"I am on my way now," I tell a very enthusiastic but nervous Syd before hanging up and returning my attention to the road.
Sydney had informed me that she was cooking dinner for us, something she only does when she has done something wrong or wants my approval. I feel like it has something to do with the Lucas and Syd thing, but I can't be sure. All I know is that she sounded more nervous on the phone than she did when she toilet papered and smashed one of our racist high school teachers house.
The teacher had made a comment on my skin tone, mentioning milk chocolate. The main thing I remember is Sydney's look on her face when I had told her, she was furious. It didn't even slightly bother me but must have touched a nerve for her. Syd had to deal with some racism when she was younger, she is Asian and where we went to school, kids would always pull offensive faces at her and say things as they walked past. I, however, not so much. So, I was utterly shocked when she told me that day what we had to do and even then, she sounded surer of herself than she did right now.
I stopped at a red light and looked out of the window. I have been trying to keep myself busy recently. It helped to fill my mind with what I was doing rather than letting it drift off into thinking about stuff that I would rather forget about. Occasionally my mind wondered to him, but I always caught it and replaced the thoughts of him with something else.
Weeks had passed and I was still waiting for soon.
Not a text, call, DM, not even me randomly bumping into Jace. It was just a kiss. No strings attached. No problem, right? It's not like I haven't kissed someone before. I didn't mean to be acting jealous, like at all, I just... well, I don't know.
I had just hoped that it meant as much for me as it did for him.
At least I now have my answer.
I wasn't going to act like some love-sick puppy that has separation anxiety just because I kissed some guy once, that's not me. If the feelings aren't returned, then what is the point of pondering over it? I'm not going to lie and say that it didn't hurt when I didn't hear from him, but I am used to men leaving me in life. My own Dad did, and he was blood.
The first few days I was excitedly checking my phone, waiting for a message. That died down on the second week and by the third, I had given up completely.
I decided to carry on like normal, as if nothing happened. I mean, nothing really did, did it? I was and still am disappointed. The one thing I hate in life is when people can't keep their promises, I grew up with a Dad like that and I am not taking it anymore. Enough of my life has been wasted with a person like that.
Sydney, Calla and Lucas all avoided bringing up the situation, it was obvious, but I was grateful.
I jumped in my seat as the horn of the car from behind me sounded, alerting me that the light was on green. I apologised and carried on driving home, trying not to think of him.
-
The clattering sound of cutlery hitting our plates filled the awkward silence between us all.
My gaze lifted from my plate up to Lucas. He was intensely staring at his food, keeping his head down. I turned to look at Syd, she was the exact same. They were both acting like they had done something wrong and I was about to tell them off. So, I acted exactly like that.
"So, have you two stopped acting the fool and actually decided to get your head out of your asses and get together yet or are you going to continuing torturing everyone by longing this out even further?" Like I have said before, I don't like beating around the bush.
I got the reaction I wanted out of them.
Syd's eyes whipped up to my own fiercely glaring at me as Lucas' body stilled and choked lightly on his food. I shrugged looking at Sydney. I didn't lie so where was the problem?
"Well, that's one way to put it," Lucas whispered. I had never seen Lucas so nervous before. He usually keeps himself to himself, but not to the point where he avoids eye contact like he was now.
"I support it," I quietly said to myself, loud enough that Syd would hear me. I stabbed my fork into some of the creamy chicken pasta Sydney had cooked and popped it into my mouth.
Sydney looked puzzled. I could see the dumbfounded expression on her face from my peripheral. "You're totally okay with this? Us?"
I rolled my eyes before looking back at her, "Sydney, who was the one that told you both to fix what had happened?"
"Yeah but you could've changed your mind," she shrugged and continued eating her food.
"But I didn't, did I?"
"And you have no sarcastic comments? No 'I told you so' or anything like that?" Lucas asked, questioning me with his eyes.
"And so, he speaks. I didn't think I was that intimidating." Lucas just rolled his eyes as the sound of the front door being slammed shut interrupted us.
A tired looking Calla rushed through the door, slamming her things onto the kitchen counter. She then pulled the chair beside me back and slouched in the chair. Her dull eyes instantly lit up once a plate of food was placed under her nose. I watched in amusement as she deeply inhaled, taking in the delicious smell of the food before taking her fork and eagerly stuffed the pasta into her mouth. She hummed in satisfaction and shoved more into her mouth.
When she finally looked up from her plate, she looked between Syd and Lucas then to me. "Are them two a thing now?" She asked using her fork to point at the both of them. "Is that why Sydney called me here and actually made an effort to cook? This is really fucking good," Calla finished off with a mouthful of food.
"They finally admitted what we have been saying for ages. You know what this means, right?" I questioned Calla, taking a sip of my water. I finished eating a while ago.
She looked confused for a second before recognition showcased through her now widened eyes. Her head whipped towards me and I raised my eyebrows at her, she immediately groaned.
"You, my friend, owe me one hundred dollars," I reminded her.
"Wait! You said in 3 months."
"Yeah, 2 months ago, Calla. From then to 3 months, they just did it a month early." I could see the cogs turning in her head trying to get out of paying me. Not happening. "Just accept defeat and pay the money, Calla."
She sighed even harder than she did when she first came in, "Fine!"
"What is going on?" Lucas questioned extremely confused. I could feel Sydney's calculating eyes watching and analysing the interaction between Calla and I. I braced myself as her posture changed, she had worked it out.
"Hold up. Did you guys bet on us?"
"Yes," Calla said as if it was obvious.
"What?" Syd said. I could tell she wasn't very happy about this.
My phone vibrated in my pocket. Saved by the bell. I excused myself from the table as Sydney started having a go at Calla.
I made my way into the living room. I opened the glass sliding door that allows you access to the garden. I took my phone out of my pocket and glanced at the caller ID, it was the same unknown number that had been ringing me for weeks. I had searched the number so many times, but it always came up with nothing. Impulsively, I pressed the answer button and held it to my ear.
"Hello?" I said into the phone but was just met with nothing. Silence. I wait for a couple of seconds longer and then hung up. What was that all about?
I carefully walked back into the kitchen, not wanting to enter if they were still arguing. Luckily for me, they had left, only Lucas was still here.
"Hey."
"Hi," Lucas replied. He was leant up against the counter charging his phone. I swear, every time he is here, he is always in the same exact position. Does his phone always need charging or something?
"That random number just rang again. This time I answered it, but no one was there," I informed him still puzzled by who would keep ringing me.
I noticed Lucas put his phone down and the next thing I knew he had wrapped his arms around me, embracing me in a warm hug.
"What is this for?" I asked him, resting my cheek on his chest.
"Everything," he replied, and I somehow knew what he meant.
A lot has happened over the last few months. I found out and caught Justin cheating on me with, who at the time, was one of my closest friends, things and feelings that I thought I had left deep in the past keep creeping up and affecting me now, and Jace. The way he acts when he is around me leads me to think that he likes me but then whenever something happens, he runs away, and I don't hear from him for ages. I could say that the way he has been acting doesn't make me feel a certain way, but then I would be lying to myself.
As much as he makes that thrilling sensation run through my body, he can do the opposite. Everything, from Jace to Justin and Leah and the past are all overwhelming me, and it is all just piling up. I need to sort it out.
I stopped myself from getting lost in my thoughts and brought myself back into Lucas' comforting arms. His hug was warm and reassuring but the way it made me feel was nothing compared to when Jace hugs me.
"Are you sure your girlfriend is going to be okay with this? We've been standing here like this for quite a long time now," I joked, attempting to lighten my mood. Just because I was feeling overwhelmed doesn't mean I should be rude or mean to Lucas.
"Girlfriend, ey? That's what she is to me now," he said almost in disbelief.
"Yup. Good luck with that one." Lucas laughed and let go of my body but still held onto my arms.
"You're one hundred percent okay with this? Just one word and I'll end it."
What? Why would he say that?
"What? Is that how easy you would end things with mine... our best friend?" I questioned. I knew that I was getting defensive, but I couldn't help it. It was like second nature to back up Sydney.
"No, of course not! I just don't want you to feel like me and Syd being together will put our friendship in danger," he explained to me. I could hear the sincerity in his voice, and I felt myself back down.
"Okay good. And no, I don't feel at all like that."
"Good," Lucas said smiling. I yawned and realised how tired I was. "I'm going to bed now so whether I wake up and you're still here or not, goodnight."
"Goodnight, m'lady," Lucas joked as I walked up the stairs.
-
A banging rippled through my room, waking me up. It felt like the middle of the night when I jolted up at the sound of a voice shouting something. I was in a haze, my brain not being able to work out what was being shouted.
I laid back down, giving up on trying to decipher the jumbled-up words that I wasn't processing properly. For a while, it all just felt like a dream. I close my eyes and allowed it all to fade away with a deeper sleep, but it didn't. It just got louder.
I groaned when the bright morning light seamed into my room. After rubbing my eyes, damaging most of my eyelashes, I opened my eyes and was met with a dishevelled Calla.
"Get up and answer the fucking door, Ivy! It is driving me insane!" She then proceeded to dramatically turn round and slam my door. What the hell? It is too early for this shit.
I eventually got up when I heard Calla shout at me to get up and I reluctantly crawled out of bed. I quickly checked my reflection in the mirror, I looked... presentable. I grabbed my nightgown and made my way to the door.
*
New chapter! I honestly don't know how long this is going to be but, I have stuff planned soo. But I also kind of had an idea for a new story. I don't know if I will do it though. I'll just see how long it takes me to finish this.
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Thank you for reading :)