The Distance Between Us

Chapter 9: Rekindling

Chapter 9: Rekindling

"So you two are friends again?" Camilla asked me as my friends and I sat around the lunch table. I nodded in response. "How do you feel?"

"Happy," I told her honestly.

"Are you upset at all?" she inquired and I furrowed my eyebrows.

"Why would I be upset?" I retorted as I shoved a grape into my mouth.

"Because that's it, you're just friends," she responded with a cackle as she high-fived Sidney. The curious look on my face fell and it was replaced with an annoyed expression.

"Guys....she says she doesn't like him," Oliver reminded them.

"Come on, Oli, we're her friends. We can see that she likes him. She just won't admit it yet," Camilla responded as I sat there, staring at my fruit salad.

"Well, right now, she says she doesn't like him, so we can at least act like she doesn't," Oliver replied.

"You know guys, I'm right here," I responded.

"Would you tell us? You know, if you do like him?" Cam inquired and before I could answer, Oliver scoffed.

"What do you think? You two practically harass her about it and she hasn't even admitted to anything yet. What do you think is going to happen when—if...she does confess?"

I let out a frustrated grunt, shoving my food away from me. "You know, I think I'm going to go to class. I'll see you guys later, or whatever."

"Don't be mad! We were just playing around!" Sid called from the table as I exited the cafeteria, not bothering to look back or respond to them.

I sighed in irritation as I walked down the hall. Every time Axel's brought up in conversation, whether I start or they do, I never hear the end of it from Cam, and occasionally Sid. It makes me just not want to talk to them about him at all. And if I can't go to my friends about my problems, who am I expected to go to?

I've always been teased about liking Axel, whether it was by my friends or my brother, and even the guys joke about it sometimes. Do I act like I like him? I don't think I do. I think I treat him like he's my best friend. I mean, of course I've thought about my feelings for him, but I never really came to a conclusion. I always found myself making excuses for my actions, which scares me a bit. If I cancel plans with my friends to hang out with him, I peg it up to me just wanting to spend time with Axel. Or if I'm having a casual conversation with him and I have the urge to kiss him, I just blame it on hormones. But sometimes I find myself scouring my brain for excuses, specifically when he does something insignificant like rest his hand on my shoulder or maintain eye contact with me for extended periods of time. These small things cause my heart to beat rapidly. Most of the time, I can't find a single thing to pin my drum like heartbeat on, so I simply dismiss it from my mind, shrugging it off as nothing. I always know that it's simply not 'nothing'; it's definitely something, but I'd rather not admit that that 'something' just might be a crush on Axel.

I don't think anyone wants to like their best friend, especially if they're in a relationship. Plus, I doubt he'll ever like me. I'm not Axel's type, and I know Axel's type. Victoria is Axel's type. Blonde girls with pretty eyes are Axel's type. I have brown hair, not blonde, and my eyes are plain; the only way they look remotely nice is if I've put on mascara and eyeliner. I sighed loudly, staring at the empty hallway ahead of me.

"English is this way, Alexis," Axel's voice called from the opposite end of the hall. I turned around, staring at him. He was standing with his hands in the pockets of his black jeans while his plain, dark blue sweater hung nicely on his broad shoulders. My eyes fell on his navy high-tops before I began to slowly walk towards him. "Where were you going?"