Chapter 4 BEST FRIEND 4

BEST FRIEND 4

Immediately the school was over, Alex immediately packed his bag to leave but before he could finish, Chris already left the class. "Chris wait!" He shouted but Chris didn't stop or turn to him.

Alex finished packing and rushed down the hallway, scanning the crowded corridors for Chris's familiar figure. He spotted him leaning against a locker, arms crossed.

"Chris. Why are you in such a hurry to leave?" He asked, out of breath.

"What? Is there any reason to stay behind?" He asked.

Alex exhaled. "Look, I'm so sorry."

Chris raised an eyebrow. "Sorry for what?"

"For ditching you earlier. I don't know what came over me. I just... snapped."

Chris's expression remained skeptical. "You just snapped? That's it?"

Alex shook his head. "No, there's more. It's just... this new guy, Kaiden. He's... Weird. When I look into his eyes, it's like I'm in a trance or something."

Chris snorted. "A trance? You're not even making sense."

Alex grabbed Chris's arm. "Listen, I know it sounds crazy, but there's something about him. He's mysterious, and I feel drawn to him."

Chris pulled away. "So now you're ditching me for some mysterious newbie?"

"No, it's not like that," Alex protested. "Why don't you understand me," he said, frustration laced in his voice.

"Save it, Alex. Go hang out with your new friend. Leave me alone."

"Chris, come on-"

"No, seriously. Go." Chris turned and walked away.

Alex followed, his frustration growing. "Chris, listen! You don't understand-"

Chris spun around. "I understand perfectly. You're infatuated with some guy you barely know."

"That's not it!" Alex insisted.

Chris raised his hands. "Whatever, Alex. Do what you want. But leave me out of it."

With that, Chris disappeared into the crowd, leaving Alex feeling frustrated and concerned.

Alex watched his best friend leave, he couldn't shake off the feeling that Chris didn't believe him, and that Kaiden was somehow to blame.

As he stood there, lost in thought, a familiar figure appeared beside him.

"Hey, Alex," Kaiden said, his voice low and smooth.

Alex's heart skipped a beat. "What do you want?" He asked, moving backwards.

Kaiden's piercing eyes locked onto Alex's, and he felt that same trance-like sensation.

"What's wrong?" Kaiden asked, his gaze never wavered. "Did your friend abandon you?"

Alex glared at him. He inhaled deeply, trying to brush off the tension. "No, no, it's just... we had a disagreement."

Kaiden's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "What happened?"

Alex hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "I don't know. I just snapped at him."

Kaiden's expression turned thoughtful. "And why do you think that was?"

Alex's frustration resurfaced. "That's what I'm trying to figure out can't you see. Tell me, why did your stare trap me like that?"

Kaiden chuckled, his smile disarming. "I'm not doing anything, Alex. You're just reacting to my charm."

Alex scowled. "No, not that, it's more than that."

Kaiden shrugged. "Maybe you're just drawn to mysterious strangers."

Alex's face warmed. "Chris is my best friend. He'd never hurt me."

Kaiden's expression turned serious. "Yet you snapped at him today."

Alex's irritation grew. "That's not the point. The point is... you."

Kaiden raised an eyebrow. "Me?"

Alex's voice dropped. "Stay away from me, Kaiden. I don't know what you're doing, but it's messing with my head."

Kaiden's smile faded, replaced by a hint of surprise. "Alex, I'm not doing anything to you."

Alex turned to leave, but Kaiden's voice stopped him.

"Alex, wait."

Alex spun back, his eyes locked on Kaiden's. "Just leave me alone."

With that, Alex turned and walked away, leaving Kaiden standing alone in the hallway.

As Alex disappeared into the crowd, Kaiden's gaze lingered, his expression thoughtful.

"You're more intriguing than I thought, Alex," Kaiden whispered to himself, his eyes gleaming with a knowing light, as if he held secrets Alex couldn't begin to comprehend. "I'm watching you, Alexander Blackwood."