Sandcastles

Chapter Twenty-Seven

"So how was your little date with my brother?" a voice asks to my right. It's almost unfamiliar seeing on how I haven't heard it in so long. And it's somewhat icy, giving me the feeling you get when someone scratches their nails on a chalkboard.

I close my locker door, immediately turning and seeing Alexander leaned against the set of rusty lockers. He smirks at me and I notice that he still looks like the same old Alexander. It hasn't been too long since I've talked to him, but it's been long enough. I don't plan on being absolute best friends with him ever, though.

"Nice." I lie to him while trying to push past him to go to geometry. He catches my arm, making me turn towards him again.

"Did I say I was done with you?" he asks me.

"Who said you ever started?" I ask him. He chuckles lightly and loosens his grip on my arm.

"Someone turned into a smart-ass, didn't they?" he asks.

"Someone turned into an even bigger dumb-ass, didn't they?" I ask him in the same tone.

He looks surprised by what I'm saying, and honestly, so am I. Since when did this wave of sarcasm strike me? Especially towards Alexander? He doesn't really even talk to me that much, so I'm not sure why I'm talking to him like this.

The first bell rings and students start to shuffle towards their classes before the next one rings. Once that one rings, the teachers lock their doors until they dismiss us. So if I miss that bell, I won't get in my geometry class. But Alexander makes no attempt to let me get past him, and he doesn't even try leaving himself.

"I have a class to get to." I tell him. "Don't you have a girlfriend you can go bother?"

"We broke up." He says in an almost cheerful tone. I'm a little shocked; they acted as if they never planned on breaking up. "Saturday."

Saturday. The day after the night Troy showed up at my house. Just a coincidence, right?

Speaking of Troy, guess what? Things are as awkward as ever! Apparently he doesn't like being rejected for like the fifth time around. But how was I supposed to kiss the guy? Especially when the hoodie reminded me of Alexander. It would've just been weird.

Tiffany pushes past us in the hall, paying no attention to Alexander but sending me a terrible glare. So it must be true.

"Alexander, I really need to-"

"No, wait. We need to talk." He interrupts me while keeping me from moving past him.

Something about his voice and the way his eyes have that glint in them makes him sound sincere. I groan and move away from his grasp. He better make this quick. I have a total of two minutes until I need to be in my desk in geometry.

"Listen. I'm sorry. About everything that happened. I was dumb. No-I was a fucking idiot for what I did. Or said. Whatever. And-"

"I don't want to listen to your stupid sob-story of a lie." I say. "I'm done with everyone lying to me. Bye."

"Wait!" he demands, grabbing my arm once again, refusing to let me move. "Please, just hear me out."

"No, I need to get to geometry." I say while yanking my arm away.

I've just now realized how done I am with this boy. Why was I wasting my time for however long this was? I don't want anything to do with him anymore. Or Troy. Or anyone. Who needs the Ludwig's anyways?

I start walking quickly to the geometry room, Alexander keeping up behind me. The bell rings just as I'm turning the corner to the room. Right when I'm about to walk in, Alexander yells something behind me.