The Fourth of July and the Surrounding Events

CHAPTER 14

A/N: this chapter was co-written with a good friend of mine :)

"She kissed me, dude," I rambled, "I mean, well, I kissed her back but she started it, and then and then, she, uh, started t-"

"Ok, Lexi, I get it, that's the third time I've heard you say that," my best friend said with a laugh.

As soon as I got home, I immediately texted Jayde telling her to come over as soon as possible because I had news. Fifteen minutes later, Jayde was sitting on my bed playing with a Rubix cube, listening to me rant.

"It was literally magical, I haven't felt like that in years or honestly, ever since we went to the caves last summer," I blurted out, instantly regretting it.

Fuck, why did I say that? Play it cool, Alexandria, she won't notice what you said.

Her head snapping up at my words, she questioned me softly, "What do you mean last summer?"

Shit.

"I, uh, nothing. It was just fun with all the free time we had together," I lied, hoping she'd believe me.

"Lexi," her soft voice coaxed me, "what do you mean?"

Now or never, Alexandria, she can already guess.

Before I could overthink it, I took a deep breath and spilled, "I like you! Or well, I did. I don't think I do anymore," I trailed off, "I'm not sure what I think."

About a week ago, I would've been positive that I liked Jayde, but Morgan changed things.

Her eyes widening at my words, which were completely out of the blue, she stood up.

Damn it. You freaked her out.

"Come here, Lex," Jayde said with a demanding tone. Standing up to face her, she grabbed my hands, holding me at arm's length. Taking one last look at my face, she pulled me into a tight hug whispering the words "it's ok," over and over.

She must have seen the frightened look on my face.

"It's ok, Lexi. You're my best friend and that won't change for anything," she murmured. Stepping out of the hug, she held onto my hands again, "You know that's so cliche though right?" she laughed letting go of my hands. "Liking your best friend really?"

Rolling my eyes, I flipped her off, "Yeah, yeah, it is, but it happened," I laughed along with her.

Sitting back down, she started asking me questions. "Do you still like me? Even with Morgan? And Lex, what about Katelyn?" she asked in rapid-fire fashion. "When did this start? WAIT," she said recoiling a bit, "Is this why you never dated anyone? And why you refuse to like Morgan?"

Sighing, I pulled my knees up to my chin, "One question at a time, Jayde. I don't think I like you anymore. And yes, I liked you when I was with Katelyn." Seeing her reaction, I quickly added, "Fucked up I know, you don't have to tell me."

"Hey, hey, that's not what I was thinking, I just had no idea. It's a lot to think about, but it's gonna be ok Lexi," Jayde reassured me. "But anyways, continue."

Restarting, I fiddled with the tassels of the macrame tapestry on my wall. "I think I might like Morgan, I mean, I liked the kiss, but I want to be sure. I can't hurt her again."

Jayde's bright eyes softened at my words, "Oh, Lexi," she trailed off, "you've done all you can to apologize, ok?"

"Yeah, yeah, I know," I sighed, "I still feel bad though."