The Guy Down The Block

~Chapter 3~

School had changed for Azalea; she didn't feel so alone anymore. This past week Oleander had been nothing but nice to her. He had also gained a lot of popularity, because of his looks and ofcourse his nice personality. Maybe it was because of Azalea not being used or her not liking attention, but she always felt a bit uneasy when she would be surrounded by all these people she didn't know. This of course happened a lot more now that she was friends with him.

"Azalea, what subject do you choose?" Oleander asked while raising his eyebrows, "You did listen right?" He continued smiling. Azalea turned a bright red colour, "I'm sorry haha, what were we talking about again?". Oleander chuckled, "We where talking about our group project for history, remember? I thought I was pretty lucky to be placed with you on a project, but I might have to re-think that", he said with a playfull smile plastered on his face. Azalea gave him a small disapproving push while looking away, trying to hide her smile. "Sooo, should I just head out orrrr...", said the auburn red headed girl who was also sitting in their group. "What no ofcourse not haha", Oleander said smiling. "We need someone like you in our group, I heard you where pretty smart, right?". Azalea looked at them, she honestly never bothered to learn people their names, she didn't convers with them anyway. Azalea looked at the notebook the girl was carrying. In the corner was a name written: Amaryllis Bougainville. She looks pretty cool, I like her name.

"I have always liked true crime cases, why don't we compare the recent killings to some from way back?" Amaryllis said, completely disregarding anything Oleander just said. Azalea looked at Oleander, she did take a big interest in cases like that, but would he be okay with it considering that his, well, probably girlfriend was one of the victims. "Ah, isn't a deepdive into east and west Germany more interesting? That is actual useful information for our exams." He answered imidiately. "Actually, " Amaryllis began, "this is something that is happening now and is all over the news. I would almost argue that this is of higher importance, we migt even help te police.". Azalea was actually intrigued, if we actually help the police it might actually be of help for Oleander. "Maybe what she is saying is true, we might be able to help the poli-" she started before she got cut off. "You guys really think that we would be if help? A LOT of serial killers got away and this one will probably get away too." Oleander said, "You won't even get close to finding out who did it!". Amaryllis raised her eyebrows, "Okay mister, you're feisty, what got you so worked up?". Azalea could feel the tension and intrigue filling the air. "I just," Oleander signed, "feel like it won't do our grade well if we do something unsolvable like this...". It went quiet for a bit, no one knew what to say.

"So uh, I like Germany, the east and west thing sounds good to me..." Azalea said trying to break the uneasy feeling in the room. "Or we could write about one of China's dynasties or something?", she said when no one was answering. "Yeah... Sure, I like that." Amaryllis said still making eye contact with Oleander. "I quite like the Tang-dynasty and the Ming-dynasty, what do you say about it mister?". "Oh I am fine with both." He said without making that much of an expression. "And... I'm sorry if I came off as rude, the idea was nice, I just didn't think that it was something we could do justice, haha.", Oleander said smiling sadly, it somehow reminded Azalea of a lost puppy. "It's fine, don't worry about it.", she said smiling. I have never seen him lash out like this, I do get it tho, he knew one of the victims. Maybe I should talk about it with him, or is this still too fresh? I don't want him to hate me.
After choosing the subject of the Tang-dynasty the team work went a lot smoother. They quickly came up with a plan and the class came to an end.

At lunch she sat with Oleander and some other people from class of which she had no idea what their names were. "Your name is Azalea right?" A guy asked. "Oh uhm, yes." She answered startled, most of the time she would just be listening to the conversation, they rarely talked to her directly. "So, for how long are you two going out?" He continued laughing. "W-what?" Azalea asked confusedly, she was not prepared for this. Azalea could feel her face warming up from embarrassment. "I asked how long you and Oleander were dating. I mean, you two are dating right?" The boy answered. Azalea looked at Oleander who was looking at the boy unbothered. "N-no, we're just friends." She said, still looking as red as a tomato. "Oh~ really?" The boy said nudging her. "No! I'm not dating anyone." She said quite loudly. Oleander looked at her and she turned around to meet his eye. "Still single huh?", the boy said teasingly again while he scootched closer and looked at Oleander with a big smile. "Hey, cut it out man, can't you see that you made her uncomfortable?", Oleander said in a very serious way while making eye contact with the guy. "She's not! I'm just joking, chill, haha, I thought you weren't her boyfriend? Do you like her or something?" The guy continued while sitting shoulder to shoulder with Azalea. Can't he move? He is manspreading so much that all my leg space got eliminated in a blink of an eye. Oleander just scoffed, "Please give her some space to breathe, you are fully in her space.". Azalea smiled at Oleander, why didn't he deny the claim though?

After school Azalea asked who the guy was. "Oh, it's Narcissus, he is actually pretty popular, I don't know why though. If he bothers you again just send me a text or call me, I'll deal with him." Oleander said smiling in a reassuring way. "Ah, thank you", Azalea answered looking at her shoes. "Oh yeah, I don't have that girls number for the history project, would it be smart if you made a group chat for it? I heard some other groups doing something like that." Azalea said not knowing how to react to what he said before. Her thoughts were kind of like leaves in a storm, extremely unclear. "Oh yeah sure! I think she is in one of the group chats that I am part of, I can just take her number from there. Just remind me when you get home okay, I have a pretty bad memory haha.". Azalea smiles, "Yeah sure, I will.".

After she got back home she imidiately teksted him: "Your reminder for the history groupchat..". He instantly replied: "Oh yeah, haha thanks🙏.", "Did you eat yet?". She answered: "Not yet haha, still gotta cook sum, you?". This conversation went on for a pretty long time. When it ended it was already getting dark and they were both hungry.
Azalea quickly made herself a pasta and looked at her phone without even thinking about it, no notification, he must still be having dinner. She put the tv on and sat down. After eating she cleaned up everything and went upstairs. She removed her eyeliner, stepped into the shower and let the hot water run down her back. I hope that he will open up to me some more, maybe we'll get closer then. She thought while shampooing her hair. And why did he not deny anything that, what's his name, ah! Narcissus, that was it, but why did he not deny that? Azalea could feel her face getting flushed, he couldn't have meant it like that, noooo. Her cheeks turned an even brighter red, it was pretty nice of him to protect me like that... Ah, it's pretty hot in here I have got to turn the temperature down a little.

After finishing her shower she layed in bed. A notification! She almost jumped up which resulted in her hitting her arm against the wall. "OUCH, AHHH", she yelled out while quickly opening her phone. Oh, it's just the group chat. She typed "hi" in it just like Amaryllis and almost out her phone away while cursing at herself for over reacting when she got another notification from Oleander. She quickly opened it, "Sweet dreams:) syt". She smiled and replied, "You too:)) see ya". She had already forgotten the aching pain in her elbow and had closed her eyes.

Hiiiiiiii, I sincerely apologise for posting two chapters and then abandoning it for so long haha. I hope you are doing well and please keep giving feetback on the story<3
I love y'all, please drink some water and take your medication. Byeeeeee:))))