Best Friends for (N)ever

Chapter 7

The first thing I did after I made that bet with Ethan was talk to Lexi. It didn't turn out so well. I couldn't understand why she hated me so much; she had no reason to. It annoyed me that she was not okay. She was supposed to be okay. It doesn't make sense. Alex. Lexi. Alexandra. It all was like a knife through my chest. That bitch.

Alex POV:

"To you, I'm Lexi," I said evenly, even though I couldn't stare him in the eyes. It's been so long, but I still feel that in my chest. That longing feeling. I just wished it would go away. He's a bastard, and I hate everything about him. The way he looks, the way he talks, his personality. Everything.

He smirked.

I furrowed my eyesbrows. What's gotten into him? "Come on, Nate," I said, grabbing his arm. "We have to go. We'll be late."

"Late for what?" Daniel asked.

"None of your business." I was suprised to see that it was my brother talking. "Get the hell out of our way, Monroe."

"I see you've grown up," Daniel stated

I dragged Nate to the car. "Don't talk to him," I said. "Don't think about him. Don't get within a mile radius of him."

"Why? It's not like he's different," Nate protested.

"He is. God, can't you see? He's surrounded by--"

"Alex, just because he's surrounded by people you hated, doesn't mean he's changed. Stuff like this doesn't bother him. No matter what you say, he's still your best friend."

"NO HE'S NOT!" I yelled, slamming my fists against the steering wheel. I angrily pulled out of the parking lot and sped out of the driveway. When I reached the home, Nate and I got out of the car. 

This was going to be a long school year. 

Just avoid him, Alex. Do that, and you'll be fine. Oh, how I wished I had done that. Daniel was trouble. And I knew that from Day 1. It just didn't bother me until now.

Daniel's POV

Alex's hatred towards me hurt. A lot. And I didn't want it to. I was going to make her trust me again and break her. Like a twig. And that's a favor, compared to what she did to me. 

When I got home, Mom gave me a some cereal. I narrowed my eyes. "What's this, Mom? Where's my dinner?"

She shrugged. "We're eating dinner a little late today. I invited a family over."

"Who?" I asked.

"The Mercers." I was groaning internally, but then I smiled. Perfect chance. Just got to break into her. Not in the wrong way, of course. Well, maybe.

"Kay, cool," I said gulping down all the junk that was in it. 

"You know, Daniel, this is a great chance to catch up with Alex. She's grown so much. Looks much prettier too. I think--"

"Mom," I said. "We're just friends."

"Well, your going to have get out of that zone some day! When will i see my grandchildren then?"

"MOM!" God, I swear it was only me who had such an embarassing mother. "God, you don't say that sutff until I have a job. Unless, you'd rather me get a girl pregnant and have a sixteen year old daughter in law. Not that I would marry her."

"My, my. What kid of boy have I raised you to be? Have you gotten a girl pregannt?" She asked jokingly, but I knew she was half-serious.

"No, Mom," I replied hoping she wouldn't go too far into the subject.

"Daniel...if you don't mind me asking...are you...are you having--"

"I'm going upstairs," I said, putting my bowl in the sink. "Homework to do."

"Oh, hush," she said waving a kitchen towel in my face. "Like you ever do that stuff."

I gave her quick kiss on the cheeks. "You know me too well, Mom."

. . . 

Alex's POV

"Where are we going?" I asked, as mom told me to go upstairs to change into something nice. 

"Dinner," she answered. "With the Monroe's."

"I'm not going," I quickly replied. "I have homeowrk."

"Don't lie to me. Its the first day of school."

"Well, I have like four projects."

"Upstairs. Go," she said. 

I sighed and took the steps two at a time and walked into my room. I opened my closet thinking I'll find nothing. I through on a white v-neck shirt and a floral skirt, paired with boho sandals. I left my hair down because I recently washed it and put on hoop earings. I swooped in a bit of mascara and was about to put on eyeliner when I decided not to. Why was I dressing up so much for a dinner? God, it was for him wasn't it? I shook my head and set the eyeilner down on my dresser. I jogged down the stairs where my Mom was waiting.

We rang the doorbell to the Monroes' house and waited. My mom had her eyebrows raised. "This is the perfect time for you to catch up with Daniel!"

"I'd rather not," I muttered. I just hoped this would end quick.