am I,is this seriously coming from you?you call it childish fights but you're actually the main cause of our fights"I laughed.
"Then why don't we start afresh and be friends?"He asked and i laughed again. Louder this time.
"Friends?you must be insane for thinking I'll wanna be friends with you after everything you've done to me, don't try to mistake my niceness these past few days for anything"I told him.
"You've equally done a lot to me, way worse than I've done to you....why can't we put all these aside and just be friends?"He said with a stern voice.
"Alex if this is a prank of some sort or a conspiracy against me, I'll chop off your balls"I threatened.
"I'm not pranking you Liv, I'm tired of these games,i think i'm done playing these games"He said.
"What games?"I questioned.
"This pranking and fighting all the time game, it's becoming lame and boring,we could build a good and strong friendship rather than to be fighting all the time"He said with a serious tone.
"Who are you?where have you kept Alex?"I asked suspiciously.
"Please Liv, I'm serious here,think about it,we are adults and we should think about more mature and reasonable things than to be fighting all the time"He said.
"And why do you suddenly want to be friends with me,i thought you hate me"I questioned.
"Trust me i do hate you,but not you as i person,i hate your attitude anf character,your annoying insults and...."
"Wow...great way of starting a friendship"I mocked humorously.
"I'm...um...i didn't mean it that way,i just....can we just be friends?"He asked.
"What makes you think that I'll wanna be friends with you after all the terrible things you've done"I said.
"What if i say I'm sorry?will that fix it?"He asked.
"Sorry only solves 5% of problems"I told him.
"On a scale of 100%,i think our problems are 10%,we can forgive each other and during the course of our friendship we can earn the remaining five percent of forgiveness" He said.
"Why does this conversation feel so weird and unlike us?"I asked.
"Because it's a step to maturity,why don't we just forget the past and move on,you don't have to worry about me hitting on you because it's the last thing I'll ever do" His words bore holes into my skin.
"Okay...."
"Friends?"He questioned, smiling.
"Friends"I smiled back at him.
This.is.awkward.
After discussing about a few things,we ate dinner and went back to our individual bedrooms. For some strange reason i felt so relaxed, knowing that all the differences between us had been put aside but it was still weird and awkward that we were being friendly.
I could imagine the shock that would be on everyone's faces once they see us getting along with each other.
After several thoughts crossing my mind. I finally fell asleep.
***
It's been three days. In the last three days i tried my best to avoid Zoey. Avoid her? She wasn't even in class,i hardly saw her. She also stopped coming to our usual hanging spot.
I saw her two days ago in the company of Avery and some other girls. She acted like she didn't see me and i couldn't care less. I was done putting up with people's shit.
I and Alex's relationship has also taken a turn for the better in these past three days. Though it still seemed foreign and new. I actually enjoyed it. He was putting so much effort in making this friendship stuff work and u couldn't be more glad. Though we still had our little arguments but that's just what they are. Little.
Cade had left two days ago and the atmosphere seemed to change after that. There was no longer grumpy and mean Alex who frowned at Cade's appearance, always trying to taunt the poor guy.
I woke up to the intoxicating smell of pancakes. I got up from the bed and neatly tidied it before going into the bathroom to quickly brush my teeth.
I left my room, heading down to the kitchen. As i got to the kitchen,i saw Alex standing in front of the cooker, making pancakes. He was covered in flour and i couldn't help but laugh at his movements. He actually looked good with my mother's apron around him. Sweaty ruffled hair that made him so adorable.
Argh. Did i just say Alex is adorable?
Crazy things has been going on in that dumb head of mine for the past few days.
"If you're done admiring me,you can come help me with these"His manly voice rang, knocking me from my subconscious mind.
"Um...i....er....i wasn't admiring you"I said in my defense.
"Of course,so what do you call standing the door, playing with the hem of your pajama and licking your lips?"He teased.
I didn't even know what i was doing. I looked down at my self and saw that what he said was true. I waa busy playing with the hem of my pajamas and i looked really slutty.
"Um" I swallowed "I wasn't admiring you, I was admiring the pancakes"I defended.
"Oh yeah....sexy pancake.... I've told you times without number Liv,you suck at lying so stop it"He said and turned his focus back to the pancakes which starting to burn.
"Ahhh.... you're such a distraction"He complained as he turned off the cooker.
I bursted out laughing at his expression "Don't blame this on me Alex,this is all your fault"I laughed.
"Ha ha ha,so funny, I can't stop laughing" He mocked.
"You know you could do better than that, besides i wasn't the one that asked you to leave your pancake and talk to me"I said as i walked towards him.
"You could do me a huge favor by shutting up you know"He said,not sparing a glance at me as he took out the burnt pancakes and threw them into the trashcan.
"Someone's moody"I teased.
"Liv I'll pluck out your mouth if you say anything again"He threatened.
"Oh really?come and do it, I'm curious to see how you'll do that"I taunted.
"Ahhh, why do women have to be so annoying, can't you keep quiet"He said.
"And why does men have to be so authoritative, can't you not complain"I teased and he hissed,not bothering to look at me or respond.
He dished out the fresh set of pancakes into two plates. It was honey pancakes with honey cinnamon syrup. My favorite.
"Take them to the dinning, I'll clean up the kitchen and be with you shortly"He ordered.
"Hey, you're not the boss of me,say please" I told him and then he shot me a death glare in response.
"Um... I'll just take the pancakes to the dinning" I said and took the plates out to the dinning. I set them down on the table and sat down. Without waiting for Alex,i began to eat.
Few seconds later,he came in to the dinning and sat beside me, staring at me like he'd seen a ghost.
"What?"I mumbled with a mouth full of pancake.
"Why didn't you wait for me,so we can eat together?"He asked.
"As your girlfriend or what?i can do whatever i please"I told him as i enjoyed the mouth watering taste of pancake which was appealing to my taste buds.
"Courtesy demands you should have waited for me"He said. He was clearly pissed but i couldn't care less.
"Well...tell courtesy that i said hi"I teased and i could feel his eyes shooting daggers at me.
"We can still eat together if you start eating now, rather than glaring at me" I told him, smiling sheepishly.
"Shit you're annoying as fuck!"He cursed and i chuckled, ignoring his rude remarks.
He began to eat his food as he stared at me.
"Mhmm...this is heavenly"I told him and i could hear his chuckle. I felt his eyes on me as i kept eating which made me uncomfortable.
"What?"I asked.
"Nothing"He simply smiled but kept staring at me. I hurriedly finished my food and left for the kitchen. I tidied up the kitchen and left for my room.
On my way back to the room,i was pulled back by Alex who was staring down at me with a confused look.
"What was that about?"He questioned.
"What was what about?"I pretended to be oblivious.
"Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about Liv!"He raised his voice slightly.
"I don't know what you're talking about,let go of me!"I yelled, pushing him away from me and then stormed off. I could hear his footsteps behind me so i quickened my steps but he was fast enough to catch up with me and pulled me back to the wall, trapping me in between his arms.
"Why are you running away from me?what did i do?i thought everything was fine between us" He questioned.
"Yeah everything's fine, I'm just tired,let me ne Alex, I want to go to my room" I told him calmly, avoiding eye contact with him.
"Why are you lying to me despite how many times I've told you that you have a poor lying performance"He questioned.
"I'm not lying Alex"I told him, trying to break free from his grip.
"You're still lying, why do you always act like this,i thought everything was fine between us"He said.
"Everything's fine Alex, like i said earlier. I'm tired and i need to rest. I'll talk to you later"I told him and he let go of me much to my surprise.
He turned around and went to his room without sparing a second glance at me. I walked into my room, slamming the door behind. I don't know why i was behaving like that around Alex.
I sat down on the bed with fury burning inside me. I was about to lie down on the bed when i heard the buzzing sound of my cellphone. I stood up immediately and picked it up from my dresser. Without checking the caller id i picked the call and i could hear sobs coming from the other line.
"Liv"I heard Zoey's muffled sob.
"Zoe?"I questioned.
"Please...Liv....please can you come"She pleaded and my temper overtook my pity for her. I tapped on the end button and ended the call angrily. I threw my phone on the bed angrily and left the room immediately for the kitchen. I went to the bar side angrily and took out a bottle of vodka. I poured it into a wine glass and just as i was about to take a sip,it was flipped away from me and it went tumbling on the floor. I stared it horror at the now shattered glass and then at Alex who was staring at me in bewilderment.
"What are you doing?i know you're mad at me but that shouldn't cause you to drink,if I've done anything then you should tell me so i can apologize,why do you have to drink!"He yelled.
"Leave me alone Alex"I yelled and pushed past him and took out another glass. Just as i was about pouring the liquid into the glass, he slapped it away from my hand and pulled me up stairs with him to my room. I struggled to free myself from his clutches but he was strong...so strong that i felt my bones my break into two from his grip.
When we got into the room, he slammed the door behind and then pulled me to the bed. As we got to the bed, he flipped me roughly, making me land on the bed.
"Now you'll listen and I'll speak"He said with an intimidating tone. I shivered from his cold expression as I sat up on the bed,staring at him.
"Liv, i know we might have our differences and you might not yet feel comfortable enough beside me but we can work it out, you don't have to walk away from me. I don't know why you keep running away from me. Are you scared of me?"He asked snd despite myself, i burst into laughter.
"Me? Scared of you?Why would i be? I only left the dinning because i was feeling uncomfortable with the way you were staring at me. Why would i be scared of you?"I said in humour.
"Then why did you want to drink?"He questioned.
"That has absolutely nothing to do with you so mind your damn business"I told him.
"You think you'll say that and I'll just believe you?come on Liv, i thought we've talked this out,i don't know you as someone who drinks so i presume there's something wrong. You know you can tell me anything. Please"He said with pleading eyes and i couldn't help but let out a sob.
Gosh when did i become this emotional?
"It's...Zoey"I told him.
"Zoey?"He questioned.
"Yeah"I answered.
"What about Zoey?"He asked.
"We...we kinda had a fight few days ago...how come you don't know about it,the news of our fight was all over the school"I told him.
"Really?i didn't know, maybe i was busy" He said.
"Busy shoving your cock down into a girl's throat"I muttered to only my hearing.
"Sorry?"He asked.
"It's nothing....Zoey and i had a fight"I told him.
"What waa it about?"He asked as he sat down beside me.
"I was cautioning her about she and Blake's relationship but then she created a scene and insulted me"I told him.
"She and Blake are seeing each other?i thought Blake was with Trisha "He said.
Whoa.
"Trisha?"I questioned.
"Yeah, he's sort of seeing Trisha, you know how Blake is, he's never serious" He said.
"Just like you"I told him and he glared at me in response.
"So what happened that made you cry?"He asked.
"She called me, she was crying and told me to come but i was very angry so I hung up on her and then went downstairs to get a drink..."I trailed off.
"Oh, I understand how you must be feeling Liv but you should have at least hear her out and know what she wants, what if she's in some sort of trouble?"He asked.
"I couldn't care less, she can go to her new friends"I huffed.
"Come on babe,i know you aren't like that, even though she's hurt you, you shouldn't do the same,just call her back and find out what she wants,you shouldn't loose your friend because of such trivial matter"He said.
"You should tell that to her, she'll need it more than me, she's the one that started this and i don't wanna keep talking about this"I said, getting uo from the bed with my arms crossed.
"Liv,two wrongs can't make a right"He said.
"Look who's talking, if you said this to me a week ago I'd have laughed my ass out"I told him.
"That's a week ago, now I'm only telling you the truth, you shouldn't prolong matters,you don't know the reason she called so why cut the call? "He asked.
Who's this Alex? Alexander Williams isn't this smart and caring.
"Look Alex, I don't wanna talk about this anymore"I told him.
"Liv... Please"He stared at me with eyes full of expectations. Just as i was about to refuse again, my phone began to buzz from the bed.
He took the phone and handed it to me.
"Pick it"He said, giving me a smug smile of reassurance.
"Fine"I said and accepted the call.
"Olivia sweetie,please can you come over,your friend has locked herself up in the room and has refused to come out. I'm worried sick" It was Zoey's mum, Mrs White.
"Okay Aunt, I'll be there shortly, don't panic"I told her.
"Okay honey,hurry up please"She said and i ended the call.
"It's Zoey's mum,she said Zoey has locked herself up in her room"I told Alex who was looking at me with worried eyes.
"Then you should freshen up immediately and get there as soon as possible,you never know,she could do something unexpected"He said.
"Yeah,i need to hurry up"I told him.
"I'll be in the living room"He said as he got up and left. I immediately pulled off my pajamas and scurried into the bathroom to take a quick shower. I blowdried my hair hurriedly an packed it in a messy ponytail. I wore a black sweatshirt with grey joggers. I immediately put on my slippers and grabbed my purse, heading out of the room. I went down to the living room to meet Alex sitting on the couch. His eyes met mine immediately as i walked towards him.
"Can i drop you off?it will be faster"He offered, standing up to face me.
"Um no...i think I'll be better off on my own"I told him and he curtly nodded, smiling at me.
"Bye"I told him and headed for the door.
"You look hot"He teased.
Who teases someone in this kind of situation.
Alexander Williams.
I ignored his comment and ran out the door to my car. I stepped inside the vehicle and tossed my purse away on the passengers seat. I inserted my key to the ignition and the car sprang to life. I veered the vehicle out of the driveway and within few seconds i was driving down the road with as much speed as i could keep up with.