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It had been a month since one of Eden’s most iconic fight. Becky and Anya had declared the official end of their 12 years friendship over a big fight during lunch break. Not only it was a war of harsh words but the youngest girl ended biting the older one during their physical altercation, costing each other a Tonitrus Bolt.
Ever since, they had spent half of their time avoiding each other. Dramatically, they would sit extremely far away each other in class and pretended the other didn’t exist when talking to someone.
It was insufferable. For two people, also known as collateral damages.
— Here, I called Pops and he came up with a plan.
— Pops ?
— Anya’s dad.
Andrew let out a small cry after hearing about Loid Forger, secretly saving the day again. Damian patted the blonde’s shoulder with pity, knowing how hard it was to be Becky Blackbell’s first boyfriend after her having a crush on the man for a whole decade. Being called ‘Sy-boy the second’ was already a soft way to bullying but hearing that your girlfriend had accepted to date you just because you look like her first crush was the bullet that killed.
The first scion put the papers on the bed, they were at the dorm in the middle of the night. They became friends only once the blond expressed his interest in the Blackbell girl and rejected the Esper girl, to the original Sy-on boy’s delight.
— So this is the friendship scheme, the goal is to make them apologize to each other.
— But Forger was wrong.
— So was Blackbell…look. I don’t want to fight with you, are you in or not ?
The blonde looked at the guy and sighed before shaking his hand.
The plan was well thought and creative, as it was a psychological trick to make the girls feel bad and apologize to each other, for the sake of cherishing their friendship. Damian really wanted his girlfriend to make up with her best friend because her mood swings were difficult to handle.
Also, he became Becky’s official replacement and oh, it was hard. Between the eyebrow plucking session and the long shopping sprees, the poor young man was exhausted.
— So Betty had 72 dishwater bottles and she sold a third to Anna who needed them. A bottle costs 3 dalc. Anna could only pay two-thirds and Betty is now very upset by Anna’s lack of duty. What do you think of this problem ?
— Betty is dumb, she got scammed. I mean why does she even have 72 bottles ?
— Hey. Focus.
— I’m sorry, I meant, Betty’s lack of smarts is concerning. Also 3 dalc a bottle of dishwater ? Do the plates clean themselves at this price ?
— I hope they do. Otherwise I’m suing.
They laughed lightly and Anya rested her head on her boyfriend’s shoulder, crying about the impossible math problem he was forcing her to solve at the school library instead of going out to eat something like they would usually do.
— You don’t need to solve this problem, it’s not math, it’s sociology.
— Oh, then, maybe Anna is struggling so she should tell Betty and they should figure out something that will benefit the both of them like a small monthly payment.
— Let’s check the answer to see if you are right.
Damian flipped the book’s page and gave to Anya the page she needed to read at loud. She cleared her voice and started reading the paragraph.
— Communication is key. Betty apologized to Anna after hearing the reason of the late payment. Anna also apologized to Betty for not respecting the payment and offered to give back the unpaid dishwater bottles. Betty and Anna are now friends again because friendship is the most beautiful form of love…in this world.
Anya’s eyes started to shine as she felt like crying and she looked her boyfriend, looking for his comfort. He looked around him, hoping nobody is around then squeezed her round cute face with a lot of love and tease.
— Why is my peanut crying ? He said with an unusual high pitched voice causing the girl to giggle.
— Nothing…
She brushed it off and pushed his hands away from her face. Then suddenly she gasped in shock and put her hands in front of her mouth.
— Did you just call your ‘peanut’ ?
— No, I didn’t.
— Yes, you did. Oh my, I have to tell Becky and-
She stopped talking and lowered her face, feeling horrible. Damian sighed and hugged her, rocking their bodies slowly as she was sobbing uglily.
— Just say you’re sorry.
— She said so many hurtful things to me. It’s not my fault if I’m still hesitating between my left and right, I’m trying hard I promise. Look I even wrote the directions on my hands.
She shoved her hands in his face and he laughed a bit, before wiping her running nose with his silk tissue. She dried her tears and hugged him again.
— And I wonder who in the heck in this city thought it was smart to give you your drivers’ license.
— She needs to apologize first, I don’t care. I’m always the one who apologize, even with you. I’m tired of it.
— Of course, you are right.
— Really ?
— Yes, she should say sorry first but if she actually does it, you need to accept it and start over okay ? Don’t be stubborn.
— Hm.
While petting his girlfriend’s horns, Damian Desmond was crying internally because he forgot about her stubbornness. At least, she was not angry anymore and wanted to talk to her best friend again. He hoped that somewhere in the city, Andrew Lockridge was doing excellence.
Andrew was acting innocently while driving his car, Becky was checking her favorite gossip pages on her phone. When, suddenly the radio Andrew had modified started its own role in the friendship scheme.
All by myself…
The singer was dropping notes like a professional and Andrew slightly looked at his girlfriend who was staring at the void, listening the song that was currently playing.
— Such a depressive song. Ew.
She shrugged her shoulders and switched the music but it was actually getting worse.
It's nice to have a friend.
Switch.
I had the time of my life fighting dragons with you…
Switch.
My loneliness is killing me…
Switch.
You and I are painting pictures in the sky…
Switch again.
I was enchanted to meet you…
Switch.
Been down with her since day one.
Switch.
She breaks her back, she protect and attack.
Becky sighed, exhausted by this conspiracy. Every song that was playing on the radio were about her best friend. And she was not having it, she gave it one last chance by putting the foreign station.
You make me feel special !
— Damn it ! Even the Korean groups ? What the heck !
Becky shouted and ended up slapping the radio to turn it off. She crossed her arms and started to cry, feeling the stress getting the best of her, also the loneliness was indeed killing her.
Andrew stopped the car and took his time to comfort her as she was crying in denial, trying not to the ruin her mascara.
— Why are you so stubborn beloved ? Just say you’re sorry, even if she’s at fault. It’s a sign of maturity you know. You always say Anya is like a baby sister to you, should you not set an example.
— Really ?
— Yes. Your maturity is what got me attracted to you.
Andrew delivered his lines perfectly according to the plan, he knew his acting skills were special and was glad to use them properly. The key in the friendship scheme was to force the girls to apologize first by manipulating them into thinking they would the mature one but Damian, being a protective boyfriend, decided not to follow the plan because Anya could read his mind also, she was right : she would always be the one to say sorry first.
As a grand spy said one day : « You know you are good at lying when a woman looks at you with teary eyes and says : Really ? With a high pitched voice. »
Of course, Andrew didn’t know and would never know about it. Becky took a deep breath and held her boyfriend’s hand to caress.
— I’m going to think of it. Thank you, you are so much more than a pretty face Mister Lockridge.
She smiled at him before kissing his cheek. Andrew checked his reflection in the mirror, relieved to hear such words.
The day after, Anya was taking her usual omurice for lunch and the warm food was covered up with ketchup screaming « SORRY ». Damian acted like he didn’t know what was happening, going as far as looking for the culprit with Anya. She ended up eating the whole plate without batting an eye and she also allowed herself to finish her boyfriend’s truffle pasta, lobster salad and brownies. Going as far as sliding his own plate in front of herself so she could eat his food better.
— Truffle. Do you want me to take your empty dishes away ?
— No thank you. I can do it myself.
Damian blushed at the nickname she gave him in response of his Peanut. They were dating in secret so he was still embarrassed by public display of affection, he didn’t want them to risk their cape so easily.
He loved her so much it hurt, in private he would drop the act and eventually become extremely clingy with her. And she loved it so much, a vulnerable Damian Desmond just for herself.
Anya couldn’t help but to tease him about it, over and over again.
— Are you sure my truffle ?
— Yes, I can carry my stuff alone. Shut up.
He ended up taking her stuff and walked away, with his red ears burning. Anya smiled at her favorite tsundere boy and she accidentally exchanged looks with a certain brunette preppy girl. The girl anxiously fixed her pigtails before looking away with a sad face.
Anya clenched her fists and mustered up the courage, she walked with confidence in the direction of the girl’s table, her green eyes met with Andrew’s blue eyes and the latter understood the situation and decided to leave the table, holding his mirror and his sandwich.
Anya sat down and looked at Becky’s plate with a concerning look. She noticed her snacks and her phone screen showing her endless scrolling on gossip blogs about her favorite celebs.
— Oh, Princess Honey is a red hair now ? She looks amazing !
— I know right ? It suits her so well ! It looks so natural and…oh we are not supposed to talk to each other, Forger.
Becky awkwardly looked away and hugged herself while Anya was checking her snacks, she pushed the bag of cookies and counted how of them were missing.
— You are binge eating peanut butter and caramel swirl cookies, our bad days cookies. One cookie means you are anticipating your period breakout.
Becky guiltily nodded and Anya pushed the bag again.
— Two cookies means you are annoyed by men. Three cookies means you didn’t follow your routine.
Becky bit her lips and looked away, Anya looked into the bag again and gasped in horror.
— Becky, you ate the whole bag ! We don’t have a four cookies code !
Becky started crying and held Anya’s small hands.
— It’s because I feel terrible ! I miss you so much, Anya I’m so sorry for being so harsh with you ! I love you, I didn’t mean to hurt you ! I love you ! You’re my baby ! I can’t live without you !
That was the last straw, Anya’s bottom lip started to shake uncontrollably and tears started flowing over her cheeks. She let out one ugly and loud cry while screaming Becky’s name, the latter hugged her with so much strength it was painful. Both girls were crying at loud while trying to dry each other’s tears.
— Becky ! I’m sorwy ! You’re the bestest friend I’ve ever had ! You’re my sister forever ! My life was so lonely without you, I always wanted to tell things but you weren’t next to me ! I’m sorry for biting you !
— It’s okay ! It’s okay ! We’re okay ! Our bond is stronger than anything else, it was just a test. And we passed ! I’m pretty sure of it ! I will never let you go ! Your DNA will be in me forever !
The whole cafeteria watched the dramatic scene in silence as this fight was Eden’s hot topic for two weeks, the reconciliation scene was the closure of this era of Eden’s history.
Two boys were watching the scene from afar, sitting with crossed legs like the cool prep boys they were. Andrew passed his hands through his golden hair in the most elegant way possible. Damian just sipped his energy drink can, as the stressed school president he was.
— The plan went amazingly I can see. They both apologized.
— For sure, I’m glad Becky apologized first.
— Anya was supposed to do it first.
— I’m afraid, she was not. She is impulsive and everyone knows that. She was provoked into that physical fight !
— Look Desmond, I do not want to fight with you. Let’s enjoy !
Andrew patted Damian’s shoulder as he was getting protective again. He decided to distance himself for the boy as he could sense his dark aura surrounding his body. Damian’s grin became wider, turning into a smile. Proud of himself for this scheming, oh he could not wait to brag about it !
Seeing Anya’s smile despite her running nose and puffy eyes was such a victory, he was proud of her for putting her pride and stubbornness aside for the sake of her most cherished friendship. She clearly deserved a piece of favorite cake, or the whole cake.
She was his peanut after all.