"I like this one.
One dog goes one way, the other dog goes the other."

***

The first time I saw Alex today was after spending some time in office hours after school. After spending time alone to figure out my school work, I found Alex by his school locker on the way out of the building.

"Yo Alex!" I shouted. He peered up from his locker to look at me. "Where the hell were you today?"

He gave me a look. "Sorry. I didn't know I have a second Mom," he said, laughing like he uttered the best joke in mankind.

I rolled my eyes.

"You weren't in class all day so I'm surprised to see you here now," I mentioned, thinking back to his empty seat in AP Literature and him not being there for lunch. While this has become the new norm for him, it felt like seeing him became a rare sighting.

"Coach wanted us to practice hard for this season," Alex said, not elaborating on why that made him skip class. He shut his locker and slung his bag over his shoulder. "You doing anything exciting?"

I shook my head. "Archy's game is tomorrow so probably just that. I'm going to try to finish all my homework tonight."

Alex sighed loudly. "Yeah I wish I could be there. My relatives will be in town, and my parents want me to do stuff with them."

I nodded feebly, unsure what to make of that. Alex hasn't gone to any of Archy's games in a while, coming up with one reason or another. I didn't know what to make of it. My mouth started to dry up when I couldn't make a single response to it.

"Interesting you say that," we heard another voice come from behind, recusing me from responding.

I turned to see Archy approaching us, his school bag and his spots bag slung across his back. His hair and clothes were damp from what appeared to be a recent shower. His eyes narrowed down on Alex.

"Hey Archy," Alex said blandly, not looking at him. He was looking down at his bag strap, fiddling around with that.

"It's interesting you say that," Archy repeated louder, ignoring Alex's lame attempt at a greeting. "Your parents just told mine how they would be attending the game tomorrow."

We were silent.

Alex lied?

When Alex was making excuses, I didn't want to think the worst. I made myself believe he was truly busy. It didn't make sense any other way.

Why why would he lie?

I looked at Alex. Alex still didn't look Archy in the eyes, focusing on the strap on his bag. He remained silent, though from the way his eyes were shifting, he appeared distressed. Archy and I stood there, waiting for him to respond. Something that would make more sense than now.

Alex started to fidget slightly, leaning more into his locker.

"Well this is new information to me," Alex simply said after a long pause.

Archy closed his eyes for a moment before opening them again.

"Cut the crap, Alex. What is wrong with you?" Archy said with more annoyance.

Alex immediately stiffened. His chest puffed more out and his eyes fell on Archy. His face twisted into something I couldn't recognize. His hands turned into fists against his side.

"Nothing is wrong with me. I have other people to deal with you besides you. What crawled up your ass and died?" Alex snapped back in a clipped tone.

I wanted to step in, but I was also bad at fights. Archy is the type to confront his friends if he thinks there is a problem because he wanted them solve. Alex doesn't hold back. it was powder in a keg stand with those two and I learned better than to be part of the crossfire.

But this felt different. Usually their arguments resulted in an eye roll. This time, it felt like a punch in the gut the second before you realize something bad was going to happen.

Any annoyance on Archy's face melted away to sorrow. Melancholy lines creased over his forehead because he wasn't actually angry.

He was confused and upset.

And he was tired of hiding it anymore.

"Nothing," Archy said, his usually calm demeanor returning. "Did I do something wrong?"

Alex shook his head. "No I didn't. You're being dramatic," he responded, not answering his questions directly.

"You stopped talking tome. You barely say a word to me," Archy insisted to him, his voice getting quieter when he was growing less satisfied with Alex's answers.

I took a tentative step forward, sensing a need to step in.

"Guys we are in public," I began, noting other students lingering and their eyes were flickering between us and whatever they are doing. They were listening to the conversation that no longer felt private.

"Are you blind, Archy?" Alex said, ignoring whatever I just said. "I respond to every single one of your messages, and I'm still standing here with you guys. Are you upset that I have other friend groups-"

"What a load of crap, Alex," Archy interrupted again, his voice returning for annoyance. Any vulnerability Archy showed became encased with something that looked like anger and, based on the tone of his voice, pain. "You know you're acting differently."

I was still standing there awkward with them. My mind was debating whether I should be here or not. While it felt private, I didn't know if walking away would make my presence more obvious.

When I thought about leaving, my feet felt planted at the floor. My anxiety upticked at the argument.

"So that's it? You're jealous?" Alex asked, his arms crossed over his broad shoulder.

"What? Jealous about hanging out with the soccer team? Didn't you tell me how the soccer team people are a bunch of fake dickwards," Archy said, raising his voice loudly. He looked at the group of players in their school soccer jersey uniform walking passed them. They gave us the nastiest look on the way out of the building.

"Keep your voice down," Alex hissed, leaning in to keep his voice low. "I got to know them better. Honestly? They aren't that bad."

"You're lying. Stop lying to me," Archy denied, his voice resuming its aggressive tone.

"I'm not. Just because I'm not obsessing over you like one of your fucking groupies doesn't mean I'm lying," Alex snapped back.

Archy quieten down again.

"Obsessing over me?" Archy repeated slowly, looking at Alex with confusion.

Alex took a step forward.

"You want me to coddle you and care for your feelings 24/7? Well you're not the only one with things to stress about in life. Okay? I have my own shit too," Alex repeated, jabbing his chest at the last sentence.

"Should I step away for this?" I peeped up again, which neither of them turned their head to look back at me.

"You can talk to me Alex. I can stop confiding in you if it's too much? Is that it?" Archy is saying, almost begging. His voice sounded frustrated, like he didn't understand what Alex was coming from. From the pleading tone, I knew Archy wanted to understand.

Alex shook his head quickly. "It's more than that. This is just me trying to live my own life."

Alex and Archy have always been together. Their parents are always together. They have been together for so long.

Does Alex want to stop that now?

Archy snorted. "What are you doing that's living your own life? Bumming it around making stupid bets all the time? Is that exciting for you? Is that fulfilling? That's so fucking stupid."

Archy's face immediately dropped at what he said, and a look of guilt crossed over his face. My chest became constricted at what he said. I immediately looked at Alex's reaction, watching his eyes widened at what Archy said. Archy became silent, looking somewhere else like he had to process what he said.

Alex opened his mouth. Then closed it. Then opened it again.

For the second time in this conversation, Alex took another long pause.

"That was what I was trying to figure out," Alex said with sincerity, the only fully honest thing he had said in this conversation. He took a step back, his face morphed into a stoic expression. His eyes became hollow. "There's no point about this. I'm not angry at you Archy."

Alex was the type of explode. That's why the fact he shut down has left me fidgeting where I stand.

Archy shook his head. He didn't get upset again with Alex's statement but the defeat on his face made me feel what he's feeling.

"I know you as many things, but a liar isn't one of them," Archy said quietly.

"You don't know me then," he said plainly.

"You guys have been friends since literal babies," I stepped in, hoping this would end their argument. When I heard silence on both of their ends.  "Your parents have known each other since medical schools. Obviously you guys would know each other-"

"Stay in your lane France," Alex cut in, his eyes glaring at me now. He sighed loudly and rubbed his eyes with exhaustion. "You don't need to be a worry wart like usual."

Like usual?

What the hell was that suppose to mean?

"Anyways guys, I'm going to leave before I say something I will regret," Alex informed us.

Archy gave a shrug like he didn't care. "Whatever," he responded. "By the way, you reek of weed. I would change."

Weed?

Since when does Alex smoke?

Alex didn't even given that a response. He only shook his head slightly, waved bye, and walked down the hall and out of the building.

"Since when did Alex smoke weed?" I asked Archy after a moment of silence.

He shrugged and rolled his eyes.

"I'm surprised you didn't pick up on that scent. It was so nasty smelling," Archy said, he started toying with the end of his shirt.

I just thought he was sweating.

"Who even knows what he does. Anyways, do I expect him to fawn over me like a groupie? Is what he's saying true? Am I really that bad of a friend?" Archy asked, his voice filled with sorrow.

I blinked, feeling like I'm put in a tricky spot. It was obvious that Archy was upset for a while, and Alex knew. And I think Alex should've told Archy what was wrong if something is wrong, but I didn't know what was happening to say anything.

"You do talk a lot about football, but I never felt that personally," I phrased carefully. "He seems...confused. Have you tried talking to him?"

"Did you just not see how that went?" Archy asked, shaking his head as he mentally recapped how it went.

"Well you did call him a liar a whole bunch," I pointed out. "Throwing accusations will just upset him more."

Archy gave me a look. "So it's my fault he's lying?"

"Of course not," I responded.

Alex was lying to Archy. It was clear as day that Alex was avoiding him. While he has been acting distant in general, it was clear he was avoiding Archy the most without a clear explanation by anybody.

That must've been the right thing to say because he quiet. His eyes were shut for a moment while he was taking some shaky breathes. He opened his eyes and looked at me.

"I saw seeing him with the soccer team and his shirt reeks of weed and  he isn't talking to me." Archy repeated, more like he's talking to himself than me. He sighed and shook his head. "It's fine maybe he is right. It's in my head. It must be."

I put a hand on his shoulder, breaking him from his train of thought.

"No, Archy. It isn't."

I didn't end up home until 8:30 in the night.

Archy seemed to be in a state of distraught, I kept him company until he was more mentally in the place to go home. My guilt conscious refused to leave him behind moping so we went out to grab milkshakes. Usually Archy avoided junk like that, so I was surprised when he immediately agreed to my idea of milkshakes. That was a bigger sign than anything else that he was out of it.

Akito always told me to watch out for getting caught up in people's feelings so easily. He worried about me being a sucker.

But I disagree. I want to be there for other people as they are for me.

That was why I had no regrets when Lola told me off for being late the moment I entered the house.

"Where have you been?" Lola said, ushering me in and shutting the door. "It's late. I made food for you and you didn't respond to my calls."

Lola is only a few inches over five foot, making her much shorter compared to my height. However, I still let her push me into the kitchen.

"I texted you I would be late," I responded, feeling my feet dragging. I heard a loud huff behind me.

"I can barely see and you expect me to look at the tiny device. You could call," she said, pushing me further until we reached the kitchen. Her accent was growing thicker, which was common when she gets emotional.

"Yeah. It could've killed you to call," Akito said, imitating a parent that was scolding with a heavy Asian accent. Sitting on a chair by my kitchen counter. I slowed down at the sight of him.

He was still wearing his blue button down and jeans, the same clothes I saw him in at school. His backpack is on the counter still fully zipped. I tried to remember the last time I saw him in my home, which was not recently.

"Shut the fuck up," I told Akito, giving him the middle finger. Akito smirked. "You go home late all the time, ass."

A wrinkled hand swatted at my finger.

"Watch your tongue. Don't make me grab my rosary," Lola said with a stern voice that I never took seriously. "Let me give you boys food."

I walked over towards the counter, putting my bag on top of his and sat on the chair next to me.

"How long have you been here?" I asked. Akito checked the time on his phone.

"About twenty minutes ago."

I blinked. "Why?"

"Uh we talked about me coming tonight, remember?" Akito said. I nodded silently, though I completely forgot. Everything that has been going on left me entirely preoccupied. "Also Lola made adobo so I definitely wanted to stay for sure."

Right on cue, Lola put two plates of rice and chicken adobo in front of us.

"Thanks Lola," I said, taking the fork next to it and immediately dug in.

"Akito came here, but you weren't home," Lola said randomly in response, watching me through her red-framed glasses.

I looked at Akito, who started immediately eating the food without a second thought.

Oh so you're done avoiding me then? I thought when I saw Akito eating my grandmother's food.

Before I could think anymore, I saw the same wrinkly hand from earlier hit the side of my head.

"Ouch!" I cried out, cradling the side of my head. I glared at the old lady standing next me. "What is that for?"

"I have been calling our phone and you didn't respond. It's almost nine in the evening and you didn't even tell me where you were since you left school," she continued to complain. I blinked, still trying to process that I'm still being scolded.

I thought that was over.

I noticed her call but I didn't want to interrupt Archy's vent to me so I sent her a text.

"I text you," I groaned, taking another bite of food cautiously while fighting off any more hands coming. "I had to work on an English assignment that was due and got caught up."

Lola stared at me, her sage eyes narrowing at my statement. She stared at me for a moment before she took a step back.

"Anyways," she said, buying my lie "I'm going to watch my TV shows. There's more food on the stove if you want any."

When she left, Akito scoot his chair closer to me.

"Damn she was upset at you." Akito stated before he snickered.

I shrugged. "She's probably upset because I had a guest over and I wasn't here. I'm glad to see you here."

Akito frowned, his eyebrows arched with confusoin.

"What?" I asked.

"I always come over. That makes this special?" he asked suspiciously, watching me.

I shrugged again. "Yeah, but it has been a while. I don't even remember the last time you have been here."

"Last month to play video games," Akito immediately recounted. He looked away and rubbed his chin to think before he stopped. "Yeah I think last month. I just have been busy that's all."

"It seems like everyone is saying that," I muttered to myself, taking more bite of the food in front of me.

I must've not been as quiet as I thought I was because Akito asked, "Can you be more specific?"

I shook my head. I thought back to Alex's and Archy's fight. Alex was acting weird and Archy confronted him, which led to something worse. My chest began to pain the more I thought about how Akito has also been acting distant.

Are we going through the same thing?

"I don't know. Are we good?" I ended up asking him, wanting confirmation now.

He looked at his food for a moment and said, "From what I gather over here yeah."

I felt instant regret adding. "Sorry," I apologized, feeling my mind going a million places at once. "Things have gotten so fucking weird with Archy and Alex. I think I'm making myself paranoid."

Akito finished his plate clean, dropping the fork onto the plate with a sigh of satisfaction. "They always have been weirdos"

I thought back to their argument earlier. "This isn't their average everyday weirdness. This is ...advanced weirdness."

That cracked a smile in Akito. "Nice spongebob reference," he said with approval. "But describe the weirdness."

"Basically Alex lied about why he isn't going to Archy's game, and Archy is mad. Archy is trying to ask Alex what's up with him and he's been blowing Archy off," I said, trying to summarize all I knew. "Archy has gotten...snappy? And Alex has also gotten...snappy?"

"By the rate you're going, you're about to tell me Devon is snappy too," Akito joked, eating his food while listening.

"He's as silent as a door knob. I think it's because of the break up," I responded, finishing all the rice and adobo on my plate.

When anyone mentions Asami, Devon clams up. He didn't want to talk about his break up, which is pretty typical of him. Devon was never the one to talk about feelings, and isn't something I try to force him to talk.

"He will be okay. He's a strong guy," Akito said, likely sharing the same thoughts as I was. "Changes are going to happen. It happened to Devon and Asami. It might be happening to them. It's happening to you too because of her."

"Her?" I repeated.

"Girl France," Akito said, hitting my shoulder like that was obvious. "Come on. We both know you lied about doing your English assignment. I know this because I was with her."

What for?

He held his hands up like he knew where the conversation was going. "Easy there, Romeo. She asked for Calc help. Turns out she is not great at math."

"Why did you mention her then?" I asked curiously, ignoring the Romeo comment.

"Because you obviously like her and let's be frank, she's hot. This is like you are in one of those crappy romance novels," Akito continued.

I tilted my head.

"Why would you know this?" I asked slowly.

"Because my sister loves those books, and Hana shares too much about it. I know who you are," Akito continued. "You're basically Sir Poofy Pants."

I touched the sides of my forehead.

"Please tell me there's more to this," I said, mentally praying that he wouldn't continue.

"You're the main guy character in those historical romance novels. You are the heroic one and watches the girl from afar," he said pointing to one side of the counter. He then shifted to other side. "Then you have girl France, the fair maiden who is need of help. She is like a delicate flower who wouldn't even hurt a fly."

I snorted. "But she hurt me."

"You stole from her house. What did you expect?" Akito said. Before I could curse him out as it was his idea, he continued quickly, "You are so into her."

I shook my head so hard, I felt myself getting dizzy. Sure, she is very easy on the eyes, but a lot of people are. She only has been here for a couple of months and I barely knew her? Why would I have a crush on her?

She hit me on the head and her dog hates me. This couldn't be happening. The idea of us being together brought butterflies in my stomach.

And I was not enjoying that uncomfortable feeling.

I shook my head. "No no no. You can have her."

Akito's face hardened. "Why would I have her?"

"Because everyone knows you two are more of a thing more than I am with her, and if I'm the reason you aren't with her well-" I began but my voice died down when I heard Akito groaned loudly.

"I swear to freaking God if you say I'm into her one more time, I might have to break this plate over your head," Akito said, his face growing with annoyance and his back stiffened. "You need to relax, France. "

Again with the worrying.

"That is the second time I was told that today," I observed.

I knew I worry but I just enjoy the life I have. It felt balanced to me, and when I felt the balance going off, I like to restore it.

"You think too much in here," Akito said, pointing to his head. "It's incredible how much you think considering how empty your head is. What's in there to even think?"

I gave him the middle finger again. "Now I'm going to break my plate over your head," I joked before sighing. "I don't mean to overthink. I just don't want to say the wrong thing or not consider you."

Akito's face softened. He put a hand on my shoulder.

"I know. You're a good friend. I'm sorry for being busy. Maybe we can hang out this weekend or something." Akito suggested hopefully.

And like that, the balance felt restored. At least, that was what my mind was telling me. My mind kept drifting with Archy and Alex, but I was curbing the thoughts by focusing on Akito in front of me.

"I can't. Maybe Sunday night we can watch a movie or something?" I apologized instead.

Akito nodded. "Yeah we can. It's nice your Mom whisks you away from the weekend."

Because of Mom's times in her work schedule, she wasn't always around on the week days as she wanted time in the weekends. Most of the guys assume it was just to spend time with me, which I let them. That was an easier reason than the actual reason.

"It's the least she can do," I said with a painful smile. "She runs the house."

"As someone with an Asian mom, I can relate," Akito said. He pulled his bag to him. "I need to head back home and do more homework. I got to study for a Physics exam that is coming up this week. I just wanted to say hello"

"Thanks for coming over. Good to see you," I said to Akito. We shuffled towards the door. When he opened the door, I shivered from the burst of cold air whipping harshly against my skin. I held my arms close to my body.

"Akito. We are good right?" I repeated one more time, just for extra assurance to my restless mind.

Akito laughed. "Stop worrying, Puddles. We are always good. That won't change."

My face burned from that nickname that they came up for me years ago. They stopped mentioning it so I assumed they forgot. No one wants a nickname that reminded themselves about how they laughed so hard in the fourth grade they pissed their pants.

If he's calling me that then it's definitely good sign at least.

"That's it. Nice moment is over," I muttered, though I will never tell him the relief that came with it.

"What did you expect?" he asked with a smile. "I will see you in school tomorrow."

He waved quickly bye before he walked out. I shut the door, leaning on it right after. My mind felt numb. Before I catch myself falling, I pulled out my phone.

I know I think too much. I always had. I want to stop it but it's like asking me to stop walking on my two feet. What does stopping mean? Sometimes I think without knowing what I'm thinking. Is that even possible? What do you think? I don't know why I'm so focused on this and everyone else is just...living life. And I'm standing here watching it all pass by. Why do I feel lost?

I sent a message, and felt the immediate yet familiar beep that comes with the message failed to send. I looked at the multiple texts I have sent. And seeing the message that always comes up.

The text has failed to deliver.

Before I could think about it any further, my phone started to vibrate.

I didn't know what to make about it when I was Francesca's name appearing on the caller ID.

Author's Note: I don't love how I ended it so may tweak it a bit but let me know what you think? I love all the drama coming in haha. That is when things are going to get spicyyyy.