Chapter 25: Not Tammy

"You're not serious, right?" Miles asked loudly as I walked past their crowd, which was stationed near the twin's lockers, on Monday. "We're not even out of November and you're already planning a Christmas party?"

"Yeah, it's going to be at Dylan's," Isaac explained and I immediately turned my attention to them. No, Dylan already knows I've been planning a Christmas gathering with my friends. I told him twice already.

"No, no, no," I started as I shoved my way through the guys, all of whom towered over me. Well, except for Colton. "No, no, no."

"Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes," Isaac explained. "Your parents already said yes."

"No!" I retorted. "I'm supposed to have my friends over." We're doing secret santa and I wanted to do something in the basement, seeing as I can never have my friends over on a regular weekend.

"It's too late. Mom already gave me permission. Don't worry though, you can still have something in your room," Dylan grinned triumphantly and I narrowed my eyes at him.

"You'll have to bounce back and forth, Axel," Isaiah snorted.

"We won't be seeing much of him at all," Colton snorted from beside me and I elbowed him, earning a pained protest.

"Why can't you do it somewhere else?" I asked. No offense to Axel, but he's not really a part of my friend group. He's my best friend, yes, but he's not close to my other friends. Plus I want to be able to talk to them about him. I can't exactly do that if he's there, right?

"Maybe you should've planned sooner," Dylan retorted and I stared at him.

"It's November 30th. How much earlier could you have wanted me to plan?" I retorted.

"I don't know. September...October..." my brother responded and I let out a frustrated grunt.

"Look, I'm sure we can figure something out. We haven't even chosen a day yet," Axel attempted to calm.

"December 23rd," I claimed but at the same time the date came out of my mouth, my brother said it, too.

"Are you guys twins or something?" Isaiah asked curiously.

"I called it first," my brother responded and I shook my head.

"No, you didn't. I did," I told him.

"I'm older, therefore, what I say goes," Dylan started and I narrowed my eyes at him.

"You can't do that man. That's just unfair," Demetri shook his head.

"Exactly!" I retorted, shaking my head.

"This is the last Christmas I'm going to have with my friends," my brother retorted.

"There's always next Christmas," I retorted.

"I'm going to be in college," he answered without skipping a beat.

"You're going to come home for break, right?" I barked. "Half of them are still going to be here." The juniors and Miles, at least. I'm not sure where the other seniors are going for college and what they plan on doing.

"I claim the 23rd," my brother insisted and the bell rang. "Try again next year. Now get to class."

Before I could snap at him, he walked away and I was left with a feeling of anger in the pit of my stomach. The guys slowly drifted off and Axel was left standing beside me with an awkward smile on his face. "You could always do the 24th..." he started. I shot him a glare and he immediately quieted down, but only for a short period of time. "Are we still on for shopping later?" he asked and I gave him a short, curt nod before leading the way to Chemistry.

Later on that day, when my mom was finally able to get back to me about my request to have a get together on the 23rd, I smirked triumphantly, prepared to tell my brother about my plans for the 23rd. However, before I could even see him, he texted me a screenshot of his conversation with our mom. Like my message, she agreed to let him have friends over on the 23rd. I responded with a similiar message, including a picture of the response I'd recieved.

I texted my father, knowing he'd put me first seeing as I never have my friends over. I guess Dylan had the same idea because he told me that we'll talk about it later at dinner. I let out an annoyed grunt before putitng my phone away. I guess I'll have to wait.

+ + +

"Mom I told you about my plans on Thanskgiving!" I called when the topic was brought up.

"I told you about mine, dad," Dylan announced and my mom and dad looked at each other.

"Why don't you guys just do something together?" my mom asked curiously.

"There's not enough room in the basement for that," I responded.

"How many people are going?" my mom asked and I began trying to count.

"Like fifteen," my brother rounded and my father sighed.

"How do you expect to feed all of those hungry teenagers?" my father asked.

"Pizza," I answered simply. "But my friends and I already had something planned out."

"Stupid secret santa," my brother retorted across the table. "It's nothing important."

I looked at him, already annoyed. "It's more important than sitting in the basement doing nothing," I barked. "And he always has his friends over! The only person I ever have over is Axel."

"Alright, enough. Either you two have your events together or no one does anything," my father barked.

"Anything also includes going to other people's houses," my mother piped.

"But mom-," I started and she looked at me with a firm expression on her face so I quieted down.

"Fine, but you can't invite Sam," my brother spoke.

"You can't tell me who I can and can't invite," I retorted.

"Why don't you want Sam here?" my father asked.

"Because it's awkward," Dylan responded and I looked at my brother pointedly. Don't you dare. He looked at me as if he had something to hold against me.

"Why?" my mom asked.

Before I could lie to my parents and tell them that I rejected Sam at homecoming, my brother spoke. "Because he likes her but she likes someone else, and that someone else is going to be at the gathering."

My parents looked at me expectantly but I was too busy glaring at my brother, who was smirking at me triumphantly, as if he'd just won our argument. Given, he had won, but he played dirty and he knows it. "Who do you like?" my mom asked curiously and I rolled my eyes at my brother before turning to her.

"No one, he doesn't even know what he's talking about," I responded, shaking my head.

"Is it one of Dyl's friends?" my mom proceeded to question, disregarding my statement completely and I shook my head.

"Mom, I don't like anyone," I lied again.

"Who does she like?" my mom asked Dylan. My father was listening curiously too and the last thing I need is him knowing that I like Axel. Axel would never be able to come over without someone being here and he'd be forced to spend time with me in the living room. That's no fun at all.

"I promised I wouldn't say but it's not too hard to figure out," my brother answered and I glared at him.

My mom looked at me with narrowed eyebrows. "You said you didn't..." she trailed.

"I don't," I retorted already knowing where she was going with this. I turned my attention to my phone, which had just vibrated with a new text message. "Can I be excused? Axel's outside; we're going Christmas shopping for secret santa."

"Speak of the devil and he shall appear," my brother muttered as I shoved my chair back. I turned to look at him and I saw my father's eyebrows rise.

"You like Axel?" my dad inquired.

"No," I answered almost immediately but my face was going red with embarrassment. Knowing my parents, they'd probably interpret it as a blush.

"Why'd you lie to me?" my mom asked as I stood up.

"I don't-," I started but my father motioned for me to sit back down and I did, glaring at my brother as I did.

After answering a series of questions from my parents, I had to run upstairs, grab my coat and my purse, and come all the way back downstairs, past my judgmental family members, and into the cold, wet weather. I didn't fail to notice how they all stood obnoxiously close to the window in hopes of catching a glimpse of me and Axel doing something we shouldn't be. They didn't believe me when I said that we weren't romantically involved. For some reason, they feel like Axel and I are going to have an intense makeout session upon my arrival in his car. Despite the fact that I told them he wasn't into me, they didn't let up on the new set of rules I'd have to face.

I got into Axel's car, sighing loudly when I did. He looked at me curiously and I glanced behind him to find my family all peeking through the window. "Just drive," I insisted and he nodded before taking off down the street. Once we were far enough from my house, I looked at him and sighed. "Dylan told them."

"Told who what?" he asked in a way that made me curious. He seemed like he had something to hide.

"He told me parents that I like you," I clarified and his eyebrows shot up.

"Why?" he asked.

"Because he's a brat, that's why," I retorted in annoyance. "And now, even though I told them that you don't like me, you still have to follow the rules."

"The rules?" he asked with his eyebrows now furrowed. "Like, the couple rules?"

"Yes," I responded. "We might as well just not hang out at my house anymore."

"So no more hanging out in your room?" he asked. "No more sleeping over? No more hanging out when your parents aren't home?"

I looked at him and nodded my head. "Nope, none of that." All of the innocent things we would do are now completely off limits thanks to Dylan's stupid existence. "And now it's going to be awkward because they're going to pop up randomly when we're hanging out. We're not going to have any privacy."

"There's always my house," he shrugged.

"Yeah I'll have to lie to my parents in order to go. I'll have to say that your parents are there or that I'm going over someone else's house. And Dylan won't let that happen," I grumbled.

"We'll figure something out," he told. "Don't worry about it. Let's just work on getting Oliver his gift."

We reached the mall and after telling my friend what Oliver likes, he stood for a minute thinking. A second later he started walking and I followed him, wondering how he feels about the whole 'my parents think we're dating' situation. He probably hates me for even entertaining the idea long enough for them to get the idea that we're a thing.

"How about this?" Axel asked, holding up a t-shirt with a band name I'd heard Oliver mention more than a few times. "Or this?" He motioned to a large mug with yet another iconic image staining it's front. I wasn't sure if Oliver liked them, but I do know that Oliver loves coffee. If only I could find a mug with a logo that corresponds to Oliver's interests.

"Are there are any other mugs?" I asked him curiously as I thumbed through the t-shirts. I grabbed the size I figured Oliver would wear, plucking it from it's place on the rack and throwing it over my forearm. I waited behind Axel as he stood on the tips of his toes to reach the highest shelf in the store. Shifting through the mugs, he began listing the images portrayed on the kitchenware. When he finally named something remotely related to Oliver's interests, I told him to grab it and watched as he slowly returned to the heels of his feet, handing me the mug with a satisfied smile on his face.

"I think this is good," I nodded as I looked at the gifts.

"Why are you buying them so early?" he asked curiously and I shrugged.

"If I had waited another week, nothing would be here," I told Axel as we approached the register.

We ventured throughout the mall, looking for a cheap place to buy a gift bag and a card. All the while, I felt Axel's gaze on me as I surveyed the area, which was already embellished in Christmas decorations. Lights shone throughout the large halls and the sound of overplayed Christmas jingles floated through my head.

Finally, growing uncomfortable under his gaze, I stopped and turned to Axel. "What?" I asked, earning a head shake in response. He had a smile on his face and I wanted to know what was the cause of it. Did I have food or something on my cheek? I wasn't able to check before leaving my house earlier. I was in a rush to escape. "What?" I repeated, more stern and he chuckled, shaking his head.

"Nothing," he responded and I narrowed my eyes at him.

"What is it?" I asked and he glanced up at the ceiling before turning the other way. I could see he was still grinning. "Axel!"

"Look up," he instructed and I glanced up at the ceiling to see a small, green and red plant hanging above our heads. Taking a step back, I squinted, only to find that it was a mistletoe. My eyes widened slightly and my cheeks burned a bit. I looked at Axel and he was smirking at me. "We walked under three of them since we left the store." I stared at him, unsure of what to do. Are we going to kiss? If so, is it going to happen three times? Or are we going to just laugh it off and pretend it didn't happen?

"Oh," I finally managed to utter. I looked down at the ground, examining the tiles. Dark blue. Black. White.

"I'm giving you an opportunity to kiss me...not once, not twice, but three times," he suddenly announced. His boldness surprised me. He's always been blunt but it still managed to make my cheeks redden a bit more when the words left his mouth.

"What if I don't want to kiss you?" I muttered. I don't want him to feel like he has to let me kiss him because of a stupid leaf. I want him to want to kiss me.

He was silent for a few seconds and I was too scared to look up. "Well that's a shame because I want to kiss you," he spoke and I felt my stomach clench.

Am I imagining things? Did he really just say that? Deciding to ask him to repeat himself, I looked up with furrowed brows. "What?" I asked and he took a step closer.

"I said, that's a shame because I want to kiss you."

I swallowed harshly, rubbing my hands along my jeans as I stared at him. "So..." I trailed, unsure of what to say. I could've told him to do it but then he would've asked me if I wanted to kiss him. I didn't exactly want to be put on the spot like that and have to say yes, that I did.

"So we should get going because you know, you totally don't want to kiss me," he said before turning on his heel. I stood there before sighing.

"Wait," I started and he turned around looking triumphant. Deciding not to give in to his egotistical game, I held out the bag. "Can you hold this? My arm is getting tired."

With narrowed eyes and an annoyed huff, he grabbed the bag. We finally found a store that sold gift bags and I went in alone, seeing as Axel was sporting a small attitude. I was the one smirking triumphantly now. After I bought the bag and a card, I left the store to find Axel leaning against the wall talking to a girl from school. I recognized her as Tammy. She's in my science class.

I slowly approached the talking pair, slightly nervous. Am I interrupting something? I slowed to a stop a few feet away, trying to make eye contact with Axel but he seemed to be avoiding it. I took another step forward and another and then another. Soon enough I was standing beside Axel, making eye contact with Tammy, who blinked a few times before realizing that I wasn't some random stranger listening in on their conversation.

"Hey," she greeted me with a small smile. I nodded at her, waiting for them to finish their conversation. "So Axel, I'll just text you the details later."

"Alright," Axel smiled and I felt my heart sink a little. She texts him? She waved before jogging to catch up with a few of her friends, who were waiting for her not too far ahead. When she reached them, she turned around and gave Axel one last wave.

"Since when have you been friends with Tammy?" I asked curiously as we headed in the direction of the parking lot.

He shrugged. "I wouldn't call us friends. She's more like...an acquaintance."

"And you text her?" I replied and he chuckled.

"Why does it matter?" he asked with a raised eyebrow and I shrugged.

"It doesn't," I answered. "I was just wondering."

"She was just inviting me to a party. I doubt I'm going to go," he responded and I felt a sense of relief form in my stomach.

"Oh..." I trailed as the automatic doors opened, letting us into the cool air of the parking lot. He held the bags in his hands as he led the way to the car and I stared at his back, thinking about his feelings for me. I'm about 90% sure he likes me. But there's a 10% chance that he's just having fun with this. I guess I'll have to find out.

He opened the backdoor of the car, shoving the bags onto the seat and I stood behind him, a little closer than I should have been. He stood up and wiped his hands off before closing the door. He turned to find me standing before him and quirked a brow. "Are you trying to corner me?" he asked.

"It's hard to do when you're short," I replied and he let out a laugh as he leaned against the car.

"A for effort," he smiled and I took a step closer so that I was standing a foot away from him. "So what do you want to talk about? If you're jealous of Tammy, I'm just going to put it out there that I don't like her, even though it's obvious."

"I didn't think you did," I told him.

"So what do you want to talk about?" he asked, allowing his eyebrows to rise on his face.

"I don't want to talk," I started, hoping he'd catch on. His face transformed and I knew he'd interpreted my words correctly.

He smirked as if he knew what I was getting at. He reached out and grabbed my hand, pulling me forward so that I was a few inches from him, staring into his coffee colored eyes. "This is what you wanted to do right?" he asked. Rather than answering his question I leaned forward and pressed my lips to his in an urgent, seemingly desparate kiss. His hands were gripping my face and I pulled him closer to me by the openings of his jacket. I stopped midkiss to smile, placing my head on his shoulder as a grin took over my face. I felt stupid for breaking away to smile but I couldn't help it. He let out a quiet chuckle as his hand rested on my hip. With a sigh, I kissed his cheek and pulled away, knowing that it was getting late and my parents wouldn't be happy to find that I was out this late on a school night, especially not with Axel after the latest accusations.

As I walked around the car, I tried not to think about how weird it all was. We kiss regularly, according to my friends, but never once have we talked about what we are. I always encourage myself to bring it up but I just haven't found the confidence. I'd do it now but I don't want him to think that I purposefully told my parents that we're dating just to kickstart the process of actually dating, if that's on his mind.

We drove in silence but my mind was loud enough to fill the entire car. It was only when he spoke that I muted my thoughts and tuned into a potential conversation. "You're getting better at it," he blurted.

"Better at what?" I asked, completely lost. Had he been talking for a few minutes but I just wasn't listening?

"Kissing," he responded and I felt my face blush a bit.

"So you're saying I was bad before?" I responded and he shook his head.

"No, I'm just saying that you're getting better," he clarified.

"Practice makes perfect," I muttered as I stared out the window. And we sure do a lot of practicing.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked me. Us. I just sighed, shaking my head.

"Nothing," I lied.

"Remember when we said we wouldn't lie?" he questioned and I nodded.

"Yeah but it's not a lie," I told him. There is no us, therefore I'm thinking about nothing. Unless you consider best friends a thing, which I don't, not in this case at least.

We slowed to a stop in front of my house and I knew he was preparing to walk me to the door. I glanced at the front of the house to see the curtains shifting and I looked at him. "Stay in the car."

"Why?" he asked curiously.

"They're in the windows," I told him and a smirk lined his lips.

"What? Did you intend to kiss me at the door?" he questioned and I rolled my eyes at him.

"They're probably going to want to talk to you and it'll be awkward," I told him as I unbuckled my seatbelt. "Besides, we already kissed once today."

"There are two more where that one came from," he reminded me as he leaned over and got my things from the back, holding them for me. I rolled my eyes yet again.

"Shut up Axel," I muttered, though a smile was threatening to breakthrough my exterior. I opened the door of the car, grabbed the bags from Axel, and got out. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"I'll text you," he responded.

Before I shut the door, I looked back into the car. "But not Tammy, right?" I asked.

With a stupid grin, he shook his head. "Not Tammy."