Colliding Rulers

Love-Hate Relationship (4)

Gevia's P.O.V

After I basically bared out my tears on Joshua's t-shirt, I felt okay. Surprisingly, I didn't hate myself so much. Or was I just pushing those away so I could pretend that I was okay? What's for sure was that I didn't want to push Joshua away anymore. Call me a user, but his comfort is very much what I need to keep me sane throughout the whole day.

Whenever I see Alex, my mood still gets sour, but it wasn't as grave as before. I can pretty much handle it right now. Our eyes would occasionally meet, but that would be it. I'd look away almost immediately. To hell with what Alex would think. I'm making it obvious that I didn't want to talk to Alex.

"Bruh, I basically peed on that mushroom the neighbor's dog ate." Joshua was ranting about something so random at the moment. Like how he just got back from school, but their house was still locked and he didn't have his keys with him.

But he said that he really had to go and went to their backyard, taking a piss there. Then the next morning, when he was out, enjoying some fresh air, he saw the neighbor's dog eating the mushroom that he had pissed on the day prior. The dog got out of his cage, as he said.

I could imagine the look on Joshua's face when he saw the dog. Joshua's face looks like an open book to me now. With how he's so transparent when it comes to his expressions. I liked it. He doesn't feel the need to sugarcoat. It would take a dumbass to not get what his expressions mean.

"That is literally disgusting," I commented honestly.

"I know, right! Like, bruh. I don't even want to know." I laughed. He had such a rich expression.

"Excuse me,"

I froze. I remember that voice. It was Aeron's. Joshua looked behind me and had his mouth open with a small 'o'. He blinked a couple of times before looking at where Alex was and then back to Aeron, and then back to Alex, and then to me. I facepalmed myself, not believing that he must visibly compare the two.

"Are you Aeron?" the motherfucker just had to ask. I wanted to strangle Joshua at the moment. I swiftly turned around and saw Aeron with a shy smile.

"Ah, yes. How'd you-"

"Ah! Don't mind him." I quickly cut the topic off and stood up. From my peripheral vision, I saw Alex's head perking up to where I was.

"Rawr," Joshua teased, clawing as if he was a cat. I pursed my lips and pushed Aeron away.

We left the cafeteria. While I was pushing her away, people glanced at us weirdly. Or at Aeron weirdly. I see that I'm not the only one getting Alex's vibe from Aeron. It's still so weird. Trivial matters like these are just so coincidental, but too much to actually think that they're not on purpose.

When it was less crowded, I stopped pushing Aeron and went in front of her. I smiled widely, trying to disguise the fact that I shared her existence with my one and only friend. I'm not afraid of Aeron knowing that I'm informing my friend about her existence, it's the afterword. What if Joshua says something stupid that will probably crush my dignity? I wouldn't be able to face Aeron at that point.

"Oh, it's about me bumping into you last week."

Oh, yeah. That was last week. Aeron must probably be very busy. I'm not saying that I was waiting for her or anything. I can just tell. Last week, she was also in a hurry. I doubt she's sexually active and is in a hurry because she's thirsty. Ugh, me and my dirty mouth.

"I forgot about that. Like I said, don't worry about it." she shook her head quite adorably so. She looked like Alex, but she acted so differently.

The better version of Alex, I guess, when it comes to personality. I really need to stop comparing them both. It isn't healthy for my mental health and I don't think they would want to be compared to the time. I know the feeling, since Alex and I are always in a competition.

"No, most definitely not. Is tomorrow okay?" isn't tomorrow a Saturday? I thought she was busy? Where'd all that busybee go? How come she's suddenly so free tomorrow?

"Let me think about it."

"Can I at least get your number so I can plan things in advance if you're ever down?" I smirked.

"Aren't you smooth?" Aeron winked playfully before fishing out her phone from her pocket. I crossed my arms across my chest, trying to intimidate her, but I was shorter than her. It's worth a try.

"Who said I was going to give you my number?" her puppy-like smile disappeared quickly and was replaced with a pout.

"You won't?" Aeron was too adorable for me to continue my act.

I fished my phone from my bag and gave it to her.

"I'll text you first."

"Ooh, smooth." we were on the same page. I wasn't okay with giving strangers my phone number, and she understood that. Complimented me even.

"Thanks, I didn't try." she clicked her tongue and giggled. She punched in her number before giving me my phone back.

"I see, I see."

"You're sure this is your number?"

It was weird how I felt not threatened when she looked exactly like Alex. An exact replica of the person that I avoided. Was this my unconscious guilt tripping me?

"Of course. I wouldn't want to give out a fake number. What if you say yes? It would be such a waste if that wasn't my real number." I puckered up my lips, getting her point.

"Point taken. Alright. I had better go back to Joshua." she nodded her head mischievously and grinned.

"Don't forget to say yes!" she shouted whilst running away, waving at me.

I felt giddy and happy. I skid happily to where Joshua was and saw him smirking at me already. I stopped skidding and walked normally to our table. His eyes followed me as I graciously took my seat. I cleared my throat, hoping that he wouldn't say anything about my embarrassing skid.

"Sooo,"

"Shut it, Joshua."

"Oooh, I haven't even said anything and you're already this feisty." I gave him a 'shut up' look.

"What's with the skid?" I closed my eyes shut, inhaling deeply.

"Let's not."

"Tell me," he leaned over the table, resting his chin on his forehand.

"Do you like Aeron?"

Wouldn't me liking Aeron be such a bad idea? But it's kind of messed up if that was the case. I mean, I hooked up with Alex, the OG, and then I'd be there as well, liking someone who looked exactly like Alex. Wouldn't that count as me just using Aeron to forget Alex? Just thinking about it gave me goosebumps.

"Aeron is pleasingly comfortable to talk to. I see no reason why I shouldn't like someone that's non-threatening."

"b***h, please. You know what I'm talking about." I hummed,

"I do not have any clue." I teased him even more.

But will I really say 'yes'? Aeron does feel really bad. I can see it in her eyes. She was apologetic as well. I noticed her body language. She was reluctant, and made up for it using her words. But I could still tell.

"Then at least tell me that you're going?"

"I honestly don't know. I was fine with it." I shrugged nonchalantly.

Then my eyes instinctively wandered to where Alex was and saw that their eyebrows were meeting. Was Alex pissed or something? Alex must've felt my stare and shifted to where I was. Their expression immediately changed into a pained expression before looking away and walking away. The entire table was surprised, pausing the talk before following Alex.

Why am I still hungup about that kid?

"The other person feels bad. If you say 'no', she's going to think that she's not even worthy of your time."

"Outrageous! Why would she think about that? Is that how it works?"

'Are you for real?' that was what I was getting from Joshua's stare.

"What's with that look!" I slapped Joshua's arm lightly, offended by that look.

"b***h! You're at the top of the food chain! Of course, if we, in the lower case, ask you out because we feel bad about something we did and you not accepting our apology would make us think and feel that we're basically worthless."

I did not think about that thoroughly. Is that even possible? Why is hierarchy even present? It's not like I wanted to be born with a silver spoon. It's not my money. It's my parents' hard-earned money.

"Sorry, I didn't know about that."

"Psh, don't sweat it. So, I think you really should go." I sighed.

"Alright, but tomorrow's supposed to be a Saturday. I wanted to sleep in."

"Then tell the motherfucker that you want to sleep in and schedule the date a bit late in the day."

"It is NOT a date."

He grabbed his bag, and stood up.

"Psh, yeah, tell that to my ass. Anyway, I have to bounce. I need to go fetch my sister." I nodded my head.

"Alright, tell your family I said 'hi'." he nodded his head and waved at me before exiting the cafeteria.

I searched for my phone and searched in my contacts. When I found her name, I laughed.

Ai and that means 'love' in Japanese. Such a corny twerp. With a smile on my face, I texted,

"You're on"

And sent.