It was the last day of school until we got a week off, so of course, I had decided to make a little more of an effort in my appearance than I usually would care to.
I had worn my favorite black pair of ripped knee skinny jeans with my favorite Elodie chiffon, slightly over sized sweater. I had straightened my hair and added mascara. My day was going great. That is until Alex Parker crossed my path anyway.
I didn't do anything wrong! I didn't deserve to have my favorite sweater ruined, but I got it anyway. Thanks a freaking lot Alex Parker.
So here I am, stood in the center of the school main hallway, my best friend Casey, arms crossed beside me as we both gave death glares to the arrogant imbecile standing before us, A now empty cup in his hand as he rather badly pretends to look sympathetic while his friends gave sly sniggers from behind him.
"Jerk" I spat, trying my hardest to contain my anger.
He wants to get a rise out of you Max. Don't give him the satisfaction!
Obviously, he did this on purpose. Little mishaps occurred often between the two of us. For instance, Alex 'accidentally' knocking my books out of my hands or 'accidentally' tripping me over so I had no other choice but to give the floor a big hug.
Think that's annoying? wait until he pulls out the big guns. This isn't even half of it. Nope, Alex Parker is much more aggravating than this. Which is why I simply cannot stand him.
"I'm so sorry cupcake." Ah, the nickname. Alex Parker calls me many, many names, but 'Cupcake' is his favorite. Why? Because I hate it and he knows it. "I really am" He said, his fail attempt at sympathy soon curled into his trademark smirk that every other girl in the school swooned over. Not me.
"Sure you are." His smirk grew bigger when I rolled my eyes. How stupid does he think I am?
I looked down to examine just how bad the stain covering my sweater was and if it could be savable; at this point, it was hard to tell.
"Seriously. I'm sorry - Grayson bought me that drink. What a waste of money!" Humour was evident in his voice while he turned to his small group of friends with a highly amused look on his face.
I wanted to punch him in that face.
I scowled and narrowed my eyes at the four of them...the things I would do to never have to see them again.
"Jerk" The insult once again slipped from my lips and I instantly felt stupid for repeating my last abusive word. I gave him my coldest glare which only seemed to amuse him more.
"Brat."
"Ass wipe!"
"Uptight." He grinned, loving the wordy ping pong battle we have gotten ourselves into.
Damn, it was too easy to be sucked into his games. I let out a big huff and watched as his friends corrupted into fits of laughter.
"Alex Parker to the principles office immediately!" Our principles voice boomed through the speakers around the school.
Of course he was in trouble. Again. He needed to watch it or else he would be expelled pretty soon. Then again, would that be a bad thing?
"Sorry cupcake, Gotta run." He shot me a wink and swiftly turned to head down the hall with his friends in the direction of the principles office.
"I hate him so much." I whispered, only loud enough for Casey to hear me who in response sighed and shook her head.
~~~
"Mum! I'm home!" I dropped my bag by the stairs and headed up to my mothers room where I could hear her rushing around.
Leaning against the door frame, I watched her scurry around, pulling piles of clothing out of her wardrobe and shoving them into her suitcase.
"Why are you packing?"
"I have to go to Milan for work. I'm sorry Hun, it's urgent. I'm leaving early hours." She barely looked up from her suitcase as she muttered a little check list to herself.
This used to be a common thing, my mother leaving the country for work, but she hasn't had to do so for about two years. I used to stay with my grandparents, but only last year they moved to the countrysides.
"How long for?"
"A month. I'm sorry sweetie" I shrugged, I was sure I'd be fine. It was only a month.
"So I'm staying home. Taking care of myself?" I'd asked, possibly sounding a tad too eager.
"God no. You're 16 years old! A month is too long." she laughed at me for thinking she would even consider leaving me home alone. She zipped up her first suitcase and proceeded to pack her second one.
So the question still stood, who was I staying with?
"So I'm staying with Casey?" My eyes lit up. Staying with my best friend for a whole month?! If that didn't excited me, I don't know what would.
"Hunny, you know I barely know Casey's parents. I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving you with people I've only spoke to a few times."
"Then who am I staying with?"
"Okay. I know how much you don't get along, but you don't have a choice. You're staying with the Parkers" She looked up at me and awaited my reaction.
My jaw dropped. What?! No way! I'm not staying with that... that idiot! No. Not happening!
"Mum no! Are you insane?! He's a...he's a fool! An ignoramus! No it is not happening." I shook my head and crossed my arms defiantly.
I prayed to God she was joking. Elaine - Alex Parker's mother, was lovely. I could see why my mother got on with her so well. Thomas - his father, was also kind of nice...but Alex Parker? No. Alex Parker was impossible to get along with. Alex Parker was an obnoxious, rude misfit. How he was the most popular guy in school, I'd never know.
"Max. He is a lovely boy. I don't understand why you guys never got along! But enough. You're staying with the Parkers. End of conversation, go pack your bags." I groaned and stomped, making as much noise as I could as I headed to my bedroom, slamming my door behind me in frustration.
Out of all the families my mother could have been friends with, she chose to be friends with Elaine Parker.
I didn't deserve to be tortured for a whole month by the most infuriating, vexatious teenage boy to walk the earth.
The most annoying part of Alex was that he was undoubtedly gorgeous. His hair was always a messy type of perfect, his straight white teeth gleamed and his eyes were the most beautiful shade of light green. However, he was cruel and obnoxious. He teased and used people and never seemed to care. And I was supposed to be best friends with him? Mhm next joke please.
~~~
"Max, please try to get along with Alex, okay? Believe it or not, the two of you did have one or two moments where you didn't fight when you were younger." I leaned my head on the passenger seats window.
This cannot be happening to me. What did I do to deserve this? I was a good person. I was nice to most people. I had good grades. Surely karma wasn't out to get me?
"Funny, I can't seem to remember those moments."
As we pulled up outside the Parker's house, I let out one last big sigh and took my time undoing my seat belt and getting out of the car.
My mother on the other hand, rushed to the boot of the car to retrieve my bags. I got out at the last possible moment, mum ushering me up to the door. She waited a moment before knocking and looked at me for a long few seconds.
"Promise me you'll be good?"
"I promise..."
"Thank you" She kissed my forehead and knocked on the door. It was only a few seconds before the door swung open to reveal an excited looking Elaine Parker. Her curly dark brown hair shoved into a messy bun with small curls escaping at the sides. She quickly slung her arms around my mum, greeting her. Before I could protest, she let go of my mother and engulfed me into a tight embrace too. I was never really big on hugging people. Especially since I was rather small, it always felt like I was being swamped by another's body which made me feel extremely uncomfortable.
My mother apologised for having to leave so quickly, hugged me goodbye and rushed back to the car, driving away. Elaine kindly offered to help me with my bags which I didn't object too - they were way too heavy.
I followed her into the kitchen and sat at the table. It didn't feel uncomfortable because I'd been here more times than I can count. I knew every inch of this house like the back of my hand.
However, It had been a good six months since I'd been dragged to a family barbecue here, so it had been a little while.
I sighed in relief as I noticed Alex was nowhere to be seen. Thank God.
As if knowing what I was thinking, Elaine grinned. She handed me a can of Dr Pepper , which she knew was my favourite and sat opposite me.
"He's out with the boys." I knew which boys she was talking about. She meant his boys. The other three trouble makers that formed his little posse. I nodded, bringing the can of sweet liquid too my lips.
"I'll warn him too be nice when he gets home." she let out a small laugh. I felt sorry for Elaine. The poor woman would be exhausted by the end of the month with all the bickering Alex and I would no doubt get into into. She seemed to be expecting it though.
"My mum warned me too." I joined her in a small laugh. I really loved this family...except Alex of course. Elaine was really easy to talk to. Well, I suppose after knowing her my whole life that would be expected. Thomas never talk to me quite as much, but I was also quite fond of him. How on earth did two lovely beings manage to produce such an insensitive moron?
The front door opened and slammed shut seconds later. Loud footsteps made their way toward us. I knew exactly who it is. Thomas Parker worked late.
Kill me now.
He appeared in the doorway and his eyes lit up when he saw me. A smirk crawled onto his lips as he cocked his head to the side.
"Miss me already cupcake?" He checked his watch on his left wrist. "It's only been fours hours since we had that lovely chat in the school hallway." He turned his attention to his mother smiling a sweet boyish smile. He was always nicer to me when his mother was around. Elaine probably thought this was us trying to get along, that we really did have a lovely chat in the school hallway. But no. That's not what we were really talking about. What he means to say was when he pulled a jerk move and ruined my favorite sweater.
"You wish."
"Alex, Max will be staying with us for a month while her mother is away for work." Elaine gave us both a huge toothy grin.
It's crazy how much Alex and Elaine looked alike. They both shared the same dark brown hair except Elaine's was curly, whereas Alex's was only a little curly...more wavy really. They shared the same gorgeous smile too, but their eyes were different. Elaine's were a wonderful dark, hazel brown colour and Alex's were like his dad's, a piercing light green.
I turned my attention to Alex, who had a wide toothy grin plastered along his face. "Looks like we will have a lot of quality bonding time." His eyes bore into mine and in return I scowled. Nobody angered me more than Alex did.
~~~
"What do you want to do then?" Alex lounged across the living room couch, taking up the whole of it while I sat on the carpet, legs crossed, watching him tentatively.
Elaine had insisted that we spent time together tonight. That it would be boring for the both of us if we spent the holidays cooped up in our separate bedrooms on social media.
So we had been sat , letting boredom engulf us as we thought of something - anything to do.
"We could watch a movie?" I suggested. I found it a little strange how things rarely got awkward between Alex and I , despite our hatred for each other.
"I highly doubt that we have anything in common, never mind like the same movies."
"Try me."
Alex's lips formed his well known smirk and he nodded. I knew he was probably thinking of this as a challenge. He snatched up the TV remote and scrolled through Netflix.
"Action movies probably bore you right?" He more told me than asked me. Alex seemed as though he would rather die than have something in common with me. The feeling was mutual.
"I love them." I grinned and received a shocked look from him. He snapped his mouth shut and continued scrolling.
"Ah but I bet horrors scare you right?"
"My favourite genre!"
"Comedies?"
"Hilarious!" He scowled at me and threw the tv remote to the end of the couch.
"We're not watching a movie." He continued to scowl, furrowing his eyebrows and clenching his jaw. He was such a baby!
"Well you're boring me and its late. So I'm going to my room." I gave him one last sarcastic smile before disappearing to the spare bedroom that would be mine for the next month or so.
~~~
BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP
I lifted my head from my pillow groggily and registered moments later that the obnoxious beeping noise was in fact my phones ringtone. I grabbed it and saw it was 9:30am. The cause of my awakening was Casey. I swiped the screen to the right and pressed the phone to my ear. Casey's voice immediately filled the silence.
"Get out of bed and answer your damn door."
"Um. I'm not at home."
"Then where are you?" I could hear the confusion in her voice. She wouldn't believe me if I told her. She never understood why I disliked him so much. She understood why I found him irritating of course, but she had always been way more interested in what he had to say than I have. Then again, she didn't grow up with the moron.
"Well my mum is away on business so I have to stay out for a month...at Alex Parkers..."
"No way?! You're kidding? How are you coping?" She laughed. Clearly she was finding this way more amusing than I was. I guess last night wasn't so bad. I mean he wasn't exactly pleasant, but he was only mildly irritating.
"Well we only spent an hour or two together last night. He managed to keep his rude comments to himself, but I don't see that lasting very long." I crawled out of bed and headed over to the mirrored desks of which held my makeup and hairbrush. I took in my appearance and cringed. My dark blonde hair was static and knotted while the slightest bit of dried drool was pasted on the side of my mouth. Lovely.
"Anyways, I have got to get ready. Talk later!"
"Kisses!" She yelled cheerfully before hanging up.
I sat down in the chair opposite the mirror and brushed through my hair. The ends had began to flick outward in some places and inward in others, but I didn't care to straighten it again. I used moisturizer to clean my face and wipe the drool from my mouth. I then proceeded to add a light amount of mascara.
I headed downstairs and into the kitchen, spotting Alex with his back turned to me,dressed in only some loose shorts. His back muscles showed prominently as he cooked what smells like omelette.
Lord help me...
"Morning" I chirped and startled him a little. He turned and gave me a wide smile, his hair was a tousled mess, yet didn't fail to look great.
"I made you breakfast." He set an omelette in front of me smiling sweetly. Alex Parker made me breakfast? What's the catch? I narrowed my eyes, analysing his face for some sort of explanation. When his face dropped into a puppy like frown, my heart sank and guilt settled in the pit of my stomach for being so judgemental.
"Thank you." I picked up the knife and fork and began cutting it up, his smile returned once again as he sat opposite me.
I popped a piece into my mouth and chewed. At first, it was nice. A smirk appeared on Alex's lips as my eyebrows shot up. My mouth began to burn and the spice at the back of my throat made me cough and splutter. I stood up and ran to the sink, spitting it out and shoving my head under the faucet. Alex laughed uncontrollably and I turned, catching my breath and scowling at him once again. He held his stomach, bending over in laughter. That's it. Not even a whole day and I already wanted to choke Alex Parker.
I took my plate and scraped the remaining of the omelette into the bin while Alex calmed down from his laughing fit. I was not letting this go. I'd get revenge...eventually.
"Your face was too funny cupcake." He shook his head, clearly happy with how affective his prank was. Usually, i'd be able to come up with some type of fiery comeback, but with my tongue swelling from the heat and trying to keep my cool with Alex Parker, I just couldn't.
"You're not funny." He chuckled at my pouted face.
He was really getting on my nerves.
I had to admit, it was a little embarrassing that I probably looked like a walrus flapping around for water, but this was Alex and why the hell would I want to impress him?
"I think I'm hilarious." My scowl only seemed to get bigger, especially when he added a flirtatious wink on the end.
You won't be winking when I punch you in your pretty face.
"Somebody needs to deflate your head Alex Parker." I shook my head for affect and he turned his attention back to his untampered omelette, choking it down in mere seconds.
"What are your plans for today?" He placed his dirty dishes on the counter ready to be washed up.
"Not a lot, I'll probably go meet Casey or something. You?" I shrugged, surprised that he cared enough to ask. In all fairness, he was probably asking just to make conversation.
"Meeting the boys." His smirk appeared more devilish that usual. I was taking that as a hint that they would probably be up to no good.
"Have fun with that. I've got to run. See you later." Wasting no time, I slipped on my converse and rushed out of the door.
~~~
"Wait, you and Alex actually have something in common? Other than the British accents of course." Casey sounded more surprised than I would have liked.
When Alex and I were only five, our families both moved together from England to West Vale, where most people have the American accent. My mother and his mother had planned the move from a young age. So Alex and I shared the very British accent.
"We like the same movie genres." I shrugged and swayed myself a little on the swing next to Casey's. I only told Casey this because she was bugging me on anything I could tell her about Alex. She practically bombarded my with questions, so I told her all about the night before with Alex.
"Anyway, I need your help. I have to get revenge." I couldn't help but smirk, which wasn't something I usually found myself doing. I was not a schemer, but what could I say...Alex Parker brought out the absolute worst in me.
A/N - HEY! Thank you so much if you decided to give this story a try! I'm really excited and although this chapter is only just setting up the story line, I do have so much planned for this story, I hope you enjoy, don't forget to vote! Xoxo