12. Misunderstanding
844 Words
The last bell tolled. I quickly hopped out of my seat, flung my bag over my shoulder, and made my way out of the school building toward the parking lot.
I just want to avoid the gossip before it spreads. Honestly, it's weird having Alejandro talk to me anyway.
To my surprise, Alessandro was leaning against his car, looking as good as ever.
"Hey, don’t you have practice today?" I asked, tossing my backpack into the back seat and leaning against the car beside him.
He barely looked at me. His green eyes were cold and distant.
"Are you okay, Sandy?" I asked, but he stayed quiet, shoving his hands into his pockets. A frustrated sigh escaped his lips.
"What’s going on between you and Jaden?" he spat, his face contorting in disgust.
"Uhm, what...?" I blinked, confused by his outburst. He looked enraged.
"Oh wow, so it’s true. I’ve been busy with practice and you got yourself a boyfriend—without even telling me?" he snapped, turning to face me. His eyes were a darker shade now, full of something I couldn’t name.
"Where are you hearing all this?" I cried, my voice barely above a whisper. The parking lot was starting to fill with students.
"The school blog. Your photos are all over the school’s social media." He shoved his phone in my face.
Ignoring how rude he was being, I took the phone.
Dozens of pictures—of Jaden and me. From the moment I walked to their table to when we entered the janitor’s closet.
Shit.
"It’s not what you’re thinking..." I whispered, handing his phone back.
"Wow. So now you even know what I’m thinking?" he replied sarcastically.
Tears brimmed in my eyes as he glared at me. A group of students were gathering nearby, listening.
"Fine, if you don’t trust me, that’s on you. But I won’t let you humiliate me in the parking lot," I snapped, trying to keep my voice steady.
His eyes widened, stunned. Regret flashed across his face.
"I’m sorry... I shouldn’t have assumed things. I just don’t want you to get hurt."
He turned, yelling, "f**k off, losers!" at the gawking students. They scattered immediately.
"Get in," he muttered.
I got into the passenger seat, and he started the car without saying another word. The silence lingered.
"So you’re not going to tell me what really happened?" he asked, glancing at me, then back at the road.
I sighed, staring out the window.
"How are you and Valentina? It’s been a while since I saw you two together."
He shot me a look—he knew I was dodging the question.
"We’re not working out. I’ve been thinking of breaking up with her," he said casually.
I stared at him in disbelief.
"It’s been, what—two weeks?"
He smirked. "Yeah. But she’s a terrific kisser. Like, academy-level. She probably majored in it."
I slumped against the seat, rolling my eyes as he winked at me.
"You’re terrible. And here I was thinking you’d found love."
"Ouch, babygirl, that hurts."
"I hope it does. You deserve worse."
"Summer, you’re my best friend. You’re supposed to be on my side..." he groaned playfully.
"You wish. Sadly for you, I have a conscience." I rolled my eyes as he clutched his chest dramatically.
"Oh really? Are you saying I don’t have one?" He flicked my forehead. I glared at him while he laughed.
"I missed us..." he murmured, almost inaudibly.
But I heard him.
My heartbeat skyrocketed. His eyes locked on mine, and I flushed under the intensity. A few seconds passed before he turned back to the road.
"Peaches, I’m sorry for the way I spoke to you earlier. I just don’t like guys around you."
I nodded. I wasn’t in the mood to argue.
"I know... I’m sorry. It’s just—Jaden."
I rambled on about everything: the modeling, refusing Jaden’s offer, and then accepting it again. Alessandro didn’t seem too thrilled.
He parked in front of my apartment.
"Look, Peaches. I hate that you never asked me to tutor you but went all the way to ask Jaden."
"I can’t concentrate when you teach me," I admitted.
"And why can’t you concentrate?" he asked, half-whispering, half-yelling.
I kept quiet.
How do I tell him that everything about him distracts me—from his hair, to his eyes, to his scent, to the way our arms brush when we lean over the same textbook?
"C’mon. You’re my best friend. Don’t expect me to treat you like Professor Forbes," I joked, stifling a laugh.
The look on his face was priceless.
"I hope you’re not in love with him..." he said.
I almost rolled my eyes.
"Of course not. What are you now, a love doctor?"
He shrugged.
"Well, he’s not good for you."
"Don’t worry, okay? I’m fine. And aren’t you going to make lunch for me?" I teased, trying to ignore his disapproval.
He groaned as we headed inside, collapsing on the couch.
I crashed beside him, exhausted.
I'm so tired.
- Writer
