I've never been one to settle things with a fight, but...what the hell am I saying? I always settle things with a fight.
And right now I want to destroy Lexi's father.
I didn't like how he talked to her, how he treated her, and even how he looked at her.
I wanted to make sure Lexi was going to be okay, but when I saw her eyes begging me to let it go, I gave in.
I was hoping she would be okay. That she knows what she's doing when she's sending me away.
I wrote her a few messages on the way to my apartment, but she hasn't replied to any of them yet.
I got to the floor where my apartment was and stopped at the door. I looked at the only other apartment door on this floor that belonged to Zack.
I realize it's a little after midnight, but he might not be asleep yet.
Should I knock? Maybe apologize?
"What the hell am I doing?" I said with a heavy breath as I walked to the door on the left side of the hall and knocked on the door. "Please don't open," I whispered. "Please don't open. Please don't..."
He opened.
For the first few seconds, he just looked at me like I was a ghost so I was the one to speak first.
"Look, I have a good reason why..." Before I could finish my thought, his clenched fist landed on my jaw.
I swerved slightly from the impact and immediately grabbed the spot he hit. I blinked a few times and shook my head to be able to focus my vision on Zack.
"Mhm, definitely deserved that." I opened my mouth and moved my jaw from side to side. I've been punched in my jaw so many times that I know I'll be fine.
"I'm sorry, I didn't hear you, were you saying I should hit you again because you're an asshole?" He put his hand behind his ear and listened carefully.
"I'm sorry I didn't call, okay?" I straightened up properly.
"Okay." He crossed his arms over his bare chest. "And?" He raised an eyebrow.
"And?" I frowned. "And what?" I looked at him uncomprehendingly.
"You're not very good at apologizing either."
"I said I'm sorry, you even hit me, what else do you want me to do?"
"Well, first of all, you owe me a beer. No, lunch. You know what? You owe me a week's worth of lunches. Plus, you're going to get your fine ass inside and tell me where the hell you've been. Then you're going to apologize again. Multiple times. And then I'll consider forgiving you. Got it?" He smiled.
And from all that he said, I stopped at one thing. "You think I have a fine ass?"
"Oh, you motherfucker." He laughed, and I couldn't help but smile.
*****
After a really, really, really long conversation with Zack, I ended up in my bed.
But it was hard for me to fall asleep.
Lexi didn't text me that evening and I had a bad feeling. However, I tried to reassure myself by telling myself that she had gone to sleep. I hope that is true.
I was just getting out of the shower, towel low on my waist, water dripping down my chest, when I heard a knock on the door.
I walked over to the front door and opened it. I found Zack there, his eyes almost falling out.
"My God." He blinked hard. "Are you 100% sure that . . ."
"Yes." I laughed. "Women only, friend."
"Friend?" He clutched his chest. "I'm probably going to pass out."
"Funny." I snorted. "What's up?"
"Lunch? You promised to invite me all week."
I leaned back slightly so I could see the kitchen clock. "It's ten in the morning." I frowned.
"Your point?" He raised one eyebrow.
"Alright, I'll get ready." I turned my back on him.
"Are you sure you can't go like this?" He shouted after me.
"Still straight!" I shouted back with a smile.
I have to admit, I don't mind Zack as much as I thought the day I met him. I've even come to terms with his blue hair.
I threw on a white shirt with long sleeves that I rolled up to my elbows and black pants.
I came back from the bathroom to find Zack on my couch.
"Get your dirty shoes off my couch." I walked over to him and kicked his feet off the couch. "Who raised you? Even Odin knows not to jump on furniture when he's dirty."
"Odin?" He raised an eyebrow before standing up.
"The family dog," I explained simply.
"Are you comparing me to a dog?" He put his hands on his hips like an exasperated mother ready to spank her child.
"You really don't want me to answer that. Let's go." I patted his shoulder before heading for the door.
I heard Zack say something under his breath, but I couldn't understand a word. Maybe it's better that way.
Neither of us said where we were going, but by pure chance, we ended up in front of Joey's Bistro. I wonder why.
When we both walked in, my first reflex was to find Lexi. All the way here I was hoping she would be working just so I could see her.
She still hasn't responded to my messages, and that makes me slightly nervous.
But I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw her with coasters in her hands and a huge smile on her face.
Her hair was tied with a brown bandana with white markings, the front, shorter hair falling past her face, which was a little whiter than usual.
She was wearing a white long-sleeved shirt and black pants. It looks like we're matching today.
But even though she was smiling, I couldn't shake the unpleasant feeling that sent shivers down my neck. Something is wrong.
Just because she's smiling? Shouldn't you be glad?
Truth. Maybe I'm just imagining it.
I stood in front of the door until she noticed me. I didn't care if anyone wanted to come in or leave.
When she finally looked up from the counter, her gaze landed on me. Her smile dropped for a split second before returning again.
"You're blocking the way, get it together." I heard Zack before he literally started dragging me to our usual table.
We didn't even have time to sit down and Lexi was already walking towards us.
"Nice to see you again Zack." She stopped by us. "Finn." She bit her lip gently before letting it go.
"Me too Lexi." He smiled at her. "I think we'll have the usual. Right, Finn?"
"Um, actually, I'm in the mood for something new. Can you recommend something?" As I spoke, I took the menu in my hand and opened it.
"If you're craving something salty, I recommend a taco. But if you're craving something sweet..." She leaned toward me to see the menu and pointed to something on it with his left hand. "Pancakes."
While she said that, the only thing I noticed was her hand pointing at the writing. I swear, before she pulled her hand away, I noticed a band-aid under the hem of her shirt.
"So?" She asked after a moment while I was just staring at her
"Yeah sure, pancakes sound good." I nodded.
"Great, I'll be right back with your drinks." She smiled and turned on her heel before walking behind the counter and beginning to dictate our order.
"Are you okay?" I tore my eyes from Lexi to Zack.
"Yeah, I'm just..." I frowned. "It doesn't matter." Maybe I just imagined it.
"Finn." I looked up from the table when I heard someone say my name. I noticed that Jeremy was just walking past us.
"Jeremy."
"Long time no see. Where have you been?" He stopped by our table.
"New York. Family stuff."
"Ah." He looked over at Zack. "And I know you too." He pointed his finger at him, thinking really hard. "Zack?" He asked cautiously.
"Correct." He laughed.
"I hope you're not bothering my customers, Jerr." I recognized her voice immediately and as soon as she said that, she appeared next to Jeremy with our drinks placed in front of us.
"Me? Never baby." He laughed and put an arm around her shoulders. "I was just saying hello to them."
Baby. I'm still not used to him calling her baby even though I know they don't like each other that way.
"Mhmm." She nodded. "Like I believe you."
"Come on, stand up for me guys. Finn? Zack?" He glanced between us.
"He's telling the truth," Zack spoke up.
"Please accept my apology. I was wrong." She put her hand over her heart.
"How could I be mad at you?" He laughed. "By the way, while you're here...we're having a smaller party this weekend. Just the six of us, plus you two if you have time."
"A party? What are you celebrating?" Zack asked.
"My birthday. You're both invited." He took out his phone and started clicking something on it. A few seconds later I got a message. "This is the address. Friday at seven."
"Sounds good." Zack nodded. "So will there be..."
"Yes." Lexi cut him off before he could finish.
"Awesome." He rubbed his hands together. "Sounds like a plan."
"And you?" Jeremy turned to me. "It'll really just be something small. Some food, maybe games or a movie. Nothing extra."
"I'll think about it."
"Great." He gave Lexi a fleeting kiss on her temple and then patted me on the back. "See you on Friday." He yelled as he walked to the front door.
"Sounds like fun, so why not, right?" Zack reached for his cup.
"It's going to be fun." Lexi confirmed. "I have an assignment to bake a cake, are you allergic to anything?" She glanced between the two of us.
"No." We said at once and she nodded her head.
"Awesome." She smiled. "I have to go." She pointed behind her and walked away.
For some reason, I don't like the sight of Lexi walking away from me.
*****
"I'm not trying to kick you out or anything, but what are you still doing here Finn?" I looked up from my phone to find Lexi standing next to me with her arms crossed over her chest. But she was no longer wearing an apron.
"What do you mean?"
"Zack left a few hours ago and you're still here."
"What can I say, you have good coffee." I raised a cup of already cold coffee.
She is right. Zack left almost immediately after eating, but I stayed. I have nothing better to do anyway. Does it matter if I sit here in the bistro or in the apartment?
"Liar." She laughed. "This coffee is terrible."
"Do you know a better place?' I raised an eyebrow, hoping that if she said yes, she would come with me.
"Do I know a better place?" She snorted. "I know the best places that offer coffee."
"Alright then." I stood up from the table and placed the money on the table. "Lead the way, sunshine." I gestured to the door.
"Right now?" She looked at me in surprise.
"Do you have something better planned?"
She thought about it for a moment but finally shook her head. "Let's go." She walked towards the door and I followed her.
It wasn't long before we were sitting in a cafe whose name I didn't notice as all my attention was on Lexi most of the time.
Lexi ordered us both coffees and she swore I would like it. But the truth is that even if I didn't like it, I would drink it. It would make her happy, wouldn't it? It would be worth it.
"By the way, you didn't text me back." I cleared my throat.
"Oh, sorry." She immediately started pulling out her phone. "You'll get used to the fact that I'm terrible at texting back." She laughed and looked across the screen. "Sorry." She looked up at me. "I fell asleep." She put the mobile back in her bag.
I knew from one look at her that it wasn't the whole truth. But why would she lie?
I opened my mouth to ask her about it but stopped.
Slow down, Finn. If she wanted to, she would tell you.
Even though I decided not to ask why she lied to me, I couldn't just let it go. "Is everything okay? I'm just asking because you seem...different today."
I hoped she would tell me the truth. That she trusts me at least a little. But I guess I was wrong.
"Yes, of course. Why should anything be wrong? Everything is fine." She started playing with the sleeve of her shirt but kept looking at me.
"I don't know what I thought. Forget it." I frowned, and before either of us could say anything else, the waitress came in with coffee.
"Thank you, El." Lexi smiled at her.
"I like the matching outfits." She pointed a finger between us and winked at Lexi before walking back behind the small counter in this still-small cafe, tray in hand.
"Oh my god, I didn't even realize that." She laughed and looked at me, then at herself. "What a coincidence." She raised her hand to her face to push a strand of hair away from her face.
At that moment, her sleeve rolled back and my gaze fell on the band-aid on her wrist.
Oh sunshine, what have you done?