“Your well being, Aaron. I, er, wanted to know if you’re okay now.” I lied, smiling at Aaron widely. I even had the gall to send Justin a small smile to which he returned with his infamous glare.
Aaron was still confused. I could tell he knew that I had intended to say something else, but- nevertheless- he dismissed it, smiling as he answered.
“I’m fine, Lexi.” He said, folding his arms across his chest and, for a second, my mind was off my illness and was on Aaron’s health.
Was he actually okay now after Sam’s passing or was he going through an emotional turmoil that he was choosing not to tell us about?
I moved closer to where Aaron was stood, pulling him down on the sofa.
“Are you telling the truth?” I asked, searching his eyes. At this, Justin stopped glaring at me and turned his attention to Aaron. He too wanted to know if his best friend was fine and I smiled at how much he cared for Aaron.
Aaron smiled slightly, running a hand through his hair. He then, suddenly, leaned forward and kissed my lips gently before sitting back.
“I’m fine, Lexi. Trust me.” He said, trying to reassure me, but I wasn’t listening anymore. I was confused. Why had he kissed me like that, so casually even?
Before I could fully comprehend what had happened, Justin pushed himself off the wall and came closer.
“Alexis has something she wants to tell you, Aaron.” He said abruptly, making my heart beat faster. He then turned to me and gave me another look, one that I knew meant ‘tell Aaron the truth’. I sent him another pleading look, but he wouldn’t relent. He was adamant on Aaron knowing the truth. I nodded reluctantly at him and, at this, Justin sighed in relief before exiting the house, probably deciding it would be best to give us our privacy.
Aaron slowly watched the exchange between me and Justin. His eyebrows were furrowed and I could tell that the cogs were turning in his head. Finally, the imaginary light bulb lit up and he looked at me with a frown.
“Is there something going on between you and Justin?” He asked, his tone distant. His face was hard and expressionless; I couldn’t help, but see the resemblance between him and Justin.
“What? No! That’s not it.” I exclaimed, feeling my cheeks heat up. The thought of anything more than friendship between me an Justin made me feel slightly awkward. I knew he didn’t feel that way about me and neither I towards him. Justin deserved a special girl; one that could tolerate his antisocial nature yet be good enough to see his beautiful smile.
Aaron raised an eyebrow at my response, clearly not buying it.
“Oh, really? Then what is it that both of you need to tell me, huh?” He questioned, folding his arms.
At this, I faltered.
What could I say? Should I tell him the truth?
I composed myself before I had a panic attack and took a deep breath. Aaron watched every action intently, the frown still on his face.
“Well, what Justin was forcing me to tell you was that...” I said, but stopped. For the life of me, I just couldn’t tell him. I just couldn’t.
Aaron nodded his head.
“Yeah. I’m with you so far.” He said sarcastically and I ignored the urge to stick my tongue out at him, choosing rather to focus on the matter at hand.
“Well, he just wanted to... make me apologise to you.” I lied.
Sorry, Justin.
Aaron eyebrows furrowed and he nodded, signalling me to explain what I meant. I nodded vigorously as I spoke.
“Yes, apologise, that’s what it was. I told him about the fight that occurred between us a while ago. You know, the one in the classroom. Well, I didn’t tell him what it was about, but he still said- regardless of what the fight was about- we needed to attempt to make amends, so he basically dragged me here in the hope that we reconcile our differences and live happily ever after.” I said this in one breath, finishing with an insanely wide smile and the batting of my eyelashes.
Aaron gave a strange glance at my demeanour before sitting back in his seat, a serious look on his face. With this, I knew he remembered that fight. The fight in which I had basically implied he was a cheat and a liar. I knew he felt bad, anyone would if such false allegations were thrown at them.
I sighed, knowing I had to do the right thing.
“Look, I’m sorry, Aaron. Believe me, I really am. I didn’t mean to hurt you like I did.” I said, each word as honest as the next. I actually meant everything I said this time.
Aaron sighed in response, running a hand over his face.
“Don’t sweat over it, Lexi. I really don’t mind.” He said, but I knew he was lying. He was saying one thing, but his face was saying another. It had genuinely hurt him.
I moved closer and put my hand over his to which Aaron looked up. I smiled at him, my body feeling warm from just seeing his beautiful eyes.
“I know you’re telling the truth, Aaron. You were all along. It was him. He was was the dirty liar.” I said, my voice laced with disgust. I didn’t have to clarify who ‘he’ was. We both knew who I was talking about and, as that sentence left my mouth, Aaron stood up abruptly.
“How? Did he come talk to you? He didn’t touch you, did he?” Aaron questioned, pulling me close to him.
I shook my head vigourously.
“Yes, he did come and no. He didn’t touch me.” I said.
Well, technically, no. I had touched him, not the other way around.
“Alex?” The intimate name left Elliot’s lips and as soon as he said this, I couldn’t restrain myself anymore and my hand flung out, finding its way to his face. I could hear the slap resonating through the hallway and his face snapped to the side, my hand leaving an imprint on his face. I could hear my shallow breathing in the silence as I glared at him. His hand found its way to his face as he stood in silence, feeling his face as if he was mulling over what just happened.
I shook my head. I shouldn’t be thinking about this and nor should Aaron. We shouldn’t be wasting our time on talking about scum like him.
Upon hearing my answer, Aaron pulled my face up.
“He did come? What did he say? Tell me.” He said, his voice loud and urgent, but I wasn’t going to tell him. He was angry and it wasn’t right to tell him all this now when he was in this state. I’d probably have to wait when he was in a calmer state to talk.
I looked into his dark eyes, frowning before I spoke.
“I don’t want to talk about it now. Please, I’ll tell you later. Let’s talk about something else.” I pleaded, putting a hand on my forehead. Just thinking of Elliot was giving me a headache. I had just seen him today and I was in no mood to relive it. It would be best to talk about what happened with Elliot when both of us were in a better state of mind.
Aaron nodded reluctantly, the look of anger dissipating off his face. He was still a bit cautious, that much I knew. Nevertheless, he still changed the topic.
“School’s in 2 days. You ready for that?” He asked, relaxing back down onto the sofa. He looked at me with his breathtaking smile and it took everything in me to not melt into a puddle onto his beautiful wooden floorboards.
However, his words soon knocked the warmth right out of me.
School- where, with Sam gone, would be back to normal. Me, alone, without Aaron. I frowned at the mental sight. I just couldn’t see it like that again, especially after I realised how I felt about Aaron. I sighed heavily.
What was going to happen then?
17- Sports Bra's and Go Karts
School- the holidays were over and the time to return to the dreaded institution had arrived.
I sighed heavily as I walked through the gloomy corridors, watching as the other students engaged in soppy greetings with each other. It seemed as though a contagious ‘happy’ disease had infected each and every pupil because, for some reason unknown to me , the grins seemed as if they were permanently glued to their faces.
Glad they had something to be happy about.
Upon reaching the locker, I emp
tied the contents of my bag into it. Then I saw it. That letter. That rotten letter.
“A letter came,” mum started, her tone hesitant as if she were stepping on dangerous waters.
“Yeah...” I dragged out, waiting for her to continue. She looked down tepidly, as if contemplating her words, but finally looked up, holding something out from behind her back.
“It was from the doctor...” my eyes immediately narrowed into dangerous slits.
“No,” I stated flatly, my face devoid of any emotion. Surprise flickered on her face, but was soon replaced with a look of annoyance.
I sighed yet again. The letter was on the kitchen table when I had come down for breakfast and, after staring at it for several minutes, I had decided it would be best to take it even if I still refused treatment. It was the least I could do for her. I knew, in her own way, she was right. Being a mother, one couldn’t help but feel that their child’s health is their responsibility. Everything she had ever done has always been for my betterment and happiness. Going to a doctors appointment for her wouldn’t even begin to repay all that she had done for me. Before I could come to a conclusion, my thoughts were interrupted by a shout.
“Hey, new girl!” The voice boomed, echoing across the big halls. I turned towards the familiar voice, tensing when everyone’s gaze fell upon me and the muscled figure that stood on the other side of the hallway.
Danny.
He didn’t seem to mind the attention; rather he liked it, smiling smugly as he walked towards me.
As if he knew he was the highlight of everyone’s day.
He stroked a hand through his hair as he walked, winking exaggeratedly at the passing girls and nodding his head towards the guys. I tutted at the way a few boyfriends allowed their girlfriends to be subjected to Danny’s ‘non-verbal cat-calling’. They acted as if it would be honourable to say that their other halves were deemed worthy by another male and completely disregarded the fact that the woman was theirs.
Too engrossed in my disgust, I didn’t notice Danny come to a stop in front of me until he opened his mouth to speak.
“What’s up, new girl?! Haven’t seen you for ages.” He shouted and I cringed at how loud he was; the strange thing being that I knew he wasn’t doing it intentionally.
I’d hate to be someone he whispers a secret to.
I smiled, although feeling anxious.
“Yeah. I’ve just been busy.” I lied, knowing perfectly well that all I did was think about Aaron. Wherever I was, I just couldn’t seem to get him out of my mind.
How was he feeling now? Was he better? Were things going to be different now with his mum gone?
So many questions were roaming through my head and the only person who could answer them were him. He was the only one who could satisfy the thoughts that worried me day and night. The only one who could cool my heated head yet he couldn’t because he wasn’t here.
Danny’s forehead wrinkled in thought at my words.
“Too busy to see your boyfriend and mates?” He questioned, gasping exaggeratedly. He put a hand to his chest in dramatic shock and looked around as if on-lookers would also gasp at my dastardly inappropriate actions. I would’ve tutted at his behaviour if I didn’t notice what he had said.
Mates?
I smiled at this. Danny considered me a friend. He was one of the first people to think of me like that and, I don’t know why, but it made me feel warm inside. Something about the idea of being wanted for the first time in my life bought about a new sense of happiness- a happiness I had never felt before.
I was about to respond to his affectionate words with a warm and cheerful hug, but the sight of Justin walking towards us distracted me completely.
“Well, what Justin was forcing me to tell you was that...” I said, but stopped. For the life of me, I just couldn’t tell him. I just couldn’t.
“Well, he just wanted to... make me apologise to you.”
Seeing him here reminded me of the lie I had told Aaron. I hadn’t felt guilty at the time, but- upon seeing Justin- I was soaking in regret. I should have just told Aaron the truth and I should have listened to Justin, but I couldn’t. I was helpless. Call it fate or cowardliness, the words just wouldn’t leave my mouth, no matter how hard I tried in expelling them. It was of no use.
Justin came to a halt in front of me. He stared down at me with dull grey eyes, his voice blank as he spoke.
“Did you tell him?” He said bluntly, putting his phone in his back pocket. I wavered under his hard stare. I didn’t know what to say. I mean, what could possibly be said to avoid the anger that would inevitably follow me telling Justin the truth.
Danny smiled widely as he looked between us.
“Tell me what?” He said, curiosity evident in his tone. At this, Justin sighed in annoyance before throwing his hand towards Danny’s head. However, before it could make contact like it usually did, Danny had successfully grabbed his arm and stopped the impact that was to come.
Danny’s eyes twinkled with pride as he looked at Justin’s arm within his grasp. He jumped giddily in the spot before sending a smug look towards Justin. However, Justin’s mission didn’t falter at this. He stared at Danny for several moments and then his shoe made contact with the back of Danny’s knee. In less than a second, Danny was down on the ground, squealing in pain and Justin’s gaze was back on me.
“So, I gather, you haven’t told him?” He said nonchalantly, blowing a hair away from his eyes that had seemingly gotten out of place by the incident that had just occurred.
I sighed. The truth had to be told, regardless of the repercussions.
“No. I didn’t tell him. You don’t understand, Justin. It was too hard.” I said with absolute honesty.
Danny was off the floor by now and he gestured between us both with a hand.
Well, the hand that wasn’t holding dearly to the back of his knee.
“Am I missing something?” He said, referring to how clueless he was about the conversation we were having. Justin sighed heavily, but answered him with a nod, nevertheless.
“Yes, a brain.” He said coldly before turning to me. I would’ve laughed at Danny’s pout if the current situation wasn’t impeding me from doing so.
And by current situation, I mean Justin’s infamous glare.
Justin opened his mouth to speak, but- before anything could be said- another voice was heard. Well, not just any voice, for that matter. It was his. It was Aaron’s and the sound of it sent shivers down my spine.
He came behind the boys, resting his arms across their shoulders.
“What’s up?” He said with a smile and it took everything in me to not melt onto Justin’s shoes.
He was dressed simply, but it still took my breath away. I couldn’t help, but smile at his presence. However, that smile didn’t last long when I thought of how things were going to be different.
It was going to happen. He was going to act like he didn’t know me; it was all over between us. Sam was gone and with it went our deal. I was nothing to him now.
Danny grinned at him before turning around and giving him a large bear hug.
“Hey! How have you been, dude?” He exclaimed, his voice bubbling with laughter.
Aaron laughed in response and I couldn’t help, but smile at the sound of it.
“Dude, I was fine, until now.” He strained out, trying to pull back from the hug. Danny laughed loudly at this and stepped back, but not before slapping Aaron’s back hardly to which Aaron let out a small ‘oomph’.
Justin, who had been glaring at me the whole time since Aaron’s arrival, turned his attention to the boys. Aaron moved towards him and they both hugged. They stepped back and Aaron sent Justin a small smile.
A small smile that did big things to my heart.
“Are you okay? You seem tense.” Aaron said curiously, eyeing Justin up and down.
Tense? All I saw was a blank; unemotional face. Were we looking at the same guy?
Before Just
in could answer, Danny laughed loudly, putting his arm around Justin.
“Nothing’s up with him, dude! Don’t sweat about it! J-Bear is completely fine.” He said, dismissing Aaron’s words with an exaggerated wave of his hand.
At this, Aaron couldn’t seem to contain his laughter. Hands on knees, Aaron’s laughter filled up the hallways and onlookers, both boys and girls, stared at and listened to the beautiful sight.
“J-bear?” Aaron laughed yet again, slapping Justin’s arm. Justin didn’t seem humoured, however. He slowly cocked his head towards Danny, a blank look on his face.
“Don’t call me that ever again.” Was all that he said before turning his attention to the laughing boy. He stared at Aaron for a couple of seconds before pulling him up by the ear.
“You think this is funny, don’t you, A-Bear?” He questioned, yanking harder on Aaron’s ear to which Aaron responded with a string of curses.
I laughed at the sight, but immediately regretted it upon seeing that now Aaron’s attention was on me. He stared at me for a couple of seconds and I knew it was over for us. He was going to end it.
His stare roamed up the length of my body and then he was staring me in the eyes. He moved closer, running a hand through his hair as he did so. I was about to run away in sadness, but I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw a smile make its way to his face.
“Morning, beautiful.” He said breathlessly and I had to stop myself from fainting. He moved closer so there was no distance between us and snaked a hand round my waist. His lips made contact with my forehead and my cheeks warmed in shyness.
He didn’t seem to notice this, however, and- with his hand still around my waist- he turned his attention to Justin.
“Are we still on for today?” He asked as he stroked my waist, evoking feelings in me that I had still yet to learn about.
Love.
I had so much to learn about love. I had never loved anyone else in my life and the feeling was both exciting and scary. Every time I saw his face, it was as if I had caught a glimpse of heaven yet I knew how easy it was to lose him; to fall back into the pits of hell.
Faker Boy (Alexis Secret Book 2) Page 12
