Nicholas's P.O.V

When we finished breakfast, I excused myself and gave granny a call to inform her of my whereabouts. I went back to the kitchen and helped Susan with the dishes. From the open door of the kitchen, I could see Alex sat on the chair in the dinning, her head placed between her palms and her eyes shut. I shook my head. She's tired.

I finished the dishes and cleaned my hand with a napkin. "You're done?" Susan said, entering the kitchen. I grinned and nodded at her.

"Yes. Is there anything else you need help with?" I asked. Her cheeks turned to a light shade of red as she smiled at me.

"Not at all. You know..." She paused, then looked at me. She walked closer and cupped her hand by the sides of her mouth,then whispered. "You know, you would be a good son-in-law" she smiled.

I felt my face warm up and choked out an awkward cough. "Thanks for the compliment, Susan." I said, awkwardly. She laughed at my reaction, lightly.

"You like her, don't you?" She smiled again, her gaze firm on me. I almost squirmed at the spot. Fuck! Am I that obvious?

I was about to answer when a tried looking Alex stormed into the kitchen, rubbing her eyes cutely. "Are you guys gossiping about me?" She said, narrowing her eyes. Her hair is in a messy bun and there's a dark circle forming around her eye.

I chuckled as Susan gave Alex a stern look. "Alex, have you had your bath?" Susan scolded her. Her eyes grows wide and her cheeks burn in embarrassment.

"What?! Mom!" She whined, sneaking a quick glance at me. I'm busy trying to hold in my laughter.

"Don't 'mom' me! Since there's no school today, you're going to do that laundry you've been piling up" Susan said again, placing her hands on her hip.

"Mom! Stop embarrassing me! Ugh!" She groaned and stormed out if the kitchen. Susan let a small smile spread on her lips and she dropped her hands by her sides.

She chuckled and faced me. "So..back to my question. Do you like her?" She asked me. Honestly, I like her. I don't know what it is about her that just amuses me every time. But a bro code is a bro code. No matter how much I like her, she's my best friend's girlfriend. I'll just keep the feelings to myself and try to get over them someway. She already probably hates me anyway.

"I don't, Susan. She has a lovely boyfriend. And he's my best bro" I smiled, almost sadly. Susan's smile faltered for a bit and she sighed.

"Well...okay." she nodded and made her way out of the kitchen. The she stopped by the doorway of the kitchen, looking back at me. "But I have to remind you, I'm not blind." She smiled and left. I ran my hands through my hair and left to the sitting room.

Alex is lying on the couch, her right hand and leg, dangling from the couch. I chuckled and rolled my eyes. On the hand dangling, is a remote that she keeps pressing every minute to change the channel. I walked over to her and lifted her head up, placing it on my lap, then sat down. "This seems interesting" I hummed in sarcasm.

She sighed heavily and relaxed on my lap. "Yeah, well. It's not like there's anything I can do" she said, boredom evident in her tone. I raised an eyebrow.

"You have lots of clothes to clean up. Your room is messy too." I said and she rolled her eyes.

"I know! And it's not that messy anyway" she huffed. I chuckled and involuntary swept some strands of hair from her cheeks and tucked it behind her ear. She stiffed up on my lap, holding her breath. I realized what I just did and retrieved my hand. Shit! What if she isn't comfortable with that?

"Uhm...so what are your plans for today?" I cleared my throat, changing the subject. She adjusted her head on my lap, accidentally placing her head on my crotch. I let out a groan and she gasped, lifting her head and moving t a sitting position immediately.

"Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to.." she apologized, eyes wide and cheeks rosy. I nodded, forcing a smile.

"Do you hate me so much that you want my generation to stop here?" I teased, smirking. Her face burned a bright red as she rolled her eyes at me.

"If I wanted to do that, I'll have done it a long time ago. I'll just cut it off, simple" she smirked, making the smirk drop from my face. I crossed my leg over the other, eyeing her suspiciously.

"Oh. Thanks for the warning" I said and she laughed, making me stare for a while. I would love to draw her like that. Head thrown back in laughter with rosy cheeks and crinkled eyes.

She opened her mouth to give a snarky comment when we heard Susan walking towards us. "Hey kids. I'm heading to the store. We're out of some foodstuffs" She announced, eyes searching the room. She is dresses in a blue, knee length, dress and black heels.

Alex adjusted herself in her seat, looking at her mom. "Mom, be safe. Please" she said quietly. Susan met her daughter's gaze and gave her a small smile.

"I will, I promise" she said and sneaked a glance at me. Her gaze locked onto a car key on the arch by the TV and she let out a small huff before taking it. "Are you staying for lunch?" Susan asked, looking at me.

"Do you want me to?" I smiled, raising an eyebrow. Susan laughed quietly, blushing.

"Of course!" She beamed. I could see Alex gagging and making funny faces from the corner of my eyes, making me chuckle.

"Then I will. Can't miss spending lunch with a charming woman" I added, making her blush even more. She giggled and looked a Alex.

"Mom, please go now!" Alex drawled. Susan laughed.

" Okay, I will. But before I leave..." She paused and placed her hands in her waist, giving her an intimidating look. She met both our gazes. "No sex or anything inappropriate in my house, got it?" She said and I heard Alex groaned loudly. I equally choked on my saliva. What?!

She grabbed a nearby pillow and covered her face with it. "Go away, mom! We won't do such!" She said, her voice coming out muffled from the pillow. Susan chuckles, satisfied with our embarrassed faces.

"Bye" she waved and left, leaving Alex and I in an awkward silence. I cleared my throat and stood up, feeling my throat suddenly go dry.

"You're heading home?" Alex asked, looking up at me.

"You sound like you don't want me to go" I raised an eyebrow, smirking. She rolled her eyes at me and waved her hands around.

"I don't care and I want you to go" she said, looking away. I bent down and leaned towards her, caging her between my arms on the couch. She caught her breath in her throat, not meeting my gaze.

"Are you sure?" I teased in a low voice. She licked her lips and hummed, making me shift my gaze to them. I looked at her eyes again and this time, she met my gaze. My gaze fell on her lips again and I shut my eyes. No!

I remembered Eli's last words yesterday. It is really disappointing that my best friend doesn't trust me. Yes, I slept with girls and I admitted that it is wrong but they threw themselves at me plus, I need distractions. I'm not going to partake in whatever game Eli is trying to play with me. Or war.

I just hope he didn't do anything stupid out of anger. Alex's forehead on mine brought me back to the present. The action surprised me. Her eyes are closed. "I feel sick" she whispered to me.

Alexandrea's P.O.V

"I feel sick" I muttered to Nick, my eyes shut. I feel like throwing up and fainting. I feel disgusted of myself because if Nick hadn't shut his eyes earlier, I might have kissed him. You have a boyfriend that's more of a gentleman than Nick. He's nicer and cares about you.

That is not the only reason I'm disgusted though. I'm also disgusted because every thing he does affects me and I don't want it to. I don't want it to because I like Eli and Eli only. Eli is a good person for me. Apart from that feeling, my head throbs so much and my eyes threaten to close every time I walk.

"Are you okay?" I heard Nick whisper to me. No! I'm not okay. My stepfather escaped prison and probably wants to kill my mom and I. Eli is acting weird. I'm debating between telling Bex about Luke or leave her to her fairytale life. Bex, the only person that keeps me sane, doesn't even hang out with me anymore. And Zoey is nice too but Bex and I have been through a lot together so So can't understand me like Bex will. Plus, Zoey and Eddy are hiding something from me. I'm worried about my mom. I'm worried about Bex. I'm worried about Eli. I'm worried about Zoey and Eddy. I'm worried that I'm starting to get too attached to people. I'm worried about Nick because... I don't even know. I'm just tired.

"Yeah, I'm fine" I muttered and leaned away from him, opening my eyes. He didn't look convinced one bit.

"Fine is the short form of I'm not okay and I need someone to talk to" he narrowed his eyes at me. I let out a small, forced smile.

"Don't worry, I'll just take a nap" I said and started walking towards the staircase. I could feel Nick's gaze on me. I turned around, meeting his gaze. "Nick, I'm fine" I strained.

He opened his mouth to talk but the ring of the door bell cut him off. My eyes widened in their sockets. Nick looked at me and slowly walked over to the door. He looked through the hole thingy and his expression turned blank. He opened the door and Eli entered.

I forced a smile and walked towards him. "Oh! Eli! You didn't tell me you were coming" I said.

Nick just stood at the doorway, looking at Eli. What's going on? Eli looked at me, his expression sullen. "Can we talk?" He said and the smile fell from my face. Nick looked at me before grabbing Eli's arm.

"Wait, I want to have a word with you" Nick said but Eli snatches his arm from Nick's hold, aggressively. He passed him a warning look.

"Don't touch me!" Eli snapped at Nick. I walked closer to them, confused with the scene unfolding in front of me.

"Guys, what's going on?" I asked tiredly, surprised by the way they were acting.

"It's nothing" Nick said quickly and grabbed Eli's hand again, looking at him sternly. "Don't do something you'll regret, Eli. Let's talk" he said.

"You'll be the only one regretting something here, Nick. I don't even know why I became friends with someone like you! And I didn't forget what I said yesterday, you prick" Eli said, snatching his arm away from Nick's grasp again.

Nick ran his hands over his face and glanced at me. Then he looked at Eli "Eli. Are you seriously doing this? What the fuck happened to you, man?" He said, sounding disappointed.

Now I am even more curious. Is there something I'm missing? "Can someone tell me what's going on here?!" I said and they both ignored me.

"Nothing happened to me! I'm still the same Eli. But I won't allow you to take my girl from me. Not now, not ever" Eli yelled at Nick.

Nick rubbed the bridge of his nose in frustration. "Listen, I'm not going to fight with you because of a girl. Our friendship is way more than that okay?" Nick said and Eli scoffed.

At this point, I just sat on the arm of the couch and watched them argue. I'm too tired to tell again, requesting for explanation.

"Now you're making it seem like my fault! You're the one betraying me!" Eli yelled. Nick threw his hands up in the air.

"I'm not fucking Alex! I am not! How many times do I have to tell you that?! I never expected this from you, Eli. I trusted you" Nick yelled, loosing it. I flinched slightly from how loud he yelled. I stood up from the couch, nonplussed from Nick's revelation.

"What?!" I blurted. I looked at Eli. "You thought Nick and I were..." I scoffed in disbelief, unable to finish my sentence.

Eli looked at me, his expression plain. I just noticed his hair is messy and his shirt is wrinkled. "Well....is it true?" He asked.

I can't believe the words coming out of Eli's mouth. I felt my heart ache in disappointment. "Eli...how could you?... Of course not! I would never do such a thing!" I yelled, feeling overwhelmed.

"Alex--"Nick started but Eli cut him off.

"Stay out of this" he said, sternly. Nick kept quiet and watched the both of us. "Did you go out with Nick last two nights ago?" He asked, not breaking his gaze.

"Yes. We were just talking!" I said, quietly. I am so tired of everything and this is just adding to my problems. "I'm sorry for not telling you. I thought Nick wouldn't be comfortable with it" I apologized.

"It's all about Nick, isn't it?" He scoffed. I met his gaze, mine already glassy with unshed tears.

"What has gotten into you, Eli? You suddenly show up at my house, hair messy, clothes wrinkled and start to spew out unbelievable things?" I yelled at him.

A knock on the door, made all of us pause. I felt Nick's gaze in me but I didn't meet it before walking over and opening the door. Right in front of me, stood Stephanie in all her glory. She smirked and walked in. I rolled my eyes and slammed the door shut.

"Hello" she wiggles her fingers at Nick with a smirk and walked over to Eli, pecking his lips. I stood rooted to my spot. Eli seemed shocked too and he looked at me with panic filled eyes. Nick's eyes widened at the action as well.

"What do you want, Stephanie?" I asked, my expression stony. She looked at me and smirked again.

"Nothing much, just came to give my husband to be his wristwatch. He forgot it at my house this morning" she said, bringing out a black Rolex wristwatch. Eli collected it from her and put it in his pocket.

"What is that supposed to mean?" I asked, looking at Stephanie. She gave my house a disgusted look the met my gaze.

"Alex, listen--" Eli states but I raised a finger to stop him. He gulped and I looked at Stephanie.

"Stephanie, what did you mean by that? Is that a joke?" I asked, my voice becoming shaky. Nick leaned against the wall, his arms folded on his chest.

"Darling, Eli hasn't told you? We're going to get engaged then married." She smiled menacingly. I looked at Eli as he casted his gaze to the floor.

"Eli...is this true? Is this a prank?" I laughed humorlessly.

"Honey, I'm sure he wanted to inform you last night. But he eventually got.... occupied, if you know what I mean" She said, smirking at Eli and biting her lower lip.

"It's enough Steph" Eli barked, making Stephanie flinch. Then he looked at me. "I'm sorry. I wanted to tell you--" he started but I cut him off.

"Which one? That you slept with Steph or that you are getting married to her?" I asked, feeling a tear drop on my cheek.

"I'm so sorry, Alex. I was blinded with anger." He apologized. I didn't even know how to feel right now.

"Oh, don't act like a saint! Haven't you kissed Nick? I'm pretty sure you've even done more than that!" Stephanie snarled at me. I looked at Nick who was quietly watching the scene.

"Yes. We've kissed. But that was before I was with Eli!" I said, looking back at her. My voice was thick with emotions.

"I'm sorry." Eli said again, trying to reach for my hand. I flinched away.

"How dare you? You dare jump to conclusion about me and Nick and I find out that you slept with Stephanie?! And you're saying sorry?!" I yelled at Eli.

"What else do you want me to say?! I didn't complain when I found Nick at your house this morning, who knows what you two were doing!! I was just trying to be fair" He suddenly snapped at me. No! What happened to the Eli that always made me blush? What happened to my gentleman?

"You don't believe me" I said in a flat tone. I feel numb and used. "Okay" I shrugged and walked over to Nick. He stood upright when he saw me walking over and raised an eyebrow.

"What are you--" I smashed my lips on his before he could complete the sentence, making my heart jolt a bit in my chest. The unshed tears flow freely down my cheek now as I kissed Nick with all the emotions I felt. He didn't kiss me back. He tried to pull away but I wrapped my arms around his neck, holding him to me. He eventually pulled away, his lips red. His green eyes are wide and he breathing is heavy as he stared at me.

I looked at Eli and smiled at him. His hands were tightly fisted by his sides and he is glaring at me. "You were just trying to be fair, right? Now this is fair" I said, my voice shaky but my smile, unwavering.

×××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××
Writer: Hello sweethearts,
Another chapter up! I hope you enjoyed it! What was your favorite part?

Bex: *glares* you did it again! I'm not here!

Zoey: *shrugs* at least my name was mentioned.

Writer: oops-
Don't forget to vote, comment and follow. Also share if you loved it. Enjoy!♥

02/02/2021