C5 Five

They stood outside the gates looking for the familiar face among the throng of students filing out of the college. Alexis had taken Marjorie's advice and slipped into a sexy number. A cream off shoulder figure-hugging dress with cut-outs at the waist and a slit that stopped mid-thigh. Paired with red pumps, she looked drop dead gorgeous if the looks people threw their way weren't obvious. She'd taken after her mother when it came to her physique. Well endowed was the term Marj had used that one time. Not that she hadn't tried to change how she looked.

Like every teenager out there, Alexis had gone on diets, starved herself, lived on water just to look slim. Attempts that had all gone in vain because the weight always came back, almost immediately. At least that's what she'd thought. After countless times, she had given up and embraced her body. All because of Connor. He'd told her she was beautiful the way she was and she had to stop trying to change herself because he liked her just the way she was. She had trusted him and he'd broken that trust. What excuse would he give her? Was he going to say he'd missed her so much that he'd fallen into someone else's arms?

Two months after she'd left she had sent him a ticket so he could go see her. They had been okay then even though he'd made her promise she wouldn't buy him another ticket. According to him, he wasn't dating her so she could support him. He'd said that if he wanted to see her, he would save enough money to pay for his travel expenses on his own. She'd never seen him again and she thought that he was still saving money. How stupid of her to think so.

"I see him," Marjorie said from beside her pointing ahead to a group that was leaving the building while having a heated discussion. "I'll go get the bat"

Alexis gaped at Marjorie "What bat?"

"The one I borrowed from your brother Jayden. He's so cute and adorable that he even showed me how to swing it properly in order to hit hard"

"Jesus Marj. We're not here to kill anyone. I thought you said we would just confront him?"

"Yeah. And there's no reason I can't break a few of his bones for lying to you"

"Do you want to spend a night in jail?"

"I'd like to see him press charges."

"No," Alexis said with finality.

"Aw come on Alexis."

"I said no. You're not touching him"

"At least let me smash his car then"

"Stop it, Marj. We're not hurting anyone especially with all these witnesses around"

"Are you saying that we should stuff him in the car and take him somewhere there are no witnesses?"

"No. Shut up. He's coming" he hadn't seen them yet so Alexis took that chance to straighten her hair and dress. She looked up just as someone whispered something to him making him turn his gaze on them. He stopped, shocked to see them and Alexis thought he was going to run or ignore them. But then his face lit up and he was rushing towards her with a big smile on his face.

"Alexis," he said lifting her up and twirling her around. "You didn't tell me you were coming"

"I.... I.... I just...."

"Forget it. I'm so happy you're back. I missed you baby" then he was kissing her. Too shocked to say anything, she kissed him back. And just like that, she forgot that they were there to confront him until Marjorie cried

"Alexis!"

Connor pulled back smiling sheepishly "Sorry Marjorie. I didn't see you there"

"Sure. But you see every other skirt within a fifty-mile radius. Right"

"What?"

"Ignore her. She just got here and she's still tired from her journey." Alexis took his face in her hands turning him to face her and away from Marjorie. He hadn't changed that much. His eyes were still the same blue cerulean orbs that shone every time he looked at her. He had also worked out a little adding more muscles to his shoulders and arms but that was it. "I missed you too"

"Tell me you're back for good."

"I'll stay if you still want me"

"Want you? I love you, Alexis."

"Yeah right" Marjorie snorted rolling her eyes but they pretended like she wasn't there.

"I missed you so much Con."

"Seriously even his name says it all. Con."

"What is up with her? I thought she had a crush on me?" Connor asked tongue in cheek clearly not bothered by the barbs Marj threw his way.

"Clearly she doesn't have it anymore. Stay here while I talk to her" Alexis told him then dragged Marjorie to the other side of the car. They'd borrowed one of JR's cars and he'd been too happy to lend it to them so long as they weren't taking the motorcycle. "Stop it, Marj."

"Stop what? Telling you the truth? Alexis, you told me how you saw him kissing someone else yesterday. How can you kiss him back today like everything is fine?"

"Because everything is fine. He wouldn't kiss me or look so happy to see me if he had another girlfriend"

"Then how do you explain what you saw yesterday?"

"Clearly I was mistaken. Look at him, Marj. He said he loved me"

"No Alexis. I won't let him use you like this"

"I am not a child that you have to protect me. I can take care of myself"

"Yeah. Except when you're blind and can't see how he's playing you. Come on Alexis. You're better than this"

"You're my friend Marjorie and I love how loyal you are. But I love Connor and I'm not letting him go. Not for anyone. So either supports me or stay out my life"

Marjorie's jaw was on the floor "Are you serious?"

"Yes. Be my friend and support me or leave me and Connor to be"

"Okay. I got you. Loud and clear bestie. Let's go, I'll drive you cute couple around" she said the last part loud enough for Connor to hear. Pulling her lips into something that looked like a smile, she got in and waited for them to settle down before driving off.

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Marjorie wished she had a Vudu doll that looked like Connor so she could stick pins in it and hurt him like how he was about to hurt her friend. Although Alexis couldn't see it, Connor was a lying, cheating, hypocritical, ugly ass bastard. It made her so mad that he was getting away with it. Worse? Alexis believed him. How could she?

They'd met at an event and became friends instantly. And when her grandfather had died, Marjorie had been the one that suggested they go abroad to study so she could get away from the place that reminded her so much of Jim. He was a nice guy, who spoiled Alexis giving her whatever it was she wanted. Not that she was complaining. Her parents had bought a ranch just to accommodate all her pets. As kids who grew up in rich families, she knew what it was like to be dotted on. And just like Alexis, she was also the only girl at home with four brothers which is why they understood each other so well.

But this idiot Connor was coming between them. All this time they had been friends Alexis had never been so meaning to her. Until then. She wasn't going to sit around and watch how he broke her best friend's heart. Not on her watch. Since they were busy kissing, Marjorie jerked the car forward, the movement throwing them apart. "Sorry. I'm still new at this. Being a chauffeur that is" she said her voice dripping with sarcasm. That was how the rest of the ride was. Every time they tried to kiss, she would do something to make it them stop. At last, when they arrived at a restaurant where they'd agreed to have lunch, she got out and threw the car keys to a valet then continued inside without a backward glance.

She couldn't stand seeing them pretend to be a normal happy couple who just reunited after a long time while she knew very well it was all a lie. Just a few hours ago, she had been holding Alexis while she cried her eyes out. And now she wanted to act like everything was fine? She wouldn't let them. If she had to pry Connor from her hands then she would. But she had a better plan than that. As she sat down she took out her phone and sent a text to Raymond. No way Alexis would enjoy her lunch if he was there to annoy her every step of the way.

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Ray stared at his phone wondering how long he should wait to go inside. He'd been waiting for that Connor to come out of class so he could tell him to stay away from Alexis but then they'd showed up there ruining his plans. He hadn't been able to take his eyes off her. She looked stunning and a stab of jealousy hit him seeing her dress like that for her no-good boyfriend. If only it was for him. If only she would stop and look at him she'd realize he was always there for her. Even when she was mad at him for following him everywhere. He never got angry or upset with her. She was his Princess after all.

Waiting for ten minutes to pass, he got out of his car and walked to the restaurant since he'd parked a few feet away from the place. It wasn't so bad but he wondered why they hadn't gone to The Alexandra. It was the best place in town and Hayley made finger licking good. Especially if she'd seen them there, Raymond was sure she would have insisted on cooking for them personally. If he wasn't eating at home then he was definitely ordering from there. Spotting them at a window table, he walked down the space between the other customers heading towards them. He knew the second Alexis saw him because she scrunched up her face in anger.

"Why are you here?" she asked glaring at him.

"I invited him so that I wouldn't feel like a third wheel" her friend moving so he would sit next to her. Her red hair was in a ponytail and she'd also changed into a dress which he hadn't noticed since he was busy ogling Alexis.

"Really Marj?"

"Yeah. Unless you don't want him here"

"You know I don't"

"Fine. Let's go Ray" Marjorie said turning to face him.

"Come on Marj. You can't be serious?"

"I am. He leaves and I leave with him. Simple"

"Fine" Alexis gave in "he can stay. Only because I don't want you to leave" Raymond smiled and went to speak but a kick under the table stopped him. He looked at Marjorie with wide eyes. She took out her phone, typed something then slammed it on the table. A second later his phone vibrated in his pocket and taking it out he read the message.

Shut up and follow my lead.

He put it back in his pocket wondering what she was planning. In the last few hours that he'd known, she struck him as someone who didn't hold back. Whatever she was planning he better be ready for it. They each ordered lunch and his appetite diminished with each second he had to watch Alexis feed her boyfriend or vice-versa. He was also jealous because he wanted to be in that guy's shoes. Gripping his fork and knife so hard, he cut the steak in front of him into tiny little pieces imagining it was the other man. Why was Alexis even with him? Hadn't he been kissing someone else yesterday? And hadn't she cried all night because of him? Dammit. He let go of his cutlery abruptly attracting attention from the other tables since they had clinked loudly against his plate.

"So Alexis. How did you two meet?" Marjorie asked saving his ass. But not before she delivered another kick.

"I told you that. Remember?"

"No. If I did I wouldn't be asking now. Would I?"

"Okay" Raymond listened as she retold how they met gritting his teeth together. She told them how Connor hadn't been able to resist her any longer so he'd kissed her during prom night. Only he didn't need to hear that because he had been there. Watching from the shadows.

"Wow. That is so such a sweet story" from how Marjorie said that it was clear she didn't mean it. "So he was your first kiss then?" she asked and silence fell on the table. Raymond had a feeling Marjorie knew who Alexis's first kiss was and she was out to let out secrets that should stay hidden. "So? Was he or was he not?"

"Let's change the subject, Marj. Who was your first kiss? You never told me that"

"I will. Just after you tell me who was yours. Was it Connor?"

"No. I don't think so. Was I baby?" the guy spoke for the first time.

"No," Alexis said bowing her head. She didn't want to say who it was but Marjorie wasn't going to let it go.

"It was me," Raymond said and all eyes snapped in his direction. "I was Alexis's first kiss"

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Uh, 🤔 what? 😱

How did that happen?