Chapter 2 Just Friends

Kierra's POV

Ever laid in your bed late at night, thinking about-well, nothing and everything? If you haven't, then you should. It's really fun and calms the brain. I loved to do it every Friday night, but I guess the universe had other, bigger plans for me this particular Friday. Sadly, that calming activity would have to be postponed, because I couldn't do that right now-against my better judgment.

My jerk-face best friend dragged me to some party on the basis that high school is meant simply for partying, and weekends are meant for having fun. I could have said no, but it's practically impossible to say no to him.

I can't help but think of him every second of the day; he clouds my reasoning, he clouds my brain. Xander Thompson is really everything you want in a boyfriend-he's funny, kind, a badass, and not to mention, extremely hot. He's drool-worthy. Evergreen High's star student. You could say he was a Greek god. Practically all the girls at school wanted him. Sadly, this Greek god was my best friend... not my boyfriend.

It's sad to know that I can never tell him how I feel about him. Because to him, I'll only be just a friend-well, actually, a best friend... and the sister he never had.

Xander is a certified player. He never keeps a girl for more than a week. He just flashes them a smile, and they fall at his feet. After he's done, he drops them for his next catch. Strangely, it gives me a little comfort that he's yet to fall in love, and just a little hope that maybe, someday, he'll see me the way I see him.

"Hey, Bes, what's up?" he said in that playful tone of his, taking a seat by the bar beside me.

"Oh, you know, just being bored..." I said, rolling my eyes as he chuckled.

"You need to get laid, you know," he said casually, while I choked on my punch.

"Xander!" I seethed.

"Chill, Bes, I'm just kidding. You know I'll never let anyone hurt you," he said, making my heart skip a beat.

"You're like my little sister..." he added.

And just like that, the pain came rushing back.

"Yeah, little sister," I repeated, trying to smile as he got comfortable beside me.

"But seriously, you need to date someone. I mean, when was the last time you went on a date with a real guy? And don't give me the lame excuse that no guy would want to ask you out, because that's a total lie. I'm not blind, you know," he added, staring at me.

"Xander..." I sighed, as he started talking about me falling in love again.

Ever since I turned eighteen a few months back, Xander has been trying to get me to date someone. Little does he know I'm already in love with someone. Him. And I don't think I'll ever stop. I never really knew when I started falling for him, but I know for a fact that I can't live without him. And it hurts-so badly-when he's out with other girls. To think I have to pretend like it doesn't bother me when I'm crumbling inside.

Don't get me wrong, I've tried dating. But none of those guys made me feel the way Xander does. Too bad I'm in love with someone who'll never be mine.

"Bes, come on. Just one date-for me. If you don't like the guy, you can break up with him. Just try it so you won't look so moody all the time. Plus, you might be happy," he said.

"I am happy, Xander. I don't need to date anyone," I said, defending myself.

"Please, Bes. Just for me?" he added, flashing those irresistible puppy dog eyes.

"Alright. I'll try-if you stop being a player," I said, fully expecting him to decline.

"Deal."

I practically jumped out of my seat. "What??"

"You go on a date with someone, and I promise my next relationship-I'll try to make it last. I'll do anything for you, Kierra. You should know that by now," he said, grinning.

"So, we have a deal, right? You'll try and fall in love?"

"Umm... that girl behind you seems smitten with you," I blurted out quickly, hoping to change the subject. "She can't keep her eyes off you."

True to my words, the girl behind me was staring intently-well, more at Xander, of course. I'm used to that. Girls always send me killer glares when he pays more attention to me than them.

"Oh really? Is she pretty?" he asked, grinning.

I turned slightly to look at her-and my heart shattered. She wasn't just pretty. She was gorgeous. Perfect curves. Perfect teeth. The kind of girl Xander would fall for instantly.

"Yeah... she's really pretty," I said softly.

"Do you mind?"

"Nope. Knock yourself out."

This always happened. Every party, without fail, he'd find a new girl. By Monday, they'd be dating. And I'd be the one left broken, once again.

Soon, it was time to go home. The party wasn't close to being over, but I had a solid excuse-my curfew. Xander and I came together, as usual. He was practically my personal driver these days. He drove me to school and back, dragged me to parties, and in return, I drove us home when he was too tired.

Our parents were close friends, so staying at his house was no big deal. In fact, it had become a routine. Sometimes, I even felt more at home there than I did at my own house.

After disappearing with that mystery girl for a while, he finally came back. "Okay, Bes, let's go," he said, surprisingly not so drunk.

"You okay?" I asked as we headed to the car.

"Peachy, Kierra," he said with a grin.

"How was the dance?" I asked nervously.

"Oh, with Jennifer? It was great," he replied, eyes sparkling.

Jennifer?

"Got her number, too. We'll be seeing more of her around. I think I like her."

I said nothing. I couldn't. I just nodded as he grabbed the keys.

Jennifer, Jennifer, Jennifer... her name echoed in my mind all the way home. He was smitten, and I had a horrible feeling about her. Maybe she'd be different. Maybe she'd be the one who stuck.

At his house, we were supposed to watch a movie like we always did. But I couldn't. Not tonight.

"Umm, Xander, could you drop me off at my place?" I asked.

"What? But it's Friday. We always watch a movie."

"Yeah, I just don't feel so great. I'm sorry."

"Did something happen at the party? Did someone-?"

"No, no, it's fine. I'm just tired."

"You sure?"

"Yes, Xander. Please."

He didn't push. Just nodded and drove me home. I walked in like a zombie, barely greeted my parents, and collapsed into bed. I wasn't an only child, but with my older brother off at college, I guess it felt that way.

Then Monday came.

Ugh. School. I hoped he'd forget all about Jennifer. But deep down, I knew she'd be back. And worse-she might stay.

"Morning, Mum! Morning, Dad! Bye!" I rushed out the door and ran straight into Xander. He looked amazing, as always-just jeans and a T-shirt, and still managed to look like a model.

He honked.

"Hey, Bes. You okay?"

"Yeah, just tired," I said, hopping in.

━━━━━━━

I'm used to the stares now. Not because of me-I'm invisible. But because of Xander. Captain of the football team. The it-boy. I always sneak past the crowds to my locker, grab my books, and disappear into the lab.

But today, I saw something strange.

A note.

I opened it.

"WHORES LIKE YOU DON'T DESERVE LOCKERS.

#YOU KNOW WHO#"

I tightened my fist. First, it was the restroom. Then insults. Now notes.

It was always the same. Jealous girls. His flings. They hated how close we were. And I couldn't tell him. If I did, he'd dump them. And then what? The next girl would be worse.

"Hey youuuuuu!" Maya said, bouncing up behind me as we headed to the lab.

"Hey. What's wrong? Xander trouble?" she added too loudly.

"Shhh! Someone might hear!"

She already knew. I confessed to her during one of our girl chats that I loved Xander. Since then, she's been begging me to tell him.

"What if they hear? So what? You need to tell him," Maya said.

"But it has to do with him, right?"

I hesitated.

"Yes."

"Alright, alright. We'll talk later. What's wrong?" she asked again.

"This." I handed her the note.

Her eyes turned red with rage.

"This is the last straw, Kierra. Either you tell Xander, or I will. You can't let her treat you like this."

"No, Maya. Don't. I can handle it."

"Handle it? What's next? A slap? You have to tell him."

"No, and that's final," I said just as the bell rang.

I kept convincing myself I was doing the right thing. He'd break up with her and find someone else. It would hurt worse. I could take it. I had to.

At lunch, I dragged my tired body to our table-where Maya was already sitting.

That grin on her face?

Terrifying.

But not as terrifying as the note she held...

And the furious look on Xander's face.