The Distance Between Us

Chapter 24: That's the Spirit

Chapter 24: That's the Spirit

The following Wednesday, everyone seemed to be in the Thanksgiving spirit. Seeing as it was the last day of school before our brief break, most teachers were being a bit lenient with the work. Notice that I say most. "You'll have to do this project over the break. I expect it to be fully completed by Monday when you return," Mr. Porter explained and I sighed, rolling my eyes.

"He's so annoying," Axel muttered from beside me.

"You got that right," I responded.

"Are you actually going to do it?" he asked curiously and when I nodded, he grinned. "Can I copy off of you?"

"No," I retorted and he sighed, letting out a whiny moan. "Tell you what, you can come over and I'll help you with it."

"You promise?" he asked.

"I promise," I responded.

"You won't blow me off for Sam?" he questioned as he quirked an eyebrow. Though he said it in a joking tone, I could tell he was expressing annoyance he'd been keeping contained for some time.

"Oh yeah, that reminds me. Sam and I are going to hang out after school. Maybe tomorrow," I lied and he stared at me with a flat look on his face. I laughed quietly, shaking my head. "I'm joking Axel."

"Good," he muttered.

"Although I should invite Sam; he'll probably need help with the Chemistry packet," I started jokingly and Axel sighed loudly.

"You're so annoying," he told me.

"Then why are we friends?" I asked as I leaned forward with my hand under my chin.

"Because you're more fun than you are annoying," he responded, earning a grin in response. I set my gaze on him, examining his features before exhaling quietly in satisfaction.

"Though staring at me may be fun, you might want to pay attention seeing as you're going to have to complete our homework later," Axel blurted after about two minutes.

I blinked a few times as I looked at him before turning to look at the board, not even bothering to correct him when he said that I'm going to be doing our homework tonight.

+++

"Lex? Is that you?" my mother called in a hopeful voice from the kitchen as I held the door open for Axel, who followed me inside with my bag in his hands. He insisted on bringing it from the car and I had a feeling he'd be begging me to let him copy the packet rather than grasp the concepts himself.

"Yeah," I responded as I led the way to the kitchen.

"Oh, Axel, you're here too- great," my mom grinned before turning her attention back to the large turkey sitting in a large pot on the counter. "Do you two think you can help me out?"

"With what?" Axel asked, sounding more than willing. I, on the other hand, really wanted to get started on that Chemistry packet. Axel actually has a curfew today seeing as it's the day before Thanksgiving and I know that if we don't finish this packet by 7 o'clock, he's not going to get it done unless I force him to or give him answers.

"I just need some ingredients from the cabinet," my mom instructed Axel. "And Lex, do the dishes."

I shot a glare at Axel, who smirked at me. When he saw that I wasn't moving, he looked towards the sink pointedly. "You heard your mom, Alexis; do the dishes," Axel teased and I glared at him, watching as he walked towards the cabinet, stretching a small amount to open it. His shirt rode up slightly and I stared unashamedly before feeling one's gaze on me. I looked at my mom to see her staring at me with raised brows and I immediately turned my attention to the dishes, turning on the water.