Chapter 45: The Truth

ADDY

I’m walking fast, trying to shake off the boy who’s hot on my trail.

“Buttercup, hear me out!” Asher’s voice trails behind me as I keep moving.

Ever since I got out of the hospital, he’s been like my shadow, always trying to catch my attention.

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy the attention.

~Heehee.~

~Serves him right.~

“I don’t want to talk, Asher!” I snap at him, my face a blank slate. I’m heading for the cafeteria when he grabs my hand, pulling me in the opposite direction.

People are watching.

“What are you all looking at?” Asher’s voice booms, sending everyone scurrying away.

He leads us down a different hallway and I furrow my brows.

“I need to get home. I’m meeting Xander later.”

“Why are you meeting that—” He stops mid-sentence when I shoot him a glare.

~I’m meeting him to give him a piece of my mind.~

~Little bitch.~

~Traitor.~

“I told you I’m not going to bother you anymore, and I won’t. So do me a favor and leave me alone.”

~Who am I kidding? I’ll lose it if you leave me alone again.~

~Not that I’m going to tell you that now.~

He pulls me into a classroom, and I let him, pretending to resist.

~Man, it feels good to have your hand in mine again.~

I can’t help but grin as I follow him.

The moment he turns to face me again, I drop the smile, replacing it with my blank expression.

He steps closer, and I back up against the door.

He pushes me against it, closing the door and trapping me in. My eyes widen.

“What are you doing?”

“Do you know what I came back to tell you that day?”

“No, and I don’t want to know either. We’re done.” I shrug, looking away, not trusting myself around him.

He lifts his hand, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

I stifle a gasp, giving him the ugliest look I can muster.

He leans in close to my ear.

“Because I wanted to tell you that I’m glad you were my first kiss.” His voice is soft and I can’t help but gasp.

Quickly regaining my composure, I push him away.

“Why are you telling me this? I really need to go.”

“Don’t you get it? I like you,” he says casually, his cheeks flushing a moment later.

~HOLD UP.~

~WHAAAAAtttt~

~omgomgomghgkgkogmifmkfgjifg….~

~He likes me, he fucking likes me.~

“What?” I ask calmly, even though I feel like I’m about to burst with joy.

“I like you, Addalynn Reina. I like how you are with me. I like how you look at me. I like how you smile at only me. I like how you hold me, how you take care of me, how you kiss me. I like everything about you.”

My mouth falls open.

Not literally, because I have to act cool and all.

But inside, I’m anything but cool. I’ve been waiting to hear these words for years.

~Holy pancake. I think I’m going to faint.~

I pull myself together. “So?”

“What do you mean, so? Are you really in love with that douchebag? I honestly don’t get what you see in him.”

~You have to be kidding me.~

My phone starts ringing and I glance at the screen.

“Oh look, lover boy is calling. See you later?” I give Asher a quick wave before rushing out, pressing the phone to my ear.

I hear Asher calling after me, but I ignore him, heading out.

I have to deal with Xander first.

***

“Addy?”

I smile at Blake as he opens the door for me. I kick off my shoes and give him a quick hug.

“Everyone’s inside waiting for you!”

“Okay, cool!” I start to head for the living room when Blake stops me.

“Just a question.”

“Hmm?” I ask.

“Are you still mad at him?”

I shake my head no.

“Oh, thank God. I’m tired of seeing him mope around. He hasn’t even been sleeping properly. The jerk’s been calling me and Gabe all night, ruining our sleep.”

I laugh at his frustrated expression.

~He hasn’t been sleeping?~

“I’ll forgive him soon enough,” I say with a smile.

Blake ruffles my hair and I whine.

“I swear, you and Gabe always mess up my hair!”

“Can’t help it!” he shrugs.

“Buttercup?” I look up to see a weary-looking Asher approaching us. “I didn’t think you’d come.”

“I’m here, aren’t I?” I walk past him into the living room, with him trailing behind me like a lost puppy, Blake following.

I see Gabe on the sofa and run over to give him a hug.

“Gabri?”

He wraps me in his arms.

“How’s your arm?”

“Casts are nothing new for her!” Kaylee chimes in from beside Irin, who starts laughing.

“Kaylee told me about the time you fell from a tree and broke your left arm, and that you would have broken another from falling down a tree if it hadn’t been for Asher.”

Gabe and Kaylee laugh.

“True!” I move over to give Irin and Kaylee a hug too.

“Why do they all get hugs, but not me?” I turn to look at Asher, who’s pouting at me.

“You’ve been all cuddly with Jalina. You even kissed her. I don’t want her germs on me.” I shrug.

Asher’s eyes widen as I slide into the seat next to Gabe.

“You kissed ~who~?” Gabe shoots Asher a look, and Asher throws his hands up in surrender.

“I didn’t hug her or kiss her. She’s the one who’s been clinging to me since I stopped talking to you.”

“Exactly. Since you stopped talking to me. You didn’t want me around. You didn’t want to talk on the phone. You didn’t want me at our table. You wanted nothing to do with me!”

“That’s because you kissed Xander!”

“Someone grab the pizza. We don’t need a movie. We’ve got a live show right here!” Irin says, standing up.

“I’ll help you!” Kaylee jumps up too, heading into the kitchen. I tear my gaze away from them and focus on Asher.

“Who told you I kissed Xander?” I ask, my voice steady even though I already know the answer.

“No one had to tell me. I saw it with my own eyes.”

“What?” Gabe’s voice is full of confusion. “You kissed Xander?”

I shrug at him while Blake shushes him.

“You mean you saw it on a video.”

“How did you…?” Asher’s eyes are wide as he looks at me.

“Because your girlfriend decided to call me and spill the beans about her plan to break us up. A plan you fell for!” I can’t hold back my anger anymore.

“This is too damn good,” Kaylee mumbles around a mouthful of pizza. Irin brings the rest of the food to the table, and everyone starts eating except for us.

“What do you mean, a setup?”

“Your girlfriend told Xander to take me out just so she could film it.”

Asher runs a hand through his messy curls.

“You still went out with him. You still kissed him!”

“What are you mad about? We weren’t even together, and I had my reasons!”

“Reasons? What stupid reason could you have had to go out with him? The only one I can think of is that you like him!” He’s staring at me, accusation in his eyes.

“The only person I like is you, you fucking idiot!”

Gabe starts clapping like a kid at a birthday party.

“Finally!”

We both turn to look at him.

“Sorry, sorry... carry on.”

“I’ve liked you for years! It’s always been like this. Were you too dense to notice?”

“The only reason I went out with Xander is because he asked me out before I really got to know you. I said yes, but then it got canceled. I felt bad, so I went this time, but just as friends!”

“This is epic.” Kaylee giggles again, shoving another slice of pizza into her mouth and snuggling into Blake, who’s lifted her onto his lap.

Asher just stands there, speechless.

“Yes, he did try to kiss me, but I pushed him away because I would never do something like that knowing I loved you. The video was just filmed from the wrong angle!”

I finish my rant, gasping for breath.

“Loved?” he asks, still staring at me.

~Is that all he got from my rant?~

“Yes, loved. Past tense.”

“Buttercup—”

“I don’t want to talk to you!” I grab a slice of pizza and take a bite.

“I’m sorry. I should have talked to you.”

“I don’t want to talk about it now. Let’s eat.”

“Okay, okay, cheer up everyone.” Gabe stands up, walks over to Asher, and throws an arm over his shoulder. He whispers something in Asher’s ear before gesturing to the pizza.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Asher bend down to pick up a slice. I sit down too, lost in thought. Gabe sits next to him.

Kaylee leans across Irin to whisper to me, “And how did it go with Xander? I gave him a piece of my mind. He didn’t seem to care too much.”

“Asshole. I can’t believe him.” I shrug.

Gabe puts on ~Bad Boys~.

“Let’s watch, people.”

He turns off the lights and everyone gets engrossed in the movie.

A couple of hours later, I stand up.

“I’m leaving, guys. I have something to do. Thanks for today!” I smile at everyone, deliberately avoiding Asher, who’s barely said two words.

“Okay, Addy! See you at school!” they all call out.

~I feel kind of bad.~

~Should I tell him I’m not mad at him?~

I stand up, expecting Asher to say he’s leaving too, but he doesn’t even look up. I wave at everyone before heading to the hallway. I’ve got one shoe on when Gabe suddenly appears.

“Addy?”

I look at him. “I know what you’re going to say. I still love him, okay? I just need some time.

“What he did hurt—but come on, you know I won’t be able to resist him forever. After all, I’ve been hopelessly in love with him for eight years.”

“I know, girl! Drive safe!” He gives me a hug before I open the door and step outside.

~He didn’t come out with me…~

~Did he decide to let me go?~

~Did I push too far?~

I shake my head. I can think about all this tomorrow. He’s my neighbor, after all. Where’s he going to go?