Eighteen again: TWO

Rachel's words burst forth like a dam breaking as soon as they were out of the class, her concern and confusion mingling.

"Why would you march up to Jake Anders like that? Are you nuts? I know you've always liked him, but he doesn't even know you. Since when did you become so bold?"

Lexi shrugged, her cheeks still flushed.

"I just wanted him to notice me."

Rachel's expression turned skeptical.

"You went about it the wrong way. Now he's going to think you're crazy."

Lexi sighed, defeat etched on her face.

"Tell me about it."

Rachel's tone softened.

"Lexi, what's going on? You're acting really weird today."

Lexi hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. Rachel would think she had gone nuts too.

"Nothing, just...I don't know. I feel like I've been here before."

Rachel raised an eyebrow.

"Like déjà vu?"

Lexi nodded.

"Exactly. And Jake...I feel like I know him, but he doesn't know me."

Rachel's expression turned thoughtful.

"You've been watching him from afar for a long time now, of course you would think you know him but going over to meet him like that was a bad idea. Maybe you should take a step back, Lexi. Let him get to know you naturally."

Lexi nodded, knowing Rachel was right.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The cafeteria buzzed with energy, filled to the brim with students eager for a midday break. Laughter and conversations swirled around Lexi and Rachel as they sat at their table.

Lexi picked on her food as her gaze wandered, her eyes settling on Emily, who had claimed the seat beside Jake. Emily's flawless smile lit up the table, and her laughter echoed through the room, drawing everyone's attention.

Emily said something and Jake's eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled back at Emily's words, and Lexi's heart twisted.

She poked listlessly at her food, her appetite vanishing. The jealousy rising within her was unmistakable.

Why did Emily always seem to effortlessly capture Jake's attention? The thought gnawed at Lexi.

Rachel noticed Lexi's distraction and reached out, concern etched on her face.

But Lexi's focus remained fixed on Jake and Emily.

Lexi's mind whirled with insecurities. Why couldn't she be the one making Jake laugh? She felt like an outsider, watching Emily effortlessly claim Jake's attention.

As she pushed her food around her plate, Lexi's thoughts drifted back to their earlier encounter. Jake's confused expression still lingered in her mind.

Her gaze remained fixed on Jake and Emily, her tension building. Emily leaned in, her lips brushing against Jake's ear, whispering something that made his curve into a smile.

Lexi's grip on her fork tightened, her knuckles whitening as saw him smile. She felt a pang in her chest, as if she'd been punched.

Unable to bear the sight, Lexi tore her eyes away, focusing on her messy plate. The food blurred together, her appetite gone.

Rachel's concerned voice broke the spell. "Are you alright?"

Lexi forced a nod, trying to appear nonchalant. "I am."

Just as Rachel was about to speak, a familiar voice echoed from behind Lexi, that familiar voice she could recognize anywhere. It was Megan, with her signature sharp tone.

"Hi Megan," Rachel said, her greeting neutral.

Megan plopped down on a seat beside Rachel, her eyes locking onto Lexi with a mischievous glint. "Hey Chel, Lexi."

Lexi's response was half-hearted. "Hi Megan." She said unenthusiastically.

She wasn't in the mood for Megan's usual snarky comments.

Megan didn't disappoint. "Why do you always look like you were picked from a pit?" She said eyeing Lexi's baggy clothes. "And what was that nonsense you did in class?"

Rachel jumped to Lexi's defense. "She didn't mean that, Meg, she—"

But Lexi surprisingly cut her off, her words laced with a newfound boldness. "And why do you always talk like you have a mouth leakage?"

Megan's eyes widened in shock. "Excuse me?"

Lexi understood Megan's surprise. She had never stood up to Megan before, always relying on Rachel to intervene.

The table fell silent, as Lexi met Megan's intense gaze with hers.

Megan's face reddened, her voice dripping with venom. "You've grown a spine right? So now you think you're tough, huh? Standing up to me?"

Lexi's heart pounded, but she refused to back down. "Just calling it like I see it, Megan."

The students around the table sensing the escalating conflict turned to watch.

Rachel intervened, placing a calming hand on Lexi's arm. "Hey, let's not—"

But Megan wouldn't let go. "You think you're better than me now? After that little scene with Jake?"

Lexi's eyes flashed. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Megan sneered. "Everyone saw you throw yourself at him. Pathetic."

Lexi's face burned, but she held her ground. "At least I don't rely on put-downs to feel important."

The air seemed to vibrate with tension as Megan's eyes narrowed, her expression turned uglier, her voice dripping with malice.

"You think you're witty, Lexi? Newsflash: you're still the same nobody you've always been."

Lexi's eyes locked onto Megan's, her tone steady. "And you're still the same bully."

Rachel stood up, her voice firm. "Megan, that's enough."

But Megan wouldn't relent. "Or what? You'll defend her again? Like always?"

Lexi's face darken. Why hadn't she ever stood up for herself? "I don't need Rachel to defend me, Megan. I can handle you."

Megan sneered, her eyes flashing. "We'll see about that." She said and turned, walking away.

Rachel's face lit up with a radiant smile as she turned to Lexi. "What was that? How come I didn't know you have that tough side in you all these while?" she asked, her voice filled with excitement and curiosity.

Lexi's lips curled into a matching smile. "Well, the reserved pushover Lexi is dead," she declared, her tone exuding confidence.

Rachel's eyes sparkled with amusement, clearly thrilled by Lexi's newfound assertiveness.

Lexi's thoughts drifted to her past experiences. At thirty-five, she had faced her share of challenges, and Megan's jabs were merely a scratch on the surface.

"I like that," Rachel said, her smile still wide and infectious.

Lexi's heart swelled with gratitude as she gazed at Rachel. Grateful that despite life's ups and downs, nineteen years from now, Rachel's smile remained unchanged – bright, warm, and uplifting.

That, even at thirty five, Rachel's cheerful spirit remained unwavering. That she remained a happy person.

Lexi smiled back, feeling a deep connection to her friend.