A Recipe For Disaster

The next few days had me sulking around the house and Alexander suddenly vanishing into thin air. The night after he slapped me and so roughly kissed me—much to my resentment, I deserved it (not the kiss; the slap)—we did not sleep in the same bed, or same room. I occupied the guest bedroom a few doors down and I'm pretty sure Alexander was rooming with the mini theatre and arcade underground. I was thankful I hadn't encountered him because when I eventually have to, I actually had no idea what to say. 'Oh you're right, I am such an idiot if I thought I actually wanted to fuck with that guy; he was a total douche,' or, 'Alexander! I'm so sorry for that whole Jared ordeal, how about we forget all about it and just get back to hating each other, normally?'

Yeah great shitty words they were. Nothing could come from them except more despise from Alexander. We hated each other even before this, so how could things possibly get back to 'normal'? Maybe I meant get back to not acting like little, bratty stubborn kids about this and leave it be the way we were before this. That's probably better...

I sighed and remembered the first day our parents announced our engagement. Do you believe that, that was the same day they decided to ship us off here to Australia? Well it was. A while before that, The Crest and Vaun family had always been on good terms... and guess who else were on good terms? Alexander and I. Yes, the truth is out; there was a time when Alexander and I were civil and were...friends. We were really good friends in fact, not just close acquaintances forced to see each other due to our parents close connection. We hung out normally, we partied normally and we were just average rich kids looking for more in life—not that we were grateful for our fortunate life. And now being engaged has just ruined us both, probably the shock of never being able to be free, or no longer able to experience high school flings, one night stands, the fun and excitement of dating, the all too inevitable hurt of rejection or even the sentimental sensation of finding ones true love. It was too much that we'd lost, and too much to take on ourselves, only being nineteen—already we're tied down and expected to commit? Screw that, I say. I hate him because I don't see myself living with him for the rest of my life. I mean, this chick isn't feeling the love anytime soon, no siree. He hates me probably for the same reason. I mean, of course, he's a guy. He wants to do as many girls as he can.

What better way to cure my broodiness then with the magical, potent food that is star bread. I poked my head in to the fridge for not more than a millisecond when I found the all too familiar big white box that enclosed my precious indulgence. Grabbing five and munching on them like a savage beast I continued moping around, not bothered to greet the fretful Felix who, when I drifted past, stayed clear and away from me. Of course, if I were him, I'd do the same thing.

Ten more minutes of swimming in my pathetic pool of pity Felix finally had the courage to tug me into the kitchen and talk to me. Oh, how I love pep talks.

"Audrina! Get a hold of yourself will you! You're better than this! It's been almost three whole days and neither of you have been brave enough to face each other," Felix sighed, slumping in the kitchen seat next to me. I stared at him apathetically as he, very animatedly, began telling me of Alexander's adventures alone.

"He told me how out of order he was when he slapped you, if not more out order than that kiss. But Audrina, you really worried us to death. What if you'd been kidnapped? Raped? Subjected to a sex slave...?" Felix stopped, looked away briefly, gulped and turned back. "...or...killed. What if? What if any or all these crude yet horrible possibilities occurred? How could we live with the guilt and torment? Don't you see? You scared the shit out of us! We'd thought...we'd thought the worst. And for you to turn up with some...perverted creep who we did not know, or ever want to, well as you saw, but only the slightest ounce, Alexander was on the verge of going on a killing rampage."

As Felix explained more of his feelings along with Alexander's, I couldn't help but feel sorry. Sorry that Alexander had to put up with me. Hell, if it were Alex who went off, I probably wouldn't have cared less, but he's a guy, I'm still a girl. A strong girl who can and will—when necessary—kick ass, but still, yeah, I get it...

"He's blaming himself for your adaption—or lack there of—to life with him. He's saying if he hung out with you more, if you guys got to know each other better to the lead up to you engagement, maybe you wouldn't have burst. Right now he's like...a zombie. Like you were just before. Walking around, eating, sleeping. Alexander's starting to try accept your circumstance, you should too, for the better and for what's the right thing to do—not for what you want," Felix softly but firmly and subtly commanded, squeezing my hand for reassurance and support.

"Thanks," I croaked out. Well it has been almost three whole days. I talked to neither of them so my voice is just a bit rusty.

"So, you understand?" Felix persisted.

"Yes, yes, anything could've happened to me but it didn't; I'm a girl; I'm engaged; you think it's my ability—or lack there of—to cope in a situation like this—"

"Are you mocking me?" Felix mused with a solemn face.

Giggling, I shook my head. "Sorry, no, I mean I honestly get what you're saying. So, now I have to go and sort it out with him? Though I don’t know why...why should I apologize when he needs to apologize to me! too!"

"Audrina, come on. It's for the better; move on and start over. You guys used to be quite good friends," Felix stood up, towering over me, and patted my head as if I were a dog. I nodded pathetically in understanding.

"Good, I'll be just here, or in the lounge. Hope I don't hear some screaming, crashing furniture, and when or if I come down, I don't want to see all hell set loose, capiche?" He raised his brow, giving off a posed 'you get me' face and I saluted him.

Apologizing to Alexander was a nightmare. Not those demon monster filled horror nightmares, but the ones that make you so irritated it can't possibly be considered a 'dream'. He was like one of those dogs that don't understand what you're saying—albeit not even speaking the dog language—but just sitting there lazily. Felix was right—or maybe wrong—Alexander was a dead zombie.

"Hey zombie-fat-fuck, I'm talking to you," I flicked the side of his head and that woke him up.

"I'm not fat, and don't ever flick me again," he snarled while I rolled my eyes. Even though Alexander had slapped me, that didn't mean I would ever back down from a brawl.

"Just so I can put ease to Felix's fragile heart, I'm here to apologize and move on," I said bluntly, staring Alexander down in a play-along-with-me-and-we-both-benefit stare.

"Okay...but listen, actually come here and sit," Alexander scooted over, making room for me as I grudgingly sat down immediately slumping.

"I'm...I apologize for slapping you. I was so worried...it was out of order and—will you forgive me?" Alexander's plead had me expecting him to shout 'PYSCHE!' but when it didn't come I put on a grave face and sighed.

"Yeah, I forgive you but I kinda deserved that I guess. I understand now, and Felix explained your zombie-ness. Thank god he snapped me out of it. But you know...the guy I brought home was just so alluring I couldn't help it..." One glance at his face and I realized I was saying the wrong thing. "And I'm sorry too," I bit my lip and looked Alexander in the eyes. Sparks of jealousy lit up in his—for the first time I actually gazed—light brown almost hazel-yellow eyes and that had him up and out the room before I could correct myself.

"Alexander! Wait! Sorry, that wasn't mean to—I mean, I forgive you! Damn it, I said I'm sorry!" I raced after Alexander to the kitchen where Felix was sitting and fumbling with his hands. Alexander stuck his head in the fridge and most likely pretended to look for food while at the same time making a pathetic attempt to hide from me.

"Felix! I tried to apologize and I said something wrong and please help!" I squeaked, feeling the guilt peak the worst since three nights ago.

"Alex, dude, get your head out of the fridge and face Audrina like a man!" Felix couldn't help but laugh.

"Piss off," Alexander growled and finally realized hiding in the fridge was no good and shuffled out the other archway to the study room which we've never stepped foot in until now.

"Stop being a baby! I'm trying to say sorry, I'm out of line, you're right, what more do you want?!" I snapped and grabbed his arm from behind, swinging him round to face me.

Putting his face close to mine so I could feel the anger emitting from him while clutching my shoulders he whispered lowly, "I want you to stop being a bitch, and think for once!"

Felix came up behind me and pried Alexander's hands off my shoulders.

"Okay, that's it! Obviously we're doing this all wrong! What better way to get rid of the sexual tension," —we both snarled at Felix— "I mean the tension between the two of you, than with a big party?"

Felix's party proposal sunk into our minds and I dared glance at Alexander who gave me a somewhat thoughtful and agreeing look.

"Yeah, okay a party's good," I grumbled and Alexander nodded.

"Tonight?" Alexander's hoped.

"No, you fool, we've got to prepare, obviously. So how about we make it next week, on Saturday?" Alexander and I grumbled a somewhat 'sure yeah okay whatever' response and we glanced at each other. I don't know if it was because the tension lifting off of the moment or out of our sheer stupidity, blindness, stubbornness or something else, that we raised our hands, clasped them together and shook firmly. Words were not needed—apologies accepted.