You and me, we're bumper cars
The more I try to get to you
The more we crash apart, no
Round and round we chase the sparks
But all that seems to lead to
Is a pile of broken parts
Bumper Cars - Alex & Sierra
"I'm home," I said nonchalantly sure my parents heard me from whichever part of the house they were in. I'm sure Beta James called them a while back telling them where I was and that I was having dinner with them even though I'm sure Mikey and Xime told them before that. Of course, most of the time I disappeared, if it wasn't the beach, it was Jason's house.
After much thought, I finally decided Xime's new nickname for me. This one was perfect because everyone would assume it was a shortening of her name, but only I knew the true meaning of it.
Ximena = Mena
Mena = Mean-a
That sounds so childish...but I couldn't really think of anything else...It was as I was heading up the stairs that I heard them on the second floor balcony.
"Xime, I never saw you as my girlfriend," I heard Mikey say.
"Is-" Mena started.
"Stacy isn't my girlfriend either," Mikey replied, "she's just a friend like you."
"You can't compare me to her," I heard Mena complain, "I know I'm your future mate."
"Whether that's true or not, Xime," Mikey replied, "I think we should just be friends till that time comes."
"But I don't want to be friends!" Mena argued. "I don't like you as a friend!"
"Xime, just stop!" He said annoyed, "I'm sorry you found out the way you did, but it's the truth. I feel like you're suffocating me!" I didn't have to see her to know the moment of silence now filling the space was most likely because she was crying again. I don't think Mikey liked seeing her cry as much as I did, if not more.
"I told you, I can't be friends with you," She replied. The sound of her voice proved my theory right, "so when you're ready to be something more, I'll be right here waiting for you." She walked past him coming toward the hallway. I quickly ran to Sandra's room and hid. I watched Mena as she shut the door of the balcony behind her. She looked up and let out a sigh as she wiped away the run away tears escaping her eyes. "No more crying, Xime." I watched as she took in a deep breath and began heading down stairs. I watched Mikey step out onto the hallway looking downstairs probably at the retreating form of Mena.
"So you're home already," Mikey said not even turning my way. I smirked as I stepped out and leaned against the wall.
"What kind of psychic crap is that?" I asked.
"You heard everything, huh?" He said turning to look at me.
"Not everything, but enough, and before I forget," I replied walking over to him. I took him by surprise as my fist connected with his jaw. "You might be the hero in her story, but that doesn't mean I'm your janitor that cleans up after you. I can't do that." I shook my hand to clear the tingles that spread through it from the impact with Mikey's face. "I'm her villain and I don't plan on switching roles. So Superman, wear your stupid cape and stop making her cry." Mikey rubbed his jaw before looking over at me.
"You do care about her," he said smirking, "Don't you?" I looked at him taken aback.
"What?" I said, "n-no...no, the hit was for earlier."
"Earlier, right," Mikey replied.
"No, seriously, I just can't take an undeserving hit without payback," I retorted because I don't feel he believed me, "if anything, I should hit you again because I had to drag her around for all my plans today." Mikey just smiled, but I ignored him finding it pointless to argue with him as I made my way back downstairs. Why doesn't anyone ever believe me?
