Falling for Speedy Gonzalez

~Chapter 22

Three weeks had passed since Luke and I kissed, and trust me, things have been awkward.

During lunch, he'd sit right in front of me, and every time he tried to make eye contact, I would look away. I couldn't let him know I liked him. No one could know about our kiss either. That would only cause more drama.

Lexi and I were walking to our 6th period after our Gym class, and luckily, I had managed to escape Luke.

"Let's go to the mall after school. I feel like it's been so long since you and I hung out together." Lexi said.

I nodded.

"I should probably let my parents know, now that they're at home." I said and pulled out my phone to text them.

I checked my messages and saw fifteen texts that were from Luke.

"What's wrong?" Lexi asked, concerned by my reaction.

I looked up at her and hid my phone quickly.

"Nothing. They agreed."

She frowned.

"Ari, I can tell you're lying. Don't you trust me? I thought we were friends." She said, sounding the tiniest bit hurt.

I sighed.

"It's Luke." I said.

"Does he know?" She asked.

"Know what?" I asked, pinching my eyebrows together in confusion.

"That you like him, duh!" She said.

My eyes widened in shock.

"How do-" I began.

"Shh! Not important right now. Does he know or not?" She asked.

"I hope not," I muttered.

"Why not?! Wouldn't you want him to like you back?" She asked.

"In another world, yes. In this world? No. It causes too much drama." I said.

"Ari, you have no idea how much we're rooting for you. You better not let me down, or I'll lose the bet!" She said.

"What bet?" I asked, but the bell cut me off, diverting our attention.

Shit! We were late!

The tardy bell had rung and we were still not in class.

We immediately dashed it.

***

"Then Zavier came up to me and asked, 'Lexi why do you always use your phone?' I frowned and said absent-mindedly, 'Because I have it.' And then, the little brat says, 'but you have a brain, and I've never seen you using that'. I whooped his ass after that." Lexi said, taking a sip of her iced tea.

I laughed.

It was pretty clear that Lexi and her nine-year-old brother, Zavier were very close.

Lexi and I were at the mall, finishing up our drinks and catching up.

"Your brother sounds like an angel," I said, to annoy Lexi.

"You should meet him, then you'll change your mind." She said, rolling her eyes.

I could still see the affection in her eyes when she spoke about him, and I felt myself yearning to bring back that same bond I once shared with my own identical twin sister.

Once we were done with our drinks, we got up and threw the empty cups away.

"Oh my gosh! Hi Lexi!!" Three very familiar voices gushed.