20 | ≠ victory

Returning back home should've been normal. I mean except the fact that Nathan and I are dating now, nothing has really changed. I had called Mia earlier today to inform her of the time of my return, and she had screamed like a banshee with happiness. Normal Mia behaviour. So when I climbed the stairs to our apartment and opened my door, to say I was shocked is an understatement.

Because on the couch are Eli and Mia, cuddling and watching a movie together. Eli's arm is wound around my best friend, and Mia's head is resting on his chest. Both of them let out a laugh as something funny happens on the screen. I can't move, because didn't Mia hate Eli with all her heart when I left 3 days ago? I feel arms slide around my waist and a kiss on my shoulder, making me momentarily forget about my confusion. Looking at Nathan from the corner of my eye, I see him smirk while observing his best friend with mine.

"What is going on?" I whisper to him. Both of them are yet to notice us.

Nathan smirks from behind me and whispers back, his mouth grazing my ears softly, "Looks like Eli finally cleared the air."

"But didn't they have just 3 days?" I question.

He smiles at me and replies, "Grasshopper, didn't we also have just 3 days?"

I roll my eyes and reply, "Touche."

Finally, Eli's eyes snap to the two of us, and he lets out a small whistle, catching Mia's attention. She whips her head to the door, and when she finds us in each other's arms, she screams even louder than she did on the phone and lunges towards me. I feel Nathan let me out of his hug as Mia tackles me a second later.

"I can't say I didn't know this but seeing this in real life just makes me so happy!" she exclaims. I cock my eyebrow at her, and she smirks at me.

"Your mom called," That's all she says before running to the kitchen to make us some coffees.

I roll my eyes yet again at the thought of my mother and my best friend gossiping about me. I look over at Eli and drop my bags, walking towards him. I take a stand in directly in front of him and cross my arms across my body. He looks at me nervously and sits up a tad bit straighter.

"What are your intentions towards my best friend?" I ask in a low voice, careful that Mia doesn't overhear. I watch as Nathan chuckles and sits beside Eli, staring at him amusedly.

"Yes, Eli, what are your intentions?" he asks, which causes Eli to glare at him. I clear my throat, and his eyes snap back to mine and turn serious.

"I like her," he whispers.

I smirk and reply, "Does she know?"

He shakes his head no, and I let out a breath, "Are you serious about her?"

"As serious as I can be. You won't have to worry about me, Bumper," he replies, throwing the nickname he gave me so long ago.

I smile at him and nod, walking away from him. I pass Mia by the kitchen and call out to her, "I'm in my room, freshening up."

"Alright. Finish quickly, your tea will get cold."

I nod at her and walk in my room. As I'm about to close my door, Nathan slips in from behind me and locks the door. I look at him with surprise and just as I'm about to open my mouth, he pulls me towards him and turns me around so that I'm pushed up against the wall, both his hands caging me between him and his body.

His lips are on me in a second, kissing me deeply and passionately. I respond with equal fervour and move my hands to tug his hair. He lets out a low groan and pushes his body against mine so that there's no space between us. I move one of my hands to his chest and slip it under his shirt, where I trace every single dip of his abs. His mouth leaves mine as he moves to my jaw and my neck, peppering kisses along the way.

I moan as he sucks a spot on my neck and this time I don't stop him. He smiles against my skin before biting and sucking the spot ever so slightly. Pulling at his hair, his mouth finally leaves my raw skin which I'm sure is going to be bruised and comes back to my own, his teeth pulling my lower lip ever so gently between them. I don't know for how long we stay there, kissing and touching each other, but when we pull apart, his eyes are filled with lust and something else I can't place, hair is messy from the innumerable time I ran my fingers through it and he's as breathless as I am.

"Eli and Mia are outside," he croaks out as if he can't believe he's saying this.

I nod slowly and peck his swollen pink lips quickly, "We'll wait for when we're alone."

He nods and moves to my forehead, kissing me there, letting himself linger a little longer than required. I smile as he pulls back and stares at me with pure adoration.

"You know I really really like you, right?"

I nod and kiss him again. I don't think I can ever stop at this point.

"I know. Now let me actually go and freshen up."

He smirks mischievously, and I know his next words even before they're out of his mouth.

"Want me to join?"

And that is enough for me to push him out of my room, his laugh warming my entire body from head to toe.

⋈ ⋈ ⋈

"Is she a little extra devilish today?" I question Shaye as we work our asses off at the Bakery. It's my first day at the Bakery after our trip and it feels like Mrs Warren is removing all her frustration from the past few days right on me.

"Yep. She definitely is," she murmurs as Shaye glares at her mother. The bell of the Bakery rings, indicating a new customer. I put on my best customer smile and turn towards the customer. The customer looks familiar as if I've seen him somewhere before. He's a tall lanky guy, wearing a flannel shirt like a jacket and a white tee underneath. His face has a devilish smirk on it, making me take a step back from the counter instinctively.

I don't know why, but I instantly don't like him.

"Welcome to the Bakery. How can I help you?" I ask politely, not letting the discomfort he's causing show on my face.

He smirks wider if that's even possible and pushes his hands in his pockets.

"I can't find your number in the menu?" he asks.

I narrow my eyes at him while at the same time try my hardest to keep the polite smile on my face, "I'm sorry sir, but would you like to order something?"

"Yes. Your number," he says cockily. I see Shaye straightening up beside me from the corner of my eye and turn towards her slightly and shake my head no.

This is something I have to take care of.

"I'm in a relationship," I say through gritted teeth. His smirk doesn't leave his face as he leans towards me, making me take another step back.

"That doesn't mean you can't share your number with me, right?"

I take a deep breath as Nathan's face flashes in front of my eyes, giving me the confidence to do what I'm going to do next.

"No. If you don't want to order anything, you can just leave."

I watch as Shaye's jaw drops in surprise, as well as of the douche in front of me. After recovering from the shock of my reply, his entire demeanour changes. He stands up a bit straighter now and smiles at me like I just said something amusing.

"Good to know you're still the fiery girl you were in high school, Ali," he remarks, making me furrow my eyebrows in confusion. He chuckles deeply as I rack my brain, trying to remember him.

"You don't recognise me?" he asks.

I shake my head no, and because I'm feeling a little more confident today, I reply, "At this point, I think it's a good thing that I don't."

His laugh doesn't manage to put my mind at ease as he quickly replies, "I'm Elliot. We went to the same high school. Remember? Chemistry partner?"

My eyes widen in shock, and I take another good look at Elliot, the Elliot, who managed to make my life hell in those short chemistry lectures. He was the worst lab partner ever, always making me do all the work by myself. He knew my problem and how I would say yes to everything he told me to do.

Mix the chemicals? Take notes simultaneously? Blow up the entire lab? It was all a yes from me as he was busy flirting with random girls in the class. Looking back at him, gone are his thick-rimmed glasses and overly pale complexion. In those places, I find a better-looking version of Elliot Rivers, and I can't help but feel sorry for anyone who falls into the trap of his boyish charm.

But since I know better, I smile at him politely, "Yes, now I remember. You're still the same asshole you were. Good to know that you didn't change either."

He smirks and lets out a deep chuckle, "I was just messing around with you! What's a better way to meet my ex chemistry partner?"

Shaye, having enough of his bullshit, walks towards us and says in an authoritative voice only the owner of the shop can have, "Are you going to order anything or not?"

He looks at her, and smiles, "And you are?"

She smirks back, her natural bitch persona showing clearly, "Not someone you will have the privilege to know. So, order?"

He rolls his eyes and looks at the menu, finally settling on an order, "Can I have an Iced Coffee and a Blueberry muffin please?"

"Yes, you can. Coming right up," Shaye says as I quickly type it in the cash register and produce a receipt and hand it to him.

He takes one look at the bill, and his eyes gain the familiar look it always did when he was about to make me do something in high school. I brace myself and don't let anything show in my eyes. Because honestly, I'm terrified. The only reason I could say no before was that it was something related to Nathan. He gives me strength even without being around me physically. But now, as I watch Elliot, the worst person who affected my condition, I can't help but falter.

"I'm so sorry, but I don't have enough for the Blueberry Muffin," he says as my doubts come true. I watch as Shaye is busy conversing with Mrs Warren, who snaps her eyes to mine when I look over.

I quickly turn back to Elliot and say, "I can just remove it-"

"Aliana, can I pay you later? I'm really hungry," he interrupts my sentence with an evil smirk as I struggle to formulate a response.

My heart is beating uncomfortably in my chest as I stammer, "Could I just-"

"You're saying no?" he asks, a challenging glint in his eyes. He's challenging me to say no after I've already said it to him before. I look at Shaye uncomfortably when I find that she's nowhere in sight.

Looking back at him, I sigh before giving in, "Sure. Why not? Pay later."

His face lights up with victory as Mia quickly walks out of the kitchen and places his order at the counter without even a glance at me because that's how it works. Mia gives me the order, and I give it to the customer. We work like clockwork, without even having to look at each other, but today I so desperately needed her to glance at me. But she didn't, and I lose against my oldest enemy.

"You're the best!" he says, paying only for the coffee. I sigh as I remove my wallet from my pocket, paying for his muffin from my own hard-earned money. Because it's a rule Mrs Warren never breaks. Everyone pays for their food on the spot. Paying later is strictly prohibited. So there is no way she's going to make an exception for me. I look back at Elliot and glare, his face holding a smug smile.

"I'll see you soon, Ali! Until next time!" he winks and walks out of the main door.

As I look at him leave, I realise that the real war is going to start. And I'm not at all prepared for it.

⋈ ⋈ ⋈

I know I know, I'm late. And there's a new not so friendly guy. I'm going to have so much fun with this segment. I apologise in advance. Don't kill me. Anyway, how's everyone??? We're so freaking close to 10k that I'm kinda freaking out. It's like 1.5k ish away and I'm highly impatient. AHHHH.

Okay okay, question of the week.

Q. What is your biggest regret in life? I honestly don't believe in regretting anything but lately, I've been in a very weird mood and this question fits.

Thank you so so so so much for all the love and support you've shown me. I will be editing the first few chapters soon, just add more descriptions and take care of the dialogues because it literally feels like it has been written by a 12 y/o. No offence to 12 y/os because I know a few who are more talented than I can ever be. Okay cool, I'm gonna go. Vote, comment, do whatever. Ciaoo!

Love,

Anya <3