With A Cherry On Top

Chapter Thirty-one: 'Hey bottle of whiskey, let's be friends'

Song: Honeymoon Avenue by Ariana Grande 

Chapter Thirty-one: 'Hey bottle of whiskey, let's be friends'

The day went pretty well. That was until, school ended and Axel came up to me as I was putting things into my locker. Leyla had just left, and so had Kai and Zahra. I didn't think Xander had gone.

"Can we talk now?" He asked.

I slammed my locker shut. "I'm busy."

"With what? School's over."

"I have to go drop my sister at her ballet class."

"That's close to our houses. Can you meet me at mine?"

"I don't think that's a good idea." I said as I started walking out of school.

He joined me. "But I need to talk to you, Charvi. Just tell Xander or Kai or whoever is taking you that I'll take you."

"I'm driving myself." I informed.

"You have a car? Great. So what time would you be there?"

"Axel..." I trailed off.

"You ready Char?" Reveka called as she came to walk beside me, then she finally took in Axel. "Hey, you."

"Hey." He turned back to me. "Please Char."

I hesitated. "Fine."

He seemed surprised. "Really?"

"15 minutes to say whatever the hell you want to say and I'm out."

"Yes. That's fine." He replied, before walking the other way to where he parked his car in the lot.

Reveka gave me a questioning look.

"Long story."

"Shorten it." She said as she got into the car. I walked around and entered the other side.

"Okay." I turned to her. "Leyla loves Axel. I made a deal with him to spend time with her in exchange for me tutoring him. He asked her to be his girlfriend to supposedly make me jealous. Then, he told me he liked me and tried to kiss me and she saw. She was pissed at me, but then she forgave me."

"He told you he likes you?"

"Yup." I started the car.

"And you didn't kick him where the sun don't shine?"

"Why would I do that?"

"You cried for a week when he put an end to your 13 years friendship because of some stupid excuse about his friends thinking you're a creep. And now he's telling you he likes you?"

"That was four years ago, Rev."

"And people change?" She asked, trying to predict my excuse.

"I'm being mature."

"Maturity is not an excuse for putting up with his bullshit, Char. He used your best friend." She reminded me.

"I am not putting up with his bullshit, Rev. I'm just hearing him out. Like I said, 15 minutes and I'm out. So he can finally leave me alone."

"Fine." She crossed her arms. "But if he tries nonsense, I'm going to a store to fetch a gun."

"You're not old enough and you can't afford it, but thanks for caring."

She didn't reply and I started driving.

*******

I hesitated.

Why?

Why not? I don't think I should actually have come.

But you need to sort this out once and for all.