Alexa's Point of View

I sighed walking home alone. I went to Hamzah's class after last period but he wasn't there, maybe he skipped, but that's so unlike Hamzah.

I sloshed around in the snow as I walked, thinking of Hamzah and Aaron. Was I in a love triangle? Who would've ever thought I'd be caught up in a love triangle between my best friend and the most popular boy in my school..

Who am I kidding? Aaron probably doesn't like me, although I secretly hoped he did. I lost my virginity to him, now it feels like there's no going back to pretending he hates me. I haven't spoke to Aaron all day. Mostly because, I haven't seen him. I hope eventually I'll see him again soon.

I took out my phone as I felt it vibrate in my back pocket, there was a text from Haley.

Haley: hey! want to go get ice cream with the crew later today? you should bring hamzah!!

Me: i think hamz isn't talking to me. maybe you could invite him?

Haley: awwww no :( you good? if he comes will you still make it?

Me: i'm okay, and sure i'd still go. u probably shouldn't tell hamzah i'll be there though.

Haley: got it! but we have to talk later and you're telling me e v e r y t h i n g !!!

Me: of course hales.

I returned my phone to my back pocket and looked up from my phone to find myself so much closer to my house.

Soon enough I opened the door to my house, walking in and making my way to my room, upset. How could I be so dumb and let Aaron come before Hamzah? That was never my intention though, I just got caught up in the moment with Aaron.

In my room, I pulled the curtains to my window hoping to see Hamzah's in his. His curtains were down. They were never down.

I lied back on my bed, staring at the ceiling. I should go out and do something, take my mind off of everything.

I got up and went into my mom office, "My father isn't here?"

"Business trip," She said focusing on her computer.

"Oh," I said. "Again?"

"Yes Alexa."

"Okay well.. does that mean I can go out?" I ask her.

"Sure," She says. "Be home by ten."

"Ten? Okay," I said. "See you later."

"Be safe Alexa!" She called to me as I went back towards my room.

I grabbed my phone and my wallet and left my room, heading towards the front door. I decided I'd go to the mall, maybe Haley would want to go with me.

Me: hey hales wanna pregame and go to the mall?

Haley: sure of course, come to my place

I kept my hands in my pockets. The walk to Haley's wasn't exactly short and it was the beginning of January so it was freezing. I shivered as I kept walking.

Eventually, I made it to Haley's big house. I knocked on the front door, and was greeted by an older woman, dressed professionally.

"Hi, you must be Alexa," She smiled. "Come in." She opened the door and allowed me to walk in. "I'm Leslie Sharpe, Haley's mom."

I nodded, "Nice to meet you Leslie."

"Haley!" Called her mother up the tall stairs.

"Is Alexa here?" Called Haley.

"Yes Haley!" Called back her mom.

I waited at the bottom of the steps with my hands still pushed into my pockets. Haley was coming down the stairs, she was so pretty it baffled me. Now looking at her mom, I guess the pretty gene just runs in her family.

"Let's go Lexi," She said before looking back at her mom. "See you later mom."

Haley spun her keys around her finger. She pressed a button on the keypad, making the lights flicker of a car.

"This yours?" I asked as we approached the car.

"Yup," She said. "My birthday present from October."

"That's cool," I nodded sitting in the passenger seat.

"So what happened with Hamzah?" She asked starting the car.

I shrugged, "I'm not entirely sure," I said.

I didn't think I should tell her everything. It seemed to me that she liked Hamzah. Why would I tell her that he liked me? She would probably be upset. Why would Hamzah like me anyways if the Haley Sharpe is crushing on him?

She looked back at me as she drove, "That's weird. Have you guys ever fought before?"

"Sure," I said. "Over dumb little things. But this seems.. bigger."

"Have you tried talking to him?" Haley asked.

"I think he's ignoring me," I said looking down at my phone to find he still hasn't texted me.

"Well he's coming to get ice cream with us at the ice cream parlor downtown," She said. "I'm sure you'll both behave yourself and realize there's nothing to be upset about."

I nodded my head, "I really hope your right Haley."

Soon enough, we pulled up to the mall's parking lot. Haley parked in a parking spot close to the entrance, "Lucky spot!" She cheered.

I smiled as we got out the car and rushed into the building to escape the cold.

"Where should we hit up first?" Haley asked.

"I don't know.." I trailed off.

"Food courts?" Haley asked. "I'm kinda hungry."

"Me too actually," I said realizing I barely ate anything today.

She grabbed my hand, walking towards the food court. I looked around, "So many options."

"I say we go get teriyaki," Haley suggested. "Nothing beats mall teriyaki."

"So true," I agreed following her lead.

We stood on line, waiting to order our food. Out the corner of my eye in my hindsight, I thought I saw a familiar light curly haired boy. I turned my head and sure enough, there was Aaron.

I quickly looked away hoping he didn't see me looking over at him. What was he doing at the mall? I guess it was a common place for kids in our school to hang out but he wasn't even with his usual crew because I was with Haley.

"And for you?" The man taking my order asked cutting through my thoughts.

"Oh yes," I said nervously. "White rice, no vegetables, and extra sauce."

He nodded as we moved down the line over to the register. I went in my bag to find my card.

"It's on me," Haley said. "Sounds like with your rough day, you deserve this."

"Seriously Haley?" I asked. "You don't have to."

"Just let me," She said. "You can get me another time."

"Okay," I smiled nodding, Haley was the sweetest.

We grabbed our food and walked off the line, searching for a place to eat.

"Aaron!" Haley called.

"Oh fuck," I said to myself, my eyes rolling.

"Oh hey Haley," He said walking over to us completely ignoring my existence.

"What are you doing here?" Haley asked him.

"I'm here with Ryleigh," He said.

"Ooh Ryleigh," Haley winked.

"Who's Ryleigh?" I asked looking up at him.

"Just some girl Aaron's been talking to," Haley said excitedly.

"Oh really," I said smiling. "That's super cool Aaron! I didn't know you were talking to someone! How long has it been!"

"Only like a few weeks," Aaron said scratching the back of his neck awkwardly.

"Please," Haley said laughing. "Aaron's been crushing on her forever."

"Ah okay," I said nodding my head.

I couldn't help but feel like I was going insane. My jaw was clenched and I felt my heart beating at a rapid rate in my chest.

"We should all sit together!" Haley said. "I love Ryleigh!"

"Yeah I don't-" Aaron started.

"Haley!" I heard someone called.

Behind Aaron stood a girl. She was short and had blonde hair straight hair, dressed super preppy like Haley. She was the opposite of me.

"Hey Ryleigh!" Haley excitedly said. "This is Alexa, she's one of my newer but cooler friends."

"Hey," Ryleigh smiled to me.

It seemed so hard to dislike her. She seemed so.. innocent and nice. I was gonna give her the benefit of the doubt that she had no idea what happened between Aaron and I last night. Not even Haley knew clearly, so why would this girl?

We all sat over at Aaron's table. Ryleigh and Haley were talking to each other most of the time meanwhile Aaron and I just stood quiet the whole time. I honestly think I was staring at him the entire time with my eyebrows furrowed. I hoped nobody noticed.

"How did you two meet anyways?" Ryleigh asked Haley and I.

"She helped me in our English class when I spilled my drink everywhere," Haley said. "Embarrassing, I know."

"Aw that's so sweet of you Alexa!" Ryleigh exclaimed.

"I just did what was right," I smiled.

After everyone ate their food, Aaron stood up, "I'll take everyone's trays."

"Thanks Aaron," Ryleigh smiled up at him, her eyes wide.

"I'll help you," Haley said standing up.

Haley and Aaron grabbed all the trash and walked away over to the cans to throw it away.

"So Alexa.." Ryleigh said.

"Yeah?" I asked looking up from my lap.

"I know what you did," She said narrowing her eyes at me.

"What I did..?" I asked.

"You helped Aaron once when I was out of town. That doesn't mean he likes you Alexa."

"I-I didn't-"

"Sure," Ryleigh sarcastically said. "But you should leave."

"Why?" I asked folding my arms.

"Because Aaron doesn't like you," Ryleigh said.

"I'm here for Haley," I said leaning over the table at her.

"Just go Alexa, nobody wants you here," She snickered.

I got up from the table and grabbed my bag, "Fuck you." I went on my way back to my house.