The Distance Between Us

Chapter 4: I'd Fight for You Any Day

Chapter 4: I'd Fight for You Any Day

I was doing my hair when the doorbell rang and I glanced at the time. It's a bit early for guests to start arriving. It's only 7:30, I figured. "Lex! Olivander and Camel-toe are here!" my brother called from the bottom of the stairs. I heard a thud and he groaned. "I'm sending them upstairs."

"Okay!" I called back down to them. A few seconds later, the door to my room busted open and my two friends entered. With a scowl on her face, Camilla looked at me. "When did he start calling me that?" she asked.

"I'm not quite sure. I still thought he called you Camisole," I responded.

"Yeah, I liked that one better," she muttered. "What's his nickname for Sidney?"

"Photo-Sid-thesis, last time I recall," I shrugged as I braided my hair in the mirror. Next step, touch up my makeup.

"How's the whole Holden thing coming along?" Oliver inquired and I sighed.

"Surprisingly, it's okay. I mean, aside from the guys stupid teasing, it's not all that awkward," I explained. "But Axel still calls me jealous."

"Speaking of jealous, is Victoria coming tonight?" Oliver questioned from his spot on my bed.

"No, I don't think so," Camilla responded. "Her friends Jessica and Katie are, though. I heard them talking about it in French class."

"Good," I mumbled. "I don't want to have to deal with that discomfort," I responded. "I don't think she's my biggest fan."

"Why do you say that?" Cam asked.

"Because she was on the phone with Axel the other day and he hung up mid-conversation because of me. And whenever she sees me in the hall, she gives me this forced smile. She doesn't even have to because I'm not friends with her boyfriend, but she does it anyway," I explained.

"Maybe you intimidate her," Oliver suggested and I snorted.

"Why?" I asked.

"Axel probably talks about you a lot to her," Cam explained.

"Yeah, he trash talks me," I retorted.

"But that's talking nonetheless. And she knows you two were best friends because she's the reason you guys aren't anymore," Cam replied.

I just shrugged. "Well, she has nothing to worry about." As I finished my eyeliner, I sighed. "Now let's go downstairs and get this party started."

+++

A half hour later, almost everyone was here. Sidney had arrived shortly after we went downstairs and the party was in full swing before half past eight. I couldn't spend too much time with my friends because I was too busy making sure things were going well. When I ducked outside for a breath of fresh air, I noticed Axel on the phone a few feet away.

"I know," he sighed. "Yeah...I will." He kicked at the dirt before sighing again, but louder this time. "Look, you can trust me," he insisted. "Then why are you with me if you can't trust me?" he snapped. A few seconds later, he rolled his eyes as he stared up at the sky. "I'm going to go. Have fun with your grandmother." As he shoved his phone in his pocket, he looked up to find me staring at him. He didn't bother smiling or even acknowledging the fact that I was gazing at him. Instead, he walked past me and up the steps, entering the house.

Time was going by slowly as I kept the house from getting too dirty, lifting up empty cups and tossing them out, as well as sweeping up dirty chips as they fell to the ground, crushed by shoes. "Lex!" Dylan called over the music.