Friends,Enemies & Falling In Love

Chapter 1- Home Sweet Home *Alexa’s POV* After being away for all of summer, coming home was a breath of fresh air. I never thought I’d miss my small hometown as much as I did, but the big city was nothing compared to Woodstock.I liked going to visit Aunt Jan but the drive home was the most boring thing I could imagine. Myles was asleep against the window, Sunday morning’s are defiantly not for him. Scratch that mornings in general. My phone vibrates in my pocket, I let out a small moan as it pauses my song. Satan: Is your brother alive? I grin at my phone, Asher. He should know by now that Myles does not reply until mid day on the weekends, even if we are on a road trip home. I think of a evil plan in my head and start cackling to myself, my mum giving me the side eye through the rear view mirror. Alexa: I don’t know know, he chose to stay at our Aunts for a extra week. Immediately a text bubble appeared, as if he was furiously typing. Satan: Lexapedia what do you mean he chose to stay for another week!? Lexapedia, a exclusive name that only Asher can call me. The nickname started because growing up my head was always stuck in one book or another, I also used to help him and Myles with all their homework. Alexa: He didn’t tell you!? Oh shit.. I can’t help myself and I burst out in to uncontrollable laughter, causing Myles so jolt awake unaware what was going on. “Lexi why are you laughing” Mom questioned, her brow raised. “Nothing Mom, just a funny video” I say, raising my phone mid air so she could see it. Myles phone starts ringing, and my eyes allow a quick glance at his screen before he yanks it out of view. I grin, Asher, this is going to be fun. He answers and pulls the phone to his ear, still half asleep. “What’s up bro?” He slurs, like he’s about to fall asleep mid sentence. “WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOUR STAYING ANOTHER WEEK AT YOUR AUNTS” Asher is pissed enough that even with the phone not on speaker his voice echos through the car. Myles eyes snap open, now he’s awake. I force the smirk off my face and look out the window, and now we wait. “I’m not staying another week? I’m literally on my way home now?” Myles groans, running a hand through his hair. “But Lexapedia said-“, Asher had just ratted me out. “LEXI” Myles shouts, diving from his seat at me, causing me to squeal and edge closer to the door away from him. “Pack it in or I’m pulling this car over!” Mum shouted from the front seat. Myles instantly pulls himself back to his seat and I straighten up. Mum shouting is no joke, and we’ve learnt from experience that when she says she will pull the car over she WILL pull the car over. Myles brings the phone back to his ear, giving me the side eye from his seat. “Yes we’re a hour away, meet at mine and bring the boys” They said they’re goodbyes and hung up. Oh god Asher was coming over, my chest started to tighten. It had been 9 weeks since I last saw everyone, including Asher. I doubt they would even recognise me. Before I left I was the nerdy, average and boring twin sister of the Myles Smith. We both had dirty blonde hair, mine long and naturally straight and Myles was short and naturally mess. Identical bluey grey eyes and freckles, the only difference was I had dimples. I had my braces removed while we were away, glad to be free of the bars wired into my mouth. Id completely switch styles Mother Nature blessed me. I was barely recognisable. I slid my headphones back in, putting my music back on to distract me from the anxiety of seeing Asher and Myles’s friends. I know their my friends too because I also grew up with them and have got to know them all fairly well but they will always be Myles’s friends. Kayla and Asher was the only ones who really understood me apart from Myles. The drive home seemed a lot quicker, I kept telling myself I should of stayed with Aunt Jan. As we turned around the corner, a group of people were stood in our garden holding up a sign ‘Welcome Home Smith Family’. I start smirking, that was defiantly Kaylas idea. Mum pulls to a stop on the curb outside our house, we all unclip our seatbelts. Mum and Myles climb out first, everyone coming to greet them. Myles has always been popular as far as I can remember, and my mum is one of those chill mums who lets everyone come over and hang out here whenever. I remained in the car taking deep breaths when a tap on the window startled me. I expected to see Kayla but instead I turn to see Asher and my heart stops. He still looked the same, olive skin and green eyes, his hair styled the same messy way it was before we left, same chilled jawline and perfect lips. He looked on at me in amazement, taking a minute to fully look me over before opening the door. “Who are you and where is my Lexapeida” His usual smirk plastered over his face and my heart skips a beat. “ I don’t know what your on about” grinning back at him, there was a glisten in his eyes as he stared at me, like he was in complete awe. He offers me a hand and helps me climb out. I stood up thinking he was going to let go of my hand but his hand stayed glued to mine and I could feel the butterflies in my stomach. We walked around the car to greet the rest of them, Noah was surrounded by Kayla, Callum, Dylan and Lewis. They all turned around as we approached, eyed one’s eyes were on me where as Myles’s were glaring at Asher’s hand in mine. Without thinking I tugged my hand out of his and walked forward to envelope Kayla in a hug. I really had missed her. “Lexi your back and your even more stunning then you left” squealed Kayla, pulling pack to take me all in. Everyone but Myles nodded in agreement and I felt cheeks glow pink and look down at my converse. “Everyone grab a bag and take them inside and I’ll start dinner!” Mum called, she had already made her way inside. Everyone started cheering and rushed to the car to grab a bag, Mums cooking was to die for so no wonder they were all rushing. I raced Kayla to the boot to grab one of the remaining bags, as I reached Asher’s hand brushed the top of mine and I felt a little shock go through my hand causing me to gasp. He turned to look at me, as if he felt the same thing I did and gave me a half hearted smile. I returned one back, pulling the bag out and rushing into the house with it. I turned to go straight upstairs to my room, Kayla followed close behind. I open the door to my room and stand there for a moment to take it all in. I was home. Throwing my bag in the floor I raced over to my bed flung myself on it. 9 weeks away wasn’t as hard for me as it was for Myles, being away from his home and friends did a real number on him and he spent most days in his room brooding. It was nice for see a smile on his face again. And I would be lying if I didn’t say I missed this place to, but I couldn’t wait to go back to school tomorrow. Kayla laughed and took a seat at my desk, spinning to her hearts content in my chair. “What movie is it tonight then?” She laughed, Sundays was our movie day, the boys had to give up the den tv so that me and Kayla can have our ‘girl time’ which usually ended up with the boys joining us anyway. After sorting through my bags and organising everything back into its positions, we ran down to the basement. Everyone was already spread out around the room Myles and Dylan on the sofa playing ‘Fifa’ while Asher and Callum were playing ping pong. I stride over to the mini fridge located by the Tv and pulled out a can of Dr Pepper. Kayla stood in front of the tv with her hand outstretched. The boys groaned and refused to hand over the remote, instead leaning to see around her. “Myles Taylor Smith you give me the remote now or I swear to god I will scream” I say joining in Kaylas attempt of seizing the Tv. “Just because we’ve just come home dosnt mean the rules have changed now give me the remote” I huffed, crossing my arms across my chest and huffing. I didn’t realise Callum and Asher had come over to see what was happening. “Give her the remove Myles” laughed Asher, his eyes locked with mine and he grinned. “Dude your supposed to be on my side” sighed Myles, finally chucking the Tv remote up in to the air. I learnt forward and caught it, smile at him before ushering them off the sofa. Once they had moved me and Kayla took our usual seats on the middle of the sofa, laying blankets over us. “What is it today then girls” Callum laughed, sitting next to Kayla and threading his arm over her shoulders, she leaned into him smiling. “Annabelle” I chuckle, me and Kayla loved horror movies but Myles, Callum and Dylan couldn’t stand them. One time they got so scared by the conjuring that they started crying and then refused to watch another horror movie with us for a month! The boys let out small moans, Myles settled on the floor in a bean bag with Dylan and Asher came and sat by me. It was usual for him to sit next to me during movie night but that didn’t stop me from getting excited about it. The movie starts and we all sit relaxed. I didn’t even realise that I had meant my head on to Asher’s shoulder until he let out a soft laugh. I looked around, it was only mid day, and everyone had fallen asleep apart from me and Asher. The movie was half way finished but we sat there in a comfortable silence for a while, my head relaxing on his shoulder. I felt his hand move and then relax around my shoulders, I instantly melted into him looping my arms around his waist. I looked up at him and hadn’t realised he was looking down on me. My cheeks flushed pink and he pushed some stray hair off my face. “You never stop surprising me Lexapedia” he sighs, and his words wash over me. I couldn’t help but grin up at him. “I gotta keep you on your toes Satan” I whisper back, turning back to face the Tv. I hear him chuckle and I feel the heat of his breath on my neck and I get goosebumps. “You always have Lexapedia, you always will” he mutters, squeezing my shoulder and sending a warm feeling down my spine. I let out a small yawn and close my eyes taking in the warmth off of Asher. “Dinners ready kids!” Mum shouts, everyone shakes themselves awake. I don’t know when but I managed to fall asleep with my head in Asher’s lap, he had fallen asleep himself and was just as shocked to find me in this position. He gave me a small smile and pushed some hair away from my eyes. I sit up and follow the rush of people up the hill and stairs, Asher following a few steps behind. As we get to the top the stairs and I’m greeted to the usual smell of Mums homemade dinners. There is plate for each of us on the table and we all take a seat, Mum says grace and then we all dig in. She made Lasagna which she knows is Myles and Asher’s favourites, they were wolfing it down. I couldn’t help but occasionally glance up at Asher, and a few times I caught him gazing up at me smiling each time I would return the smile with rosey cheeks. We all finally finish and I go around and pick up the plates, Asher jumps up the moment he sees what he’s doing. “I’ll help Lexapedia” he piles a few dishes and carries them to the kitchen. I turn towards Myles and he’s just as confused as me. “Since when do you help clean or is it just because it’s Lexi?” Dylan laughed, Asher’s face twists into anger and he snaps “Since you don’t want to get off your ungrateful ass”. I carry the remaining plates to the kitchen and place them in the sink. I turn on the hot water and Asher appears next to me. “Alright Lexapedia?” He raises a eyebrow, I give him a nod while I start washing up the dishes. He takes each one drying them off and putting them away in the correct cupboards. Asher basically grew up in this house, he knows it like the back of his hand. Once we had finished Asher returned downstairs with the rest of them and I stood staring out of the kitchen and in my own world. As I’m staring at outside I see our treehouse and then I’m bombarded by all the memories we had. I remember the day it was built. Dad has spent weeks trying to perfect it, taking it apart and putting it back together. When he finally thought it was perfect he signed Myles names above the door. My heart aches to know that dad was no longer here. We lost him 7 years ago to a hit and run, but it still feels as if it was yesterday. I shake that memory from my head and try and find a happier one. Then I remember the day I first met Asher. 8 year old me was in the tree house having a tea party with my bears when I could hear two voices climbing up the ladder. I was shocked when a unfamiliar face appeared behind Myles, was even more shocked when he sat down and asked for a cup of tea. He even made Myles play with me which never happened. From that day be vowed to not only be Myles’s friend but also mine, so far he’s kept to that promise. I didn’t even realise that I had snuck out of the patio door and was crossing the garden to the treehouse. I stood at the ladder and took a deep breath, and started my climb. At the top I pulled myself up and I was greeted by the warm familiar feeling. I looked around, drawings pinned to walls, a list of all of our names on the door (so we could know who we could let in), fairy lights strung around. Pillows lay scattered over the floor with books and board games. I smile at myself as I switched on the fairy lights and taking my usual place in the window seat. And I don’t know when it started, but I started crying. Tear after tear cascaded off my face, my hand not being quick enough to wipe one away before another fell. I cried for my Dad and how much I missed him, I cried for my mum and the pain she went through, I cried for Myles and Me having to go through so much pain at a young age and I cried for Asher, my father was always like his second dad and losing him hurt Asher in a way I don’t think I’d ever understand. Tears kept falling and no matter how hard I try they wouldn’t stop. I felt a strong pair of arms wrap around me causing me to stiffen and a soft voice start hushing me. “I knew you would be here Lexapedia” Asher’s soft voice whispers in my ear, the moment I heard his voice my body relaxed and I melted into him. “You miss him don’t you” he sighs, one hand stoking my hair, I reply by sobbing into his T-shirt. The other hand he placed on my back and rubbed it gently. “I miss him to, I really do” the pain in his voice makes my heart break. Asher never cried for when dad left, well never in front of me atleast. He always was the positive one, and was always there for me and Myles when we needed it. But all I wanted to do was be there for him too. I still feel to broken to speak so I just stay their silently crying. “He would be so proud of you Lexapedia, so freaking proud. Your smart and beautiful and responsible, you were his little angel” he kissed my hair and sighed, but there was only one thing my brain could register, he thinks I’m beautiful. I turn to look up at him, I could see the pools of tears in his eyes and I could feel his pain. I cupped his cheeks in my hands and placed my forehead to his. “He would be proud of you aswell Ash, you were always like another son to him and you know how much he loved you and wanted you around. I’m glad we have you ash..”I softly whisper, sniffling every now and then as I try and catch my breath. His mouth falls open and his gaze drops to my lips briefly before he mentally shakes the thought away. He presses my head to his chest and cuddles me until I felt physically prepared to go back inside. As we stood up he wiped the remains tears stains off my face before sighing. “How are you so pretty but such a ugly crier” I grab a pillow quickly and hit him with it, he bursts into laughter. “Weak Lexapedia” he jokes before running to the door and starting his descent down. I took a deep breath and climbed down after. He waited for me at the bottom of the ladder and offered me his hand. I took it in mine straight away, the same jolt of energy buzzing through me as before. Having Asher there just made me feel safe, just knowing that he was in arms reach put me at ease. As we walk back in everyone was in the kitchen eating cookies mum must have baked. She looked at mine and Asher’s hands and looked furious until she looked at my broken face, all the anger washed off and was replaced with worry. Asher must have realised as he spoke up first, “Found her in her usual hideout, she’s doing a lot better now” he comforts her, his grip on my hand tightening every so often to remind me he was still there. My mum nods and takes us both into a hug, I wrap my free arm around her waist. As she lets go she dismisses herself to the bathroom, probably to cry aswell. We walk towards the rest and everyone is mid conversations. Asher and Myles exchange tense glances, Asher whispered something in his ear and his posture relaxes. He turns to me and gives me a reassuring smile and I return a half hearted one back. Kayla returns to her usual position by my side and takes my other available hand in hers and smiles at me. Everything will be okay, it always is. Mum comes back downstairs half hour later, and tells us all to say our goodbyes as it’s a school night. We hug goodbye and everyone shouts as they leave. Asher lingers behind as usual to thank mum for everything and say goodnight. He does his handshake with Myles and then turns to me. “Bring it in Lexapedia” he grins, i rush into him immediately, his arms closing around me and everything wrong seems to just wash away. After a few seconds Myles clears his voice and we both pull apart abruptly, forgetting that he was still here. I could see Asher blushing as he walked out the door. Myles scowls at me and I shrug my shoulders before running up to my room. As soon as I get upstairs I put my phone on charge and place it on my bedside table before going to get changed. I chose a vest top and shorts set with avocado’s on, once dressed I collapse on my bed exhausted. As my eyes began flutter closed a repeated buzzing from my phone caused them to jump open. I reach for the phone and it’s a FaceTime call from Asher. I grin as I accept, leaving my phone on my lamp. As he answers I can tell he had the same idea, as he’s wrapped up in a cocoon. “Thought you might want the company” he yawned and I laugh, even laughing he’s absolutely adorable. “How thoughtful of you” I giggle, pulling the quilt just over my mouth. We just lie there in silence admiring each other, the occasional comment or joke made, but just a peaceful silence. He fell asleep first, his little snores putting my at peace, then moments later I joined him in a deep sleep.