Summer Of Seventeen

Chapter Five

A week has passed since Belle and Jesse arrived at the house. After the grocery shopping day, Belle made sure to avoid Logan and the rest of the guys as much as possible. She only greeted them in the morning and then again at night. Occasionally, she would joke around with them and maybe have a drink or two, but for the most part she stayed in her room.

    Why? Two reasons. Number one, she wanted to avoid Alejandro. Although he wasn't very appealing the day of the grocery shopping, it doesn't change the fact that he's her crush. And all he and Noah can talk about is girls, sex and booze. Number two, she feels embarrassed for what happened with Logan. She just can't face him after what he made her feel that day. It's not romantic feelings, of course, but for some reason she just feels embarrassed and angry when it comes to him.

    Axel and Jesse seem to be close, though that's as far as closeness goes for Jesse and the guys. Belle clearly notices that there's tension between Jesse and the other three, so she chooses to remove herself from that.

    One morning, Belle wakes up reasonably late compared to the time she usually awakens. It's obvious that the guys are all awake, due to the noise she can hear from her room. She heads inside, hoping the boys are busy doing their own thing. Unfortunately, she's not that lucky. 

    Logan and Axel are sitting on the couch, watching TV when Belle enters. She runs a hand through her hair which she washed and straightened a few days ago. Axel turns to her.

    "Morning, Sleeping Beauty." he jokes. Belle groans and leans onto the kitchen counter. 

    "Ugh, don't remind me." she says before heading towards the food cabinet. "I need cereal now."    

    Axel chuckles. "Cereal for lunch?" he asks. Belle frowns and shuts the cabinet.

    "Hmm." 

    "Your bacon and eggs are in the microwave." Logan says bluntly, raising the remote and switching to the next channel. He isn't even looking at Belle. She rolls her eyes. 

    Sure, she's been avoiding him for a week, but is it necessary for him to be this bitter towards her?

    "Noah make it?" she asks, walking towards the microwave.

    "No, actually." Axel starts saying, but Logan elbows him in the ribs to silence him. He doesn't catch the hint. "Ouch, man. What's that for?"

    Logan facepalms and Belle furrows her brows as she warms the contents in the microwave.

    "Anyway," Axel continues, "We all had cereal. Logan saw that you were sleeping late so he made you that."

    Belle's shocked to hear this, evident by the way her mouth opens slightly. "Um, thanks, Logan. You didn't have to." 

    For the first time in a while, Logan and Belle look each other in the eyes. Logan's sparkling green eyes only look into her brown ones for a second before he looks away.

    "No problem." he says. The microwave beeps and Belle removes her food before heading to the fridge and pulling out the orange juice.

    "Is there something I'm missing here?" Axel asks. Belle and Logan both talk at the same time.

    "No." they say quickly. As awkward as it is, Belle turns her back to them and proceeds to pour herself some juice.

    "Then why the sudden awkwardness?" Axel asks, looking from Logan to Belle. "In fact, why the sudden distance, Belle?"

    Belle looks down, but forces a smile on her lips. "Um, I've been tired lately." 

    Axel isn't buying it, but before he can say anything, Noah, Jesse and Alejandro make their way inside. Their presence demands everyone's attention, which Belle is thankful for.