With A Cherry On Top

Chapter Twenty-six: The art of eating and texting

Song: Break My Heart by Dua Lipa

Chapter Twenty-six: The art of eating and texting

My voice calmed down. "You knew."

She sat down on her bed and hugged herself. "I just found out today. Axel texted apologizing." She looked from the ground to me. "How could you, Char?"

I didn't move closer to her 'cause I already knew what her reaction would be so I stayed rooted to one spot as I said, "I'm really sorry. I thought I was doing the right thing."

"How could making a deal to tutor him so he'll date me possibly be the right thing?"

I shook my head, eager to correct her misconception. "It wasn't to date you, it was just to befriend you. I thought when he'd get to know you, he'd like you. Because you're great, Leyla. If he couldn't see that, he's the problem."

She sniffed and wiped her tears with the back of her hand. "I really thought he liked me, but just sucked at expressing his feelings."

I dared to move closer now. "We could sit here all day and think of all the ways Axel copped out bad," She chuckled a little, only a little, "Or we could try and get you over him as soon as possible and talk about how big of a dick he is." I shrugged. "You were way too good for him anyway."

There was a small smile on her lips before it disappeared quickly. "By the way, I believe you when you say you don't like him." I smiled and muttered a thanks, but she continued. "But he likes you."

My smile disappeared. "I know and I'm sorry. I swear I honestly didn't think he did. I just thought he had fun bugging me."

Leyla didn't talk for a while, then Zahra chipped in. "If it helps, I believe her."

I smiled at Zahra for her help and Leyla turned her attention to her and shrugged. "It helps." Then Zahra chuckled. "Just making sure."

Then Leyla just stared at me for a while with what looked like remorse before she came up to me and gave me a hug. "I'm sorry, Char. I've just never felt this way for anyone as I feel for Axel." I scoffed. "I wonder why." I wrapped my arms around her.

We released each other and she grabbed my hands. "I owe you way more than an apology. You should be worried about your mom, but you're here because I was being a bad friend. I shouldn't have judged you when I knew you. That was a horrible thing for me to do."

"It really was." I teased.

She rolled her eyes. "I was just hurt. I knew he'd always had feelings for you and I thought I'd be the one to change that. I thought I'd be that girl, but that was stupid. I guess I had my head too stuck in the clouds to remember reality. You were just trying to help, in your own horrible little way." She chuckled. 

I shook my head and pouted. "I suck, I know."

Then I continued. "But I understand." And I really did. I didn't think I was that girl that would change how Zane felt about Serena, but I wish I was. Her and him connected on a deeper level, although I don't see them around each other a lot because she doesn't go to our school. But if she did, all his admirers wouldn't bother getting close to him, because when they see her, they'd know they don't stand a chance.

She sat on her couch and put her face in her arms. "God! I yelled at you like you were the worst person ever, I don't know what came over me. I was just jealous."

I snorted as I went to sit beside her tugging her hands off her face as she grumbled about how embarrassed she was. "You? Jealous of me? You're one of the most beautiful, sweetest person I know. In fact, I'm jealous of you. You're insanely pretty."