9-The secret upper hand
Axel's pov
It's been two weeks since I had my first group meeting with Shawn but not much has changed.
It's not surprising but still, the gang hasn't changed much and I find myself still sitting with them. They still treat me as if I'm not there but then again, they still let me hang out with them as if I'm still popular.
As usual, the girls are still awfully close to Shawn and keep trying tactics to get him to like them. It's annoying to see knowing there's no good in that.
I wouldn't be surprised if the girls asked him out somewhere or worse, he saw them outside of school.
However, it hasn't gotten further than that because I made sure of it, by ruining subtly
a few of their plans.
Anyways, that doesn't matter but there's one thing that's changed and it's Shawn and I's relationship.
I didn't know what I was getting myself into when I asked Shawn to be my group partner for the French presentation but whatever expectations I had, I have been proven quite wrong.
Before the project, Shawn never talked to me and I never got to get to know him. I only knew him to be a nerd and the sensation of the school but he really isn't all that, I misjudged him.
Now that I've gotten to work with him, he's innocent, he's definitely not superficial like the girls and it's refreshing to see that after dating the most superficial girl I know.
Regardless, I am surprised that Shawn and I work so well together.
So far, we've done a few meetings and we are way more casual with each other than I thought we could ever be and our ideas flowed perfectly together.
Usually, projects are boring but somehow...it's been fun. I definitely don't regret choosing him.
What is even more surprising is that all of our meetings are at his house and thinking about his house, reminds me of his family.
Goodness, they gave me such a nice welcome, especially during that one dinner and it was a bit overwhelming as I'm not used to that but I didn't let it show.
I was indeed a bit surprised that Shawn has two dads and that they were a bit older but it doesn't matter whether he has a mom or not, or whether his dads are well in their fifties, heck even I don't have a mom and my dad is 51.
Both of his dads are so nice and cool, especially the one called Brandon. Oddly enough I feel like I connect with him and this has never happened to me before.
Shawn has no idea how lucky he is to have a full complete happy home.
So many people would wish to have that kind of family and even I used to wish for that but now I'm over the fact I don't have a mom.
But it's whatever, I shouldn't be thinking about this.
Regardless, I get out of my room on this fine September Friday night.
Once I get out, I expect it to be silent but no, instead I notice my dad drinking wine and eating dinner with his new so-called girlfriend.
Why are they here? They could have eaten in a lovely restaurant but instead here they are being pathetic and disturbing my peace.
Even if I have no intention to talk to either of them, I have no choice but to come across them because I need to go get myself some food.
I get in the kitchen as invisible as possible but of course, it fails.
"Axel, there you are. Would you mind eating with us?" My dad asks and even if it sounds like a request, I know it's an order but I disregard it.
I turn around to look at him.
"No, I think I'm quite fine by myself." I fake a smile and my dad glares deeply at me, his girlfriend looks at us bantering but doesn't say a word.
"You don't think you're being quite disrespectful towards your stepmom?" My blood boils at hearing that but I take a deep breath.
"No, actually I don't quite understand why you're here with your girlfriend on a Friday night instead of in a restaurant," I say nonchalantly and my dad looks about ready to explode but he doesn't.
"Unlike you who have all the time in the world, some people have to work." My dad says and I raise my eyebrows.
"Wow, so you want me to believe that you brought your girlfriend home instead of in a restaurant because you have to work? Well, it sure doesn't look like that." I say nonplussed as I gesture the entire scene in front of me.
My dad can only stare at me coldly and her girlfriend oddly enough seems indifferent about this. How surprising his girlfriend hasn't broken down yet.
"If you weren't such an ungrateful brat you would have known that your future step-mom is my colleague and we work together." Despite it being surprising, I remain unfazed.
"Oh, whatever, it's not like it will last anyway." They immediately become silent and I look at the both of them confused.
"We're engaged, we've been dating for 2 years." My eyes widen at that and I look at my dad, then lose it.
"Engaged? Have you lost your mind?! You clearly don't care about this woman! The only thing you care about is your work!" I lash out and my dad is caught off guard and her girlfriend seems surprised too. Yeah, take that!
I try to ignore them by starting to make my food but if I thought ignoring my dad would be possible, then I would be dead wrong.
"Who do you think you are to say that?" My dad curtly and I turn around.
"What? Oh, so now I'm not allowed to spill the truth in front of your girlfriend?" I spit and he looks at me appalled but he doesn't say anything, instead his girlfriend does.
"That's enough. Leave your son alone. He needs time to process this. After all, you just dropped a bomb on him." She says to my dad and he looks at me in disappointment.
"Just because Kayley is right, it doesn't mean you're allowed to exercise such behaviour, young man."
I choose to ignore him and start making my food pretending they aren't there even if on the inside I feel like I could blow up any minute from now.
Luckily none of them addresses me again and I get to go eat pasta in my room.
————————
After that horrible weekend, I couldn't wait to go back to school even if it wasn't any better, yeah Monday always sucks ass and it did but it was still better.
Monday goes by fast but before I know it, classes are over and it means it's my music club meeting.
Even if music isn't my life, I always look up to those meetings. First and foremost, it's fun and now I get to talk to Shawn without the others in the way.
Besides the group meetings, this is my only way to talk to Shawn.
And yeah, as odd as it is, I like being around the nerd Shawn. Gosh, I can't believe I did such a double-take.
Anyway, the group and I head to the lockers and we find Shawn and his sister already there.
"Ugh, I can't believe we have cheer practice again, we just had it last Thursday." Grace complains and Tessa agrees.
So they are talking as if we don't exist?
"Gosh, things would be so much better if you would be there Shawn. It's a shame you're not a footballer." Grace complains and Shawn seems a bit taken aback.
"Grace, did you forget that Shawn is the smart guy? Of course, he can't be a footballer." Tessa rolls her eyes and Grace only looks at her annoyed. Luckily Shawn doesn't seem hurt about it but it's Zayne who seems to take it to heart.
"Yeah, I know but at least he plays the piano." Grace winks at Shawn and he smiles faintly.
Ugh, it's so annoying when Grace obviously flirts with Shawn and what's worse, Shawn doesn't seem into it at all, how strange.
"Yeah, that's a plus."
"OK so you'd like Shawn to be a footballer, yet get to have a real footballer next to you," Zayne says sharply and we all get taken off guard.
"Well, you're not Shawn so..." Tessa emphasizes and she chuckles, which causes Zayne to glare at her with a vigour I didn't know he possessed, the guy is always happy after all, not this.
"Ok, so I think we're just gonna head to our music club meeting." Shawn's sister suddenly says breaking the potential fight.
Zayne pays her no mind but what catches my attention is Tessa and Grace glaring at Shawn's sister. How strange...
They don't say anything and I take it as a go to leave.
We start to leave together the 3 of us but the girls continue to weirdly glare at Shawn's sister including me.
Regardless, for the first time we all head to the music classroom but not before talking about what happened.
"Gosh, that was something but still, Tessa's right but what's with her and Zayne?"
"I don't know all I know is that Zayne keeps being blatantly rejected." Shawn's sister's eyes widen.
"Wow, that girl is something else. It's clear as day Zayne likes her." He does? Well, it's not obvious to me.
"I wasn't sure but I had my doubts," Shawn says and yeah, it's surprising how much he's gotten this open to me in a matter of two weeks.
"Hmm weird, Zayne never said a thing."
"Oh whatever, that will be a mystery for another time. Let's get in the classroom or else we'll be late." Shawn's sister says and we both agree.
So we do just that.
We get in and everyone looks at us but I don't bother about it.
"Ok, so is everyone here?" The music teacher asks.
"There were only those 3 missing." Someone says.
"Ok great. I have big news to announce to you all." Big news? What could the music teacher have to possibly announce?
"I know it's still early but as it takes practice you get to know now. We will be doing a music number for the annual Christmas show." Everyone's eyes light up in pure joy and even more Shawn's sister.
"Did you hear that?!" She says excitedly to Shawn. Well, for once I'm not that far behind.
"Yeah, it's gonna be fun," Shawn says happily but not as much as his sister.
"I know you are all excited but it takes lots of practice so don't take it easy." The music teacher warns and everyone responds with a yes.
"Good now the first step is to choose the instrument you'd like to play and we'll figure it out if works or not as it goes on." We all agree and we all eagerly start putting each other to work.
———————-
The meeting comes to an end but there's one thing I came to realize during the meeting. As Shawn's sister was playing the drums and Shawn practiced his piano skills, I couldn't help but realize that this is something the girls will never get to see no matter what they do. So it means I have the upper hand on this unlike the girls and for some reason, I can't help but feel good about it.
Maybe it's because I've gotten closer to Shawn and I've started to like his company but I know it's probably not the case.
Regardless, we leave the music classroom the three of us together again and we head to the lockers.
I start to separate from them as I put out my things in my locker but I can't help but overhear their discussion.
"Dad says he'll be ruining a bit late, he had to close the gym later than usual," Shawn says.
"Oh, I forgot to tell you but I'm going to go work on the project at Grace's house." His sister says yet her words contradict the fact she doesn't seem to like that idea.
No doubt, Shawn frowns and honestly I do too.
"Really? When did you decide on that?"
"I don't know a few days ago?"
"Hm, fine," Shawn says not quite buying it.
"So I guess it's my cue to leave."
"Well, good luck."
"Yeah," His sister smiles but it seems strained, huh? I
She leaves in the direction of the gymnasium, which is even more odd.
Through it leaves Shawn and me all alone.
"Hey, this whole group thing reminded me that we aren't done with ours, so we're kinda in need of another meeting..." Shawn says and I turn around to look at him.
"Yeah, it makes sense. How about tomorrow?"
"Oh, I can't. I have lots of homework to do." I frown.
"Thursday?"
"Why not Wednesday?" Shawn questions.
"I have a driving lesson." Shawn's eyes light up.
"Oh yeah, I totally forgot you're 16."
"Wait, you're 15?" I ask a bit startled.
"Yeah, Jasper's and I's birthday is on October 3rd." October 3rd...Today is what day?
"That's next week?"
"Wow, I just realized how close my birthday is to now," Shawn says surprised.
"Cool then, so Thursday?"
"Yeah, that works for me." Shawn smiles.
"Good then it's a date." He blushes and I realize what I said but I choose to not take it back.
"See ya"
"Bye" He continues to blush.
I leave with my skateboard acting unfaced, yet my thoughts are actually running a mile a minute.
———————
Gosh, I can't believe it happened again. If last time wasn't enough now I have to dream about Shawn? Ugh, I shouldn't freak out over it, dreams mean nothing.
As usual, I skateboard to school in the new fall breeze and arrive not too long after. From then on I do as usual but once I arrive
at the lockers and once I make my presence known, the others in the gang leave but alongside Shawn shocking me.
I can't help but notice the look Grace and Tessa throw on Shawn's sister but quickly my attention changes to Shawn.
As he leaves alongside the girls, he steals one last glance at me seemingly in distress and I freeze into place for a fraction of a few seconds.
"What was that about?" I ask Shawn's sister is still there.
"I have no clue." She shrugs.
"It doesn't bother you?"
"I mean yeah, it sucks that Shawn spends less time with me but it's fine, it was a matter of time before it happens."
"Yeah, it's true but what was that earlier? Why were the girls glaring at you?" Shawn's sister's eyes widen but quickly she recomposes herself.
"It was nothing, they are probably hating on me because I'm taking away Shawn from them." She says in a weird melancholy tone and I can't help but frown.
"Yeah maybe they do the same for me but you sure that's the full story?"
"Yes, it's barely anything." She says nonchalantly but it looks more like she's trying to convince herself, no doubt I don't believe her but I let it slide for now.
———————-
Thursday has come and I find myself in Shawn's room and honestly, I'm quite glad because that's the first time I get to talk to him since Monday. Seriously, the girls are going too far.
You know what? This is the only chance I get to know what's going on.
"Hey, what's with the girls? Why are they making you hang out with them almost full-time?"
"I don't know but they seem oddly more clingy and it's not really fun." See, he doesn't like them.
"Yeah, those two are a pain."
"How come you dated Grace?" He seems to regret saying that immediately but I'm unbothered.
"I don't know, I must have been blind to not notice Grace is as bad as Tessa."
"So you knew she was...?" He trails and I frown.
"She what?" I demand growing angry.
"Nothing, she's just annoying." Hmm, he doesn't seem to be telling me the full truth, fine, I'll let him have the benefit of the doubt.
"Yeah, she is."
"Are you ready to speak French?"
"Yeah," I smirk and he blushes a bit.
We then start to practice but we quickly realize how bad we are which makes us laugh.
"Gosh, stop saying nonsense, we have to take this seriously," Shawn says chuckling despite his wise words but abruptly stops once he realizes how close we've gotten.
Then, before we know it we're both staring at each other intently and we both don't know what to do. Then, without realizing we get even closer, mere centimeters from each other and I almost lean in for a kiss but Shawn suddenly backs away
"Sorry! We should continue the project!" He blushed deeply and I could only stare at him frozen.
Omg...I really thought we would kiss...Wait does this mean I wanted to kiss him...?
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