[24]: the plan

________________________ 24 the plan "The way you react is how I perceive the things that are going through your head." ________________________ Alexander let out a light chuckle as he took in the look of absolute irritation swirling in those mesmerizing sea blue orbs of hers. The way she was able to say all those things with such finesse is definitely one of the things that he would always find interesting about her. It may have been a direct insult hurled to his face and pride, but he didn’t really mind--he was used to that kind of treatment and response from her anyway. The mirth that he felt towards the current predicament they’re currently in overpowered the previous annoyance he was starting to feel. While the short normal conversation they had a moment ago was nice and refreshing (and he would have preferred to keep it that way, if he’s being honest) but just being able to experience that again was enough for him. He knows he shouldn’t push her more than what she’s comfortable with and he’s definitely not going to cross that unspoken boundary she has. “How would you know my life is boring and repetitive if you hadn’t kept tabs on me?” Alexander retorted, a smirk now slowly making its way to his lips. Hearing his reply made Aurora at loss for words. Her reply was meant to make him speechless, but it worked against her instead. It’s really at times like these where she’s convinced the world is wholly not in her favor and it’s totally biased towards Alexander—the one guy who manages to get all the good luck in the world even though he doesn’t deserve any of it. Why can’t good luck ever be biased on her for a change? Aurora cleared her throat in a weak attempt of dissipating the losing air surrounding her, which didn’t escape Alexander’s attention at all. Still, she paid his smug expression no mind and said, “I don’t need to keep tabs on you to know that your life is as bland and boring as a piece of paper.” “Why?” He raised an eyebrow at her. “Could you tell with just one look?” She let out a scoff. “Of course.” The moment she saw Alexander’s smirk widen, she instantly knew that she just said something she shouldn’t have. She doesn’t really know what that guy currently has in store for her, but she hardly thinks it’s anything that would benefit her at all. As if he would do that when he could do something that would tip everything in his favor--he’s basically transparent to her when it comes to things like that. Yet despite that, she really can’t tell what’s going on through that head of his, but this is the one moment where she wished she did. At least through that, she could ready herself for whatever onslaught of words Alexander is going to throw at her. “Does that mean you keep looking at me then?” An amused chuckle erupted from Alexander’s lips. “How kind of you to do so.” “And you’re being completely delusional.” Aurora replied through gritted teeth. Of course he would use that card against her. Why hadn’t she thought of that? Well, truth be told, it was just a very simple reason that she doubted he would ever use, but obviously, she miscalculated. It really should be those simple and seemingly harmless she should keep her eyes on, and not the big, flashy responses. “How am I being delusional? You were even the one who basically made me assume all the things I said because of your shared sentiments.” He told her, chuckling when he saw the flustered expression plastered on her face. Seeing that definitely made him feel satisfied about his performance today since he rarely ever produces results similar to what’s happening right now--and he’s determined to make the most out of it, even if it takes a bit more of an effort on his part. The woman surrounded with an angry aura around her shot the amused-looking guy an annoyed gaze. Although she admits (to herself) that his words held some truth to it that she can’t even deny, she really doesn’t want to give that pompous, indifferent guy the satisfaction of seeing her take yet another inescapable blow from him. It would be a dent to her already battered pride and the fact that it’s Alexander Giovanni of all people only makes her want to bring him down even further--well, as much she can since she pretty much already lost at this point. “Oh shut up. My responses were more than satisfactory.” Honestly, what the hell is she even saying? It makes no sense at all. And judging by the way Alexander’s previously amused expression slowly morphed into one that resembled confusion, she knew that it made no sense to him as well. At this point, all she really wanted to do was bang her head on the wall because of her utter stupidity.  “I didn’t say it wasn’t?” The way his response came out more as a query than a statement only made Aurora’s urge to hurt herself heighten even further. “Besides, I did say that your responses allowed me to deduce the claims I have previously presented, so you saying that your responses were more than satisfactory wasn’t entirely wrong.” He flashed her one of his bright, annoying grins that made her want to coo at him for being so cute and smack him on the head because of how self-serving he sounded. Obviously, the second one is better, but old habits tend to die hard after all. “But it just made me wonder why you let yourself receive defeat on your own accord nonetheless?” Aurora gritted her teeth as she told him, “What’s so wrong with that? I’m allowed to make my own choices, am I not?” It was only after she finished uttering those words did she realize what a huge mistake she made. The slow grin that etched on Alexander’s lips made her sigh inwardly. Even before he’s started to talk, she could already hear his words. It wasn’t that hard to guess since the expression on his face was all the clue she needed in order to get a slight idea as to what his response to that was going to be. “So you chose to let me win.” His grin widened as he looked at the blue-eyed woman with a teasing glint in those luminescent, silver orbs of his. “How very touching, Aur. I must say that I’m thoroughly flattered by your humble kindness in allowing me to taste the victory of our little daily banters.” Aurora couldn’t help but roll her eyes at him. “Don’t pull yourself down the black chasm more than you already have. There’s no going back from that and it would be a shame to lose your rationality before I’ve even seen you worship the ground I walk on.” The amusement Alexander felt at that moment heightened. There’s the Aurora he knows. He guesses that his words must have probably taken her by surprise more than he thought it did because the great Aurora Crover just seemed to have lost her ability to form coherent and intelligent sentiments during that particular time. Just thinking about it is more than enough to make his outward grin stretch further. Deciding that making the woman unable to sound like a woman capable of more than mutters and stutters, he moved his face closer to hers with just enough space in between them. The way her cheeks started to color the most beautiful pink he has ever seen in a long time made his chest feel warm--like direct sunlight is shining down on it, lighting it up with the right amount. “There’s really little use of you saving my rationality since I’ve already long worshiped the ground you walk on--even before you said those words of yours.” He said, the warm feeling in his chest feeling warmer when he got a glimpse of vague adoration shining in those piercing eyes of hers. Aurora could only continue staring at his eyes, his words barely registering in her brain. It’s really not much of his words that made her act like this, but more of his actions that brought on such receptivity from her. The moment her eyes locked with his, it suddenly felt like his steely orbs were piercing right through her very soul, slowly unraveling her from inside out--the way it did long before. It just felt so familiar; so right that she allowed herself to indulge in a little bit of nostalgia before dragging herself back down to the current reality she’s in. However, moments always pass. As she pushed Alexander away from her with the blush on her cheeks still highly prominent, she told him, “Don’t suddenly do things like that, you i***t. It’s rude and it’s uncomfortable.” “Really?” He chuckled slightly. “Because it seemed like you enjoyed staring into my eyes as you tried to decipher whatever emotions are currently swirling in them. I assume you were able to find a few, yes?” She looked at him for a couple of seconds, giving herself some time to prepare herself for the retort she was about to make, as well as what happens after. While it certainly wasn’t the first time she’s dealing with those replies of his, the effect it has on her is still the same as it was before. Albeit a bit faint as compared to the past, but it was still there. “What made you think I was able to do that?” “Because I know you like the back of my hand, Crover.” He grinned at her. “Honestly, you’re making it seem like I know nothing about you at all--which is most definitely not true. I don’t really have to remind you of that, right?” An annoyed groan escaped her lips as she stared back at him. “I suppose you don’t.” She mumbled, trying to lessen the guy’s chances of hearing her response. However, just like how it was before, the good graces of good luck just didn’t seem to visit her at all. The way his grin widened is proof of that and she really, really, really wanted to wipe that grin off his face--if she can. Alexander hovered his hand behind his ears as he moved closer to her again, a telltale sign that he wants her to repeat her words from before. “Sorry, I didn’t quite catch that. Do you mind repeating it for me?” “Oh piss off.” She glared at him. He moved even closer to her. At that instant, Aurora felt her already blushing cheeks warm even more than it already has. “What was that again?” “My, aren’t you persistent?” The dryness laced in her voice wasn’t lost on either of them. As per always, he ignored her words. “Something about me being absolutely awesome? That was it, right? Your soft words?” The annoyance she felt for him only heightened that she really feels like she’s going to combust if another pile of bullshits she receives from the one and only Alexander Giovanni adds up. It also doesn’t help that the teasing tone she was able to detect from him was the one thing that was highly prominent during her search. “You’re confusing reality from fiction again.” “Well from my perspective, both are totally the same.” He replied as he crossed his arms against his chest, facing her with a look of pure and unadulterated amusement. She raised an eyebrow at his response, not expecting him to say a response like the one he just gave. “Why is that?” “Because you’re both my reality and fiction.” She honestly doesn’t know how to make do with the retort she just received from him. Her emotions right now are in complete frenzy, and it’s all because of Alexander freaking Giovanni. Just how much is she going to let the guy affect her and everything that’s supposed to be under her control? By how things are going, she guesses that she’s still a long way from being totally unaffected by him. After all, a person can’t change overnight. So with a roll of her eyes and a look of slight disbelief fogging her face, she told him, “You really are a real charmer, aren’t you?” But before he could even utter a retort, the ping that came from both his and Aurora's phone left him distracted. His eyebrows furrowed at the interruption, but got his phone out from his pocket anyway — in a rather irate manner. Once he saw what the notification was, he had to roll his eyes. Of course it would be them. No one would have had the worst timing in interrupting him but them. Almost like they knew what was exactly happening here, right now. BROKE(N) HEARTS Kent: I know you're busy and all But Aur, Alex, would it really kill the both of you to at least let us know the both of you are still alive and well????? Aurora: Aww, are you worried about us? Kent: As if Alicia: Don't trust a word he says He has been going on and on for DAYS about how you and Alex don't even bother communicating with us Alexander: How extremely touching Alicia: OI ALEX YOU OWE US A STORY AND AN EXPLANATION Alexander: What? What did I do now? Dexter: Edward told us everything Alexander: What everything? Kent: Don't play dumb We know that you know what we're talking about Alexander: This is ridiculous The three of you are such mindless fools I don't even know what the hell the three of you are going on about Did any of you really not learn to NOT believe everything that comes out of my cousin's mouth? Most of the things he's been spewing are bullshit Aurora: Not really Edward is actually quite genuine Unlike you Alicia: I agree!!! And Alex, please As if you're the type that would ever forget anything Hello????? The beach?????? Alexander: What the f**k are you talking about? What beach Kent: The beach you just went to a few days ago together with Ed and Aur You know The one place we keep telling you to go to WITH US That place Dexter: And the one place you completely refuse to go to Aurora: OH MY GOD THAT'S THE STORY YOU WERE REFERRING TO???? I can't believe this Alexander: Neither can I Aurora: I mean, there's hardly any story AT ALL He was THAT boring Alexander: Fuck you Aur Kent: But you already did Aurora: FUCK YOU KENT Why the hell would I even consider f*****g him????? Alicia: Not what you said before Kent: OOOOOH BUSTED Alexander: You even told me how you want it to be done in between one of our extremely heavy make-outs Aurora: Stupid, moronic assholes Dexter: Can I just say how extremely weird this is? Kent: Weird for you maybe But not for us OI DEX PAY ATTENTION TO THIS ONGOING CONVERSATION YOU DUMB FUCK YOU'RE ABOUT TO KNOW AUR'S PREFERENCES Aurora: OH MY GOD YOU f*****g ASSHOLE Alicia: Jesus Christ Kent Did you really have to be that crude????? Alexander: You piece of shit None of you are knowing Aur's preferences Kent: Why not Alex? Alexander: Because you dumb retard That's not for you to know Aurora: Are you expecting a thank you from me orrr Alexander: I learned not to expect anything from you Kent: That disappointing huh? Alicia: Could you really not shut up even for just one f*****g moment? Kent: Define shut up Dexter: This is exactly the reason why all of us wants to punch you until your face becomes unrecognizable Aurora: We were talking about Alex and his issue with the BEACH How the hell did it quickly turn to a conversation about beating the s**t out of Kent? Alicia: Because Kent was being his usual, stupid self Alexander: And because he's a dumb fuck Dexter: And because his annoying words are f*****g annoying Kent: A bit redundant there Dex Dexter: Who the f**k cares It's true anyway You make annoying more annoying Alicia: I am so proud of you You're finally showing how pissed off you really are Dexter: That's because the stupid asshole is currently in my house and is acting like a douche Aurora: Since when is he not a douche? Alexander: Kent has always been a douche Fucking douchebag Kent: Thank you for your wonderful words of support I can actually feel your love Alexander: I think you mean hostility But who cares Your brain is f****d up anyway Alicia: I'm not sure if I should be impressed or be scared of Alex's growing insults and cussing towards Kent Aurora: Just try hearing those words in person You're bound to think that he's ready to kill his best friend Dexter: Maybe he is Because I sure as hell am Kent: Oi Dex I feel so betrayed I thought what we had was real Dexter: Fuck off Kent Nothing was real Kent: I am so wounded!!!!!!! Alicia: Oh my god I can't believe that I'm actually friends with the both of you Aurora: I was wondering the same thing Alexander: I knew I made the right choice choosing to ignore the both of you when you first came up to me and so confidently stated that you wanted to be my friend But then Aur had to go and ruin it Thanks a lot Now I have idiots for friends Aurora: I was doing you a favor you dumb asshole You needed friends Alexander: I didn't need it I was completely fine Alicia: Fine my ass You always had that lost look on your face when you walk in the hallway Dexter: I seriously think you were blind the whole duration of elementary school That was a scowl on his face Not a f*****g lost look As if he would ever have that The twit's too confident Aurora: He's right Alex was just being his usual grumpy and unapproachable self Alexander: Fuck you all Kent: Let's all be real here The only reason Alex ever decided to become friends with us was because of his undying urge to please the one and only Aurora Crover Alexander looked at his phone with an expression that resembled both irritation and mirth—he's just not sure which one is more dominant at the moment. The soft chuckle he heard from beside him made him look at the woman standing beside him, looking as wonderfully beautiful as ever. A grin played on her lips. "You know what he's saying is true." "You told them that, didn't you?" The irritation laced in his tone of voice was something that Aurora ignored. She's enjoying the whole thing way too much. A little payback for his crude comment earlier about preferences was not something bad. Not to mention that this was also payback for all of the comments he made earlier on. He was able to make her all flustered earlier; it's only fair that she gets to do that as well, isn't it? Well, as flustered as she can make him. "Why wouldn't I?" She laughed, reveling in the feeling of being the one to make all the comments. How she missed this feeling. She really needs to step up her game, or she's really going to lose at Alexander at this point. The guy is still great at what he does, if not greater. "Oh come on, Alex. They actually found it quite cute how you seem to yield so much when I'm the one asking you to do something." "There was nothing cute about that. You were just being annoying and prissy. I had to do something before my ears literally fell off my ears." He replied, his feelings of irritation with her clearly obvious in the way he looks at her. His answer didn't bother her, neither did his comment about her being annoying and prissy. If she wasn't enjoying what is currently happening, she would have already punched him on the face, just like what she did when she first saw him again after three years. She hummed a little. "Doesn't change the fact that they were right." He was wrong. Rebuilding their foundation wasn't going to be hard for her. It was going to be hard for him. Good f*****g luck to you, Alexander Giovanni. — • — • —  The moment Kent pressed the send button, the three friends looked at each other before bursting in loud laughter, Kent's being the loudest. "I'm pretty sure Aur and Alex are already having an argument right about now. Those two basically live off banters and fights." Alicia said, her lips pulled up in an amused grin. "When do they not?" Dexter queried, eyes alighting with humor, but hands slightly trembling. From what though, he's not exactly sure. Maybe it was because of Kent's stupid plan moments ago or because of his nerves, but neither seems desirable to him. Kent faced Dexter with a smirk as he crossed his arms against his chest. "Do you think our plan worked?" Dexter scoffed. "Of course it did. Did you not read his reaction when you said that I'm about to know Aur's preferences? I could practically feel his hate and contempt even when he's miles away." He leaned against the couch, a small smirk playing on his lips. "Making Alex jealous was brilliant." When you become friends with someone for a long time and spend almost everyday with them, you tend to know the little things about them; subtle things that not all people would ever know. In this case, Alicia noticed something within Dexter the moment Kent brought up the topic of their idiotic plan from earlier. The frown that appeared on her face as she gazed at him didn't let up. Instead, it only deepened. "Dex," Dexter's laugh with Kent was cut short as he gazed at his best friend in curiosity. "are you okay?" Dexter mentally cursed. Curse Alicia and her need to observe every little thing. He thought he had hidden it well, considering how Alicia wasn't able to really see it, but it seems like his luck just ran out—he had been discovered. Peering at her like he doesn't know what he's talking about, he furrowed his eyebrows together and said, "What do you mean?" She instantly narrowed her eyes at him, Kent completely lost about the whole thing and was just looking at his two friends quizzically. "Don't bullshit me, Sholp. I've known you since we were in elementary school. I know you like the back of my hand. You can't lie to me even if you tried." "Try me." came Dexter's instant reply. "Okay," Kent interrupted, having enough of having no idea what they're talking about. "what the hell is happening?" Alicia gave him a pointed glare that made him freeze in his place, especially when she started pointing an accusatory finger at him. "You!" She screeched. "Me?" came Kent's bewildered reply as he pointed at himself. "Yes you, you idiot." The flare in her eyes never died down. "This is your fault. You shouldn't have forced Dex to go along with that stupid plan of yours. He's obviously still affected about Aur and Alex. It's like you're shoving it right to his face that he has no chance with her at all." "But isn't it true though?" Kent's blunt words made her want to pummel him. "He knows that, we know that, hell Alex probably also knows that too. You know how Aurora is. No matter how much she said that she's over him, she never was. It was him. It was always him." As harsh as it sounded, she knew that his words were right. Aurora has never really gotten over Alexander but the three of them were smart enough to not bring it up. She looked at Dexter then, noticing the slight slump of his shoulders as he glanced down at the floor like it was the most fascinating thing in the world. Kent's words had hit him—hard. He knew those things and had been saying it to everyone but it felt different when it came from someone else's mouth. The pain became too real and the stab to his heart became too prominent; too raw. He wasn't exactly hoping, but he was waiting. Wondering, thinking, waiting. But for what exactly? Nothing, apparently. It was always Alexander. Always. He released a sigh. "Seriously, I'm okay. I've already long accepted the fact that I won't ever have a chance with her so all I want is for her to be happy. I may already sound like a broken record, but it's true anyway." His two friends gazed at him sympathetically before the both of them took a seat on each side of him. Alicia rested her head on his shoulder and held his hand comfortingly. "You're going to be fine, Dex." She murmured. "Just fine." "I'll find you a girl, bud. Don't you worry." Kent said. And despite the melancholic atmosphere currently present among them, Dexter still found it within himself to laugh at Kent's another crude attempt of cheering him up. "Sure Kent. Try all you want. Find me a girl that will knock me off my shoes." Just someone not like her.