False Confidence

Dust Settles

Azriel Huang

Knock, Knock

I groaned, nestling my self further into the pillow, throwing my covers over my head as if it might get rid of the persistent knocking. I had woken from my slumber at 10am but had promptly went back to sleep when the rush of memories had come flooding in from last night. The hurt and confusion, Alex haunting my every thought.

"I'm coming in." What sounded like Wren, of all people, grumbled.

I didn't bother sitting up, pulling the blanket back to observe as he padded over to my bedside in a grey wife-beater and black and grey plaid pj pants. He looked pretty casual apart from the sun pendant he wore around his neck, the gold thumping against his chest occasionally.

"What d'you want." I mumbled, resting my heavy eyelids as sleep once again called my name.

"Get up, let's go to my friend's house." Wren commanded, inching closer. Surprise overtook me, previously thinking Wren would never invite me anywhere. The shock was soon replaced with suspicion, a skeptical glance overtaking my features as my eyes fluttered open into narrow slits.

"First off, you're not exactly my go to choice for people to hang out with. Same goes for you." I pointed out, sitting up while placing my legs in a crossed position. "Second of all, I don't like your friends."

"Trent and Ani won't be there, one of my teammates on the football team is throwing a small get together thing." Wren expatiated, his head tilting slightly.

"Still doesn't explain why you invited me at all." I reminded with a roll of my eyes. An unknown emotion flickered in his eyes before dispersing into nothing like a flash of lightening.

"Since our truce I've decided to show you a little sympathy after your hopeless unrequited love." Wren chuckled, a hair falling from behind his 90s zigzag headband that he wore regularly indoors. I had made a snarky comment about it once, despite liking the way it looked, but he only smugly responded about how much his current fling had liked it. How she always fiddled with it.

"At least I've had a committed relationship before." I retorted, pushing back my blanket from off my legs.

"Look how that turned out for you." He smirked, still as ruthless and rude as ever. I didn't let the words cut too deep, knowing by all the weeks spent in the same house that this was just his way of humor. Although he seemed to take it further with me which begged for me to make his nose bleed.

"Whatever dick." I muttered, exhaling quickly through my nose. "Which friend is hosting?" I added reluctantly, running my fingers through my hair. Wren silently tracked the movement before answering.

"Seth, he said to come whenever." He answered, leaving me thankful that he didn't have anything sarcastic to add. I thought on it for a couple seconds suddenly remembering that Nora must be there since she was hounding after the guy constantly.

"Fine." I complied, ignoring his signature triumphant grin. I staggered off of my bed, moving to my wardrobe before a heavy hand on my shoulder stopped me in my tracks.

"It's casual, we're just eating and playing video games. Just come as you are." Wren insisted.

I looked down at my oversized black hoodie and light grey sleeping shorts with a shrug, opting for simply washing my face off, brushing my teeth and reapplying deodorant. Wren had left midway, announcing something about starting the car and to hurry up. I might've moved a little slower than necessary just to irritate him.

After finishing off with some dry shampoo and a good comb through, I snagged my pendant from the mirror and leisurely made my way to the garage. Wren sat with an impatient scowl, already behind the wheel of the car while shooting a glare at me as I entered through the passenger side.