Song: No One by Alicia Keys

Chapter Fifteen: Hypothetically speaking

"All I want is an iced tea."

The week passed in a blur. And now it was Friday. Benny called me in for an extra shift because Rebecca called in sick.

It was a somewhat peaceful week.

No Dad.

No Anastasia or Skyler trouble except for their frequent attempts of hurting my feelings with their Charity remarks.

No Axel trouble. He barely even looks at me when he comes to 'canoodle' with Leyla at our lunch table.

Did you expect him to look at you while he's smooching with his girlfriend?

It's not that. It's just that....

You miss your constant banters.

No. Not that.

It's weird he doesn't come to see you, but Leyla.

Maybe that's it. But I don't care because this is what I wanted. For Leyla to be happy.

No Zane trouble. We frequently glance at each other when we pass in the hallway. Plus, he sits next to me in Spanish class, and he's in some of my other classes too. I once saw him talking to Leyla before lunch. I wanted to know what he told or asked her, but I didn't ask Leyla about it. He hasn't asked me to be his pawn again.

Are you sad about that?

Of course not. I didn't want to be in the first place.

Wren and I became closer though, as Charvi. Ever since we chilled at Zane's house, we constantly talked.

And now being Avery, he was the one ordering.

"And you don't want anything else?"

"No."

"You came all this way to order an iced tea."

He shrugged.

"Why didn't you just sit down and wait for Corinne to come take your order?"

"I guess I just wanted to talk to you." He flashed me his set of pearly white teeth.

Is he flirting with you?

Of course not.

"That's nice." I smiled awkwardly at him. "I'll go get your iced tea. You can sit over there." I pointed to an empty table. "You came alone?"

"Yeah. I wanted to come with Zane. Remember him, my dumb friend who tried his dumb pick up line on you."

I laughed a little. "Yeah. I remember him."

"Yeah. I wanted to come with him, but he was very persistent about not wanting to show up here. I just didn't get it."

He's avoiding me, isn't he?

Don't jump into conclusions.

"Maybe he doesn't like our food." I joked with Wren.

He shook his head. "That can't be it. After the last time we ate here, he was very eager to come again."

"Well, you can ask him later. I won't know." I shrugged.

"Yeah. You're right." He walked over to the table I pointed out.

I called Corinne over and told her his order. She got it and gave it to him. After a while, he was walking back over to me.

He started. "I want to ask you something."

"Go ahead." I nodded, still writing in my notepad.

With his elbows resting on the counter, he propped his head on his hands. "If someone you knew were to ask you on a date, what would you say? Hypothetically speaking though."

I see where this is going.

You're wrong.

I didn't even say anything, and the fact you know what I was talking about means you see where this is going as well.

I dropped the pad. "Depends on my relationship with the person. Hypothetically speaking."

He smiled.

I hope it's not because of what you said.

"I see." He paused. "Hypothetically speaking."

He just stood there.

Say something.

Like what?

I don't know. You guys never have awkward silences.

That's because it's always small talk, nothing serious.

"So, what are you doing tomorrow?" He asked.

"I'm staying home." 

"I'm actually attending a masquerade ball."

I put on a shocked expression. "A masquerade ball?"

"Yup. A girl in my school's birthday. You probably know her."

"What's her name?" I asked.

"Leyla. I think."

"Yeah, I know her."

"I got you an invite." He mentioned.

What?

"You did?"

"Yes. Avery, would you please be my date to the masquerade ball?"

No.

I choked on my own saliva. "Your date?"

"As friends. As more than friends. Anyway you want." He chuckled, nervously.

We've been friends for about a year. Why can't he just be okay with that?

I shook my head. "It's such short notice. I don't really need to go."

He grabbed my hands. "I would really love for you to be my date."

Oh God no!

"Wren..." I trailed off.

"If it's the expenses of the dress. I already bought one I thought would look really good on you."

Before I could reply, he continued.

"It matches the beautiful color of your hair. Red, cherry. It doesn't matter. It'll look really good on you, I promise. I also bought a mask and gloves and heels and all the accessories you need."

Oh boy!

I didn't want to say no to him, but I couldn't tell him the truth either. What should I do, Ivy?

I don't know. He's so sweet and I don't want to hurt him.

"I can't." I forced out as I looked down, not wanting to see his hurt face. He grabbed my chin to make him look at me.

"Let me make you feel like a princess. For one night. Please go with me." He begged.

I hesitated. "I will. But just for one night. And as friends."

I didn't want him to think I was saying yes to be his girlfriend.

He smiled so bright, and squeezed my hands. "Really? That's great. When are you off?"

I looked at my watch. "In about an hour."

"I'll wait for you, then we'll go to Zane's house. I dropped your things there with him. His house is closer than mine to here."

I choked again. "Zane's house?"

"Yeah."

Oh God, what did I do to deserve this?

******

Stewart opened the door for us.

Wren smiled at him. "Hi Stewart."

Stout Stewart.

He bowed. "Good day, Mister Wren."

"This is Avery." He introduced.

"Nice to meet you, Miss Avery." Steward offered me a small smile.

I smiled back."You too."

Wren grabbed my arm and started pulling me up the stairs. "We'll just go up to see Zane."

I already knew the way to Zane's room, but I let Wren drag me, because I've supposedly not been here before.

Wren barged into Zane's room. He was lying on his bed, doing something on his phone, wearing only joggers.

Oh Lord. Why does he look so....

Shut up, Ivy.

He didn't look up. Wren carried a shirt that was on the floor and threw it at him.

"Put a shirt on. A girl's here."

He looked up, when he saw me, he blinked twice. "Cherry?"

Wren looked around. "Is she here?"

Zane quickly answered. "Uh no."

"Then why'd you call her? I don't understand why you can't just call her Charvi or Char like everyone else."

He looked at me. "I don't know why either. It seems to suit her."

"Remember Avery, right? When you first met her, you tried that stupid Cherry pick-up line on her because of the color of her hair."

"My hair is red actually." I pointed out.

Zane snorted. "I beg to differ."

Wren pinched the bridge of his nose. "Not this again."

I mumbled. "Fine."

Wren seemed to realized something. "Why do you call Charvi Cherry then, if you tried the pickup line on Avery?"

"Because Charvi's favorite fruit is cherry." He lied and I pulled a disgusted smile. The corners of his lips turned up to form a smile when he noticed.

Wren didn't bother asking any more questions as he said "Oh okay."

"Why is she here?"

Wren grinned and glanced at me. "Remember the girl I told you I wanted to ask to the ball."

Zane's jaw dropped. "It's not her, is it?"

"It is. And she said yes."

Zane looked at me. "She did, did she? Now this should be interesting."

I looked away from his smug look. He better not be enjoying this.

Well, of course he is. Being an idiot, you've gotten yourself into a dilemma where you have to be two different people at the same place on the same night.

They say best of both worlds, right?

"Where are the things I dropped off?"

"They're in the spare bedroom. The one on the right, 2 doors away from the staircase."

"Okay." He turned to me. "I'll be right back." He turned to Zane. "Don't bother her."

Zane, with his eyes still on me, said. "I wouldn't dare."

Wren left. I looked up at Zane, who was still staring intently at me.

"How?" He asked.

I walked up to his bed and sat at the edge. "I don't know myself."

"You never cease to amaze me."

"I'm glad that though my life is not a movie, it's still entertainment for you." I grumbled.

He groaned. "What did you get yourself into?"

I put my face in my hands. "He asked me, and he's my friend, and I..."

"Just couldn't say no?"

He seemed to understand. "Exactly."

"But you could say no to me." He pointed out.

"That's different."

"How?"

"You wanted to use me, Zane." I paused. "Wren, I think he actually likes me."

He scoffed. "You think?"

"Give me a break, okay? He's the first boy to actually like me. Let me be if I have my doubts. Plus, he doesn't like Charvi, he likes Avery."

"If you have forgotten, they're the same person."

"Still."

"Besides, I doubt he's the first boy to actually like you. Doesn't Xander? You two seem to always be together."

"He's my best friend."

"Isn't Leyla your best friend?"

"I can have more than one, okay?"

"I don't think so. It kind of buries the concept 'best friend'." He emphasized on the last two words.

"I can."

"Can't."

"Can."

"What are you guys arguing about this time?" We looked up as Wren entered holding a bunch of bags and a garment bag.

A very big one.

"Wren. I didn't hear you enter."

He laughed a little. "Seems like it. Are you guys ever going to get along?"

I said "No" at the same time Zane said "Depends"

"Wow, ok. Do you want to try the dress? I kinda just guessed your size."

Yes, I want to see it so bad.

We have bigger problems than this.

I can handle it. I'll make a plan.

"No. I'm sure it'll probably be my size."

He tilted his head, staring at me intensely. "Are you sure?"

"Absolutely."

"I could send a stylist to your house tomorrow by 6pm since the ball starts at 7:30pm."

I can't. I'll be too busy at Leyla's house.

"No, it's fine. I'm not much of a makeup person."

"You don't even need one. You're beautiful either ways." He complimented.

Stop blushing.

I'm trying. I don't get compliments all the time.

Axel calls you beautiful.

But he's not serious about it.

"Um... thanks."

Zane groaned. "If you guys are going to be shamelessly flirting, how about you take it outside? I'm not in the habit of cleaning up vomit from my floor. Even if it's mine."

I glared at him.

"What? I'm not lying."

Wren rolled his eyes. "It's not like you'll clean it up yourself."

"Still."

"Whatever. Is Luigi busy? I want him to take Avery home."

"Why can't you take her yourself?" Zane asked with a smug expression.

I hate him.

Do you really?

Yes.

"He probably has a lot of things to do." I butted in.

Zane turned to me. "Like what?"

"He can tell you after Mario has taken me home."

Super Mario!

He smirked, his eyes shining amusement. "His name is Luigi."

I shrugged. "I'm in the habit of giving people nicknames."

"Those aren't nicknames. You're more of in the habit of saying people's names wrongly."

We stared at each other in utter silence until Wren asked, "Am I missing something here?"

"Of course not." I replied, my eyes still trained on Zane.

Break it off.

He should break it off first.

I asked. "So, is Mario free or not?"

"Luigi is free. I have no idea who this Mario you speak of is." Zane mocked.

I smiled. "You don't?"

"No."

"You know, you remind me of someone." Wren said.

I turned to him sharply. Please don't be who I think it is.

Zane asked. "Who?"

"Charvi."

"Who's that?" I asked too quickly, it almost seemed practiced. Because it was.

"You don't know her? Hasn't she ever been to Tate's?"

"She has but it probably wasn't on my shift."

"Yeah. Possibly."

"How does she remind you of her?" Zane asked.

"I don't know. I guess it's just the way the two of you interact. You always argue with the both of them."

"It's part of the charm."

He rolled his eyes and dropped the bags.

"I'll go tell Luigi to get the car ready. Should I pick you up tomorrow?"

"No, it's okay. I'll meet you there."

"Okay. I'll send my driver to pick you up."

Zane said as he rubbed his hands together. "Perfect."

"Just perfect." I mumbled.

You're doomed.

********

After Luigi dropped me off at home, he told me Wren needed my address.

I wasn't sure I should give it to him because this is where Charvi lives.

Then, which address do you want to give him?

I don't know. At least, Wren doesn't know Charvi's house.

What'll happen when he does?

I think I'll cross that bridge when I get there. Plus, he might not even remember it.

At the end of the day, I told him my address, even though he could see it already.

I walked into my house, bags in hand.

"Mom? Reveka?"

"Mom's not home." Reveka said as she came out of the kitchen, a bowl of popcorn in her hand. "I was just about to watch The Kissing Booth 2. I haven't watched it since it came out. Do you want to join me?"

I sat down on the couch and dropped the bags beside me. "Maybe later."

She took me in. "You dyed your hair?!!" She exclaimed, "But it was better brown. That better be a wig. And what's with the glasses?" She looked at the bags in my hand. "What is going on? Did you go shopping or something?"

"Not exactly."

She must have seen my distraught expression. "What's wrong?"

I looked at her as she sat down beside me. "I'm so stupid and I really need your help."

I explained everything to her, down to the last detail. From me being yes to Avery Adams to saying yes to Wren.

"You did what?!" She exclaimed as she paced across the floor, still munching on her popcorn.

"I should have known something was up with you disappearing and all that. You have zero plans, you're more of an antisocial person."

"I'm not." I argued, offended.

"You only have four friends."

I crossed my arms. "That counts for something."

"Yeah right." She snorted. "Back to the matter at hand."

"I'm stupid, aren't I?" I chastised myself.

"You bet your red hair you are."

My expression was quizzical as I asked. "How did you not recognize Avery when I walked in?" 

"I don't know who Avery is. I just thought you wanted to try a new style for the masquerade ball."

"About that, are you sure you don't want to come? She literally gave invites to everyone in the school."

"I can't afford a dress."

"I told you Leyla agreed buy one for you."

"But I don't like to..." She trailed off.

"It's okay. I get it." I touched her shoulder. "Neither do I."

At that moment, it was like a light bulb lit in my head.

This is a bad idea.

No, it's a great one.

"Veka." I cooed.

She looked up and began shaking her head. "No."

I frowned. "I haven't even said my idea yet."

"I know you, and I know that look on your face. Whatever it is you're thinking, no."

"It's a great idea."

Not.

"Fine. I'm listening."

*********

"Happy Birthday Leyla!" Zahra and I both screamed as we came in for a bear hug.

When we released her, she was beaming. "What are you guys doing here? I thought we agreed to meet this evening."

"We wanted to surprise you." I said.

"It was all Charvi's idea. She was like blah blah blah, and next thing I know, bam, we're on our way to your house."

I rolled my eyes. "I didn't say blah blah blah."

She snorted. "Sure sounded like it."

"I said, since Zahra didn't seem to get it before," I shot her a glare. "When was the last time the five of us got together?"

Leyla questioned. "Five of us?"

"Happy Birthday!" Xander and Kai exclaimed as they rushed into the room and engulfed her in a hug.

She laughed. "Thanks so much guys."

The boys turned to me with comical expressions.

"How was that? Dramatic enough? Was it like a scene out of a movie?" Xander asked.

"It better have been. You swore to cut off our gonads if we didn't perfect it."

We laughed at that.

"It was perfect." I graded.

"What the hell's a gonad?" Zahra asked.

"You know. Knackers. Cojones. Goolies." He explained.

She shook her head.

Xander raised his brows. "You mean balls, right?"

"Yeah, that." He mumbled.

Zahra placed a hand on his shoulder. "Something is definitely wrong with your dictionary."

I chuckled. "Leave Kai alone. Let him say words like canoodling and goolies if he wants."

He crossed his arms. "You guys can make fun of me all you want, but my vocabulary is expanded."

"Oh, we will." Leyla confirmed as she laughed.

"So, Charvi. What's the plan for today?" Xander asked.

I searched Kai and Xander's hands. "Where are the gifts?"

I ended up buying her a charm bracelet with a lot of pendants on it from a gift shop, since I couldn't afford the necklace. I hope she liked it.

"They're in the car." Xander replied.

"Why?" I asked them, eager to her their line of thought on that one.

Kai pointed out. "Because no one brought them down."

I groaned as I stared them down. "I thought I told you guys to bring them down."

Kai put his hands on his crotch. "Please spare my goolies."

I gave him an incredulous look as they all laughed.

After we went down to the car to get Leyla's gifts and watched as she opened them, we went to the movies. It took us about 15 minutes to agree on a movie. We wanted to watch Little Women or Charlie's Angels but all the boys wanted to watch was Avengers: Endgame. Since we couldn't choose between the three, Zahra offered up Shazam! and we all agreed. I had watched it before, but I didn't mind watching it again. It was quite funny.

After the movies, we went to the food court, then just walked around the mall, talking, until our legs got tired.

*

I hope you enjoyed it. Please vote, comment and share, if you did, and even if you didn't.

Thanks and Toodles :)