Chapter 1: The Unusual Team
Notes:
My first A.N.T. Farm Three-Shot. Unlike everybody else, this is a Flexi (Fletcher + Lexi) Story with a bit of Faisley and Flyna on the side.
I think this is the first one to do this pairing...on this website...hopefully
I don't own A.N.T. Farm or any character except the plot.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Fletcher's POV
It's just another day at Webster High, but today was going to be special. I could just feel it. I enter the building after my mom drops me off. The first person I saw was Lexi Reed. I never admitted this out loud to anyone, but sometimes I think that Lexi was prettier than Chyna, especially when she wears her cheerleader outfit. Most people who knew me would not believe their ears if they heard my thoughts right now. Well, they would be right except other people didn't know my deepest dark secret.
I used to have a crush on her.
I know, unbelievable, but it's true.
I maybe sorta kind of do still have a crush on her.
Do I still love Chyna?
Of course, I do.
Do I have strong feelings for Lexi?
Yes, even though I'm still unsure about them, it's still a yes.
It is not that hard to explain, it's just that when I first came here, she was the first girl that caught my attention, and she was so beautiful standing in the sunlight. She was secretly my first inspiration for the first set of my artwork after I got into the A.N.T. Farm program. The reason why I lost my interest in her was after I sat in her chair for the first time in our first class together.
She pretty much branded me a loser, and I was crushed. My crush on her completely disappeared, or at least that is what I originally thought before now.
Two good things happened to me on that same day as well. I had gotten a new crush and made a new friend, even though she can sometimes annoy me with her 'interesting factoid'. My new crush was Lexi's best friend's name, Paisley. My new friend's name was Olive Doyle. Paisley is a beautiful blonde-haired girl who is also a cheerleader like her best friend. She seems a whole lot nicer than Lexi, at least that's what I have seen since I never talked to her in person. The first time I talked to her was when Chyna joined the A.N.T. Program, and we went to Lexi's party. She dubbed me her 'little Magician,' and that was the best time in my life, especially when I said I needed a physical connection to help with a magic trick. She gave me a tight hug.
It was the best party I've ever been to in my entire life.
I often think about that party with Paisley and what happened after the party was canceled by Chyna's Dad, Mr. Parks.
Flashback
I was walking home with Olive after we left the party, but suddenly I remembered I didn't say goodbye to Paisley, and I really wanted to.
"Hey, Olive?" I turned to her.
"Yeah, Fletch?" She stopped walking when I stopped.
"Do you know where Paisley, Lexi's best friend, lives by any chance?" I hope that she did.
"Yeah…why do you want to know?" She looked confused as she tilted her head.
"No reason…I just wanted to see her and tell her something," I quickly jumped in and said, "Privately." I can tell that she was very curious, but hopefully, she wouldn't bug me about it.
"Ok, whatever, but don't stay out too late," Olive ordered me. I just rolled my eyes and said, "Yes, mother." Olive lightly punched my arm and told me where Paisley lived.
We parted ways, and I ended up at Paisley's house, which ironically was near Lexi's house.
I knocked on her door, hoping it was Paisley who answered the door and not her parents.
Lady Luck was on my side tonight as Paisley was the one who opened the door.
"Oh my gosh, you're the little Magician from tonight!" Paisley happily clapped her hands together.
"Yeah, that's me. By the way, my name is Fletcher and you're Paisley, right?" I nervously smiled.
"Yes, I am!" She beautifully giggled.
"I'm sorry to disturb you, but I just came by to say goodnight to you and to tell you I had fun hanging out with you." I noticed she still had a smile on her face as I finished talking, which hopefully means she felt the same way.
"I had a blast, but will I ever see you again?" She looks sad for some reason. Why would she be sad?
"Yeah, I go to the same school as you." I quickly reminded her and tried to cheer her up.
"Yay!" She jumps happily like an excited bunny.
"Thank you for showing me some magic tricks, Fletcher." Unknowingly, Paisley got closer to me as I massaged my neck, looking off to the left side in embarrassment.
"No problem, but I wish I could have done…" Her lips connecting with my own cut me off.
'So this is what being on cloud nine feels like,' I thought as I mentally crashed back to earth.
"That was for a great job." She smiled at me while I felt my face becoming beet red.
I was completely shocked by three things.
1. I was kissed by a beautiful older girl.
2. It was my very first one.
3. I was kissed by a beautiful older girl
Wait, one and three are the same…but who cares, I was kissed by a beautiful older girl.
I didn't know what to say, so I said the first thing that came to my head.
"WOW"
Yep, I'm so smooth…note the sarcasm in my voice.
"I-I m-mean thank you um, I-I g-got to go." I was embarrassed, so I was about to run home until she said, "Wait." My body betrays my mind and listens to her sultry voice.
Paisley quickly gave me a tight hug like before and gently whispered, "Goodnight, my little Magician." She secretly smiled at me one more time and went into her house.
This was by far the greatest night of my entire life.
FLASHBACK END
I shake my head from my thoughts as Lexi is walking in my direction.
'Calm down, Fletcher. She probably sees Paisley behind me or someone else. There is no way she is actually walking toward me.' I confidently thought to myself.
I turn my head to see nobody but older male nerdy students.
'Maybe she needs one of the nerdy students to help her with her homework or something.' I knew I sounded unsure even within my mind.
I saw her making direct eye contact with me. Oh boy, her attention is now crystal clear.
She seems determined and then walks faster, like she was afraid I would run away.
'Well, she wasn't exactly wrong for thinking that, as I was thinking about running away. It is almost as she knew.' She must have a sixth sense for this thing. Or it probably shows in my eyes.
It was too late for me to run, and now I had to face the music.
' Wait a minute, why am I scared in the first place?'
Oh, that's right, the answer is standing right in front of me in all of her radiant glory.
'Quick Fletcher says something!'
"Ah, Hi?"
'Smooth!'
"Shut up, brain!"
Lexi rolled her eyes at me like I was stupid or something, then she said four words that I never thought that she would ever say to me, especially in public.
"Fletcher, I need you."
'Huh?' I think my brain short-circuits. I must be hearing things.
"Huh?" I was completely dumbfounded. Lexi Reed said she needed me.
I don't have a single clue as to what to do in this moment.
"Hello, didn't you hear me? I said I need your help?" She was standing with her arms crossed, looking angry at me for not understanding her and this weird situation we are in.
"Yeah, I heard you, but what do you need help with that involves me?" I'm rightfully confused about everything right now.
" I'm a loser to her, so what could she possibly want with me?"
"I can't tell you in public," She looked left and right before looking at me. "Meet me in room 215 during lunch so we can talk privately, and don't tell Chyna or any other ANT." Lexi flipped her hair, then fakely smiled and left the same way she came.
I had to pick up my jaw from the ground after what just happened. Not only did she need my help with something, but we were also going to meet privately. This must be big if she wants to talk to me alone.
I just knew today was going to be different, but I didn't realize how different.
{A.N.T. Farm Room}
I walked to A.N.T. Farm, still conflicted about everything that happened five minutes ago. I saw Chyna and Olive talking to each other. I can't tell them about Lexi, or she will probably kill me. I didn't like keeping secrets from my friends, but I will have to for now.
"Hi, guy!" I put on my happiest voice as I called out to them, and they both turned toward me.
"Hey, Fletcher," Olive simply said
"Hey, Fletcher, where were you at?" Chyna asks me.
I instantly got nervous and hoped that my big mouth wouldn't get me into trouble.
"I-I just got here," I quickly said in a squeaking voice.
'I hate when my voice does that!'
Olive and Chyna look at each other and raise an eyebrow, but then look back at me.
"Okay...Anyway, I need your help," Chyna pleaded.
I couldn't believe my ears. Not only did Lexi say she needed my help, but now Chyna said she needed my help.
"Did I step into the Twilight Zone or something?"
'Who am I to deny her my help?'
"What do you need help with?" I ask my secret but not-so-secret crush.
Chyna smiled at me.
'I love it when she does that.'
Chyna walked slowly toward me as she nervously spoke -for some reason- and I was hanging on to every single word she said. "Well, there is the cooking competition at school where the winner gets $1,000. I need a team of three people, and Olive has already accepted to be on my team. The thing is, the food needs to not only taste well but have an artistic look too, and that's where you come in, and I was thinking…" Whatever Chyna was going to say got cut off when an angry, but familiar voice, interrupted her.
"Back off, Chyna! He is going to help my team already!" Lexi stomps her way into the A.N.T. Farm and quickly yanks on my arm to pull me to her side.
"I am?" I was very confused by her, and I'm not the only one.
"He is?" Both Chyna and Olive loudly ask.
"Remember Fletcher, what we were talking about helping me this morning?" Lexi slowly said as if she was jogging my memory. I remember her saying that she needed my help, but she never actually said what for.
Oh, I think I get it now…
"When have you two ever talked before?" Chyna confusedly asked while she glared at her older blonde rival.
"I said this morning, duh, and besides, Fletcher already agreed to be on my team with Paisley and me." Lexi finished in a smug voice.
Chyna looked angrily at her and then looked toward me with a disappointed expression.
"You agree to be on her team?" Chyna sadly asked me, and before I could even explain anything, Lexi answered for me.
"Yes, he did, and now he is a part of Team Lexi. Now come on, Fletcher, we need to discuss strategies with Paisley." Lexi was already pulling me away from my friends, and I was helpless against her very strong vice grip. She led me toward her locker, and I saw Paisley standing near Lexi's locker. I hear Lexi mumbling random things like 'The nerve of that Chyna' and 'She is always trying to steal from me' and finally 'I'm going to win this time'.
What the heck is going on?
It seems like Lexi wants me for the same thing that Chyna wanted me for. I was about to say yes to Chyna, but Lexi completely ruined that for me.
Sigh…to be completely fair, if Lexi had asked me first, I would have probably said yes only if I didn't know Chyna wanted the same thing.
We finally stopped in front of Paisley, and Lexi finally let go of my arm. I rub my arm from the pain she causes. "She's so strong!"
"Hi, Fletcher," Paisley grinned at me.
I can always smile for Paisley anytime, even when I'm being forced to do something I didn't initially agree to do.
"Hey Paisley," I mumbled out as I felt Lexi's suspicious glares at us…well, mostly me.
I quickly remembered that I should be mad at Lexi for lying to Chyna about my supposed partnership with her and Paisley. I quickly turn toward Lexi.
"Why did you lie to Chyna about me agreeing to work with you?" I angrily ask. Lexi was not looking guilty at all, just put her hands on her hips and glared down at me.
She scoffed at me. Paisley looked confused, which is normal for her.
"I didn't exactly lie to her," Lexi replied as she stepped closer to me, almost menacingly.
"Uh, yes, you did. I never agree to be on your team. Heck, I didn't even know about this competition until Chyna explained it to me." I angrily replied as I didn't back down from her for once.
"I thought you said he did?" Paisley confusedly asks Lexi.
"Ok, technically I was going to ask him after lunch that was before I overhead Chyna was going to ask him first," Lexi looked a little nervous for a split second but it quickly disappeared, and a look of resolve came on her face "I couldn't risk him saying yes to her like he would have done so I took the chance with it and rush to the A.N.T. farm to drag him away from her." Lexi finished explaining to us. I shook my head at this situation that I was involved in.
I was definitely mad at her, yes, but I understand where she was coming from. She was telling the truth about me saying yes to Chyna if she asked me. Lexi was also wrong as well because if she had just asked earlier, I would have honestly said yes to her, too. Now I'm forced to help her and Paisley with this cooking competition. I know I can't say no to her; otherwise, I will probably suffer physical and emotional pain that I do not want. I just accepted my doom fate in her hands.
"Fine, whatever, what do we need to do? When does the cooking competition begin?" I tiredly ask them. I wiped my face downward with my hands.
Paisley answers the first question, who, oddly enough, was quiet the whole time until now.
"We have to cook for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert. I love dessert." She giggled at the last part, clapping her hands together. Lexi rolled her eyes at her best friend and then answered the second question.
"The cooking competition doesn't start until Friday this week, so we have four days to practice our skills." Lexi looked at both of us and then continued, "We will be practicing at my house after our cheering practice is over in the gym, and you can meet us there."
That sounds like a good plan, so I just said a quiet 'Okay' to her.
"Great, so we'll talk more later at lunch when you sit with us." Lexi expectantly looks at me.
At this point, I'm not really paying any attention and just nod my head.
"Ok, great later," Lexi grabbed her books from her locker, then flipped her hair like she normally does when she exits, and left with Paisley, who wore a concerned look on her face before leaving with Lexi.
Since I already had my book bag with me still I just went to my first class.
'Man, I hope Chyna and Olive aren't too upset with me.' I frowned
"If I explain the situation to them, they will completely understand…right?" I quietly said to myself.
{Lunch Time}
BRRIINNNNG!
"Finally, Lunchtime!" I happily thought, even though I was having the worst morning.
Chyna and Olive were both ignoring me the whole time, and I still didn't get to explain myself to them. They were too upset at me, but Chyna looked mostly disappointed. Angus told me that he was the third partner in the cooking competition.
I was jealous of him.
He gets to be close with his crush, Olive, but I don't get to hang out with my Chyna.
Man, this is so not fair, but on the other hand, I get to hang out with two beautiful cheerleaders. I guess it is not all bad, besides my two best friends ignoring me half of the day.
At least now I can get something to eat, but why do I get a sense of dread and excitement in my gut?
I shrugged off those feelings and went to lunch.
I finally made it in time for chicken fingers and fries. I saw my friends already sitting down and laughing together.
"It looks fun over there. Maybe it's my time to talk to them and they will finally listen." I was very hopeful at this point, but it doesn't matter, as long as my friends (Chyna and Olive) aren't mad at me anymore.
After I gathered my food together, I slowly made my way toward my friend's table. Chyna was the first one to see me and stared at me with a blank look. Olive just glared at me. Angus has a dreamy look on his face as he looks at Olive. Chyna slowly dropped her blank stare and started giving me a smile, which meant it was ok to sit with them. I was so happy that I didn't feel another presence behind me until it was too late.
"Hi, Fletcher!" Paisley loudly but happily said.
"Oh, hi, Paisley." I was so caught off guard by her appearance that I jumped and almost spilled my tray on the ground, but luckily for me, it didn't happen.
"Are you ready to come sit with us?" Paisley asked as she had her lunch tray in her hands.
I didn't remember saying I would sit with them until the memory resurfaced in my mind. I was so dazed in that moment, I didn't even realize that I had agreed to sit with them.
'I need to start paying attention more.'
"Ahh, yeah, I am ready…" Paisley then held my hand, and I felt heat on my cheeks. "Come on, let's go." Paisley gently guided me toward the lunch table where Lexi was already sitting down.
"Um, ok." I felt glares from the back of my head, and then I quickly realized that I had messed up again.
'Dang it!'
Chyna's POV
I was completely shocked at what I was seeing. Fletcher is eating lunch with not only Paisley but with Lexi as well. "Olive, are you seeing what I'm seeing?" I wanted her opinion on this whole situation.
"You mean that traitor eating lunch with Paisley and Lexi, then yes, I do." She angrily stated as she stabbed her food. Angus is just drooling as usual when he focuses on Olive, so asking him for his opinion is out of the question.
"That's not like him at all. He usually avoids the big kids, especially Lexi. Why would he be on Lexi's team?" I'm just so confused about everything that happened today. "I can understand that he is hanging out with Paisley because she is super nice and all, but Lexi is the part I don't understand at all." Olive nods her head, agreeing with me.
"I know, right? Lexi is the evilest of all the big kids. The worst part is that he is working with her against us in the cooking competition. That stupid traitor!" Olive stabs the carrot on her plate super hard.
I agree with what she is saying, but then Angus finally speaks up.
"Don't you guys think you're a little too hard on him?" Angus quietly said
"NO!" Olive and I loudly said together. Angus flinched at our volume, but he pressed on.
"Think about. Have you heard from his side of the story yet?" Angus wisely questioned as he glanced at both of them.
Now that I thought about it, no, I haven't heard from his side at all. Now I feel a little guilty, and by the look on Olive's face, I knew she did too.
"Maybe Angus is right. Maybe we should hear Fletcher's side of the story." I said in a small voice.
Olive huffed but nodded her head in agreement.
"The next time Fletcher tries to come to us, we will listen to what he has to say," I announced as hope began to spread through me.
'Hopefully, it was a misunderstanding and he will join our team still.'
Fletcher's POV
I actually had a great time at lunch.
Paisley was nice and very talkative, like always. Lexi chimes in every once in a while with her opinion on topics we discuss. The only time she talked longer than she had to was when we were talking about which food we would cook for each part. The only one we didn't agree upon was dessert because, for one, we weren't good at doing that part, and two, we all had different ideas about what to bake. We decided to wait until Thursday to discuss it again. Now I was walking alone to an ironically enough cooking class where we all had class together, my friends and my teammates.
'I have a feeling that this won't go well again.'
I walk into the classroom to see my friends at their table, but I don't see Lexi or Paisley. This is the perfect time to talk to them without any interruption. I quickly ran toward them and said, "Guys, can I talk to you now?" Chyna, Olive, and Angus look up at me and smile at me.
"Go ahead, Fletcher." Chyna gently said
I quickly started to explain the truth to them about everything that happened this morning with Lexi.
"So that's what really happens." I finished in a huff, almost out of breath.
Angus looks smug for some reason as he looks at Chyna and Olive, who look relieved but also guilty.
"Ok, we believe you," Chyna said as she gave a small smile. Olive smiled as well.
"So that means you can still join our team and we can kick out Angus." Olive happily declared
Chyna and Angus nod their head in agreement until Angus hears that last part. "HEY!" Angus gasped.
'Oh boy, here goes nothing,' I frowned.
"Actually...I'm still going to be on Lexi's team." I quickly dropped the bomb on them.
"WHAT?" Both of the girls loudly said as they jumped up in shock, while Angus was still hurt by Olive's words.
"I can't just quit on them," I exclaimed as I took a step back from them.
"Why not?" Chyna asks confusedly
"It wouldn't be fair to…" Olive interrupted me
"But you just said…" I quickly interjected, "I know what I said, but if she honestly asked me to help her this morning, I would have said yes to her." Now they're looking at me like I have grown two heads.
"I know that shocks you guys, but it's the truth, and I won't quit on them." I knew any other time I would have easily quit on Lexi, but for some reason, I couldn't. Not even for Chyna, which pains me to admit.
"But Fletcher…" Chyna was using her big, sad, brown eyes on me.
'Oh no.' I almost grabbed my chest where my heart was.
My weakness was being used against me.
"Is this how Superman feels when somebody pulls out kryptonite on him?" I thought as I tried to look away from her gaze.
Out of nowhere, I was saved by my teammate, Lexi.
"Nice try, Chyna, but Fletcher is a part of my team." Lexi smiled smugly toward Chyna as she pulled me away from my friends again, but for once, I was grateful. I didn't have the strength to walk away from them, especially Chyna.
Lexi spoke in a low voice, "I'm glad that you decided to stay with me-I mean us." I caught her slip-up but decided not to call her out. She gently guides me to her table with Paisley already sitting down, waiting on us.
I randomly realize that Lexi smells like strawberries. I decided that I liked it. I don't know why I smell her, but I have always wondered what she would smell like.
Paisley smiled at me like usual, and I smiled back. I sat down next to Paisley, then Lexi sat next to me. I thought I would be uncomfortable with sitting with older kids, especially girls, but I'm starting to become very relaxed around them. Our teacher appeared before the bell rang and asked who was going to be in the cooking competition.
"Let's see who's on our first team?" Mr. Blake, our large and balding teacher, looked at us, and Lexi spoke up, "My team is Paisley, Fletcher, and I." Lexi sweetly smiled
"Ooh…interesting choice, Lexi having an A.N.T. on your team. I can't wait to see the result." Mr. Blake was already impressed with us. "The second teams I see are Chyna, Olive, and Angus." Chyna mumbled, "That's right, Mr. Blake." Mr. Blake looked bored for a second, then said, "Okay, that's fine." He went on like that for the next four teams, and then he finally started class.
{After School Time}
I'm glad that school is over, and right now I can focus on my art. I told Lexi that I would wait for her and Paisley after school so we could walk to her house together. She liked that idea, so she agreed with me. I told my mom that she didn't have to pick me up for the next four days. I explain to her about the cooking competition and how I am going to Lexi's house to work on some recipes together with her and Paisley. I also explained that her parent was going to drive me home. She said it was fine with me as long as I was home at seven. I easily agree with it.
I was halfway done with my work when suddenly I saw my friends enter the A.N.T. Room. I knew I needed to settle things right here and now. I got up and walked toward them. I saw the anger and sadness in their eyes, but I had to do this so our friendship could survive.
"Look, I will do this quickly, then you guys can continue to ignore me." I quickly said as I had my hands up in surrender.
They hesitated, but I ignored it.
"I don't want this competition to ruin our friendship any more than it already has. Look, I know you guys don't like the idea that I'm helping Lexi and Paisley. Well, mostly Lexi, but it's just one competition and win or lose, I hope will all can still be friends. If we can't be friends during and after this competition, then I guess our friendship wasn't as strong as I thought it was." I sadly said my peace and left the ball in their court. They didn't say anything as they looked conflicted about what I said to them.
After all of that, I was emotionally drained from everything. I decided to get my artwork and leave the room. I can always finish it at home.
I went to the gym so I could wait for Lexi and Paisley to finish cheering practice. I walked into the gym and saw the cheerleaders doing their cheers. I'm not going to lie. I like what I saw. Two rows of girls kicked up their legs in the air while Lexi was calling out cheers to them. I will admit Lexi was definitely in her element when she was a cheerleader. Her eyes are brighter than when he normally sees them, and they are fiercer than ever. She had an aura that screamed confidence.
'Oh yes, this was definitely Lexi Reed's domain, and where nobody can outshine her here.' I thought as I looked at her.
I shook my head and went to sit on the bottom bleachers.
It seems that Lexi finally notices me in the gym. I waved at her and Paisley. Paisley waved back. Lexi just stares with a blank look.
'Maybe I shouldn't come here.' I sadly thought
That thought went out the window when Lexi gave me a small smile and then went back to cheering with the other girls. I don't know if it was the trick of the light, but I swear her smile looks brighter than usual when she cheers. That thought made my heart beat faster than normal.
"Calm down, Fletcher. Take a deep breath. Don't get overworked on those thoughts." I quickly calm myself down.
I have taken out my sketchpad to draw a small sample of what I'm going to draw on my canvas. I always do this so I can focus on my work, and it also helps me think. Right now I need it.
I just let my mind wander as I sketch a picture.
"Fletcher"
I heard a beautiful call out to me. I was sleeping on a grassy hilltop when that same voice called out again.
"Fletcher"
I arose quickly to look for the female voice, but I noticed I was alone. I kept looking and running around to find whose voice I was hearing.
"Fletcher"
That voice haunted me.
I finally see someone off in the distance. I ran toward the person, but no matter how fast I ran, I never got any closer to her.
"Fletcher"
I finally stop running to catch my breath, but I see a shadow in front of me. I looked up at her, but the sun glare was blocking my view of her.
"I'm here, Fletcher."
I snap out of my daydream and look down at my sketchpad. I was shocked at what I saw because I don't even remember drawing it. I looked around the gym to see that cheering practice was over and the girls had already changed their clothes. I quickly put my sketchpad away. I wasn't about to show anyone my drawing yet until I understood it first.
I stood up from the bleacher and went to meet the girls.
"Hey, girls, great job out there." I smiled at them.
"Thanks, Fletcher!" They both said as they looked at each other before turning back toward me.
"Ready to go?" Lexi asked as she and Paisley had their backpack in hand, ready to leave.
"Yeah, I am ready," I reply with my things ready to leave, too.
"All right, let's go." Paisley excitedly said
All three of us left the gym and started walking to Lexi's house.
Notes:
Yes, it's another story I'm bringing over here, and I made some changes to things while adding details to the story. I will polish this chapter out in the coming week as I finish chapter two. I know that the characters are OOC, but that's the point of fanfiction (at least for me it is). I hope you enjoy the first part.
Chapter 2: Heavenly Dream or Hellish Nightmare
Notes:
I don't own A.N.T. Farm or any character except the plot.
Edit (08/14/2025): Fix grammar mistakes.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Lexi's House
The walk from the school to Lexi's house was shorter than I thought—it only took thirty minutes. The inside of the house still looks the same as the last time I was here. Lexi said that her parents would be home at eight o'clock, so we had plenty of time to try our recipes for breakfast. I wonder if Lexi ever gets lonely, but then I realize Paisley lives nearby, so I doubt it.
"So we agree to make a 'Veggie & Cheese Omelet Croissant Sandwich' as our breakfast menu?" I ask in case they change their mind again, like they did at lunch three different times.
"Yep." Paisley clapped. Lexi rolled her eyes in annoyance.
"Let's just start already." Lexi huffed while she and Paisley were heading toward the nice-looking kitchen.
"It seemed like her excellent mood had worn off. All good things must come to an end." I thought as I followed them.
"Well, the first thing we need is eggs, cheese, onions, and bell pepper," I said as I went to her refrigerator and pulled out a dozen eggs.
"We need a mixing bowl and a whisk to beat the egg," Lexi said as she went to grab the items.
"I'll grab the recipe book." Paisley excitedly said as she bounced away to the counter.
'Hopefully this won't take too long.'
{Later}
"I love you, Lexi." I grab her by her waist and dip her face so it is close to mine. "I always have." I kiss her. Lexi was surprised by this turn of events, but eventually she kissed me back.
During our kiss, Paisley screamed angrily at us to stop. We ignored her and continued our make-out. Paisley pulled us apart, then grabbed me by my collar and stared at me angrily.
"Please don't hurt me." I squeaked out.
"You are supposed to love me, not her," Paisley yelled at me, then pulled me toward her, kissing me with all of her might.
I will admit I love it just as much as kissing Lexi. Once she broke the kiss, Paisley asked me, "Which of us was the better kisser, Fletcher?"
I opened my mouth, but before I could say anything, Chyna came stomping into Lexi's house and loudly said, "I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU, FLETCHER!"
Chyna stormed toward me. "NOT ONLY DID YOU JOIN TEAM LEXI, BUT YOU'RE KISSING THEM AS WELL. I GUESS I WASN'T GOOD ENOUGH!"
I didn't know what to say, so I remained quiet.
Chyna looked at him with great disappointment and disgust. "I WANTED YOU FIRST ON MY TEAM AND AS A BOYFRIEND, BUT I SEE NOW YOU ARE NOTHING BUT A TRAITOR."
She started to leave the house, but not before she looked at me one last time and said, "I HATE YOU!" My heart completely shatters into a million pieces after hearing her say that to me. I wanted to cry and tell her the truth about what happened to me.
Chyna stomped her way out of Lexi's house, leaving me standing there alone. I didn't even notice that Paisley and Lexi weren't behind me anymore.
Suddenly, Olive appeared out of nowhere, and I thought maybe she could cheer me up like a good friend would. That stupid thought flew out the window when I saw the same anger in her eyes as Chyna. She calmly walked up to me and slapped my face hard. She nodded her head and walked out of the house, with Angus waiting there for her. Angus shakes his head at me in disappointment and leaves with Olive.
I lost everybody in a short period. I fell to my knees and yelled to heaven.
"WHY?"
RING!
RING!
RING!
I suddenly awoke with a start. I felt my heart beating faster than usual.
I realized I had a dream—well, the proper word would be a nightmare. I couldn't believe it, but I was glad it was just a nightmare and not real.
I touched my face and felt wetness at the corner of my eyes, and I realized I was crying in my sleep.
"Aggh, I was crying like a baby." I was not too fond of it.
I started to get ready for school. I remember what happened yesterday after cheering practice. I was at Lexi's house cooking the breakfast idea we had.
At first, it was a complete disaster, but we learned from our mistakes and eventually made passable food. The thing was, I had a great time with them, which scared me so bad that it gave me a nightmare.
"Today will be better," I mumbled to myself.
"At least I hope so."
Once I finished getting ready, it was time to start a new school day.
{Webster High School}
Lexi's P.O.V.
Yesterday was a complete success.
I need money since my dad cut me off again for spending over my credit card limit. Like, hello, I needed those shoes, but of course, my parents needed to understand that great fashion costs money. Anyway, they told me that if I wanted to keep those shoes, I would have to pay for them out of my own pocket.
It was so unfair to me.
I was worried about paying off $300 worth of shoes. The solution was found through the cooking competition displayed on the school lockers. Anyone could have entered the competition, but I was more determined than anyone else. Plus, I had an ace up my sleeve. I knew that the food had to taste and look good, and that's where my secret weapon would give me an advantage and help me win.
My ace was Fletcher Quimby, the art prodigy A.N.T.
Fletcher is very good at making art, so I think having him on my team will be a great idea. All of my ideas were usually great, but this one was perfect. Unfortunately, there was one glaring problem with my idea, though, and her name was Chyna Park.
'Grrr…That little girl gets on my nerves.'
She thinks she is so perfect, it makes me sick. I knew if she asked Fletcher first, there would be no way for me to win unless I cheated. I almost blew it when I didn't ask him immediately, but I was nervous about the other students seeing me asking an A.N.T. for help.
I knew we could have had a better history together as well.
It was mostly my fault. 'He shouldn't sit in my chair.'
There was a high chance that he would have said no if I asked him, so I wanted to wait until lunchtime.
Luckily, I changed my mind and decided to ask him for help before class started instead of later, or I would have lost him to her. I was smart enough to stop her from getting my ace, and I know it was underhanded, but I wanted to win. My victory was at hand, and with that, not only would my team win, but I would also have defeated Chyna and her friends in the process.
'Killing two birds with one stone indeed.'
I looked to my right to see my best friend, Paisley, walking beside me, texting on her phone. She had been giggling and laughing on the phone for about ten minutes. I wondered who she was texting. I know she doesn't have a boyfriend anymore, and I have never seen her talk to anyone else for this long without me knowing who it is.
"Who are you texting?" I ask cause my curiosity got the better of me.
Paisley looked up at me with a big, bright smile and said, "Fletcher." She quickly looked down again after hearing her text chime on her phone, missing my reaction to this surprising news.
I was dumbfounded. My brain stopped working for a second before it restarted.
"Fletcher? Do you mean as in the art prodigy? As in our teammate?" I rushly ask, wanting to make sure it is the very same one. A small part of me was hoping it wasn't him. Another part of me was furious, but I didn't know why that was the case.
"Yep," She quickly answers while laughing at whatever Fletcher texts back.
I had many questions, but the main one popped into my head and said, "Why are you texting him?"
I was hoping it was because of the competition. It would make sense since we are on the same team.
"We are friends now, and we exchanged numbers yesterday after we left your house." She texted him back with a smile. I had never seen Paisley smile this much before, even when she had a boyfriend.
"I never knew you two were so close before," I stated in a deadpan voice. I observed Paisley's reaction to this statement, but wasn't prepared for what she said next.
"Well, we have always been close." She continues to type on her phone with no care for the world. "It was ever since you threw your party when Chyna first joined the A.N.T. Farm," Paisley said while heading into the school building, leaving me completely paralyzed.
"WHAT?" I mentally screamed
{A.N.T. Farm}
Fletcher's POV
I randomly felt a big chill run through my spine, and I wouldn't say I liked that feeling. I knew something horrible would happen to me. It usually happens when I least suspect it. I will have to stay extra cautious all day today, just in case.
I just finished texting Paisley and told her I would see her before class started. I'm glad I got somebody to talk to at all. None of my supposed friends had contacted me at all yesterday. That only means one thing.
'I guess they weren't my real friends.'
That thought made me pause a bit. Knowing that my friends decided they wouldn't be my friends anymore hurt a lot. I pushed on through and kept on walking to the A.N.T. Farm.
"Don't think about it, Fletcher." That was my motto for the day.
I made it to the A.N.T. Farm and went inside to see none of my old friends there. I was glad for once because I didn't think I could handle it right now.
I went to my corner of the room and was about to pull out my sketchpad when I heard someone enter the room. I look up to see all three of my 'friends' coming into the room and talking to each other. I quickly look down, not wanting to focus on them. I started painting a beautiful sunset on a summer day on my canvas.
I was so focused on my work that I didn't notice them closing in on me until it was too late.
I felt a tap on my shoulder, and I turned around to see all three of them. The first thing I noticed was their shy, guilty, and nervous faces. They seemed ready to talk to me.
"I should be difficult just to hurt them like they hurt me." I pettily thought as I gave them a blank look.
"What do you three want?" I ask with a monotone voice.
They flinch at my tone. I felt both joy and sadness in their action.
"Fletcher, can we talk to you?" Chyna said in a low voice.
I pretend to think it over for a second, then nod. I crossed my arms over my chest and waited for them to speak.
"We just wanted to say we are very sorry. We don't take our friendship with you for granted, and I know we acted like jerks, but can you forgive us?" Chyna finished with a downtrodden look that Olive and Angus mirrored.
'No, don't accept their tiny pathetic apology. Crush their spirits!'
I thought about it, ignored the darker thought, and decided that this was all I really wanted from them.
I knew what I had to do.
"Apologies, accepted," I said with a smile. 'Weak'
They all smiled at me, and we went into a group hug. It felt great having them as my friends again. We let go of each other, and they asked me a question.
"How's being on team Lexi?" Olive asks
I looked unsure about answering that, and I could tell that Chyna understood why I hesitated to answer that question.
"It's alright, Fletcher. We are not mad about it anymore." Chyna reassured me.
I was about to answer them when a familiar angry voice called my name.
"FLETCHER!"
I turned to see a furious Lexi glaring at me with blazing eyes. I was paralyzed with fear and stood rooted in my spot. My friends were looking fearfully at her and worryingly at me.
She rushes at me and darkly says, "You have gotten Paisley's number, but not mine." She looks at my friends and then back at me, "Give me your phone now." Lexi ordered me.
I slowly reached into my pants and pulled my phone out. Lexi snatched my phone out of my hand and pulled her out. I didn't know what she was doing. When she was finished, she handed me my phone. I looked at it and quickly noticed she had added her number to my cell. I looked up at her with shock and surprise.
She noticed my look and rolled her eyes at me.
"It's just in case we need to discuss things about the competition. Don't read too much into this, okay?" Lexi threatened me.
I nodded.
She glared at my friends, then smiled at me and flipped her hair.
"Later." Lexi waved her hand at me and left the A.N.T. Farm.
The four of us were quiet until Olive loudly said, "What the heck was that all about?" Chyna and Angus shook their heads.
"I'm making a wild guess, and I think Lexi was mad at me for not asking her for her number like I did with Paisley." I don't get it, though. Why would she be mad that I got Paisley and not her?
'That's just one mystery I wouldn't be able to solve even if I had Scooby and the gang.' I shook my head at this nonsense.
"Wait a minute! What did she mean that you had gotten Paisley's number?" Chyna narrowed her eyes.
"Crap!"
"Dude, you have got numbers from two hot cheerleaders?" Angus asks me in complete shock.
I nodded. "I didn't realize until now that it was a big deal, especially for a young guy like me."
"Alright, dude!" Angus high-fives my hand.
The girls glared at him hard. He turns around to see the glares directed at him.
"Well…I…you see…I think I hear my mom calling me I gotta go!" Angus ran out of the room, leaving me all alone, weak and defenseless.
"Thanks a lot, pal." I dryly thought
I smiled at them and said, "Girls, it is natural to befriend teammates when you are working together in competition. That was all I did. I mean, you guys are friends with Paisley, remember?" I pointed out the facts. I looked at the clock and noticed only five more minutes left before the first-period bell rang.
"Well, I would love to talk about this later, but we all have to go to class, so bye." I quickly said to them and left the room.
'Maybe I'll get lucky, and they'll forget about this event.'
As I ran toward my class, I hoped my day wouldn't get any more chaotic.
Unfortunately, I wasn't that lucky.
Notes:
I hope you enjoy chapter two.
Wildcat96 on Chapter 2 Tue 28 May 2024 03:36AM UTC
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