Alexandria's POV
Monday mornings are always a struggle. My phone's obnoxious ringtone cuts through the quiet of my bedroom, pulling me out of a dreamless sleep. I blink a few times, my eyelids heavy with the weight of barely any rest. Reaching for the phone, I swipe the screen, half-expecting to see a notification for something completely irrelevant. But no, it's just Mona.
"Hey, buddy!" she chirps, her voice way too perky for this ungodly hour.
"Good morning, Mona," I grumble, barely managing to make my voice sound coherent. "My night was fine, thanks for asking," I add sarcastically, still trying to drag myself out of the haze.
"I know it's early, but I couldn't wait to talk to you! Did you do anything exciting yesterday?" she asks, her voice brimming with that signature energy that feels like a shot of espresso to the soul.
I rub my eyes, beginning to wake up as I sit up in bed. "Nah, not really. Just hung out with family, watched a movie... you know, the usual."
"Ugh, that's so chill! I went shopping with my mom and got some killer new outfits! You have to see them, Andria. I'm practically a fashion goddess," she says with a laugh, like I'm supposed to believe that.
But I can't help but smile a little. "You're such a diva," I tease.
Mona lets out a dramatic gasp. "Oh my God, I saw Xander at the mall yesterday, and he was looking fire—I swear, that boy is too cute."
"Ugh, Mona, you're such a fangirl," I laugh, shaking my head. "But yeah, my brother knows how to work a crowd."
After our quick catch-up, I force myself out of bed. I'm starting to feel a bit more awake, but my body is begging for more sleep. A hot shower helps to shake off the cobwebs, and I throw on my favorite black leather skirt and a red cropped top. The outfit is simple but still makes me feel put-together—like I'm trying, even if I'm not all the way there yet. I run a brush through my long brown hair, add a bit of makeup—enough to look alive, but not like I'm trying too hard—and head downstairs.
Mom's already cooking breakfast, the smell of pancakes filling the air. "Good morning, Mom!" I greet her as I walk into the kitchen, planting a quick kiss on her cheek.
"Morning, sweetie! How's my girl today?" she asks, flipping pancakes like she was born doing it.
"I'm good, just a little tired," I answer, grabbing a pancake off the griddle. "But your pancakes? Always the best wake-up call."
Just as I'm about to dig into my second pancake, my twin brother Xander walks in like he's auditioning for a modeling contract. "Good morning, family!" he announces, flashing a smile that could melt hearts.
"Ugh, Xander, you're so extra," I say with a roll of my eyes. He's always been that way, the show-off of the family.
"Hey, someone's gotta keep things interesting around here," he says, winking at me before taking a seat at the table.
Mom just rolls her eyes at our usual banter and keeps serving breakfast. My stomach growls loudly, reminding me that I'm starving.
Once we've eaten, Mona picks me up in her sleek, black Bugatti. She's a total showstopper, and she doesn't even try. We cruise to school, the sound of her engine roaring like some kind of animal, making a statement long before we even step out of the car.
We walk through the crowded hallways, Mona talking a mile a minute. Then, we hit our lockers, and that's when I see them. A pile of folded love notes, left on the floor by the locker door. Of course, Mona spots them immediately.
"You should read them this week," she suggests, her eyes twinkling with mischief. I can tell she's itching to know what's inside.
"I'm not into that sappy stuff," I say, brushing it off, but I can't help the small blush that creeps up my neck. "Besides, I have my eyes on someone."
Mona's eyes widen, her voice practically a squeal. "Ooooh, someone special? Spill, girl! Who is it? Tell me everything!"
I bite my lip, trying to act casual. "Maybe later. Let's just say he's in our school... and he's definitely easy on the eyes."
Mona grins like a Cheshire cat, practically bouncing on her feet. "D*mn, Andria! Who is it? Don't leave me hanging!"
We make our way to History class next. Mrs. Nelly's lectures are boring, and her voice is like a lullaby. I try to focus, but the whole room feels like it's slowly fading out of focus. Carl, the kid with the glasses who sits next to me, asks a random question about medieval knights that has absolutely nothing to do with what we're studying. I nod absently, not even really hearing him, lost in my thoughts.
Next up: P.E. It's my favorite class—mostly because I get to see Kyle Weston. Yeah, he's one of the cute guys, but it's not just his looks. He's got that dangerous, charming vibe that always keeps me on edge.
Mona and I change in the locker room, and of course, Kelly and Arielle are already deep in conversation, discussing prom themes, which is a little too early, if you ask me. But I entertain them for a bit and suggest an "under the sea" theme, just to mess with them.
"That's actually such a cool idea, Andria! Like, we could have an ocean backdrop and maybe even a photo booth with mermaid props," Kelly says, her eyes lighting up with excitement.
"Yeah! And maybe some sea creatures? We could do a jellyfish-inspired light display!" Arielle adds.
We head into the gym, and of course, Kyle's there, looking like he walked out of some dreamy romance novel. He gives me that signature grin as he approaches. "Hey, Andria, how's it going?"
I feel my face flush. "Not much, just trying to survive this Monday," I reply, trying to sound cool but not quite managing it.
He smirks, and my heart does this weird flip-flop thing. "Well, I'm glad I get to see you in P.E., then. You always look cute in your sports gear."
I blink, not sure how to respond. "Uh, thanks... I guess?"
Then, he surprises me. "Have you seen Xander around?" he asks, looking past me as if trying to spot my brother.
"Yeah, he's at football practice right now. Why, do you need him for something?" I ask, my voice casual even though my heart's suddenly pounding in my chest.
Kyle steps a little closer, his eyes locking on mine with that intense gaze. "Nah, no reason. Just wanted to see if he was here. But since he's not... maybe you can keep me company instead?"
Mona, who's standing nearby, nearly falls over. "Uh, Kyle, you're... flirting with Andria," she says, her voice an octave higher than usual, as if she can't believe it either.
I instantly feel heat creeping up my neck. "Uh, no, Kyle, I don't think so. My brother would kill me if I hung out with you."
Kyle chuckles, a low, playful sound. "Oh, come on, Andria. I'm not that bad. I think Xander would approve."
I roll my eyes, trying to hide the smile that's threatening to creep onto my face. "Yeah, right. You're a total charmer, Kyle. But I'm not falling for it."
Mona steps in then, her voice sharp. "Kyle, leave her alone. She's not interested."
Kyle raises his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. I was just being friendly. No need to bite my head off."
As we head to our next class, Mona turns to me, her expression a mix of disbelief and curiosity. "So, what's up with you and Kyle? I've never seen him flirt with anyone like that before."
I shrug, trying to sound nonchalant. "I have no idea, Mona. But I'm not interested in him, so it doesn't really matter."
Mona raises an eyebrow, skeptical. "You're not interested? Really? Because it sure looked like you were enjoying that attention."
I bite my lip. "Okay, maybe a little. But that doesn't mean I want anything serious with him."
Later, during P.E., I can't shake the feeling that something's off. Kyle's paired with Sienna Thompson, and they're flirting shamelessly. I try to focus on the game, but I can't help sneaking glances at them.
"Hey, Andria, you're not bad for a beginner," Kyle says, tossing me the ball with that same mischievous grin.
"Thanks, Kyle. I try," I mumble, feeling self-conscious but also a little giddy at the compliment.
Sienna, however, looks at me with disdain. "Please, Andria. You think you can keep up with us? You're just a... Knight in shining armor, waiting to be rescued."
Kyle looks at her sharply. "Sienna, that's enough."
I bristle at her tone, but Mona quickly steps in before things can escalate. "Come on, guys, we're all on the same team," she says, cutting off the tension.
After class, I feel... off. My stomach is in knots. Why did it have to be Sienna? Of all people. Why does it feel like he's flaunting it in front of me?
Mona notices my mood and nudges me gently. "Don't worry, Andria. You're so much better than Sienna Thompson. And Kyle? He's just a player. Trust me, he'll break your heart if you let him."
I let out a deep sigh. "I know. It's just... he's so charming. And now he's with Sienna. It feels like he's rubbing it in my face."
Mona wraps an arm around my shoulders, offering her usual reassurance. "Hey, you've got this. We'll get through this together."
I nod, but I can't shake the feeling in the pit of my stomach. As I head to the girls' locker room after P.E., I feel completely drained. But when I open the door and see Kyle and Sienna... making out, my heart sinks. I freeze in place, my stomach twisting painfully as they kiss, oblivious to the fact that I'm standing right there, watching them.
The scene hits me harder than I thought it would. It feels like a punch in the gut, and for a second, I can't breathe.
At lunchtime, I confided in Mona, my voice quiet but tense, "Hey, can we eat at the bleachers today? I need to avoid Kyle and Sienna." Mona's expression softened with sympathy, her eyes narrowing with concern. "Aw, Andria, I'm so sorry. What happened?" she asked gently, her tone laced with empathy. I took a deep breath, my chest tight. "I saw them making out in the locker room. I can't believe he'd do that to me." Mona's face darkened with fury, her jaw tightening. "That jerk! He doesn't deserve you, Andria. Let's get through the rest of the day, and then we'll grab ice cream at Scoops and Smiles. My treat!" she added, her voice filled with determination to cheer me up. I managed a small smile, grateful for her unwavering support. "Yeah, that sounds good." The rest of the day felt like an eternity, each minute dragging by as I tried to distract myself from the thoughts swirling in my head. Finally, the bell rang, signaling the end of school, and Mona and I practically raced out the door, eager for a sweet escape from the drama. As we walked into Scoops and Smiles, I froze. My heart sank when I spotted Xander, Kyle, and a few of their friends already sitting at a booth. Kyle's gaze instantly locked onto mine, and I felt a wave of discomfort wash over me. "Hey, sis!" Xander called out with a grin, effortlessly snatching a scoop of my ice cream. "What's with the long face?" I rolled my eyes playfully, trying to mask my unease. "Xander, stop! That's mine!" But Kyle was still staring at me, his eyes full of an unreadable expression. I could feel the weight of his gaze, and it made my stomach churn. I didn't want to look at him—not after what I had witnessed earlier. "I'll be right back, Mona. I need to use the restroom," I muttered, desperately needing to escape the tension. Mona gave me a knowing look, and I rushed away from the table. But of course, Kyle followed me, his steps purposeful. He caught up with me just outside the restroom, his eyes still locked onto mine, his presence too close for comfort. He leaned in, attempting to kiss me, but I recoiled, a surge of anger and hurt rushing through me. "Kyle, stop. Please," I said firmly, my voice trembling even though I tried to keep it steady. The desire to kiss him was still there, but the betrayal from earlier was too fresh, too raw. He didn't listen. "Andria, I—" But I pushed past him, my heart pounding in my chest, and returned to Mona, who was busy talking to Xander. "Hey, let's go, Mona! We need to get out of here before Kyle comes back," I whispered urgently, my voice laced with panic. Mona gave a quick nod, her eyes filled with understanding. We grabbed our things and made a hasty exit, escaping Kyle's lingering gaze. Once we were outside, I let out a heavy sigh of relief. "Thanks, Mona. I don't know what I would do without you." Mona smiled warmly, her voice full of affection. "Anytime, Andria. You know I love you." It felt like everything would be okay as long as I had her by my side. Mona drove me home, and the quiet evening sun bathed the road in a golden glow. My family was still out, so I took a nap, trying to recharge after the emotional rollercoaster of the day. At dinner, Dad brought up a visit to his friend's house next weekend. "His son, Ryder, is returning from a trip, and they're throwing a welcome party," he said casually, cutting into his steak. Xander raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at his lips. "That's kinda random, don't you think?" Dad shrugged. "It'll be a great chance to catch up with old friends. And Ryder's a great guy, you'll love him." Mom chimed in, her voice filled with excitement. "And their family has a beautiful house, so it'll be a fun day out." Xander rolled his eyes but said nothing, instead focusing on finishing his meal. After dinner, Xander and I engaged in one of our usual sibling squabbles. We argued about whose turn it was to do the dishes. "I did them last night! It's your turn!" I grinned, trying to sound like I was accusing him of something serious. Xander feigned horror, clutching his chest in mock shock. "No way, I'm a guest in this house!" he said, his tone exaggerated. I rolled my eyes. "You're not a guest, you're my brother!" Xander gave a dramatic sigh. "Well, I'm the favorite child, so I don't have to do chores." I playfully pushed him. "You're not the favorite! Mom and Dad love us equally!" Mom, laughing at our bickering, stepped in. "Alright, alright. Xander, you can do the dishes tonight." Xander threw his hands up in the air, pretending to surrender. "Fine, but only because I love you, Mom." As I got ready for bed, Talia joined me in my room, her voice soft and shy. "I think I have a crush on someone, Nathaniel," she whispered, her cheeks tinged with pink. I smiled, brushing her hair out of her face. "That's sweet, Talia. But you're only in third grade! What do you know about crushes?" Talia giggled, the sound light and carefree. "I don't know, but he's so cute and nice. And he shares his snacks with me!" I laughed. "Well, that's definitely a great quality in a friend. Maybe one day you'll be his girlfriend!" Talia's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Do you think so?" I nodded, giving her a reassuring smile. "Why not? You're amazing, and I'm sure he'd be lucky to have you as his girlfriend." Talia snuggled into her pillow, her voice filled with dreamy hope. "Goodnight, Andria." "Goodnight, Talia," I replied, hugging her tight before turning to settle into my own bed, my thoughts lingering on love and what it would be like to find my own special someone one day.
Thank you for reading❤️