A Messy (Not Reliable) Guide to Situationships

4. Diving in

The morning after my dad dropped me off at Alexa's house. We took a bus to meet Nancy and her 'friend', which I was happy to meet. He seemed like a good guy. I learned as we were walking to the pool that his name was Hector and he was a year younger than us. He was white with light brown eyes, kind of chubby and a little bit taller than Nancy. Alexa and him seemed to get along great, and I couldn't help but feel like I was intruding on an already-established friend group.

When we got to the pool Alex greeted us and introduced us to the owner of the house, Eddy. They seemed to be friends but Alex kept rolling his eyes every time Eddy talked, so I sensed some animosity there.

The pool was small. There were tables beside it with bottles of rum, wine, soda cans and other liquids I did not recognize. There was a domino table where two boys were competing against two girls. The party had no more than 20 people in total.

While Nancy and Hector went to get drinks, Alexa and I sat down at the edge of the pool. She didn't waste time going into full gossip mode.

Alexa: I think Eddy and him used to be friends but now they're more like frenemies
Me: Why?
Alexa: I think they fought over a girl.
Me: Makes sense

We swam in the pool for a bit and then Eddy started gathering everyone who wanted to smoke pot. Hector said he did it regularly and Nancy and Alexa were willing to try. I, on the other hand, was skeptical, but peer pressure has a way of taking over you.

We made our way inside but before I could step in, Alex blocked my path.

Alex: Are you sure you wanna do that?
Me: Yeah, why not?
Alex: It doesn't look like your scene
Me: There's a first time for everything.

He eyed my body just like he had the previous night, except this time I was in a one-piece green bathing suit with a lot more cleavage.

Alex: You and I have unfinished business
Me: We do?
Alex: Can we talk somewhere?

I didn't want to talk to him. He scared me in a weird way. It's not like I feared for my safety, I just feared what could happen between us. I told him we would talk another time and he just shrugged and walked away.

I ended up not joining the smokers. My mom's voice was in my head warning me about all the dangers that could come from getting high.

At around 2pm a game of Truth or Dare started. People were touching, kissing, giving lap dances. I wasn't playing and neither was Alexa. She might have seemed wild to strangers at first glance but my best friend was almost as shy as I was most of the time. Nancy and Hector were playing, however. They kissed other people and were obviously annoyed at having to do so.

Two girls had just finished making out when it was Eddy's turn. A girl asked him if he had ever stolen someone's girlfriend. You could feel the tension in the room. Eddy smirked and gave a vague answer like "maybe" or "something like that". I looked over at Alex and he was angry. The game carried on and I had to swallow my curiosity and resist the urge to pry for more details.

We left the party at around 4, since I needed to be home before 6 and my dad was picking me up at Alexa's house. Nancy and Hector were mad at each other, barely acknowledging the other's existence on the way back. Alex didn't leave with us. He gave us a wave as a farewell and went back inside.

On the way back, Alexa surprised me with a statement.

Alexa: I think my cousin likes you
Me: I think so too
Alexa: And...? Do you like him?
Me: I barely know him
Alexa: I'm going to give him your phone number
Me: You will not!
Alexa: I most certainly will. You both need to get laid. And I want you to be my cousin.

She gave me a side-hug and it shocked me. Alexa wasn't physically affectionate. And neither was I at the time, to be honest.

Alexa: You want to do something this weekend?
Me: Sure
Alexa: You're like my best friend. You know that, right?

I felt emotional and warm inside. I nodded and smiled at her. The hold that girl had on me was insane. I wanted her to like me and trust me. She made me feel complete.

The summer flew by with a few more parties and get-togethers. I saw Alex a couple more times but he was always with a girl or hanging out in a separate group. Nancy and Hector made up and their relationship turned serious. She really did fall in love with him and he seemed to feel the same.

Alexa and I were content in our single-girl status. Neither of us had ever been in a serious relationship, nor did we want to be. During a sleepover she told me how much she wished to experience with several types of guys and maybe even girls. We opened up to each other about our insecurities and our fears. She got me and I understood her just as well.

September came and so did the new school year. On the first day of school, Alexa pulled me towards the bathroom during break

Alexa: It's my cousin's birthday today
Me: Alex?
Alexa: No, Tony. You know, the one who's dated Lys last year?
Me: Oh, yeah. So Rony is Mikaela's boyfriend, then.
Alexa: Exactly. Rony is Tony's brother and they're both cousins to Alex as well
Me: Damn, I'm going to need a copy of your family tree
Alexa: Shut up. Are you in? Tony's girlfriend came from Europe. She spared no expenses in this party. It's going to be amazing
Me: I have to ask my mom
Alexa: She likes me. She'll say yes. Your dad can pick us up around 1
Me: I'll ask him

Alexa went into the bathroom. That's when I noticed Lys standing behind us. She had probably heard the whole thing. Our eyes met and we smiled awkwardly at each other.

Lys: So Tony's girlfriend is in the country?
Me: I guess
Lys: He must be really happy. That's the love of his life
Me: Do you know her?
Lys: They've been dating for two years. Open-long-distance relationship. We used to talk about her all the time
Me: Wow. That must've been rough on you
Lys: It was. But I'm over it. I'm dating someone else
Me: Good for you.

Lys went back into the classroom just as Alexa was exiting the bathroom.

Alexa: Was that Lys?
Me: She heard us
Alexa: I feel bad for her. She's still hung up on Tony. It doesn't help that Rony and Mikaela are doing so well. They used to double date all the time
Me: She told me she's over it.d
Alexa: Well of course. Saying how she really feels would make her sound pathetic. She's a weird girl.

I didn't think Lys was weird but I didn't know her as well as Alexa. Maybe there was something I was missing. So I agreed and that was the beginning of us making fun of Lys every chance we got.