10. Cocky Apology
1334 Words
I woke up this morning to my alarm. I slammed my hand down on it to make it shut up. I got out of bed and did my morning routine. I picked out a simple blue shirt and black pants and brushed down my hair.
A car honked outside.
There it was—Alessandro’s Mercedes, blasting music. He jogged up to me, dressed in an eye-catching pink outfit.
“You went shopping for pink?” I asked, chuckling at his appearance.
“Good morning, Peaches,” he said softly, ruffling my hair. He looked down at his outfit: pink leather jacket over a pink tank, pink boots, pink pants—even a pink hat.
“Valentine’s idea. Matching attire,” he muttered.
I couldn’t help but laugh.
“So you must be dressed like Val’s day,” I teased, trying to stop cackling as he glared at me.
“You said I should treat girls with respect,” he retorted, tugging his hands into his pockets.
“I’m not saying pink is bad on you, but the way you’re wearing it… it’s going to give off a message when we arrive at school,” I said. “You’re not wearing that.”
I unlocked the door and he followed me inside. I shuffled around the corner into the laundry room with Alex trailing behind like a lost puppy.
“Why are you all dressed in pink anyway?” I asked, peeking over my shoulder with a smirk.
“Told you—it was Val’s idea,” he replied, the irritation in his voice barely hidden.
“You never even liked pink,” I rolled my eyes, sifting through the laundry until I found his usual go-to: a black tee and ripped blue jeans.
“Neither do you,” he quipped back.
I turned, holding the clothes up. “So you expected me to change it?”
“Yep. What are best friends for?” he grinned, snatching the outfit from my hands.
A pink handkerchief tumbled to the floor. I laughed as he picked it up with a groan. “It was a pink ambush,” he muttered.
He tossed the hat aside, then unzipped the jacket and peeled off the pink tank top underneath. I blinked and spun on my heel too fast.
“You could’ve warned me,” I mumbled, face heating.
Behind me, I heard the rustle of fabric and his amused voice. “Relax, I’ve changed in front of you before.”
“Not shirtless,” I countered, gripping the counter for balance.
“Not my fault you’re looking.”
“I’m not,” I hissed.
Silence.
Then, the soft sound of his bare feet padding toward me. I felt him before I saw him—his presence filling the narrow kitchen like a current. He stopped just behind me.
“Hey,” he said, his voice low. I turned halfway and there he was, shirt in hand, his chest bare, eyes unreadable.
“What?” I breathed.
He lifted a hand and gently tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear, fingers lingering just a second too long.
For a split second, I thought he was going to kiss me.
His eyes dropped to my lips.
Then he blinked, stepped back, and tugged the black shirt over his head. The moment vanished.
“Crisis averted. Back to school clothes,” he said, forcing a grin.
I swallowed the lump in my throat and grabbed a glass of water to cool myself down—literally.
---
“C’mon, let’s go!” Alex called out.
I stepped into the living room. He was fixing his tee, exposing his upper chest. I gulped. Two reddish n*****s visible, and he was rubbing at a rash. My lips twisted—wishing to replace his fingers.
“Valentine’s in the car,” he added.
“What…” I blinked.
“Her car broke down. She needed a ride to school. I hope you don’t mind,” he said, walking out the door.
I locked the door and followed him to the car. Valentine was leaning on the passenger’s seat, all in pink, eyes on her phone. When she saw us, her calm demeanor snapped.
“You b***h!” she screamed, eyes almost popping out as she stomped toward me.
Alessandro grabbed her and shoved her back against the car.
“What are you doing?” he muttered, his voice a shade darker. “Don’t you dare touch her.”
His eyes connected with mine—and the rage in them sent a shiver down my spine.
“You’re choosing her over me?” Valentine yelled, laughing cruelly. “Are you in love with her? Do you sleep with her?”
Alessandro’s jaw clenched. “So I should let you hurt her because I’m not in love with her?”
He motioned for me to get into the car. I nodded and climbed in.
“Oh get in, b***h! All you do is ditch me to spend time with her!” Valentine shouted. “I wanted to get to know you, but all you talk about is football or her! I’m done with this sham of a relationship!”
“She’s my best friend, for goodness’ sake. You don’t get to compete with that,” Alessandro said calmly.
The engine roared to life without Valentine in the car. Alessandro’s grip on the steering tightened, his jaw clenched as he stared ahead. I kept my eyes on the window, pretending to admire the trees. Anything to avoid looking at them. At her.
It didn’t take long before we spotted Valentine stomping down the sidewalk like a tantruming Barbie. Alessandro sighed and slowed beside her.
My fingers curled into fists in my lap.
“Look, Val, I’m sorry…” he muttered, running a hand through his hair—the same hair I’d brushed out of his eyes this morning. The same hair that had hovered inches from mine when I thought he was about to kiss me.
I hated how clearly I remembered it.
His eyes had locked onto mine.
His fingers had brushed my skin, just enough to make my heart stumble.
For a second, I thought maybe… maybe…
Then he pulled back. Like it meant nothing.
I clenched my jaw, dragging myself back to the present. Back to reality.
Reality was him running after Valentine, hugging her from behind like she was the sun and he was starving for warmth.
I watched through the window as she turned and slammed her lips on his, making sure I saw. Her smug gaze flicked toward me like she’d won something.
And maybe she had.
I looked away, blinking hard. Whatever happened this morning—it didn’t matter. I was just his best friend. The girl who held his spare jeans and changed his playlist. That’s all I’d ever be.
When I got to class, I slipped in carefully, trying not to draw attention to my lateness. No one said anything. I tapped my desk, counting down the seconds until the bell rang.
I repeated that all day. Tap, count, wait.
Too much drama.
The last bell rang. I grabbed my stuff and rushed out. I pushed through the crowd, heading to Alex’s car.
“Hey, wait up!”
I turned to see a freshman. “I was told to give this,” he said, handing over an envelope before disappearing.
I leaned on Alessandro’s car and unfolded it.
Hi Sunshine,
I’m sorry about how everything turned out. I can’t even look you in the eye. I needed a model but my approach was wrong. I messed up.
I hate seeing you cry. You’re a natural beauty and I’m sorry I didn’t think of your feelings first. I know I lost the chance to be your friend, but I hope you don’t hate me.
—From Jaden, Always Hot.
So much for an apology.
Still, a smile tugged at my lips.
The letter just made my day better.
- Writer
