Sarah's heart raced as she trailed behind Deliah, a feeling that had become all too familiar in recent mornings. She stepped out of the door and instantly felt his gaze on her, watching her every move. She bit her lip and looked away, determined that today would be different. She was not going to give him the satisfaction of catching her staring.
As Deliah made her way to the car, Sarah lingered behind to lock the door. Alex greeted Deliah with a half-hearted nod and smile, his attention quickly returning to Sarah. She climbed into the car hesitantly, aware that he was watching her through the rearview mirror. Despite her best efforts, she couldn't resist stealing a glance at him. He was the guy who had consumed her thoughts for countless nights.
As Sarah stole a glance at Alex's reflection in the mirror, she caught him winking at her. Her heart skipped a beat and she felt her cheeks flush with heat. "Oh no," she scolded herself, "I can't let him get the wrong idea. He's just teasing me."
Meanwhile, Deliah had been oblivious to the exchange, but couldn't help noticing how much warmer Alex's greeting was to her sister. "You know, it's funny," she said, flashing them both a smile. "You two used to be enemies, and now you're practically inseparable!"
Alex revved the engine, his eyes still on Sarah's reflection in the mirror. "It's like a K-drama," he remarked with a smirk. "The classic story of two people who start off hating each other, but end up falling in--."
"No" Sarah quickly interrupted Deliah,sending Alex a death glare in the mirror. "Not all enemies become friends, you know," she exclaimed.
Alex wasn't convinced. "I dare you to call us enemies, Sarah Johnson. But, make sure you sound like you mean it," he challenged.
Sarah hesitated for a moment before reluctantly admitting, "Okay, fine. We're not exactly enemies at this moment, but that doesn't mean we're best buds either."
Alex raised an eyebrow and stopped the car at a red light. He observed a group of mothers walking their children across the street. "I beg to differ, Sarah. We're closer than you think - emotionally, intellectually, and even physi-,"
Sarah let out an awkward laugh. "come on, Alex. That joke wasn't even funny. Joe would've done better," she replied with a fierce glare, feeling her heart race.
What was he trying to do? Openly flirting
with her while Deliah was around! Was he courting death?
Deliah looked a little confused and left out of the conversation. She scratched her head before turning to Alex. "Hey, Alex! It's been forever since we last talked. What have you been up to lately?"
Alex nodded, "I've been trying to fix things in my life and make up for past mistakes. There's someone I care about who's been trying to run away, and I've been doing everything I can to convince them to stay. I'm also struggling with the guilt of not being honest with someone because I value their opinion too much. And on top of it all, I've been craving something that feels just out of reach."
Deliah blinked, still unsure of what he meant. She bit her lip and looked down at her hands. Had she grown so distant from Alex that she couldn't even follow his train of thought anymore?
Deliah turned to her sister, eager to gauge her understanding, but noticed Sarah's nervous demeanor. "Hey sissy, are you feeling okay?" Deliah asked with concern. "You look a little pale and jittery."
Sarah forced a smile and shook her head. "I'm okay, really. It's just that some things are better off unknown. It's emotionally draining."
Alex chimed in, "You know, it's like swimming upstream. Just let go and everything will fall into place."
"I'm not resisting," Sarah retorted, glancing at Deliah before sinking back into her seat. "Whatever."
Deliah couldn't help but feel frustrated. Even with her sister and boyfriend by her side, she still couldn't connect with them on a deeper level.
********
Iris looked over to Deliah with raised brows. "What's wrong? You are sighing for the nth time now." Deliah shrugged and shook her head. "Nothing much, I think it'll pass." "What is it?" Yvonne turned to her. "You can talk to us, you know we are always here for you Liah. It's best to get it off your chest sometimes." Nancy nodded and urged Deliah to speak honestly. Deliah propped her chin up with her elbows and huffed.
"Well, as you know I haven't seen Alex honey for a while now. Not exactly seen....I see him when he drives sissy and I to school but there hasn't been time to sit and chat or go on dates lately." Yvonne nodded. "And well, I miss him." Deliah murmured. "And I was hoping he would too. I was hoping he could share whatever he was so busy with these days with me. I am hoping we don't drift apart."
"Today i realize we weren't even really close to begin with." Deliah mumbled sadly.
"Today when I was sitting in the car with Alex honey and sissy, I couldn't understand half the things they were saying. They were going on like bullet trains and I couldn't catch anything. I couldn't join in at all." Nancy frowned. "That's rather insensitive of Alex, a boyfriend should always try to make his girlfriend happy." "I've actually noticed that too." Iris admitted.
"I've seen Sarah and Alex going around the school together and I always see Alex smiling widely when they talk. They seem really close." Yvonne's eyes widened.
"Do you think?" she gasped. "Sarah and Alex are-?" "Nonsense!" Deliah shook her head. "Sissy would never do that to me, she's not the best sister in the world for nothing. I believe in Sarah and Alex." She sighed and laid her head on desk. "I just hope I can enter their world for once and understand what they're talking about, and what keeps that smile on Alex honey's face."
******
"Stop following me around, Alex!" Sarah hissed. "It's getting annoying!"
Sarah had been appointed to go to the computer lab to look for a technician because the classroom's visualizer wasn't working. Alex had promptly volunteered himself as well, saying how he might be able to explain the technical problem better than she would.
It sounded like bu*llshit even to his ears.
Alex grinned at her. "No I won't stop. I won't stop until you admit your feelings for me." he murmured. "I'd wait till the end of time."
"Alex!" Sarah turned to him, exasperated.
"Sarah!" He imitated her, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
Sarah let out a sigh and rolled her eyes, stalking off. Alex quickly caught up and laced his fingers through hers, swaying their hands about as they walked.
Sarah gasped and pulled away, looking around in alarm. "What are you doing!" she hissed. "We're in the public!"
"There's no one around, everyone's in their classrooms." Alex pointed out. He leaned nearer and grinned. "So.... If we're not in the public I can act as I please?"
"No." Sarah pushed his forehead away. "Stop this!"
Alex laughed and curled a lock of hair behind her ear tenderly, his thumbs grazing her cheeks. She reddened instantly, her body's reaction totally out of her control any longer.
"Stop that!" Sarah whispered fiercely, swatting his hands away.
"Stop what, making you blush?" Alex asked. "I like seeing you blush. It brings me comfort knowing only I can do that to you." he murmured.
Sarah felt her knees go jelly and she leaned against the wall behind her for support. "Alex James, I'm seriously warning you to stop this nonsense. What exactly got into your head when you decided to say all that sh*it in the car this morning? Do you have a dea*th wish? What if Liah had caught on ?"
With his back against the wall and a serious look on his face, Alex leaned in towards Sarah. "I can't keep leading her on, Sarah. It's not fair to Deliah or myself. I need to tell her and everyone else how I feel about you. I love you so much, Sarah, and I want to shout it from the rooftops."
Sarah's heart skipped a beat as she took a deep breath. "Alex, that's not the issue here. You're hurting Liah, and that's not okay with me. You need to up your game and start acting like a real boyfriend. Did you see how sad she looked when you ignored her? If you don't start treating her better, I'll have to step in and take action."
Alex looked at her with a determined gaze. "What if I decide to kiss and flirt with her while trying to be a better boyfriend? What if it's her that I want to be with for the rest of my life, not you? Would that make you happy, 'Big Sister Sarah'?" he asked, his voice tinged with bitterness.
Sarah inwardly flinched.
*NO*
"Yes Alex I will be happy. Liah's feelings matter more to me than anything. Please, just stop this. We're not meant to be together. All of this is just a big mistake."
Alex shook his head. "I don't believe that, Sarah. I know you feel the same way. You can deny it all you want, but your heart knows the truth. It's time to start following your heart, Sarah, because I'm never letting you go. Never."
And Sarah knew nothing she ever said would convince him any longer.
She needed to do something.
*********
She needed to show Alex she was serious about his relationship with Deliah. She needed to convince him that she didn't care about him. She needed to protect Deliah from all the heartbreak, knowing it would kill her if her sister got hurt again. But how? Her answer came that afternoon as she walked back from the restroom to the classroom.
The only few moment she was without Alex because he couldn't possibly follow her in.
Matthew McCall appeared out of nowhere with a cheesy lopsided grin and a bouquet of roses. "Hi Sarah." Sarah wanted to run away at the sight of him, natural instincts. She fought hard to stay and smile amiably at him. "Hi, Matthew ."
Matthew presented a beautiful bouquet of roses to Sarah with a charming smile, "Sarah, this is for you. And call me Matt next time." Sarah looked surprised as she received the flowers, unsure of what to say. "I was just thinking," Matthew continued, "I know I haven't been the kindest to you in the past, but do you know why boys can sometimes act mean to a particular girl? It's because they actually have a crush on her and don't know how to express it."
Sarah couldn't help but think to herself, *Yeah right, like you have a heart.* She wanted to roll her eyes at his sudden confession, but before she could speak, Matthew continued with a smile, "That's exactly the case with me. I like you, Sarah. And I don't know how to show it. Today, I'm making an effort to ask if you would do me the honor of being my girlfriend?"
*NO!* Sarah knew her answer without thinking. She was about to open her mouth to answer when Alex came into her mind.
His pursuit, her insistence, their struggles.
Should she?
*But this is Matthew McCall!!!*
Sarah's thoughts raced as she battled her inner conflict. *you can't stand him!* Despite her internal turmoil, Matthew's piercing gaze demanded an answer. "So, Sarah, what's your decision?" Sarah took a deep breath and met his curious eyes, confident in her response.