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Alex’s pov

I shouted as I went through my closet. "Noah, I told you for the hundredth time t-"

“To leave your stuff alone,” he shouted back.

“Not happening.” He continued.

 I searched through the remaining clothes in my closet and sighed in annoyance.

He took every basic shirt. I brought out a pile of clothes and threw them on the bed. All I wanted was a black shirt.

 I heard footsteps coming towards my room; I turned my face to the doorway and saw my little sister standing with her arms folded and a pout on her lips.

“You should share more, Alex.” She said as she leaned on the doorframe. 

“Rory, I would share if he asked me first,” I remarked on her advice and she rolled her eyes at me. 

That girl has some attitude.

She knitted her eyebrows together and bent down, grabbing a polaroid that was on the floor. “Who is that in the picture?” She asked as she flipped the photo to show me. I took it from her hands and a sad smile went across my face.

I hid it in the closet where it belonged before.

I replied. “Someone used to be close to me, Rory.” She pressed her lips together. I drifted to my thoughts. The person who was in the photo was once very close to me until he rouged on everyone and it didn’t end well.

His choices had their consequences later.

“Can you drive me to school today, please,” I looked at her and she gave me the puppy eye look.

“I don’t know, princess,” I said unsure of agreeing.

“Please.” She clasped her hands together and approached me.

Shit! If I agreed, this means I will swap my motorcycle for Noah’s car.

But how could I refuse something for this cute face? I will do anything for my baby sister.

“Fine.” I gave in, she squealed in happiness and ran to hug my legs. I picked her up, and she wrapped her little arms around my neck.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you.” She repeated while hugging me. I chuckled and walked to Noah’s room. 

I found Noah laying on his bed; he was wearing one of my basic t-shirts. I glared at him. His eyes met mine, and a smirk was drawn on his lips.

“Can I take your car today?” I asked him, ignoring the stupid smirk on his face. 

“Look who is borrowing things now from me,”

He trailed. “Sure you can take it and I’ll take your motorcycle”.

I groaned at this stupid swap. I had a car but mom crashed it two days ago.

“Scratch her and I will end your life,” I threatened him as I threw the keys to him.

Rory asked with confusion. “her who?”

I named my motorcycle Raven, can you judge me?

I don’t have a girlfriend or any girl on my mind, so I was treating her like one, and I would end anyone’s life if she got scratched or destroyed.

“You named the motorcycle?” Noah questioned, then roared with laughter. I rolled my eyes and glared at him as he continued laughing. 

“Can you hurry up? We are going to be late for school.” She cupped my face.

I forgot about school. I huffed in annoyance and waited for him to stop laughing. 

“Noah.” She whined.

After a few minutes filled with Noah’s laughter. He got up and handed his keys to Rory. He kissed her cheeks, and she smiled shyly. 

“Take care of her.” He said, and I nodded.

I checked the time and noticed it was already seven-thirty. We made our way to the car. 

I dropped Rory at her school and drove to mine; I reached the school grounds after a few minutes and parked in my usual spot.

I got out of the car after I texted my friends that I arrived. Sound of whispers and giggles from a group of girls, I ignored them and waited for my friends. After a few minutes, I felt an arm slid on my shoulder. 

“You are early,” I said to Jaxon, and he nodded.

“Didn’t want to miss the hot chicks, and I was doing a prank.” He said proudly of himself, I chuckled at him.

“Let’s go and grab our stuff, I don’t want trouble on the first day Jax,” I warned him. He rolled his eyes, probably ignoring what I said.

Charles led the way to our lockers, and in the corner of my eyes, I saw Luna standing with a girl. I couldn’t focus on her features as Jaxon hid the view by walking ahead of me.

“Crap! I forgot to go to the secretary to change my timetable.” Charles mumbled.

“Let’s go then and witness my prank too.” He grabbed Charles and walked in the direction of the principal’s office. Charles looked at me, asking for help. 

I chuckled at both of them. They disappeared around the corner and I was alone in the hallway until loud music blasted in the hallway, breaking the silence. It was followed by the arguing of the new kid and a redhead girl, Ruby. She snatched her phone from his hands, shutting the music, and walked away furiously, leaving him shocked at her sudden rage.

He walked in my direction and stood in front of me. “Could you move? My locker is behind you.” I moved to the side. He went to his locker and opened it. He took his stuff out and slammed the locker with a thud.

“Staring is bad, my mate.” He said I didn’t realize that I was staring.

It was a bad habit of mine.

“Sorry, I am Alex and you must be the new kid.” I smiled and stretched my arm for him to shake it.

The new kid, really? I failed at making friends.

But why did I want him to be my friend?

“I’m Dustin,” he said with a smile and shook my hand.

“Why would the popular kid want to be friends with the new kid, I need a real explanation.” He quoted with his hands on the new kid, then squared his arms.

“Well, we share most of our classes and I have seen you hanging with girls, and you are new in town. So, probably you need some guy friends.” 

He opened his mouth to speak but shut it up, thinking what to say.

He clarified. “Well, those girls are my friends,”

Then he continued. “But, yeah, I need guy friends.”

“And the angry redhead?” I asked.

“We are enemies right now.” He rolled his eyes.

“You have clear intentions to be my friend, use me and I bring the angry redhead.” He joked, and I chuckled.

Yeah, I know how angry Ruby could be.

Jaxon approached us, and Charles wasn’t with him. He looked at Dustin, then asked. “Who is the new kid?”

“I’m Dustin.” He said.

Jaxon smiled back at him, feeling comfortable around him. “So, do you play any sports cause man you’ve got the body of an athlete!” 

He just broke his first rule of not having new friends in his circle. But if it’s good for his team, he could do whatever he wants.

Jaxon is the football team captain, so earlier this year one of his best players left the school and joined another one, which we will compete against their team later. In our current situation, Jaxon just found the newest addition to his team and he will use his chances. 

“... Ugh, I used to play football back home.” Dustin shrugged, and Jaxon’s smile got wider.

I noticed a British accent and knew Dustin referred to soccer, not American football.

“You will be a good addition to the team, auditions are after school. I will expect to see you there.” He handed Dustin a flyer with details. Dustin looked at it and nodded.

A girl called Dustin from the start of the hallway. He turned his head to her and mouthed her something as she nodded, then looked back at us. “I’ll consider it, but I have to go now. See you later.” He smiled and headed to the girl standing at the start of the hallway.

Why does she seem familiar? Her blue eyes met mine, then she averted her gaze shyly.

“Did I act professional?” Jaxon asked, I looked at him as Dustin and the girl left.

“Yeah, totally professional.” I snorted. I earned a few glares from Jaxon in return.

“You know he was talking about soccer, not football?” I asked Jaxon. He raised his eyebrow.

I slapped my forehead and after he realized what I said; he gaped his mouth open and shut it.

“I hope he’s good at football,” he muttered.

The bell rang, making students head to their classes. Jaxon and I shared the first three periods, so we headed to the first class, which was maths.

Mr. Baker for the start of the day. Great! I rolled my eyes mentally.

We entered the class and went to our seat at the back of the class, later Dustin entered the class with the same girl from earlier and they took the seat In front of us.

The teacher entered the class after them and started this hell with some basic equations.

I hated maths and mostly hated Mr. baker. 

I rested my face on my hand and zoned out for the rest of the class until the voice of Mr. Baker brought me back to reality. 

He was about to ask me, and I heard nothing of his endless ranting.

“If you would like to join the class Mr. River and solve this equation.” Mr. Baker smirked, that devil. He looked at me through his thick glasses, waiting for my answer.

I stared at the equation. What the heck is this! Since when maths became this hard? 

Mr. Baker shifted from his chair. He looked at me impatiently waiting for me to answer. “Would anyone help Mr. River,” he asked the rest of the class. No one raised his hand and most of them were sleeping. 

Why did he pick me while the rest of the class was sleeping?

The curly-haired girl next to Dustin raised her hand. A smile of delight crept on the teacher's face. “Yes, Ms. Anderson.” he pointed at her.

She solved the equation easily; Mr. Baker thanked her for the help and disciplined me for zoning out. 

The bell rang and Mr. Baker dismissed the class; I followed Jaxon out of the class and he started teasing me for getting dissed by the nerd. She wasn’t a nerd, she just knew her way around.

“Do you know her?” I asked him. It was my first time seeing her around the school or notice her generally.

“Yeah man, we shared a few classes in sophomore year when you left and she had gotten hotter since then.” He said.

 I don’t know why, but I didn’t trust him. She looked very familiar to me.

"Is that h-"

I was cut off by Jaxon, he shook his head. "Alex, believe us she left the town with no intention to come back." I bit my lower lip and nodded.

“Shit! Chloe at one o’clock,” he ducked behind me as he saw the blonde girl hugging one of the jocks. “I should have broken up with her after she cheated on me.” He hissed with anger.

Chloe Lakewood is one of the popular girls and the head cheerleader. She slept with half of the school and ended up dating Jaxon for more popularity. “Hey guys, do you mind me joining you?” Dustin’s voice came from behind us.

Both of us turned to face Dustin. I heard Chloe calling Jaxon out, and he pretended not to hear her. “Dude, you are one of us now.” Jaxon welcomed him cheerily, patting his shoulder. Dustin looked confused but dropped it. He smiled and all of us walked to the next class.

.....................................

Dustin appeared to be a funny guy and humble, he will fit in with us. If Jaxon didn’t ruin him later. 

The school was over; Charles and I were in the car, he asked me to drive him to a café near Rory’s school and I agreed. I drove to her school first, a few minutes later, I reached the school and saw Rory waiting for me with a blonde curly-haired girl in the waiting area with a teacher.

 I came out of the car and waved for Rory; she noticed me and waved goodbye to her friend. She ran towards me and hugged my leg. I chuckled, then picked her up.

“This is the best day,” Rory said with excitement as I put her in her car seat, I put her bag beside her and closed the door. I made my way to the driver's seat and started driving to the café.

“And why is that princess?” I asked, trying to make myself surprised.

“You drove me to school then picked me up, and I played with my new friend.” She said with a grin, I chuckled at her excitement. The blonde curly-haired girl must be her friend, she looked like a mini version of the girl in my maths class.

“Hi Charlie,” Rory said, and Charles replied with a hello. His eyes were stuck on his phone.

“Why do you want to go to the café?” I asked him, he was there yesterday with Jaxon and now he is going alone.

“Well, I have a date,” 

“I knew it, you are dating Luna, right?” I glanced over at him and he nodded.

“It’s not official yet, just continue asking your sister about her day.” He quickly replied and tried to change the subject.

I looked in the rearview mirror and saw Rory fell asleep. “This girl is like her brother, she sleeps anywhere.” Charles joked I chuckled in response. He was talking about me, I sleep anywhere, anytime. Whether it’s a quiet place or loud.

I reached the café and parked the car across the building.

“Isn’t this the Anderson’s?” I asked Charles, he was about to open the door and leave, but my question stopped him.

“Does Lavender still work here?” I asked again, waiting for Charles to speak.

“It was the Andersons, but they left the town, sorry, Alex.” He looked at me with sympathy and I nodded, then he opened the door and left. I looked at the café one more time before driving home.

Why did Charles sound off when I asked, I will visit and ask the new owners if they knew anything about the Andersons. 

The way home was peaceful as Rory was still sleeping. I reached home and carried Rory to her room; I changed her clothes and tucked her into her comfy bed. 

I went to the kitchen to make some food. Instead, I was met by my mother, who was looking at me with concern. “What happened?” I asked. 

She wasn’t here when I came, and now here she was with fear and concern drawn on her face.

“Nothing dear, you just eat your dinner and head to your room,” she said and then left me standing in the kitchen confused. What was up with her?

I made mac and cheese and headed to my room to eat while binging some Netflix; I locked the door behind me and ate in peace until my father’s arrival broke it.

I could hear him fighting with my mother downstairs, and the patterns seemed clearer. She snitched to my father about me, driving Rory to school and that made her feel guilty; their voices disappeared gradually. My room door opened with a loud thud, my father stood by the door frame filled with anger.

“What were you thinking? Do you think driving your little sister to school is ok!” he shouted with anger, and my mother tried to calm him down by tightening her grip around his arm.

“You shouldn’t drive anyone after what happened.” He hissed with anger.

“But dad, she was fine and you know I wasn’t responsible for what happened that night.” I tried arguing back, but it didn’t work, it made things worse.

“Just get out of here and don’t show me your face until you are responsible enough.” He growled at me. My mother gave me a sympathetic look; she won’t cross him like always.

I gave him one last look, his eyes filled with anger and hatred. I picked up an empty bag and filled it with my books and spare clothes; I left the house as he ordered me. But his voice stopped me from taking the car keys. “Oh, and don’t take the car, just go wander around like homeless people.” I looked at him with disgust and left to wander around as always.

It became a routine for me to get kicked out of the house, he never stood me in the house. And all of this happened after the accident; it changed my life and his trust in me. The one who was responsible for the irresponsible actions of that night was his brother, but he didn’t believe me when I told him that he was the one driving.

I texted Charles asking if I could crash at his house for an hour or so, minutes later, and he texted that I could stay for the night. I walked to Charles’s house.

I stayed at his house for three hours, and I left his house to take a walk, or that was what I told him. I was going to the café.

I checked my phone and found 3 missed calls from Noah; I texted him I was fine. Then I started walking to the café.

With the help of GPS, I finally reached the café, I looked at the three-floor building and then entered the café. I settled myself on an empty table, ordered their signature coffee and some muffins. I got my books out and started studying while enjoying the coffee. 

I will wait till they close, so I can speak to the owner.

After a couple of coffees, it was midnight. I had been studying in the café for hours without realizing it, Charles called me a couple of times and I shut my phone to focus on studying. I also saw Dustin and this girl from my Maths class working here.

I covered my head with the hood of my jacket, so they couldn’t see me.

“Do you want anything, Lavi?” Dustin asked as he stood next to the door.

Lavi? The same nickname that Lavender went by, why would Jaxon and Charles lie to me?

“No, now go check on your mother, she needs you.” She ordered him, giving him a slight push towards the door.

“But I can’t leave you to walk home alone. Do you really need to do the check-up today?” I watched in silence as they talked together.

“Yes, it’s important. Dustin, I am a big girl and I can take care of myself, plus I have pepper spray so no worries,” she joked with him and smiled.

“Fine, take care of yourself, and text me when you reach home.” He gave up on convincing her to leave with him. He took off his apron and gave it to her then left.

She sighed and went behind the cashier, emptying its contents, then she left to a room behind her and came back after a while.

I think this is my chance to ask her about the previous owners.

I noticed that she was walking in my direction. So, I focused back on my homework.

“Sorry to bother you, sir, but we’re closing.” She said politely.

“The nerd owns a café now that’s new,” I chuckled, then continued. “I’m Alex River; we go to the same high school.” I introduced myself.

Stupid, she saw you in the maths class this morning.

“If it isn’t the golden boy in flesh,” she said sarcastically.

“Well, I’m just good at maths.” She shrugged.

“And I already know who you are.” She continued while taking a seat in front of me.

“So, you won’t tell me your name?” I leaned on the table.

“Lavender Anderson, nice to meet you.” She smiled. It was her.

They lied straight to my face and told me she left two years ago. I tried to act normal and succeeded in that.

I smirked and repeated her name. “Lavender or do you prefer Lavi?” 

“What brought you here, Alex to this part of town?” She asked me, ignoring the nickname I just gave her.

And she was still harsh.

“I passed by and asked myself why don’t I try this nice cozy café, there were many good reviews,” 

I came to see you, Lavender; I glanced at her. She has changed a lot.

“I live nearby and went for a walk.” I trailed.

“I’m sorry for earlier, it was rude to call you a nerd.” I apologized, she nodded with a smile.

“It’s okay, golden boy.”

“Do you mind if I stayed for another coffee?” I wanted more time with her.

“Yeah, sure give me a few minutes and I will be back with your coffee.” She said and walked to the coffee machine. 

I can’t believe that we were in the same place and I didn’t see her before. Jaxon told me that she left and her uncle was managing the place.

Charles’s lie blew their cover. I stared at her as she made the coffee.

The sad part was she didn’t remember me. She still had amnesia.