15TH NOVEMBER.
ORION ACADEMY: 
LEX AND KARAN'S ROOM.

EVER SINCE LEX had become the first freshman basketball captain in the last decade, his social popularity status had increased to a point where he started to feel exhausted. The practice had doubled in numbers and so were the people trying to make a conversation with him. It was funny--really, how a simple position in his team changed his lifestyle to a whole new level. 

As much as he loved it, it was also very mind numbing. 

But despite the basketball practice, lectures and homework--he still couldn't keep his mind off of Aphrodite. He regretted telling her right after the words crawled out. Not only because it was heartbreaking but also because it wasn't his part to tell her. He had let his selfishness to have her all to himself get the best of him. The image of Aphrodite kissing her was still fresh. Each time, it got worse. His heart felt heavy every time Yumi sat close to Aphrodite, every time Aphrodite smiled at her. He wanted to escape. And thankfully, his mother (technically sister) had handed it to him on a silver plate. 

"You are coming, right? I haven't seen you in a month. You look so pale," His mother said. Even though they were Face Timing, his mother wasn't looking at him. Her eyes were travelling on the white dresses surrounding her. 

"I am, Ma. I wouldn't miss it. If I do, Sofia will kill me." He snorted. 

His Ma's phone was snatched by his sister. She smirked. "You bet your ass I will." She ran her fingers down her long brown hair, similar to his, and played with them--which told him one thing. She was nervous. He can't blame her for her nervousness--she was getting married in a week and her picky trait was a setback to the event. 

"Have you chosen a wedding dress yet?" 

Upon his statement, his sister's room brightening smile vanished. "No. The dresses are good but not perfect. Sometimes the sash is not good, sometimes the fabric. We've been to three stores, yet I can't find the one." 

"Maybe stop being a perfectionist?" Lex suggested. It was mostly a tease but his tone stated otherwise. He was too tired to make a joke. 

"Maybe stop being a dickhead?"  His sister countered. His mother seemed to have given her a pointed look because in return, Sofia had rolled her eyes. She looked back at the screen. "It's not about being perfect, Lex." She sighed. No mockery in her tone. She took a few steps away from her mother and whispered, "Chris and I haven't been the strongest couple, you know. We were toxic at first but then things got better. And this wedding, I want it to be a symbol, not just for the trans community but also that things can get better if you both work for it." 

She is correct. Chris is a trans male and that created a lot of hurdles in their relationship. Not because of his identity but because of the involvement of the people around them. Even their parents weren't accepting Sofia and Chris' relationship but eventually, they got around. And now, Lex's mother, Nora was the best supporter he had ever seen. 

"You love him, right?" Sofia nodded. "Then that's the biggest symbol. Things don't have to be perfect all the time." Lex and Sofia used to be extremely close at first but then something happened last year and things changed between them. Lex forgave her eventually but this was the first time they had a heart-to-heart conversation.

"Oh, my God--" His mother interrupted. "What are you doing in this corner? Go choose dresses. We don't have much time." His mother took her phone back and dismissed Sofia. "Lex, I'm looking forward to seeing you here next weekend. Your tux will be ready by then. I hope you haven't forgotten to invite your friends." 

"West doesn't need an invitation. He is family." 

Nora shook her head. "I meant, your other friends. I've already invited Mr. St.Clair and Mrs. Rose-St.Clair but I want your other friends too. Sienna mentioned what a blast Aphrodite's birthday party was." 

Lex's heart sank. For the first time he was frustrated at their parents' familiarity. Inviting Aphrodite also meant inviting Yumi and it was far from what he wanted.

In simpler words, it sucked balls for him. 

He sighed. The escape he wanted wasn't going to come any time soon. 

"Yeah, I'll do that." He said before hanging up. He threw his phone aside and leaned back on the wall of pictures. It's a good thing that he stuck them a little higher than the reach of his head. He rubbed his temples as his head began to feel heavy. He closed his eyes for a few minutes, allowing his mind to relax from the racing thoughts. 

He had to invite Aphrodite and Yumi. How?

Not only that he didn't want them together in front of him, to say the least but also because he hadn't talked to Aphrodite after their kiss six days ago. He wasn't sure if he was avoiding her or the other way around. At this point, he thought, they both wanted some peace of mind. 

But he knew his mother. Nora wouldn't let Lex live peacefully if his friends didn't come along. Aphrodite's mother wasn't the only one who was a pushover.

"Yo, Karan," he called out. Karan didn't respond to him since he was wearing noise cancelling headphones. His glasses had slipped down to the tip of his nose. He was so close to the textbook that if anyone decided to smack his head, he would definitely break his nose. 

Lex extended his hand and picked up a paper from his desk. He crumbled it into a ball and aimed at Karan's head. He threw the ball, hitting exactly where he had aimed. Karan furrowed his eyebrows and pulled his head phones out as his chair shrieked when he turned to face Lex. He hissed, "What?" 

He had been annoyed and on edge for the past week. Lex didn't know why. 

"Do you have a tuxedo or suit?" Lex asked. 

"Yeah. Had to buy one for Aphy's birthday. Why?" He shot back. 

"My sister is getting married. You are invited." 

"Just me?" 

Lex rolled his eyes. "Others too, duh." 

"I've never been to a wedding here. When is it?" Karan said and for the first time in the last few days, his eyes glimmered with genuine happiness. 

"This weekend." 

"Hold on, this weekend? As in, in the next three days?" His roommate raised his eyebrows, to which Lex nodded. Karan opened his mouth, "Huh, a last minute invitation. You really didn't want us there." Before Lex could protest, Karan pulled his headphones back and pried his eyes to his textbook--diving into the world of hearts, liver, kidneys and learning how humans poop.

(Yuck.)

header image by Steve Johnson

I recently finished watching Stranger Things and I'm SO desperate for the next season. I'm rooting for Mike and Eleven and hopefully Will gets more dialogues and screen time.

what was the last show you watched?

until next time.

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