5: The f*******: Chat

Lu Newman All her life, Lu has been used to having constant fights with her friends. It happens quite a lot (especially her and Xavier), so they already knew what precautions to take and what to do in order to appease one’s anger. For her, it was especially easy when it’s Xavier. Maybe it’s because she’s closer to him or he’s just that simple to handle, but she somehow finds her fights with Xavier exhilarating and amusing. Of course, it’s no fun when she finally faces head-on all of Xavier’s bashful words and sneers, but she doesn’t really mind. She makes sure to also make him especially annoyed after all. "So, how are things with Xavier?" Ian asked as he plopped down Lu’s bed, making the bed dip beside her. Sighing almost exasperatedly, she continued on typing on her laptop, completely ignoring his question. It’s at times like these that she really hates how inquisitive Ian is.  "How's your jet lag?" She asked, trying to change the whole subject. She knows it’s a futile effort, but it’s still worth a try. She has always kind of disliked talking about her fights with Xavier because it always ends up getting pretty bad and the others end up worrying about the both of them when they hear the details that she thinks is unnecessary for them to know—which they obviously think otherwise. Of course, when they force her to tell them, she spares them the whole detail and just tells them bits and bits of it. They would still know she left out some details anyway; it’s quite annoying. He rolled his eyes at her and replied, "That's not working with me, Lu. You need to stop dodging the subject about Sturgeon." As a last ditch effort, Lu opted to go for the stupidity act. She raised an eyebrow at him and asked, "Sturgeon? Who do you mean by Sturgeon? There's a lot of Sturgeon that I know. Do you mean Lauren? Or his sister? Or maybe his parents perhaps?" "You know who I mean, Newman." He said gruffly, his voice taunting. "So we're on a last name basis now?" She asked and he screamed in frustration. It was amusing for her to see Ian act the way he is but right now, she’s just grateful he took the bait she offered him. "Lu, just tell me. How's your fight with Xavier?" He asked again and she sighed, knowing that no matter what she did, she would never be able to find a way out of Ian’s inquisitions. "It was…” She paused. "Uneventful, to say the least." "How uneventful?" He asked, a curious expression plastered on his face. It took a moment for Lu to reply to Ian’s question. She thought carefully about how to put it into wordings but decided that just thinking about it would get her nowhere, so she just went for it.  ”Let’s just say that all of you probably wouldn’t see us talking to each other longer than usual." She tried to say it in a nonchalant manner, but her inner suppressed feelings of frustration and sadness got the best of her. Ian obviously took notice of it (of course he would, right? They have been friends for as long as she could remember), making him sigh and pull her closer to him as he put his arm around her. "Don't worry, it's going to be fine. Everything's going to be fine." He reassured me and she sighed, hoping that what he said would be true. She knows it’s most probably just wishful thinking, but she really hopes that she and Xavier would be able to mend the crack between them. "Hopefully." She mumbled under my breath and the latter merely kissed her forehead in reply.  Wriggling away from his tight grip on her, she moved back to her previous position so she could continue typing on her laptop. She could feel Ian’s stare on her (which she knew is burning in curiosity) and just silently chuckled at his action. Probably wanting nothing more than to sate the curiosity burning inside of her, he asked, "What are you doing?"  He moved closer to her as she tried to see what she was doing. She instantly brought her laptop closer to her and turned the other way around, not wanting him to see what she was doing. She was just teasing him of course since it was really something to see Ian give it his all just to get what he wants.  Smiling at him innocently as he looked at her suspiciously, she said, “Curious?” He narrowed his eyes at her. “What are you doing, Lu?” “Trying to ruin your good name.” He snorted. “You can’t find any dirt on me even if you tried.” “Are you sure?” Lu gave him a slow smirk to try and shake him off his confidence. Obviously, Lu’s scheme worked. But before she could infuriate him even further, her attention was drawn to the light sound she heard.  Looking at her laptop, she saw that she had received a new message. Immediately, she looked at it and saw that it was Alonah who messaged her on f*******:. The past excitement and giddiness she felt before Ian came knocking on her door came back tenfold. She’s been waiting for her friend’s reply about a certain matter they were talking about and she really wanted to know her answer so bad. Because of how excited she is, she even just ended up staring at her screen as she waited for her best friend’s reply to pop up. She was proud of the concentration bubble she was in too because that rarely ever happens to her, but it was ruined the moment Ian entered her home. It left her so vexed that the only greeting she gave him was a scowl. Ian had no idea what he did, of course. Alonah Charm Alright, fine. I'll admit it, okay? I do find Ian attractive. Happy? A grin broke out on her face, happy that her deduction was spot on. But then, a sudden feeling of something weird emerged inside of her. Whatever it is, she doesn’t like it one bit; it was a completely foreign feeling to her and it irritates her that it was able to take her by surprise like this. She furrowed her eyebrows in confusion as she tried to gauge the emotion she’s feeling before deciding to just shrug it off. She quickly looked over at Ian, who was scrolling aimlessly on his phone, seemingly giving up on trying to figure out what she’s up to. Looking back at the laptop, she replied: Lu Newman  I knew it. *smiles smugly* I'm going to tell Iaaaannnn Alonah Charm  NOOOOO! DON'T! DON'T YOU DARE DO THAT, LU!  Lu Newman  Sorry but...I already did Alonah Charm LU! I HATE YOU, SERIOUSLY! WHY DID YOU TELL HIM?!  Never mind what I said before this. So what did he say? Lu laughed at what Alonah said, grabbing Ian's attention. He scooted closer to her and she didn't bother to continue her antic earlier of not letting him see because A) she knew that this time, it wouldn’t work anymore and B) she was too preoccupied laughing her insides out. Once Ian moved closer to her, there was no doubt about it that he would read the conversation she’s having with Alonah. As soon as he was done reading, a grin broke out on his face and he was chuckling silently beside her.  By then, Lu already stopped with her laughing fit and just looked at Ian with vague curiosity. She wondered what’s currently going on through his head and what he felt when she read Alonah’s reply. It slightly irritated her.  Why does she even want to know what Ian thought about what Alonah said? Moreover, what is this feeling that is continuously growing inside of her? Ian pulled the laptop closer to him and he started typing on the laptop. Curious, she peeked at the screen and chuckled when she saw his reply. Lu Newman  He said that you're also hot and that you're a very beautiful girl. Despite the slight ache she felt (which can’t for the life of her figure out), she chuckled again and said, "I wonder what her reply would be." This time though, it seemed like she can’t disregard it—whatever it is. The continuous tugging at her gut is still there and her eyebrows furrowed in confusion once more. Seriously, what the hell is this? It felt so weird to her in all aspects. He faced her and let out a chuckle of his own. "We'll just have to see. And look! She's already even typing a reply." She looked over, and surely enough, there was a 'Alonah is typing...' on the bottom most part. Waiting excitedly, she finally typed a reply. Alonah Charm  ...He said that?  Lu Newman  Yeah. He even said that of course you would think that. He already knows that he's hot and attractive anyway, so it wasn't really that much of a surprise coming from you. Ian laughed beside her and gave her a high-five. "That is so me, Lu!" He laughed again. “Of course it is. Being friends with you most of my life helped with that.” She winked at him playfully. She heard another beep coming from the laptop and saw that Alonah messaged another reply. Alonah Charm  HAHAHAHAHA OH MY GOSH, HE SAID THAT?! HAHAHAHAHAHA COULD HIS EGO GET ANY BIGGER? Lu laughed at her response and faced Ian, who had a grin on his face. "Yeah, Ian. Could your ego get any bigger?"  "Why, of course. It actually could. Especially if a girl encourages me." He replied, sending me a wink. She pushed him to the side and laughed. “You’re ridiculous, Mitchell. Acting that was just doesn’t you at all.” “I just can’t seem to pull that off, can I?” “You just don’t really give off an arrogant vibe unlike some people we know.” Laughing, Ian replied, “That’s true. They don’t even have to try.” “Oh I know. It’s like it’s already a part of them.” Lu grinned, directing her attention back to the screen once she heard another ping coming off of it. Lu Newman Hahahahaha well, yes. He said that it actually could. Specifically, if a girl encourages him. Alonah Charm A girl? Hmmm...I think I have an idea on who that girl is Lu Newman And who is that, exactly? Come on, enlighten me Alonah Charm ME! HAHAHAHAHAHA JUST KIDDING!  Lu Newman Just kidding? Oh, please. I know you secretly want it to be you Alonah Charm WHAT?! NO WAY! I HAVE XAVIER HAHAHAHA Lu Newman HAHAHAHAHA OH MY GOSH, YOU FINALLY ADMITTED IT! HAHAHAHAHA Alonah Charm Whatever Anyways, I have to go. My brother's already nagging me to make him use the computer hahahaha goodbyeeee Lu Newman Alright. Goodbye love xx She closed the laptop after that and sat beside Ian on the bed. “Your best friend is quite a handful, isn’t she?” Ian questioned. Lu chuckled. “You have no idea. So, where do you want to go? I'm bored."  Without giving a reply, he hopped off the bed and pulled her with him, making her land on the floor with a thud. Ian looked over at her in surprise before he eventually laughed at her pain as he watched her sit up, rubbing her nose in the process. "I think you broke my nose." She informed him, a frown making its way on her face. “You’re so dramatic.” Ian grinned, offering his hand to help her stand up. As retaliation for what he did, Lu took his hand and pushed him down when she was already able to stand up. She immediately made a run for it since she knows that Ian would most definitely get her back for that. Not a moment too soon, she heard footsteps behind her coming near and she quickly went down the stairs to try and widen the gap between them. She immediately saw Frank, her brother, and pulled him in front of her to keep Ian from coming closer. “Hey!” Frank exclaimed in surprise. “Shut up. Don’t move.” Lu told him. Frank struggled under her hold, trying to break free from her. “What the hell are you doing, you stupid sister?” Lu decided not to reply to that. If she did, they would only end up fighting again and she is definitely not in the mood to deal with his bitchy attitude that only appears when they have their fights. When Ian finally arrived in front of her, he gave her an evil grin. Instinctively, she kept Frank flushed against her while the latter just continued scowling and shouting profanities at her.  “Come near, and my brother gets it." Lu threatened and she heard Frank snicker. "Don't include me with this stupid flirting session of yours."  And with those words said, he finally managed to pull away from her and went towards the kitchen. Lu could only stare at him in surprise but was immediately reminded that she had other things to devote her attention to. Ian slowly walked towards her, making her back away from him. He kept walking near her until her back bumped on the wall, cursing when she could feel the hopelessness of her escape creeping inside of her. Lu looked at Ian nervously as he stared at her menacingly and put both his arms over her head, effectively trapping her against him. "You need to pay for what you did, Lu." He said, letting his voice be deeper than usual. Gulping the lump in my throat, she replied, "And how do you think I should repay you?" He dipped his head close to hers until his nose was touching hers. At that moment, Lu was pretty sure that her breath hitched. "By doing what we both do best." He replied, his voice coming out raspy. Okay, so they might have kissed once or twice. Maybe it was accidental, maybe it wasn't. All she knew is that out of all the guys she’s ever kissed, he's definitely the best kiss she’s got. Not to mention that they were also each other's first kiss. How did that happen? Simple. They stared into each other's eyes far too long. They were around fifteen at that time and he came and visited her together with his parents. They were at this park late at night, watching the stars twinkle at the vast sky. They talked about the things they missed about each other, like what's happening to his school, who he likes and all that. And so, they sat under this tree as he talked about the girl he liked the most. He was freaking out because he's going to ask her to hang out when they get back to Chicago and he's planning to kiss her at the end of the night—that is if she says yes. But who could say no to Ian, right? And so, as a result of what she heard, she laughed at his face and mocked him about how he can't kiss a girl to save his life—not that she would know at that time. They haven't kissed and she hasn't even kissed a guy yet. He glared at her reaction and pushed her to the side so she ended up lying on the ground. He helped her up after glaring at her for the longest time and regarded me with mirth. "You're stupid." Ian's fifteen year old had said at that time. "Well, so are you. You're even terrified of kissing a girl." She said while rolling her eyes. He glared at me and brought his face closer to hers as he said, "Want to try that out?" Needless to say, she shut up after he said that. She just stared into his eyes and so did he. Not a moment too soon, his lips were already pressing against hers and she was too shocked to respond, but was kissing him back when she was out of the shock she was in. And so, when the kiss ended, she blushed profusely while he was stuttering about how he was just caught up in the moment and didn't mean to do that. She just laughed at his flustered face and told him that his reaction was just a side effect of her kiss. Not like she knew it really was. Because the next thing she knew, he was already kissing her again. When he pulled away, she immediately spanked him and told him that he just stole her first yet again. Of course, he didn't know that that was her first kiss. She felt dumb and stupid for telling him that but he just chuckled and somehow, she ended up letting him confess to her that that was his first kiss too. And so, that's the story of how they ended up being each other's first kiss. Tada. It wasn’t exactly the most interesting there is. Heck, Lu even knows that their story was most probably how it was for others too. But, she still treasured it nonetheless. Aside from the fact that it was the story of how her first kiss happened, it was also the feeling she felt that came with it that made it all the more special. "And that is?" She replied in a whisper. He leaned his head closer to hers, and, instinctively, so did hers. But, she already had a plan in her head that she was just waiting patiently to hatch. As his lips were about to brush hers, she pushed him back and ran towards the door, laughing. He groaned and said, "Tease." She stuck her tongue out at him and he went near her, a grin plastered on his face. He put his arm around her as they went out the door. "Are you just going to leave me hanging like that?" He asked. "Yes. Yes, I will." She replied with a grin. "Not even for old time's sake?" He suggested and she burst out laughing. She pulled his arm away from her and she held his hand instead. They have always been playful like that and they always flirted with each other back and forth. Yet despite all that, they both knew that the words and actions they exchanged didn’t really mean anything—it was completely platonic. To them, it was what was normal. They both grew up acting that way that the people around them always assume they’re a couple. Lu thinks it’s not really a misguided assumption because they really do look like one, but every time she hears that it always leaves an unknown feeling inside of her—almost like it was longing and the wish that their claims were true. However, as soon as those thoughts appeared, it would disappear just as fast. She would feel ridiculous for feeling that way afterwards because why would she feel that way? He’s her friend for Pete’s sake. At first, she didn’t really know what to do or how to deal with that feeling. But eventually, she managed to get rid of that feeling—at least that’s what she thinks. And then there was what happened earlier. Another unknown feeling blossomed inside of her. She’s bad when it comes to things like these because she’s not used to dealing with those feelings. She’s used to it being direct and just there; not it springing out of her out of nowhere. It’s troublesome, but she has to find a way on how to deal with it. She gave Ian a grin. "Come on, lover boy. Let's go to the park." “The park? That’s so boring.” Ian replied. “Well, do you have any other idea?” “No, not really.” Lu stared at him blankly. “You’re really the type of person I don’t want to deal with. Why can’t you just make a decision like a normal human being?” Ian laughed as he squeezed her hand. “Oh come on. It’s not like you’re not used to my indecisive nature.” Sighing, she said, “Sadly, that is true. How did my life come to this?” “I became your friend, that’s how.” “And I regret every single second of it.” Ian frowned. “Seriously?” “No, you idiot.” “I know.” “Then why did you even react that way?” “Because it’s fun teasing you.” Lu sighed. “Right now, I really am starting to regret being friends with you. My life would have been so much easier.” “But it wouldn’t be fun though.” He told her, giving her a wink right after. “You’re not the only fun friend I have, Mitchell. I have tons of those.” “But everything is more fun when it’s with me.” Lu laughed. “Keep dreaming.” "If I dream, will you be there standing beside me?" He questioned with a glint in his eyes that Lu couldn't quite decipher. "What kind of stupid question is that? Of course I would. I wouldn't be your friend if I wasn't, right?" Ian chuckled. "I''m really glad you're in my life, Lu. Life definitely wouldn't be fun if you aren't around." Lu, already used to all of her friend's teasing, frowned at him and replied, "Because I'm like a clown in your life, aren't I?" Ian blinked at her in surprise like he couldn't comprehend what she just said before he burst out laughing. "No, because you're a really fun person to be with." She didn't really know how to reply to that. After all, she's not used to Ian telling her things like that. Still, she pulled herself together and gave him a smile. With a slight pink tinting her cheeks, she told him, "You're a pain in the arse, Mitchell." She already knew that Ian was a handful, but she wasn’t expecting he would come to be this much of a handful throughout the whole time they didn’t see each other. At that moment, it made her realize that no matter the situation, Ian would always be the most special person in her life. Not to mention that the guy would most definitely be the death of her. Still, she wouldn’t have it any other way.