It Started With a Dare

Chapter 4

Chapter 4 (Re-written)

~~~

"Bullshit," I snorted. I actually laughed at his absurdity. That didn't mean I wasn't hurt though. I just couldn't handle that Alex would be the type of person that would say "I love you" just to mess with someone. Then again, Alex only messes with me, which is fine since I'm used to it.

"How'd you know I was lying?" Alex asked, laughing back.

"Because it's you," I answered. "Whenever it sounds serious, you're actually lying."

"Wow, that actually hurts," Alex said. "You don't trust me? Even though we're friends?"

"Uhh~ yeah, definitely," I said with no ounce of guilt. It was all in complete honesty. "Don't take it personally, but it's true. Madame Karma will kick your arse one day."

"But you still like me, right?"

I choked on my spit. I couldn't answer him. Not because Alex right, but because I didn't know if I still did. I didn't really like guys who plays around, not that Alex plays with every girl he sees, but he sure does love the attention.

"Silence means yes," Alex chuckled in utter satisfaction. "How long has it been? Two years?"

"Think whatever you want to assume," I rolled my eyes. "Another addition to the list of girls who like you, huh?"

"You make me sound like a bad guy there, Annie-chan," Alex said. I could sense the massive pout on his face from his tone. "I actually care for some of them, you know."

"I highly doubt that," I laughed dryly. Still holding my phone, I went to the kitchen and took some leftover meatloaf. I set my phone on loudspeaker and began to dig in.

"I'm not lying," Alex said. "You're one of them. Actually, you're the one I care for the most."

I choked once again, and I had to thump my chest to get rid of the meatloaf lodged in my throat. A couple of thumps had it flying across the dining table in a gooey mush and on a puddle of spittle. I made a mental note to clean it up when it won't look as gross to me now.

"Yeah, right," I said half-heartedly. "What about Isla?" Warning, warning! Liar alert! Liar alert!

"I've known you longer," Alex answered easily. "You're such a cutie when you're jealous. You're absolutely tough, but you're actually really soft."

"Shut up!" I shouted. That last line really ticked me. "I don't want someone who bullied me for about a year to tell me what I really am."

"It's not a bad thing to ask for help and have someone take care of you, you know," Alex said.

Life is hard. You should know how to live by yourself as young as you are now.

My eyebrows furrowed as I remember the words Mum said when she told me I was to move here in America. I became angrier at Alex for saying these things to me. He was probably only trying to help, but it was not going to make Mum happy with me. Besides, I'm alone in this large flat. Who would be here to take care of me? Myself, that's who.

My heart clenched from the thought of me being so cold. I felt like I was becoming like my mother. My cold, distant mother.

"Those are words coming from a guy who has it easy in life," I snapped.

"I hit a nerve again, didn't I?"

I chuckled and ran my fingers through my hair. I really need to keep it together. I was losing my cool just because of a silly guy.