Chapter 5: An Attempt to Make Amends

"And then he just tackled him!" Camilla explained in detail as I shoved the taco in my mouth, rolling my eyes. She was retelling the story of the fight on Friday to Oliver, who'd left before the entire thing occurred. "And he was just punching him!"

"Seriously?" Oliver asked.

"Yeah!" she responded. "And then when they pulled him off of the guy, he said, 'He hit the love of my life!' It was crazy."

I practically choked on my chicken taco as I stared at Camilla, who looked amused. "That last part didn't happen," I told Oliver, recovering from my coughing fit.

"Sure it didn't." Oliver laughed.

"I was there and I can vouch that it definitely did happen," Sidney responded.

"Speaking of the love of Axel's life, look who it is," Oliver announced quietly as the familiar strawberry blonde made her way through the cafeteria, toward Axel. Oliver received a slap in the arm from Cam and a look from Sidney. I stared at them in confusion before turning to watch Victoria saunter across the room.

Axel can't make fun of my taste in guys because his taste in girls isn't much better. I may like nerds but he's attracted to clingy, obsessive girls. I mean, she doesn't look like it from the outside with her shoulder length hair, her large blue eyes, and her naturally pink cheeks, but she's crazy.

"How much do you want to bet she switched out of her lunch period to be in this one?" Sidney snorted. Just as my friend whispered this, Victoria flipped her hair, causing her to turn her head. Her eyes met with mine and instead of the usual, forced smile, a glare appeared. It definitely caught me off guard because my eyebrows jumped up and I could only stare at her.

"Did you guys see that?" I asked my friends.

"Well, at least she's not doing that stupid smile anymore. She looked like she was constipated when she'd do it," Camilla responded, imitating her. I let out a quiet laugh before turning back to see what she was doing. She approached Axel and they talked for a minute. A few of the guys looked at her and nodded, earning an actual smile in response. I had to squint to see and I definitely couldn't hear a word she was saying, but that's okay because I probably wouldn't like it.

"What's she doing?" Oliver asked and I shushed him, even though his voice made no difference to my ability to hear, not that I could before.

Axel stood up and swung his bag around one of his arms, allowing her to take his hand in hers. My eyes flickered down to their entwined hands before looking back up at the pair. As they edged toward the cafeteria, I prepared to turn around, only deciding not to once she looked at me again, shooting me a look of malice before she leaned up and kissed Axel. I wrinkled up my face, cringing slightly at the forced nature of the kiss, but then again, she forces a lot of things. My stomach clenched and I felt my mood drop a bit.

I looked back at my friends and they were all staring at me with looks of consideration on their faces. "You okay?" Sid asked and I furrowed my eyebrows.

"Why wouldn't I be?" I inquired casually as I moved around the food on my plate, my appetite lost.

"You know...just wondering," Oliver responded.

+++

"I don't think your girlfriend likes me very much," I said to Axel the period after lunch.

"Why do you say that?" he asked as he sipped a bottle of water.

"Because she looked at me like she wanted to kill me in the lunch room," I responded. "She used to at least attempt to smile at me. I mean, she looked constipated and generally in pain when she did it but she still tried."

"Don't feel bad," he responded. "She doesn't really like anyone I talk to, especially if they're female."

"Yeah, I figured as much," I informed him before sitting down in the seat beside him. I didn't want to tell him that the kiss they shared, though it looked uncomfortable, seemed to be a territorial thing. I didn't want him thinking that I have feelings for him and that their intimacy bothered me.

"Maybe if you spent time with her, it wouldn't be so bad," he explained and I stared at him.

"Why would I do that?" I asked. I mean, I'm not friends with him anymore. Why should I bond with his girlfriend? Her opinions of me having no meaning, and my opinions of her have no meaning, so why should I let her get to know me and vice versa?

Before he could answer, the late bell rang, reminding me that class has officially started. I got up, walking over to my seat between Sidney and Camilla, allowing Miles to return to his usual seat beside Axel. When I sat down, Cam whispered to me, asking what we were talking about. "He thinks I should hang out with his girlfriend," I snorted. "Yeah, like that's going to happen."

"Well, maybe it's not a bad idea," she responded, earning a nod of agreement from Sid. I looked at the two of them and shook my head. Are they crazy? "Maybe, if you get closer to Victoria, you can get closer to him. She's the thing that ended the friendship, right?"

"What makes you think I want to be friends with him?" I responded.

"Don't be stupid," Cam snapped and I sighed, looking at the table.

"What would we even talk about? We have nothing in common," I responded.

"You don't know that. And you won't know that until you spend some time with her. At least try. Then Axel will know you're making an effort, even if it doesn't work out," Sid added and I sighed.

"Maybe this is the first step to becoming his friend again," Cam blurted.

"Fine, I'll try, but if she ends up in the hospital with broken bones, don't blame me," I responded dryly as I sat back with my arms across my chest.

As class came to an end, I made sure to reach Axel before he could leave. "Hey."

He turned around to look at me, quirking an eyebrow. "No rude comment?"

"Oh, sorry," I responded, glaring at him. "Hey, idiot."

"What?" he asked as he lifted his bag on his back.

"I was thinking about what you said..." I trailed.

"What did I say?" he asked. With a frustrated sigh, I glared at my feet. Maybe I shouldn't even bother.

"Victoria," I told him. "You said that I should try and get to know her."

"Oh, yeah, what about it?" he asked.

"I was thinking that maybe I could hang out with her," I said. As soon as the words left my mouth, I knew I'd be regretting them. It's the equivalent to saying: 'I'd love to swim in shark infested waters with a swim suit made strictly out of raw meat.'

"Really?" he asked, his eyebrows jumping up in shock. "Like, seriously?"

"Like, seriously," I mocked him.

"Okay...well, I guess I can run the idea by her," he told me. "I have my next class with her."

I sighed as I looked at him. "Okay, but if we hang out and she says something, I won't hold back..." I trailed.

"I know you won't," Axel added and I was surprised that he didn't threaten me in response.

"So run it by her, see what she thinks, then get back to me," I told him through gritted teeth. I think this pains me more than my back the day after the party.

+++

"She said she'll do it," Axel announced from behind me, causing me to jump. I tucked my book neatly in my bag, watching as Axel slammed my locker shut. Good thing I got all of my books out of it before that, or else I'd be a bit annoyed.

"Okay, good," I responded. "When?"

"She's free tonight if you are," he explained and I looked at him. That is not enough time to mentally prepare. "In fact, I can drop you both off at the mall."

I continued to stare at him. Am I seriously doing this? Is he really worth it? "Okay," I responded as I swung my bag over my shoulder.

He looked as shocked as I did once the word left my mouth. "You're really going to do this?" he asked me and I shrugged tensely.

"What do I have to lose?" I questioned. My cool, that's one.

"Your temper," he replied as if I hadn't mentally reminded myself of that.

"I'll be fine," I told him. "Or, she'll be fine."

"Axel!" her voice called from the opposite end of the hall. We stopped walking, waiting for her to catch up. "Hey, Alexis." I was thoroughly surprised by the smile on her face. It looked genuine. But at lunch, she was glaring daggers at me. She's good.

"Hi, Victoria," I greeted her, trying to sound cheerful but failing. I sounded more like a funeral goer.

"Are you guys ready?" Axel questioned before the conversation could go any further.

"Yeah," we answered in unison and I stared at the ground. I'm going to regret this.

I guess the guys weren't aware that I was going to be leaving with Victoria and Axel because they were standing in front of our truck, staring in awe as I followed behind the couple. I looked at them, mouthing the words 'help me' but instead of actually doing as I asked, they laughed loudly. I let out a quiet breath as I got into the backseat of Axel's car, because Victoria obviously got the front passenger's seat.

"So what time do you guys want to be picked up?" Axel asked, breaking the silence as we arrived at the mall. If we couldn't even talk in the car with Axel there, how are we expected to talk in the mall?

"I'll text you," Victoria responded as she unbuckled her seatbelt. I reached into my bag to get my wallet, seeing as I was going to just leave my backpack in the backseat. When I looked up from digging around, I noticed that Victoria was practically leaning over the glove box to eat Axel's face. I held back a gag before simply grabbing my entire bag. I got out of the car, closing the door and waiting three entire minutes before Victoria got out of the car, waving at him. I didn't bother saying bye to Axel. Instead, I made my way to the malls entrance, listening as Victoria followed close behind.

As soon as we entered the mall, she advanced towards a clothing store. I didn't bother to say anything or ask any questions. Instead, I followed her, glaring at her back. Her strawberry blonde hair bounced as she practically skipped to the store. She was wearing jeans and a blouse, along with a pair of flats. She turned around to make sure I was coming, standing there, waiting patiently. Her innocent blue eyes and plump pink lips were a dead giveaway as to why Axel was attracted to her. I didn't see much innocence behind her eyes though, not after that glare she gave me today in the cafeteria.

When I reached her, she looked at me. "Try to keep up. We're hanging out, you know?" she asked in her sweet voice. Though the words could be taken as annoyed, the way she said them made them sound like she was genuinely enjoying the idea of spending time with me. I wanted to snort aloud but I simply nodded. I'm not going to be the first one to say something rude. I'm going to let her say it first.

As we entered the store, she approached the first rack she saw. I took the time to examine the store. I've been in here a few times, mostly for Sidney. But whenever we came, Oliver managed to get me out of shopping with the girls. He'd take me to the store across the hall, a video game store. I'm not much of a gamer but I'm definitely not an avid shopper either, especially not for colors such as these.

"What's your favorite color?" she asked randomly and I looked at her, unsure as to whether or not the question was aimed towards me. After looking around a few times, I answered her. "Blue?" she asked me, saying the word as if it was disappointing.

"Yeah, I like blue," I told her again.

"I like yellow," she announced. I didn't ask, I wanted to say, but I held myself back.

"Yellow's cool," I decided to go with.

"So how long have you known Axel?" she inquired and I smirked at the rack of clothing I was facing. Now she's getting to the good stuff, the stuff that'll give me the right to beat her to a bloody pulp...with words of course. But that's only if it comes down to it. I had to keep reminding myself that the entire reason I'm here is to help my odds in becoming friends with Axel again, not to verbally assault his girlfriend.

"Since the sixth grade," I told her. We became best friends in the seventh after our teacher slipped on a patch of ice and we both got sent to the principal's office for laughing at her. I saved him by telling the principal that he was laughing at a joke I made. I even remember the joke I told the principal as a cover; I'm reading a book about anti-gravity, I can't put it down. It's stupid, I know, but to this day, it makes me laugh. I wonder if I told Axel, would he remember?

"How long have you liked him?" she inquired and I narrowed my eyes. Wow way to be blunt.

"I haven't ever liked him," I told her. I had a sense of guilt flowing through me like I lied. Did I lie? I decided not to think about it too much. I've gotten this far by putting off the analysis of my feelings towards Axel; let's not let it get me down right now when the confession could get me into a tight spot with his girlfriend.

"Come on," she said as if she was my friend trying to get a secret out of me. "I mean, look at him. You've known him for that long and you're telling me you've never had a crush on him?"

I looked at her. Shouldn't she be telling me that I better not have a crush on him? Oh wait, she's manipulative and she's trying to be friendly to get the answer out of me. "No," I responded.

"Are you into girls?" she added as an afterthought.

"No," I answered. "I just haven't had feelings for Axel."

"Ever?" she asked me and I asked myself the question. Have I? I mean, there was that time in the ninth grade that he asked me to be his valentine and I was really happy, but we ended up blowing our plans to go see a movie just to sit at home and play videogames and eat junk food. But did I like him? I hesitated for a minute, which was my mistake. "I knew it."

"What are you talking about?" I asked her, trying to play dumb.

"You hesitated, which means you've liked him at some point," she told me.

"You didn't even give me five seconds to answer," I responded, clenching my teeth.

"You shouldn't need five seconds to answer," she responded, keeping her voice oddly leveled. "You wouldn't have to think if you've never liked him."

I rolled my eyes at her. "You're crazy."

"No, I'm just cautious," she told me, staring at me as if challenging me to freak out. "You know, there was a reason you and him stopped being friends."

Yeah, and it's called Victoria. "Yeah?" I asked. Let's see what she thinks this reason is.

"You're too demanding," she responded. Is she serious? I wanted to look around to see if she's talking to me. I'm too demanding? Says the one that calls him every hour on the hour!

"How so?" I inquired with crossed arms.

"Whenever we were hanging out, you'd complain that he never spent time with you," she explained. "You'd demand he'd cancel our plans."

Is she kidding me? She's got to be kidding me? She really is crazy! She's the clingy one! She was the one who would insist that they went on three dates a week! She'd read his text messages! She'd demand he give her all his social media passwords! "That's funny."

"Yeah, why do you say that?" she asked in a passive aggressive tone. I could tell she was trying her best not to flip out.

"Because you're the clingy one," I told her as I chuckled. "'Axel, take me out tonight.' 'Axel, let's go out.' 'Axel, come over.' 'Axel, let's go here.' 'Axel, this.' 'Axel, that.' Don't you have anyone else to spend time with other than Axel?"

Her face was red and her fists were clenched at her sides. "Well, I think it's obvious who's more important to him," she blurted.

"Is it?" I inquired.

"Who did he choose in the end and who still has him?" she asked, trumping me. How do I respond to that?

I wish I had something to throw in her face. Why couldn't I have kissed Axel at least once in the span of our friendship? Why couldn't we have done something that I can throw at her to catch her off guard? "But somehow, he keeps finding his way back to me."

She stopped smirking and looked at me with narrowed eyes. "What are you talking about?"

I shrugged as I stared at the clothes that surrounded me. "I mean, yeah, you had him for a few months, but we never really stopped talking. We'd see each other all the time when he'd come over my house, when we'd video chat, when we'd talk on the phone. And where was he the day he got back from his vacation? My house." All of this is true in a sense. He was over my house; we just didn't acknowledge each other, never mind talk. We'd insult each other whenever he was video chatting or talking on the phone to Dylan or any of the other guys. And he was at my house when he returned from his vacation.

She glared at me with her red face and pursed mouth. "Dylan had a welcome back party for him."

I laughed breathily, smiling at her with slightly furrowed eyebrows. "That's what he told you?"

"I was on the phone with him! I heard the guys in the background!" she snapped.

"Why do you think he hung up so quickly?" I asked her as I grabbed the circular rack of clothing, spinning it around with a smirk on my lips.

Her breathing was heavy and she let out a frustrated scream. Everyone in the store looked at her as she stormed out of the shop. I had a happy grin on my face as I continued to look around the store for nothing in particular.

+++

I was surprised when I'd felt my phone vibrate and Axel's name appeared. I never deleted his contact in hopes that we'd become friends again. I answered it. "Hello?" I asked.

"It's Axel," he announced as if I wouldn't have known.

"Yeah?" I asked, deciding to go with a neutral response. If I'd have said something like 'I know,' then he probably would've taken pity on me, seeing as he most likely deleted my number and just now got it from one of the guys.

"Where are you? I'm on my way," he replied.

"Oh, don't worry about it. I've got a ride home," I told him. I assumed that Axel would be coldhearted and reject me if I asked for a ride once he heard what I'd said to his girlfriend; so in a spur of desperation, I'd asked Holden for a ride home. I would have asked Dylan had I thought he'd say yes, but from our house to the mall alone is a half hour. I know he's not willing to do that for me unless I was crying, which I'm not and I won't be anytime soon. Holden, on the other hand, doesn't mind long car rides. So luckily for me, I have a ride home.

"Who?" he inquired.

"Don't worry about it," I told him with a laugh. "Just get your girlfriend and head on home, or, you know, wherever she wants to go."

Axel let out a scoff before hanging up, leaving me laughing as I waited for Holden. When I saw his familiar car pull up, I approached it, getting in the passenger's seat. "Thanks," I told him.

"It's no problem," he responded. "Weren't you supposed to be hanging out with Victoria?"

"Yeah," I told him in amusement. "It didn't go as planned. But then again, there wasn't really a plan."

I talked to Holden, dropping vague hints about what happened as he drove me to my house. When we arrived, he followed me inside and went into the kitchen, where my brother was eating chips. "What are you doing here?" he asked his friend.

"I was just dropping off your sister," he informed Dylan as he ran his hand through his wet hair. I was removing my rain coat and hanging it up.

"From where?" Dylan asked, directing his question towards me.

"A very short, unsuccessful hour with Victoria, that's what," I told him. "Now, if you don't mind, I'm going upstairs to change and get started on my homework." My brother nodded before turning to Holden for more answers, but realized that his friend had none.

It was barely an hour when I heard the front door open and shut noisily. Barely thirty seconds later, the door to my bedroom swung open and I saw Axel standing there, soaked in rain. "Hello, Axel," I greeted him before going back to my homework. "What can I help you with?"

"What did you tell her?" he asked me angrily.

"What do you mean?" I inquired, looking up at him again, pushing my binder to the side.

"What do I mean?" he asked, practically twitching with anger. "What do I mean? You made it sound like I was cheating on her with you!"

"Whoa, slow down there," I told him. "What are you talking about?" I should feel bad for acting like I know nothing of what he's saying, but I wouldn't have phrased the things the way I did if I didn't have a plan in my mind. Now I just have to follow through without messing up.

"You told her that I came over here to spend time with you when I was dating her!" he told me.

I narrowed my eyes at him, pretending to be shocked. "What?" I asked before laughing, causing his eyes to widen. "Wait, that's how she interpreted it? No, Axel, what I said was that you were here spending time with Dylan and the guys. I didn't say a single thing about me."

"You said you video chatted with me while I was on vacation," he responded, his voice a bit quieter when compared to when he first stormed into my room.

"No, I said that you would video chat with Dylan in the basement and you two were laughing so loud that I wouldn't be able to sleep," I told him, staring at him like he was an idiot.

"You said that I was here the day I got back from vacation?" he said more like a question while putting his hand on his neck.

"Well you were, but I said it was for a get-together that Dylan hosted," I replied.

"We talked on the phone?" he questioned.

"How would we talk on the phone if you deleted my number?" I questioned, crossing my arms. Maybe I can kill two birds with one stone. I can find out if he deleted my number and frame his girlfriend as the true psychopath she is.

"I didn't delete your number," he told me quietly and I felt a bit relieved. "Did you delete my number?"

"No," I responded. "But I didn't say anything to her about any phones. She took everything I said out of context," I lied. Oh boy was I on a roll?

"Really?" he asked me.

"Yeah," I told him. "I told you this already but your girlfriend's crazy." Does this whole shenanigan make me just as crazy? Probably. But at least I know I'm being crazy.

"Yeah, well, that's not really news to me," he muttered.

"Since you're here," I began as I got up from my bed, approaching my closet, "I'll just give this to you now." I grabbed his hoodie, removing it from the hanger before handing it to him.

He looked down at it before nodding, stepping back as I held the doorknob in my hand. "Thanks," he murmured and I just bobbed my head before closing the door. I closed my eyes as I pressed my back against it, holding my hand on my chest. My heart was hammering like a drum.