Chapter 36

Daisy was right about Xander’s new look.

He really gets a lot more attention from the girls at school. There is especially one girl in his class, Jasmine, that he has always found very pretty. Now he feels brave enough to talk to her – and she seems to be flattered about his interest in her. What a surprise!



So he starts seeking her company outside of class and tries to get to know her better. He still feels a little awkward and shy about that though. How do you do these things?



It feels so much easier to be with Daisy. He still spends a lot of time with her. One day they agree to meet at the library in Bluewater after school. Daisy likes to read as much as he does.



And she likes to play chess too, and as he is showing her some gambit he has just recently learned himself, he suddenly hears someone say:
“Hello Roth! Who is your friend?”




It is one of the boys from his class, Avri. He has never been especially nice to Xander before, but now he seems very keen on keeping them company, insisting that they should join him for a coffee in the library café. He speaks very little to Xander, concentrating completely on Daisy.



And when they go for a burger, Avri comes with them – paying no attention at all at Xander’s obvious antagonism. Daisy doesn’t seem to notice Xander’s feelings either. She seems quite enchanted by Avri and starts to behave in a way Xander has never seen before. Getting all giggly and stuff. Disgusting! What does she see in Avri? He is of course very handsome and athletic, but also quite arrogant and bossy. Not that he acts that way towards Daisy now. He is obviously trying his best to make a very good impression on her.



Xander starts to feel very much in the way. And quite deserted and lonely. He has never felt this way with Daisy before.



Next time he comes to visit Daisy, he is disappointed to find Avri also there. And Avri gets the most of Daisy’s attention. She is acting even more stupid now than before. Xander doesn’t recognize her at all.



And it gets worse: he hasn’t been there long before he understands that Daisy and Avri are now going steady. He is sure that they would rather see him leave right now, but he stubbornly stays watching a movie on TV with them . He feels even more in the way this time – but it doesn’t seem to hinder them.





As much as he feels that Avri wants him out of the way, he stays until Avri must leave and go home to Bluewater and then he tells Daisy what he thinks of her taste.
“What do you see in that arrogant guy? He is the kind that thinks girls are more stupid than guys, you know! I never would have thought that would appeal to you.”



“Now you're mean!” Daisy shouts. “He is not at all like that. And you stay away from my affairs! I am quite capable of making my own decisions, thank you very much! You’re just envious because you don’t have a girlfriend yet. Get a life!! And stay out of mine!!”
After that they start shouting at each other until they both stand with clenched fists, and Xander gets the feeling, that if he doesn’t leave now, it will end very badly. So he leaves, very angry and very hurt – with a feeling of great loss inside. What did just happen? They used to be buddies, best friends.