Maybe This Time

Juicebox

3 days had passed since I last talked to my bestfriend. He never went to my house for a ride, and apparently he didn't need to anymore, cuz he got his Porsche last wednesday. We would always see each other during first period, but he sat on the last row and he always came in late, so I didn't have much time to go say hi or ask how he was doing. But seeing that he doesn't make an effort either, I decided to stop trying.

I was paired with Levi to work on our english project. This didn't really help on my current Oliver situation, but Oh well. I was glad I still got Levi. I may be stressed out because of Oliver, Levi was always there to relieve the stress. We have been hanging out a lot, during lunch, and after school. I told him about Oliver, and he advised that we should just give each other space, and he said that it'll be better over time.

While I was hanging out with Levi, Oliver and Kristy were inseparable. They usually go out during lunch, so we didnt really had the time to hang out.

My bestfriend and I are being too damn stubborn, but behind my extra large pride, I have to say, I miss Oliver. Pretty damn much. I just had him, and I was stupid enough to push him just like that.

But seriously though? How could he? How could he accuse me for something like that? I was just trying to protect myself from falling hard again and getting broken. And I did it to save our friendship! But look what that got me. But still, it is not my fault!

Okay, yes. That's my pride talking.

How come he's not doing anything to fix this though? He's the guy, he should do the first move, right?

Yes. Still the pride, speaking.

"Ughhhhh!!" I groaned loudly and hid under my covers.

That stubborn pain in the ass!!

I rolled lazily on my bed. It was 10-ish in the morning, on a weekend. Saturday is usually my lazy day. But since school has started, I guess that's gonna change. Our english project is due on monday, so me and Levi are gonna work on ours today.

He said that he will be here by 11:30 to pick me up, so we could go to the public library and do our paper.

I finally decided to get up, and start getting ready before I go schizzy with this stupid Oliver situation.

After having a long shower, i donned some jeans and a shirt, and went to blowdry my hair. As soon as it was dry, i tied it up in a messy bun and slipped into my Chuck Taylor's slip on.

I checked my phone, it was already 11:20, and I got a text from Levi saying that he was on his way. So I took one last look at the mirror and there I saw.. Me. The normal Zoe. Simple enough not to look desperate, but not too simple to be haggard.

If this happened last year, or if Oliver never came, maybe I would put more effort to look pretty. I mean, this is Levi Evans we're talking about! Gosh. But somehow, at this point of the time, the girl who used to swoon everytime she sees Levi even from afar is gone. Right now, Levi is just a classmate. A friend. A school project partner. I sigh.

I made my way downstairs and went straight to the kitchen to get something to drink. I was gonna pour myself a glass of milk but I already heard Levi pull over our driveway. So I grabbed a juicebox instead.

I ran out the door and I almost jumped when I saw Levi standing on our doorstep. He looked shock as I was.

I gave him a confused look and asked, "What are you doing?"

"I was just about to ring your doorbell." He answered casually.

"Why?"

He looked at me like I just asked the stupidest question, and replied, "Well, I wasnt just gonna honk and wait for you in the car. That's rude, and I didn't wanna disappoint your parents."

He wants to impress my parents?

"I mean," he clears his throat and scratches the back of his head, he just looked so adorable when he does that. "I mean I didnt want them to think that you'll be hanging out with some rude guy. You know. "

I smile. "Levi, there's no need to explain more. You're just being the gentleman you are."

He smiles sheepishly, and for a moment we just stood there smiling at each other. Awkward.

I cleared my throat. "But uhm. My mom's not here. She took Bo, my little brother to his swimming class." I said as i chew on my straw and sipped from my juicebox awkwardly.

He stared at me then to my juicebox, smiling.

"What?" I asked, the straw still in my mouth.

He chuckles. "A juicebox?"

I continued to sip. "Yeah. So?"

He smiled even wider, amused. "Nothing."

I punched him playfully on his arms and I smiled, too.

"Hey. Dont judge!" I said with mock seriousness.

He just laughed even more and raised both arms as if surrendering.

"Besides nobody is ever too old for juiceboxes!" I sipped, until there was a slurping sound. I grin with satisfaction. "Ahhhhh. Yumm!" I giggled and he laughed.

"Come on, goofball! Lets go before you finish your little brother's juiceboxes. We have a project to work on!" He said, grabbing me the shoulders as he lead me to his car. I was still giggling, when he opened my door for me.

Before he could close it, I smiled and said, "for the record, my mom gets me my own pack of juicebox!"

He laughed again, and it was like music to my ears. I laughed along, and I realized maybe this is good. With Levi, I could laugh freely like this. I dont have to think about Oliver. He is already happy with Kristy, so why bother? I think it's time I should be happy too. I have liked Levi for 4 years, I have admired him from afar, and now he's right here. Opening doors for me, holding my hands, trying to even impress my parents, teasing me, laughing with me. It is not difficult to learn to like him again. Maybe if I push Oliver out of my head, I could give Levi another chance.

Oh my God! Just a few weeks ago, I was the loser who was freaking out about the first day of school because it also meant the first day of misery, and now I am the one giving chances. Not to mention, to the hottest guy in LE. This is just so surreal.

I glanced to look at Levi on my side, he was focus on the road, but his eyes were full of happiness, he was even smiling. He is happy. Am I behind it?

His smile got bigger that his dimples show, my heart started racing, but I dont look away. I like the sight of him smiling, happy.

"You're staring."

My heart skipped a beat, and I looked away. Mentally, I facepalmed.

"Oh no wait. You dont call that staring, you were gazing. Right?" He teases, and this time he looks at me.

I slid down my chair, wishing a hole would appear so the earth could swallow me whole and I could disappear forever.

I wasn't sure what to say and I didnt wanna look at him because I didnt want him to see me looking like a tomato.

He chuckled, obviously amused.

Still, i dont dare to open my mouth. I just stare on my fingers. Listening to his laughter though, was amusing too. I smile slowly formed across my face.

"You're really funny Zoe. But in a cute way. " he said.

I slowly looked to my side and I found his blue eyes staring with full of sincerity.

I fought a smile and pouted instead. "I'm glad my humiliation is amusing you Levi." I said with mock hurt. But I knew I failed, because just a second after I said that, I laughed.

He joins me.