18. Alex Monroe.

VIENNE'S POV

I put my phone away into my bag after texting Damon. I took a drag from my smoothie as I made my way down the corridor to the library. Upon finally looking up, I paused at the fellow I had almost ran into. Why was he even standing there in the first place??

Alex Monroe.

We're in the same senior year but he'd always been in the other classroom. He gave me a boyish grin which had me feeling a bit skeptical.

I stared at the boy who happened to be an element or one the elements that had caused a rift between I and Amelia. He'd grown over the years though and right on that spot I had a flashback to two years back.

FLASH BACK

Two years earlier

Sixteen year old me watched my best friend with a tiny smile as she peeped through a hole on the door to the music room .

Amelia let out another giggle for the umpteenth time. She was having all fun secretly watching and admiring her favourite boy in the whole school.

She almost blinded me with her blonde while turning around to me.

“Did you see that Vienne? Isn't Alex so cool?” She threw the question at me, her blue eyes twinkling as it squinted.

“Of course, he is” I answered, even with my mind saying otherwise. Alex, to me, is just another random guy in school, staying out of trouble and good with the violin. He was good with the musical instrument, I'd give him that. But his looks? Ordinary.

But anything for my friend. Amelia's got a gigantic crush on Alex for over a year and humans can be slaves to these feelings sometimes.

If she says Alex is the best musical artist in the city, then he is.

If she says Alex is the most handsome guy in the city, then he is.

“Look. Look. Take a look at him again” she almost bashed my head into the door this time as I was forced to watch the guy play out some notes once more.

“Isn't he handsome?” Amelia asked while releasing me.

“Of course he is, Amelia” this time I gave shot her an incredulous look after answering. “And if you make me look at him once more, I'm going to shove you in there” I playfully threatened, not wanting to take another look at the boy anymore.

I might get traumatized.

Out of the blue, she sucked in breadth with slightly widened eyes out of realization.

“What?” I asked with a frown, but she only placed her hand over her grin excitedly.

“Look at that, Vienne. I have an Idea”

“Oh great. I'm out of it” I said quickly in my lame attempt to pull out of whatever crazy idea she's got coming. I don't want to be part of her crazy trick today. I turned away and walked away.

“Oh no. You go nowhere.” She already grabbed my arm, stopping me.

“Amelia. I know whatever you're planning is going to be crazy_”

“Please Vienne. It's not much of a big deal, hm?” She said while attempting to pout. “Just a tiny favour, please?”

“Whatever. Go on “ I gave in with a sigh” and stop with whatever you're doing with your face. Is that supposed to be a pout? Christ!”

She only grinned wider “well, the thing is, how about you ask him to give me a ride home after school? You could lie that you're supposed to, but something came up and you can't, hm?” .

Desperation danced through her orbs as she grabbed my arm too. “Persuade him to do that on your behalf. Please Vienne.

I only let out a scoff in disbelief. “Why would he have to take you home on my behalf? What makes you think he'd listen to me?” They were both invincible to each other, if it weren't for Amelia.

“I know. We could just give it a try… Please Vienne…”

“Fine” I let an eye roll follow 

*****

The school bell had rung a few minutes ago, indicating the end of school hours. I should be on my way home, but here I am standing under a tree by the driveway. With arms folded, I watched other students get picked by their chauffeurs and parents in silence.

Just then, from the corner of my eyes, I could see Amelia sprinting over and from her mouthing, I could pick out ‘he’s coming!’

Oh.

I stepped forward as Amelia finally reached my side, releasing heavy breaths 

“He's coming. He's coming Vienne. We've got this” she rushed to me, this time with her voice audible enough.

I nodded while giddiness began to slowly set in inside of me at the prank of setting my friend together with her crush. A few seconds later Alex Monroe came strutting over with his violin case well strapped behind him. 

He seemed to have slowed down upon noticing us, but he walked over anyway as if he knew we were waiting for him .

“Hi,” he said.

“Hi” Amelia lets out an uncontrollable squeak as her own way of returning his greeting. 

I giggled as an attempt to cover the awkward sound and a silence of idleness and uncertainty stretched among us thereafter until Amelia lightly nudged me .

“Oh. Right. You're going home now Alex?”

“Yeah”

“Well, I have something to tell you _”

“Cool. I have something to tell you too.”

And that made me frown.

“Or…me?” Amelia spoke up.

Alex only raised a brow in confusion at her before turning back to me. “No. You, Vienne.”

And now I have a grimace on. “Alright go on”

“I like you” he shamelessly blurted out. “Do you want to go out with me?”

I swear, I could hear the thunder strike. For a moment I didn't know what to feel before mortification settled upon me. “Excuse me?”

“Go out with me, Vienne Reyes. I do like you” he repeated, making my lips twitch in irritation.

“No. I have a boyfriend. I snapped out at him 

Out of curiosity, my eyes darted towards Amelia who was slowly seething with clenched fist and reddened eyes. Yes, Amelia. Alex is a stupid boy.

“It doesn't matter_” he begins to say.

“Of course it does!” I cut him off in disbelief. Are you for real??

At that Amelia dashed off from us and on instinct I followed.

******

A few meters away, Amelia stopped, sharply turning on me.

“What do you want, you thief!? She shouted doubling my shock, that evening. “Stop following me” tears streamed down her face 

“Calm down, Amelia. Alex is just _”

“Shut your trap, you two-faced witch. What did you tell him behind my back? You knew I liked him, Vienne and you decided to take him from me!”

“Amelia, no_”

“Don't tell me ‘no’ like you care. What did you do?” Her voice raised, whereas I couldn't find mine.

I just opened and closed my mouth. No word could describe my bewilderment .

Like some eternal promise, she finally said her last words to me as a friend. “I swear. I'd make you pay!”