Flipped Into Place

Alexter Darius Collins

Alex's POV:

The next few weeks went by contradictorily. I can't tell whether or not Juli is fine with their relationship, or if she thinks that she is only made whole with Bryce around and was scared to lose him. I wish she looked at me the same way. Difference is, I won't go off running with another girl. No matter how long we've known each other.

I tried to get closer to her every time. Her response? She politely pushes me away. I don't mean literally. I mean, she answers short, smiles courteously, and treats me like an acquaintance. Hardly even a friend. However, I could see how much of a struggle her act was considering that we live under the same roof, eat family meals together, and have our rooms just right across from one another. Mainly, I know that she feels the same way for me too. Not more, maybe on the same level, perhaps even less than mutual standards but I know it's there.

I peek a glance every chance I get. In school, I find her either alone or with her friends and Bryce. Bryce always has his arm over her shoulder after he grips her hand, bringing it into a cross over her chest. The posture causes them to be much closer. She laughs delightfully with the others and I stood dumbfounded as she flips her air, showing more of her face. Her cheek, her jawline, her neck. Her features were practically perfection.

But here's the theory, whenever she walks the halls alone, her expression gives kind of an off feeling. Especially when she catches my eyes. Or rather, finally finds it. You heard right. I caught her glance raking around the room and every time it lands on me, she'd stop, bring her eyes down and fidgets her ring. A part of me wanted to believe that she's actually looking for me. The other part, doesn't want my hopes to get too high up.

I became an 'observer in the distance' of hers. Since she's always with her friends, I became observant of them too. Bryce, especially. On his every free period of the day, I find him together with Stella. Sometimes under the bleachers, other times on the playground. I don't know what has gotten into this dude for not spending the time with his girlfriend instead. I mean, I'm aware they are profoundly close, considering as they were friends even longer than I may think. But, still! It just seems awfully strange to govern his time over with a friend rather than his girl.

If I were him, I'd prioritize Juli and make her the absolute happiest.

It's crazy. I feel like I'm losing my sanity from her persistent avoidance. What keeps me from reaching that line is her coverting glances. It soothes my nerves having been reminded that she still remembers me.

"Hey Juli," I caught up with her quick paced walk.

I was too tall to see her face as she had her head down but I felt her sighing, bringing her eye lids down along with it. Like she was giving the impression of internally saying, 'not again'.

"Hey," she looks up and as she stared into my eyes I saw hers sparkle. But she breaks the contact and continued on as before.

"You're going to the café with me. I'm buying."

"I can't, I'm hanging out with Bryce," she says as she elbowed her way out of the tight hallway full of scurrying students, awaiting their time to finally be able to get home.

"I'm not sure I gave you much of a choice there," I joked. "Besides, I'm almost sure you guys do not have plans today."

"Fine, you caught me. I was planning to go home. Classes were stressful."

"Then what better way to cure the tension than a good ol' cup of coffee?" I tossed my palm up in the air, making a point. She frowned. "You know I'm right and, how can you refuse coffee?"

We stopped in front of the main door. She looked at me with a calm expression except that her brows were up. Had the crossed arms to top it all. I can almost hear her mentally saying, 'ugh'.