FALLING FOR MY BESTIE

9. Close Enough To Him

It’s been days since the whole Jaden issue. Alessandro thinks my menstrual cycle is around the corner—not like I’m complaining—but at least he’s giving me the space I need.

I’ve been moping around for days now, going to school and retiring back home like a robotic engine. Thank God for music—it manages to connect with me every time I play it.

Jaden hasn’t said anything to me. More like he’s avoiding me. But I don’t mind—not like I have anything to say to him. He now seems like a distant being, always gliding through the crowd. It’s like he became normal again—he came down from his glory to gaze at me, got rejected, and climbed right back up.

Even though he hasn’t tried blackmailing me with my pent-up feelings for Alessandro, I wouldn’t have accepted. I’m sure I’m not that repelling, but I can’t model. The horror in me when he compared me to his mother… I almost shudder at the thought.

I’ve been relentlessly stalking Mrs. Indiana Acker’s profile on social media, and it’s not exactly encouraging that Jaden compared me to her. Gosh—her bouncy, wavy leaf-brown hair trims down her waistline. Glossy skin. A drop-dead shapely figure. A set of dazzling, angel-white teeth in her smiley pictures. Her enticing constellation-blue eyes, and even her puffy, heart-shaped lips.

She’s an Amazonian.

Jaden is better off with someone else. Mirror-gazing at myself, I see an average-height seventeen-year-old with coffee-brown wavy hair, dull blue eyes, and sun-kissed skin. I never feel completely satisfied with my appearance. I always feel like I should be better—or that I’m just not good enough.

I walked out of the house, deciding to go on a little run around the city. It’s nice to be outside for once, connecting with nature. I jogged down the pathway, feeling the cold wind breeze through my hair. The leaves kept falling as the wind sizzled through the trees.

My feet drummed on the ground in a rhythmic manner. I took the street that led to the fountain—at least I could clear my head there. The fountain came into sight. Leaves broke beneath me as I relaxed on the grass, stretching my already tired limbs. The sun’s rays passed through the trees onto the grasses. I laid down on the grass with my hands behind my head.

My life wasn’t a fairytale. I lost my parents at a tender age. I sucked at sports and academics. And the one guy I liked? He kissed another girl in front of me. Indiana Acker’s pictures flashed through my mind. If I were placed side by side with her, I might dull her radiance.

My nerves calmed with my heartbeat.

I headed back home.

I spotted a red Ferrari parked outside my apartment. A slender figure in a red leather short gown hugging her body leaned against the car. I could recognize that figure anywhere.

Valentina Dax.

I glared at her as I stomped toward my apartment. Could Alessandro really have the guts to bring her here? Her attention was on her phone. As I closed the distance between us, she looked up.

Her lips curved into a sneer as her eyes met mine.

“Look who ruined my date. I thought you were kidn*pped, but then again—who would kidnap you?” she snickered, pointing her fingers at me.

“Witches get worried? That I can’t believe.” I chuckled, watching her face burn in rage.

“I never said I got worried.” She scowled.

“You really accepted that you’re a witch.” I clapped, satisfied as a horrified expression appeared on her face.

Alessandro shuffled out of the entrance, looking hot as hell with his hair disheveled and his shirt sleeves rolled up. But the second his eyes landed on me, something in him snapped—like a dam bursting. The usual calm, calculated Alex vanished, and what replaced him was a mix of panic, fury, and undeniable relief.

“Where have you been, Peaches?” His voice was rougher than usual, edged with something I couldn’t name. He took the steps two at a time, eyes never leaving mine, like he was afraid I’d disappear again.

He didn’t wait for an answer—just grabbed my hands, pulled them around his neck, and yanked me into him. His arms wrapped tight around my waist like he was trying to piece me back together. His heart pounded hard against mine, fast and uneven.

God, I’d really scared him.

“I was so scared,” he breathed into my neck, and I felt the tremor in his voice, the heat of his breath skimming my skin. My pulse kicked into overdrive. His cologne wrapped around me, and for a second, I forgot everything—Valentina, the world, even my name.

“Come off it. I’m no President’s daughter,” I muttered with a shaky laugh, trying to ignore the way his fingers dug gently into my back like he was anchoring himself.

He pulled back slightly but only to cup my cheeks, his thumb brushing against my skin. His eyes—God, those eyes—searched mine like they were looking for something unspoken.

“Don’t do that again,” he said, barely above a whisper. “Don’t disappear on me.”

I nodded slowly, caught between his hands, the world narrowing to just him.

Then—he leaned in. His face inched closer, his eyes flicked to my lips, and I swear time stopped. My breath hitched. His forehead rested lightly against mine, his nose brushing mine, like he was seconds away from kissing me.

But then he froze.

He lingered there, breathing me in, trembling slightly. Then he exhaled and pulled back—barely—but enough.

“C’mon, Peaches. You look like a teddy,” he said, voice teasing, like he hadn’t just almost shattered everything between us.

“Shut up,” I said, heart still racing. “You didn’t have to keep your date waiting. You know I can take care of myself.”

“I ordered takeouts since I couldn’t come prepare breakfast for you, so I decided to drop it off. Valentina wanted to tag along, so I let her—she wants to get to know you.” He said it casually, glancing between her and me.

I almost puked. Valentina is just trying to get on his good side. That witch took all my books and trashed them in the rain just because I stepped on her so-called million-dollar shoes.

“Alex, we’re getting late,” she whined, hands on hips as she stomped toward us. She entwined her arms around him possessively.

“Oh Alex, can you lend me a minute with Summer? Gotta catch up on girl stuff,” she said, plastering a lovely smile on her face. She can’t fool me with a fake smile. She might pass for a saint, but I probably know better. She wants to warn me off Alex—or her stupid mouth just can’t stay shut.

“Oh… okay…” Alex said, walking off to her car. Of all the girls he could fall in love with…

She looked back at Alex, probably to be sure he was out of earshot.

“Look, Summer—or whatever they call you,” she began.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” I asked, raising a brow at her. “Are you seriously trying to warn me off Alex? Gotta try harder, girl.” I cooed, my words rolling off my lips confidently. Valentina flinched at my tone, but I didn’t back down.

“Why are you acting this way? You’re just his best friend,” she said with a scoff.

I let her ramble for a bit before cutting her off.

“Because bitches like you don’t deserve Alex—sleeping around with his buddies and shutting them up with your father’s influence. But guess what? Alex stopped flirting with other girls to make your relationship work. I hope you do the same.”

That definitely got her attention—and surprisingly, shut her up.

“What? That’s a lie,” she said.

“Which part?” I asked. “I’m bored talking to you, so off you go.” I waved a dismissive hand at her.

“But I have something you can never have—Alessandro,” she said with a victorious smirk. “So good luck always being the bestie.” She snickered, rolled her eyes, and walked away.

They zoomed off with Alessandro mouthing a take care to me.

I hauled my sorry ass to the door and walked in.

Of course she’s right.

I can never have Alessandro.