DREXEL GENESIS

"You have a crush on Crimson," declares Archer ceremoniously.

I disregard Archer and focus on doodling on my partially completed homework. Suddenly, Archer leaps off the bed and spins my chair to face him, grabbing hold of me and preventing me from moving. "What is wrong with you?" I inquire and forcefully kick him away with my leg.

"What is wrong with me? What is wrong with you?" he retorts.

"Why are you even here?"

"Excuse me, this is MY room."

Oh, that's right.

Archer continues to stare me down and I hold his stare. He narrows his eyes and crosses his arms. Waiting. And waiting.

Undoubtedly, Archer had noticed my hostility towards him as I had been glaring at him all day due to the incident earlier in the hallway when he had interrupted a significant moment between me and Crimson. Now that I think about it; how childish.

I slump back in the chair and release a deep sigh, feeling swamped by the situation. After a moment of silence, I finally manage to speak, but my words are barely audible as they escape my lips. "What am I supposed to do?" I mumble.

But they don't escape the superhuman ears of Archer as his eyes widen and he quickly brings another chair next to mine, straddling it backwards. "You...you like Crimson?" he asks a little too eagerly. I shrug my shoulders as if to suggest that it was not significant or worthy of attention. Archer slaps my arm with force and commands, "Stop shrugging and tell me what's going on in words!"

My frustration intensifies as Archer continues to pester me. Eventually, I give in and comply, crossing my arms in annoyance. "Alright, alright!" I exclaim. "I like her, are you happy now?"

Archer suddenly looks emotional, covering his mouth as if to keep in the non-existent sobs that were threatening to escape, "Drexel, you...you've finally shown an interest in the opposite gender, I almost thought that you were-"

I cut him off by throwing my book at him. "Shut up," I say as he rubs the back of his head where the book had hit him.

"Not that it would matter, but jokes aside, tell me everything Drex...how did it happen?"

I understand why Archer was enthusiastic about my confession. As his best friend, I've never shared with him my thoughts on girls or crushes before. With my hectic lifestyle, I haven't had the time or tendency to engage in romantic relationships. No one has piqued my interest enough to garner my attention, and I refuse to waste my time on people whom I'm not genuinely interested in.

Crimson, however, I decide, seems to be a different case altogether. Initially, she was just another friend among many, but gradually, over the past few weeks, she has managed to capture my attention. Although I was conscious of these feelings growing, I didn't admit to them until we found ourselves together on the school rooftop today. Her presence was a much-needed sweetness amidst the bitterness of this morning, unlike Mr. Denver, who always seemed to be looking for an opportunity to cause trouble, with me as his primary target. Why he targeted me specifically, I couldn't fathom.

I've come to the conclusion that it was probably because Mr. Denver is the uncle of our dear Kash Grater. Yep, you read it right. The old geezer was the uncle of our favourite poop brain.

Despite my attempts to ignore Mr. Denver's behaviour, it appears that he has no intention of stopping anytime soon.

On top of everything, I've been under a lot of stress and overworking myself, which might explain my gloomy state at school yesterday. It all started when I finished work at The Garage two days ago and drove home. As I pulled up to my house, I saw Aunt Annie sitting on the doorstep, "Aunt Annie, haven't you gone back home yet?" I asked as I got out of the car.

Her greying hair framed her ageing face as she came to stand in front of me. "The month's coming to an end," she immediately cut to the chase. "Don't forget the wages..."

"Oh...can it wait for a few more weeks, please? I promise I'll pay as soon as I-"

"Son, I took on the responsibility of looking after your mother because you and your sister are good kids, and your family didn't deserve what happened. A smart young man like you shouldn't have to work so hard, and I understand that. But I also have a family to support... I wish things didn't have to be this way, but we're all struggling," she explained.

Her words hit me hard, and I suddenly felt completely drained. It was as if her words had pushed me into a deep hole, and I didn't know whether I wanted to climb out and face reality or stay inside forever, free from worries.

"Please, just give me a week. I'll make sure to have the money for you," I pleaded with Aunt Annie, feeling like I was begging. After some reluctance, she eventually agreed with a nod before walking past me towards the road. As she left, I remember the caretaker of my mother giving me a sympathetic look and saying, "I hope everything turns out well for you."

That's what they all say. They were just words.

'Words'. I thought to myself. Just empty utterances with no real meaning, no value, and no emotion behind them. People speak them merely to show that they know sympathy, but their 'sympathy' is often just for show. And as for 'care', it's a word that's thrown around carelessly, with no real action to back it up.

As the caretaker left, I didn't say anything in return except to give her a small, polite smile. Over time, I had become accustomed to receiving these sympathetic words and looks from people. I learned to live with them, knowing that they could sometimes be helpful in getting things done quickly, just like how Aunt Annie was paid to take care of my mother.

After that, I had gone back to The Garage and worked overtime. The next day, I was in no mood for anything which worried my friends. Luckily, Terry had called me to say that they were holding a race at midnight and I had readily agreed.

That conversation with Aunt Annie had had me wanting to distract myself with a race, and distraction it did especially when Crimson and Ayla showed up unannounced at the race on The Abandoned Bridge today early morning.

And with the cancellation of street races because of the cops until further notice, I had immediately called Danny before school started today and asked for more shifts at the garage.

Aunt Annie's conversation had affected me even today despite those distractions, even though I concealed it well until it all tore apart after Mr. Denver's class today. I had suddenly felt exhausted- so done with everything but Crimson's presence had relaxed me.

' "I have the pleasant breeze, the calm serenity...and someone to talk to. I'm feeling better."

"A hug added to the mix could make you feel even better." '

How long has it been since I've been hugged that way? Crimson's embrace had brought a comforting warmth that I had never experienced from anyone else before. It was so heartfelt that it had almost brought me to tears. At that moment, I felt incredibly vulnerable and on the verge of breaking down.

Crimson's hug probably became my favourite thing starting today. And it just confirmed my feelings towards her no matter how much I tried to ignore them.

"Drex? Drexel!" I hear Archer's yelling breaking me out from my thoughts of the recent past into reality.

"What?"

"You didn't answer my question," he murmurs impatiently. I had hoped he miraculously forgot but you can't escape an excited best friend.

"It doesn't matter, it's not like I'm going to confess anyway."

"Come on man! A girl had finally caught your eye! You shouldn't let it pass!"

"I won't have time for relationships Arch, how can I reserve time for her? It wouldn't be fair for both of us," I sigh as I mindlessly guide my pen over the margin of my homework.

He speaks in a gentle tone, "You deserve happiness too, Drexel."

I return his sentiment with a smile and reply, "Thank you, but Crimson deserves happiness as well. She deserves someone who can be a good partner to her."

"So? What's wrong about you?" he inquires stubbornly.

"Archer, who would want to be with me after hearing my sob story? Girls are to be treated like queens, right? With my situation, I doubt I could even afford a date."

"You are acting as if you are piss poor. You are just afraid of disappointing them," he states, hitting the nail on the head. "Do you really believe Crimson would be like that? I believe she is a simple girl, don't you think?"

My lips involuntarily quirk up. "Yeah, I guess."

"See? You are smiling because you're thinking about her right now, aren't you!" he teases and repeatedly pokes my arm. He was too excited about this, I could visibly see the fireworks in his eyes. "You should open up to her, man! It's so cool to see you crushing on someone," he chuckles. "Whether she'll take the pain to be your girlfriend is her choice. All you have to do is confess."

"It's too early for that. It's been a month since she joined the school. She has to get used to us more," I reason.

Archer regards me thoughtfully for a moment. "You know, Drexel, I've never seen anyone as hard-working as you. You always put others before yourself. For years, you've neglected your own well-being while constantly thinking of others."

"I know, and I will always put my family first, Archer. You know that."

"Maybe it's time you give yourself a chance for once. Why don't you be selfish and think about what you want to do?" he says quietly.

"Why don't you take your advice for yourself too?" I probe instead.

Archer offers me a sad smile. "You know that I'm waiting until college to consider relationships. I want to start fresh in a new environment. Besides, you have a chance for romance now, unlike me, Drexel. Don't let it slip away. I want to see you happy. You deserve it."

I don't say anything as I silently contemplate his words.

"Why are you keeping quiet? Are you afraid of rejection?" he continues with a huff.

"Aren't we all scared of rejection?" I roll my eyes. "I'm just going to wait on it, it's too soon for anything. Maybe if she shows any interest in me, I'll confess to her. Happy?"

"Yes, very happy," Archer laughs. "In the meantime, you can test out your feelings more...to see if they aren't just passing emotions. Interact with her more. See if she reacts to you in some way."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," I say nonchalantly, hoping to end this conversation even though it was an eye-opener (not that I would say that loud for Archer to hear), and pack up my homework. "I'll be going. Thanks for today."

Archer grins at me. "It was a good talk brother, I'm expecting some progress."

"Okay, okay, we'll see. Let it go now," I scowl at him and open his door.

Before we can make it downstairs, the front door slams open. Archer sighs behind me. "Bad timing," he mutters.

A man with sandy brown hair, strikingly similar to Archer's, stumbles in through the front door. His eyes lock onto mine, and he gives a low grunt of acknowledgement. "Haven't seen you in a long time, Drexel boy," he says.

"Good evening, sir," I greet politely. "Just came by to drop Archer off."

Mr. Miller's eyes shift toward his son as if just realizing that Archer was there. "Oh, Archer. You are home," he proclaims.

Archer gives a scoff beside me. "Yeah, 'home.'"

"You should be here more often, one might take it as if you were a boarder in your own house."

Archer's head falls back as he lets out a humourless chuckle, "This place feels hardly alive anymore, Dad. Even you are not home most of the time, who are you to tell me what to do?"

Archer's father had the audacity to look guilty before he contemplates his reply, "...You are right, I just didn't feel- uhm... I'll try to be home more often."

"Really? And how many times have I heard that, huh? Don't make promises that you can't keep. I'm surprised that you are even sober now," Archer remarks sarcastically.

"Son, I..." Mr. Miller starts.

"No, don't make excuses. Don't think I didn't see the bottles you are hiding behind your back. Mom would be so disappointed if she knew that-"

"What do you know about her?" he abruptly cuts Archer off. "She...She was my family too-"

"Am I not your family too, Dad? Huh? It's been FIVE years already since she left us and you've degraded yourself so much to the point that I am the one who has to pay for the bills. I feel like I have no father left. Everything is just-" Archer halts his rambles and brings his hand down his face, releasing a tired exhale. "You know what, I don't want to discuss this with you anymore. Let me walk you out, Drex."

"I'm sorry son," a hoarse whisper comes out as Archer walks to the front door. "I've been neglecting you...I'll try to move on...for you...I'll try..."

Archer doesn't say anything and leaves. I uneasily look back at Mr. Miller. "He'll come around. Goodbye, Mr. Miller."

He watches Archer walk away with a contemplative expression before turning to me. "I'll see you later, Drexel. I'm glad you're there for him," he says before leaving. I just nod at him and join Archer who was on his porch looking at the darkening sky. "You good?"

"I'm fine. Is it me or is everyone having family problems or something?"

I laugh at that. "No Arch, just us."

He also lets out a little chuckle which quickly morphs into a deep sigh, "I'm done talking about this. However, there are other things we have to think about. We don't have much time to wash those runts' smelly uniforms. The girls said that they'd help too. We'll settle on a date when everyone's free and finish it off. I don't want to be on Mr. Denver's bad side anymore for at least this year if possible."

"Alright. The sooner the better," I agree hesitantly when he blatantly changed the subject, refusing to speak about what happened seconds ago.

"Hmm. Make this a chance to get closer to Crimson too. You can-"

"Shut up, Archer. Jeez." I roll my eyes and head towards my car with Archer sniggering behind me making my lips slightly turn upward too, glad that the atmosphere had changed.

However, before getting into the car I turn toward my best friend. "You deserve it too, you know."

"What?" he asks in confusion.

"Happiness."

I love these 2 besties hehe

Archer's and Drexel's dynamic is so on fire, they understand each other so well.

But hey, our characters have realised their crushes!!!

Don't forget to press that lil' star and comment!