Chapter 10: Issue... Resolved?

Xavier Kline

I was beginning to despise my closest friend, William Trope, whom I thought would be the one who will support me as I did for him. Seeing him quarrel with her kinda ticked me off knowing that he couldn't even give up his pride for a girl when he already had experienced many of them.

No wonder they dumped him.

Then he goes around saying his exes were losers to even give him a good time. Now that I have mine, he's gonna pick a fight with MY girl? What the hell does he want?

I can tell she's upset when she turned her back on me and miraculously got 10x strength as she grabbed her things from my hand which were quite heavy and walked miles to her home.

Ladies are formidable when angry.

I never realized that because there isn't a single lady in our house since mom left. And mom never paid me much attention so I never knew what kind of anger that is. All I know is that I'm never crossing her in the future.

William seemed unfazed by it all, he smirked behind me while Jenna was still trying to make sense of the situation.

"What on earth did you guys do?" Jenna demanded as she glared at us probably wondering why Dawn stormed off.

"She picked a fight with me and stormed off." William smirks.

"No, you started a fight and I dragged her away before she punches you in the face." I explained to her.

"Dude-" He shot me a look.

"You better stop this nonsense before knock your lights out." I grabbed his collar. "Don't ever forget that you are riding my coattails."

That shut him up.

"Whatever that is, I warn you, she's a devil to be messed with." Jenna said before leaving us boys behind as she hailed a taxi.

I tried to my best to let her reconsider but it failed miserably that night. Now I'm up all night and restless trying to make it right between the two. I blamed it on William, the jerk he was in front of her.

The anxiety of knowing she's angry at me couldn't get me in mood for the day. I feel like seeing her would deepen the tension making it worse, as much as I wanted to, there's no clue how she'll respond. During second period, I texted her if she can have lunch with me.

My hands were sweating as I typed on my phone then quickly put it away as I waited for her reply. It took the whole period for me to feel my phone vibrate with her reply.

Sure. But Jenna wanted to have lunch with me too, is that ok? It says.

No prob, I replied.

Thank u! She texted back.

That's when I confirmed it was okay between us, or so I thought?

During lunch, I sat with her and her friend Jenna ignoring the other kids glancing at me like I punched the cafeteria lady and acted like it was nothing.

"Hi." I greeted them wearing an awkward smile.

Dawn smiled with a mouthful of burrito in response.

I sat on the opposite side facing her and looked at Jenna. Trust me, it made my tension feel lighter when I look at another person than the one who seem to have a heavy cloud of uncertainty with me yet.

"How's your day?" I asked, trying to sound casual.

"It's fine." She replied calmly like she used to. "You?"

"Same. Did you make it to the team?"

"Yes. Gladly."

I'm quite sure that sounded sarcastic, but I swallowed my gut and kept a chill mood while it's still there. The three of us get along well when we talk about each other's day. Contrast to the other guys, especially when I hang out with William who only gossips about losers, jocks, hot cheerleaders and plans about their next move to stir trouble among themselves. Of course, as a man my noble father raised, I practically let them be and often make excuses to avoid being in trouble with them. I'm a good ol' kid who never disappoints my dad, and that is what I brag on.

That good moment shattered when William and his new girl/ex because they got back together after a breakup, Caroline, joined us at the table along with a couple of his boys.

I can see Dawn's smile fading when William sat beside me scooting me away from her direction and now I'm facing Jenna. Caroline sat on his lap showing public display of affection and kissed him on the cheek as if to make him look like a boss.

"What up?" He looked at me mischievously.

"Oh come on." I scoffed.

"What? I'm just trying to make peace." He placed a hand on my shoulder. "We good Everhart?"

"Not quite sure about that." She smiled dryly.

"Hey," He said sternly. "I'm tryna be resolve this with you cuz I can't stand being ignored by my friend here all day because I pissed his girlfriend off."

"That's so sweet." She said flatly, without a bit off sympathy to his face. Caroline sitting on his lap looked confused now.

"C'mon Everhart. I know you have at least a bit of heart in there. It's not so often that I asked." William looked at her with fake remorse.

I saw a glint of her eyes as she shifted her posture.

"I wouldn't want to end your impeccable friendship with my... boyfriend," she said hesitant. "How about you apologize?"

Wait.

She accepted my claim that we're dating? Yesterday she gave me a warning and got me in shambles to think of another way to resolve that issue, even though I was disappointed, I know it was wrong. But now she changed her mind?

I can see William's veins showing up, the usual occurence whenever he is angry. But for our friendship's sake, he apologized. I am very grateful he still values our bro-bond.

I guess it was right to put up an act after all.