When Fate Paves The Way

Phoenix groaned as she checked the time on her phone. It was already fifteen minutes past the time Jax was supposed to arrive to pick her up for their emergency study session. She couldn't believe he had missed it yesterday to go to a party. She sent him a quick text, "Where are you? You're late!" Jax's response was quick, "Sorry, Phoenix. Got a bit carried away. Be there in 5." Phoenix rolled her eyes, but couldn't help smiling at Jax's typical charm. She knew he was intelligent, artistic, athletic, and funny, but sometimes he could be a bit of a slacker. Jax was the captain of the soccer team and sang occasionally for Phoenix's pleasure. Phoenix had a soft spot for Jax, but she didn't want to admit it to herself. Phoenix lost her father when she was a child, and she didn't remember what really happened.She has nightmares about it almost every other night. Her mother worked all the time, leaving Phoenix to take care of herself. Today was no different. Phoenix's mother had already left for work, and Jax was coming to pick her up for their study session. She quickly got ready and went downstairs to wait for him. Jax arrived a few minutes later, and Phoenix couldn't help but notice how good he looked. She tried to push those thoughts out of her head as they headed to his car. "Nice car," Phoenix commented as she climbed in. "Thanks. My parents got it for me as a graduation present," Jax replied. Phoenix rolled her eyes. "Of course they did. You have everything handed to you on a silver platter." Jax chuckled. "Hey, I work hard too." Phoenix snorted. "Sure you do. That's why you missed our study session for a party." "Hey, I said I was sorry," Jax protested. Phoenix sighed. She couldn't stay mad at him for long. He always had a way of making her smile. "I forgive you but If you ever ditch me again I'll kill you and frame Lucky " staring him dead in the eye. After a few seconds they both burst into laughter. See Lucky was a stuffed toy,a gorilla.He has been in their lives for as long as they can remember. As they drove to their study spot, Phoenix couldn't help but feel grateful for Jax's company. She didn't have many friends, and Jax was one of the few people who made her feel less alone She leaned her head against the window and closed her eyes, hoping that today's study session would be productive. But as she drifted off to sleep, she couldn't help but wonder what her nightmares were trying to tell her about her father's death. Phoenix and Jax had been studying for hours, but she still couldn't wrap her head around calculus. She was feeling frustrated and overwhelmed, and Jax's effortless understanding of the subject wasn't helping. "Ugh, I hate this. I just don't get it," Phoenix groaned, throwing her head back in exasperation. Jax chuckled. "Come on, Phoenix. It's not that bad. You're almost there." Phoenix scowled at him. "Easy for you to say. You're a genius." Jax rolled his eyes. "I'm not a genius, Phoenix. I just work hard." Phoenix sighed. She knew he was right. Jax was always working hard, whether it was on the soccer field, in the art studio, or in the classroom. "You know, I used to have a crush on you in when we were young, I think we were like 12 years ," Phoenix blurted out suddenly. Jax raised an eyebrow. "Really? I never knew that." Phoenix blushed. "Yeah, but I got over it. The popular girls used to remind me that I didn't deserve you." Jax looked at her with surprise. "You deserve anyone you want, Phoenix. You're smart, funny, and beautiful." Phoenix felt a flutter in her chest at his words. She had always known that Jax was charming, but hearing him say those things made her feel special. Just then, Phoenix's phone beeped. She picked it up and frowned. "What's wrong?" Jax asked. "It's Emily. She's sick, so she can't make it to our group project meeting tomorrow," Phoenix said, looking worried. She sighed. Emily was the new girl who had quickly become her closest friend. She was beautiful, funny, and had a sharp wit that made Phoenix laugh. But she was also a bit of a slacker. "I guess I only attract slackers" she mused while worried about their group project. "What are we going to do?" Phoenix asked. Jax shrugged. "We'll figure something out. We always do." Phoenix smiled at him, grateful for his optimism. She knew he was right. They had been through tough times before, and they always managed to come out on top. But as she closed her eyes to sleep that night, she couldn't help but dread the thought of Monday's calculus exam. She wished she could be more like Jax, effortlessly talented and intelligent. Atleast she still has Sunday to work over some examples Jax did.She felt she was really luck to have a friend like him