Chapter twenty-seven | Next comes sexting

Chapter twenty-seven | Next comes sexting

(I know, another repeat of Eli's POV. I just think it is important for the plot.)

Navya's words bounced off the walls as silence made its way. I felt as if I had stopped breathing, waiting for Connor to react.

After moments dragged to a minute, her shoulders slumped in defeat. Her hand slipped back to her side as Navya's head hung low.

She took a step back, returning Connor the personal space she had invaded.

Surprising both of us, Connor grabbed her hand, stopping her from moving away. He tugged the hand to his face and leaned against it, closing his eyes in content.

Navya's gasp echoed in the room as I gawked at the scene in front of me.

"I want her back too. I want my feisty best friend back," he mumbled slowly under his breath.

A squeal slipped past Navya's lips as she jumped on her spot. Connor opened his eyes just in time to see Navya barreling towards him.

He stumbled a little as she came crashing into his arms, wrapping her arms around his neck.

I released a breath I didn't even remember holding. The tension in the room slowly evaporated into nothing.

Connor and Navya stayed wrapped into each other's embrace as silent tears flowed through their eyes. They remained like this for a few moments until I disrupted their peace.

"Guys, can I join your sob moment? I am your best friend too," I joked as I stepped closer to them.

Navya leaned away from Connor and nodded, opening her arms in a welcoming manner. I faintly heard Connor mutter 'cock block' as we formed a group hug.

"She is not into cocks any more," I joked, earning an amused look from Navya and a mock scowl from Connor.

"Talking about dicks. Way to ruin the moment, Eli," Connor mocked, earning a playful punch from me.

"I missed you guys so much. I thought I lost both of you forever," Navya muttered as she closed her eyes.

Leaning back, Connor and I shared a look and nodded in understanding. "It is impossible to get rid of us," I started.

"So, stop dreaming about it," Connor completed.

Navya chuckled as a fresh wave of tears escaped her swollen eyes. "Shit!" she muttered playfully, making three of us chuckle.

Finally, everything was changing back to normal, and I was thankful for it.

About an hour later, we found ourselves settled in the living room as we munched on the pasta dad made. Binge-watching 'Ps I still love you', even if we had seen it many times before.

Connor and Navya were too engrossed in the movie for my liking.

I huffed and pulled my phone out. The screen displayed two messages from Cynthia, making my heart beat faster. I quickly clicked on them as both of my friends were too preoccupied to catch me texting on a friends' night.

Cynthia: 'Please, do. Make sure that the flowers are pastel pink.'

I rolled my eyes at the text and read the next one I received only an hour ago.

Cynthia: 'I saw Navya walking in!

Are you planning something, Eli?

Are you playing the peacemaker?'

I looked up at the screen, finding the John guy and Lara Jean almost kissing, telling me we were nearing the end.

Thanks to Navya's habit of skipping through non-interesting parts.

Elias: 'Yes, I played peacemaker.

We are back to being best buddies.

It is still awkward, but we will get through this.'

Cynthia didn't reply for a long minute, making me curse. She must be sleeping right now.

I returned my attention to the screen witnessing Lara Jean run away. My phone pinged, making me quickly pull it out.

Cynthia: 'That is great!

Have fun! Good night!'

I was typing in a good night's response when someone snatched my phone from my hand. An indignant gasp escaped my lips. "Hey!" I almost screamed as Navya read my texts.

I grumbled and tried to snatch it away from her when Connor took it from her hand and leaned away. Both of them were reading through all the texts that Cynthia and I exchanged.

I just rolled my eyes and huffed, crossing my arms on my chest. "Privacy is a myth here," I muttered.

They blatantly ignored my comment, too absorbed into the digital words. Connor whistled and shook his head, giving me a proud look over his shoulder.

"You are finally learning how to flirt when texting. Good boy!" he said, with mock pride in his voice. "At this rate, I am sure you guys will be sexting and exchanging nudes in a week."

He yelped as I landed a swift kick on his legs. Navya chuckled at our exchange and handed the phone back to me.

"It is not like I am asking you to forward those nudes," he muttered, earning a smack on his chest from Navya.

"Shut up," she hissed as she narrowed her eyes.

Then she turned my way and gave me a Cheshire smile. "Eli, I will ask you something, and you are going to reply to me honestly."

I nodded and waited for her question. A part of me could already guess what question was coming my way.

"Let's start easy. Why did you and Cynthia start to spend so much time together, all of a sudden?" she asked with a neutral tone as she leaned forward near my face.

Her question caught me off guard as it was unexpected. I gave her a startled look while she eyed me with a questioning one. "Speak up!"

Connor groaned from behind her, pulling me out of my daze.

"Uh, We started to spend time together because," I paused as their eyes shone with curiosity.

They nodded in encouragement and silently asked me to continue. "Cynthia was going to help me, become-uh-a bad boy?"

They stared at me for what seemed like forever. Connor leaned forward and pinched my arm.

I yelped and glared at the idiot. "So it is not a dream... " he spoke in a daze. Navya had her eyebrows scrunched together as she processed my words.

"Why do you want to be a bad boy, Eli? You are great the way you are," Navya stated after the prolonged silence that filled the room.

"Look if this shit is something to gain popularity or something, then stop it right this instant. I will not allow you to-" she continued before I could reply to her question.

I cut her off in between and shook my head.

"It is not about popularity... mostly," Crimson filled my cheeks and painted my embarrassment's red flag. "You know... I used to like Andrea."

Navya gave a guilty look at my words and averted her eyes, making me curse on inside. I opened my mouth to reassure her, but Connor beat me to it.

"What do you mean by you used to? I thought you still liked Andrea!" Connor exclaimed, looking flabbergasted.

I sighed and leaned back. "I don't know how, but it happened. I stopped like Andrea after some time." I bit my lips before phrasing my next words. "Cynthia was helping me become the ideal guy, the bad boy Andrea liked in exchange for Organic Chemistry tutoring and some other reasons. But that day, when I saw her kissing Navya, I felt nothing except shock."

Navya once again grimaced at the memory and hung her head low. "I am sorry that I hid about her kissing me... I got scared that you will stop talking to me, knowing that the girl you liked was kissing me."

I grabbed her in my arms and shook my head no vigorously. "It is fine! As I said before, I hold no more romantic feelings for her. So, don't put yourself down for it," I reassured and patted her slowly.

Connor gave us an odd look and stared at the window. I knew it would take more time than this for him to come to terms with the current situation, but we were there for him.

"No one is worth changing except for yourself, remember that Elias," Connor muttered out of the blue as Navya pulled back from me.

His eyes were still focused on the window as Navya turned towards him. Connor's eyes were glazed, and I was sure he was lost in a faraway place, away from us mentally.

"I second that," Navya added with a grin.

I nodded and turned towards the screen. The movie was over during our conversation.

"You don't like Andrea because you like Cynthia, right?" Connor questioned as I picked up the remote.

I froze in shock and almost dropped the device on the floor when he uttered those words.

Violent coughs wracked through my body as I choked on my words, trying to deny his conclusion.

"Hm... now that he said that..." Navya mused over his words. "I can see the chemistry between you guys. I am sure she likes you a lot, and by the look on your face, you like her too."

I opened my mouth to deny but shut it close as no words escaped. My thoughts were blank as my best friends stared up at me with an odd glint in their eyes.

"I don't like her, and I don't have a look on my face." I directed the last part towards Navya, who just snickered in response.

"Sure, you don't," she muttered under her breath as Connor shook with laughter.

"Dude, who are you lying to? Us or yourself?" Connor got the words out in fits of laughter. "It is clear on your face you like her. Your face lights up like a fucking Christmas tree when she talks to you. Like you can't stop smiling... it is creepy."

Navya nodded in agreement, making me glare at her. "I agree. You guys talk about things in hushed whispers like sharing a very private joke, a dirty joke. The normal conversations sound like you guys are flirting constantly."

"What the fuck?" I yelled in indignation, "Where are you guys sprouting this shit from? We are not flirting with each other. Get your eyes checked." My words came out defensive as I crossed my arms.

Connor scoffed and patted me hard on my back. "Ok, do what you want. Live in a delusion," he said nonchalantly, "But remember that if you act on your feelings, there is a chance that she might return them."

"Yes, and you guys could already be kissing and making babies after your confession," Navya squealed.

Her words horrified me to no end. I turned a pitiful shade of red as events from the past crossed my mind.

Navya poked her finger against my warm cheeks, looking intrigued by my reaction.

"What are you hiding, Elias? Did you guys already fuck? Or maybe kiss?" she asked, sounding every bit curious and accusing.

Under their inquisitive stare, I couldn't help but cough awkwardly.

I could lie, but it wasn't going to be of any use as Navya and Connor spot them quickly. So quickly that it seemed like I had a neon sign on my head saying, 'I am lying!'.

I nibbled my lips as I muttered my next words inaudibly. They leaned in, trying to make them out.

"Do you have an increase in the volume button?" Connor asked.

I rolled my eyes and quickly repeated myself. "I kissed Cynthia at the party while I was drunk."

Silence followed my words, making me twiddle my thumbs in embarrassment.

"Finally, my bro is getting some action!" Connor all but shouted as Navya stood up from her seat.

He was pumping his fist in the air as enthusiasm lit his features.

A strangled noise came from the back of my throat as Navya rolled her eyes.

"So, you kissed her when you got drunk. How did you feel when you kissed her?" Navya asked like she was a fucking therapist, counseling me about the art of coming in terms with my feelings.

Knowing that there was no way out of this, I sighed. "It was good... great actually, but I feel guilty for throwing myself on her like that. It is not right."

"But what do you feel other than guilt? What does it feel like when you relive that kiss?" she coaxed, leaning forward as she clutched the cushion.

Reliving the moment through my mind, I felt a warm feeling bubble inside of me. Unknown to me, a slight smile curved my lips.

"It felt great, euphoric even. My heart was going crazy as I felt her lips against mine. I was in a daze as I kissed the girl I-"

My breath hitched as I realized what I was about to say.

"The girl you like. You like Cynthia, Elias," Navya completed for me as a gigantic smile slipped on her face.