We gathered our things and went our separate ways to finish up our day.
When I got home from school, I went upstairs to do my homework. I heard my phone go off. I have a new text message.
Aiden: I’m sorry to pry but I need to know what happened with Jeremy. I need to know that you’re alright. Please put my mind at ease and tell me.
Me: He slapped my ass. I told him that I would tell the school board if it happens again and tell them that he’s harassing me.
Aiden: Did he say anything else?
As much as I hate lying, I don’t think I should tell him the things he said. I still don’t fully know Aiden and I don’t want him to fly off the handle and really get himself in trouble. I don’t need that on my conscience.
Me: No, I think I really got to him.
I feel like smacking my head. Why did I just do that? I don’t lie. I hope this doesn’t backfire.
Aiden: Okay. As long as you’re okay. I don’t trust that guy and I don’t think you should either.
Me: I don’t. I try to stay away from him. He creeps me out. Well I’m off to the dreamland. Goodnight
Aiden: Goodnight, I’ll see you in the morning. :)
He always puts a smiley face at the end of the sentence. It always makes me feel happy. His smiles are infectious. I lie in bed unable to sleep. I can’t stop thinking about this damn party that I do not want to attend. I’ll do it for my friends but I will not have a good time. I hope Jeremy doesn’t show but that’s a hopeful wish that will not come true since he’s the quarterback of the team. Thoughts of my sister are filling my head. I wonder what she’s doing and what’s happened and where she’s at. She still hasn’t come around. I miss her but I’m also pissed at her for deserting me. It’s not long when my brain gets so exhausted that I fall into a deep sleep.
***
Aiden
I woke up drenched in sweat because of a dream I had. It involved Serena and Jeremy. He tried to fight me because I wouldn’t let him touch her. He tried groping her right in front me. I know this is my subconscious telling me that I need to do something about this. I wish I would have talked to her about that in person. My gut is telling me there is more to what she relayed to me. I possibly could have spotted a lie if I saw the reaction to her face. If I would have waited, I may not have slept at all. I could be a walking zombie, but it drove me insane to think someone hurt her. She has become my best friend over the past few weeks. I have been noticing all the little things that she does and says that really make her stand out. They are the cutest things, too. For instance, she tried to bake cookies when me and Larissa came over to play video games. Well she ended up burning the cookies and setting off the fire alarm. She intentionally blamed the instructions on the recipe because it said to bake for twenty minutes. She failed to read bake at twenty minutes on 350 degrees. She decided she wanted to have the cookies done faster so she jacked the nozzle to 400 degrees and still baked for twenty minutes. I didn’t see a need to do that. If she wanted faster, why bake for the same amount of time? As cute as she is, I don’t think I’ll ever let her cook for me. I think I may have to take culinary in school since there’s no way in hell she will make it on her own with her cooking skills. She may have to live on ramen noodles and macaroni and cheese. The whole baking fiasco is something Larissa and I reflect on at times and laugh about it. I’ve also noticed that she twitches her nose when she is anxious, nervous, or possibly lying about something. Which is why I should have asked her about Jeremy in person. As much as I would love to have her as mine, she is still my best friend. I will do whatever it takes to protect her. She is a big part of my life now and I refuse let her go. Its bad enough I had to let my mother go. The anniversary of her death is coming up in a few days. In fact, it’s the day of the party. A year since my mother was tragically taken from my life. It seems like yesterday I got that devastating phone call that completely shattered my heart into a million pieces. Friday is a day that I’m not looking forward to. If only I could see my mother again.
I dress and get ready for school, but first I have to send my morning text to Serena.
Aiden: Good Morning Serena. Good luck at school! Knock them out of the park! :)
Serena has a speech today that she is very nervous about. She doesn’t have the charisma that some people are born with. She likes to keep everything to herself so she feels as if doing a speech is invading in her personal space, letting herself out there when all she wants to do is stay hidden. I like to give her happy, inspirational texts or texts just because. I like to imagine that she has a huge smile on her face when she sees it. That’s one thing I live day to day for. Her smile. What really makes my heart melt is when her irresistible eyes smile. I see it in her eyes when the joy is displayed on her face. It’s something I only dream to see forever. I stop daydreaming before I wind up home all day just thinking. I dress and grab my books and head to school.
***
Gym class today was a real workout. The teacher had us playing football. I used everything I knew about football and played at the best of my expectations. I got three touchdowns and intercepted two balls. In the end, my side of the team won. It was a lot of fun, although it did come with some memories of the past. I take off my helmet and grab a towel. My face and head is soaked in sweat. I’m drying my face as I’m trying to collect my breath when the teacher which also happened to be the football coach approaches me.
“Aiden, you did amazing out there. Have you ever thought of a football career?” he asked.
What do I say to him? I can’t ever play football. I don’t think I can make it. Without really delving into everything, I let him down easy.
“No, I plan to go to school in culinary arts. I just play this for fun,” I stumbled my words out.
“Seriously Aiden, you really need to think about this. With your talent you can get a full scholarship. You have enough talent and drive to be a quarterback. Don’t let this get out, but you’re even better than Jeremy, and he’s our star quarterback. Positions have been set for the season already but I’ll let it slide if you want to try out. I can find a position for you, and if all works out as planned, next year you will be named star quarterback since Jeremy graduates this year,” he implied.
“I don’t think I’m that interested.”
I don’t want to be rude. He keeps pressuring me. I know my talent and I know this is where I need to be. This was my passion. But I just can’t! I have a new passion to override it and that’s Serena. I am far more passionate about her than I ever was about football.
“Just think about it. Come to me when you’re ready. I know you would do great.”
He shook my hand. I know he just gave me a compliment but I just can’t help but feel jostled with my crazy thoughts. I run my fingers threw my hair out of frustration and feel the wetness on my hair. I really need to shower. I shower at school and collect my stuff from my locker. I go home and before I retreated straight to my room, I saw my dad as I was passing through the garage to get into the house. It appeared as if he was wood-working. This is a hobby he took up when Mom died. It helps him cope, and take his mind off painful memories that haunt us every day.
“Hey Dad! What are you working on?” I sat down next to him.
“It’s funny that you ask. I’m not really sure!” he said with a laugh. My dad never knows what he’s working on. That’s what makes his work so special. He works from the heart and his finished piece is always very artistic.
“I heard you broke up with Serena’s Mom.”
I know this could be a sore subject but I also know if the roles were reversed, he would do the same.
“Yeah. She’s very nice but I couldn’t take it anymore. I had to end it before I wind up hurting her. Every time I looked in her eyes, I saw your mother. I don’t want her to fall for me knowing the only reason I could fall for her is by blindly seeing the love of my life. I just can’t let go of your mother just yet. We had vows. Even though she’s gone, she still
has a permanent residence in my heart, and I can’t let that go.”
I could see the tears that are starting to form. I know my dad has had a rough time. I couldn’t imagine losing someone you love that much. He had to endure it, as painful as that is, he will become stronger because of it. I lie down with my restless mind in hopes to fall asleep without painful thoughts or wild daydreams. But first I have to text Serena.
Aiden: Goodnight Serena. Sweet dreams! :)
A second later my phone dings.
Serena: Thanks Aiden! You made me smile. See you tomorrow!
Reading that just put the biggest smile on my face. If only I could be saying sweet dreams to her in person. That would be my dream. Someday it will come true. For now, I’ll settle for this. Due to my ecstatic state, I fell asleep rather quickly.
Chapter 3
Serena
Today is Friday, the day of the party that I have been dreading all week. The last thing I want is to hear more rumors about Cadence that could possibly be true. I would rather that stay unknown. The truth may hurt because I don’t want to even think that all this time I never really knew my sister. I decide to go to this party for Larissa. She loves parties, she is a social butterfly. We are as opposite as you can get, but that’s what makes our friendship work. What I lack she makes up for and vice versa.
I head out to Larissa’s which is only a block down the road. As I am walking down the familiar path that I’m very used to, my mind drifts to Aiden. He is such a pleasant surprise. I have never met another like him. He is very charming and if I didn’t swear off guys, he would be my first pick. I do catch myself daydreaming from time to time again about what it would be like to kiss him. My thoughts are interrupted as I approach Larissa’s astounding house. Her house almost looks like a castle. It is very beautiful with the Victorian look. I would love to have a house like this someday. I enjoy walking to her house because I get to view the surrounding houses, which are just as amazing as hers. One day, I promise myself, I will accomplish my dreams and have a beautiful house just like this one. I ring the doorbell and Larissa opens the door and I couldn’t stop the laugh that came out. She is standing there with huge rolls in her hair, looking like a ninety year old crazy cat lady.
She sneers at me, “What the fuck’s so funny?”
“I’m sorry Larissa but you remind me of a crazy old cat lady.” I try to hold back the laugh but I’m unsuccessful.
“You see this? This is going to make my hair look amazing with curls. Don’t give me that look. You’re going to look amazing just like me. That’s why I’m in charge,” she urged.
“No I’m okay with what I have on,” I suggested.
“Nope. Uh uh. I am finding you a sexy little outfit so you can knock Aiden’s heart right out onto that floor. I’m going to do your makeup and you’re going to have him eating out of the palm of your hand. You just watch.”
Here she goes again, trying to set me up when I want nothing to do with dating. I don’t feel like arguing with her so I submit to it.
“Okay. Please don’t make me look like a street hooker,” I joked.
“Don’t worry your pretty little head off. I got this. You should know you can always trust me with your beauty.”
She has a point there. She’s a fashion expert. I sit down as she’s rummaging through her closet. She seems to be getting very frustrated since she can’t find something in particular she’s looking for. After a few minutes, she finally makes it back from the closet. She hands me an outfit to change into. I enter the bathroom and look at the clothes. She has given me a black skirt and a lilac colored baby doll halter. I do admit that the shirt is really cute but I’m unsure about the skirt. I slide it on. It feels a bit too tight for comfort. I put the shirt on and exit the bathroom.
“Now were talking! Girl, you are smoking hot! Aiden’s going to have a heart attack when he sees you.”
I guess I won’t mention the tight skirt since she’s so adamant on me wearing it. My phone dings at that moment. I grab my phone and see it’s a text from Aiden.
Aiden: Hey I didn’t forget about the party. I’m going to be late. I have something I have to do. I’ll meet you there :)
Me: Okay, see you there!
“Lar, that was Aiden. He said that he has something he has to do and he will be late. He’s going to meet us there,” I stated.
“That’s what he said earlier in the week. It’s fine. By the time he gets there, the party will just be getting started. Sit your ass down and let me do your makeup.”
She gets so excited about parties and mingling with people. I sit and she approaches me with a bagful of makeup. She applies some light purple eye shadow. Larissa tries to apply eyeliner and nearly stabs me in the eye.
“Ouch. Are you trying to poke my eye out?”
“Beauty hurts, deal with it,” she says with a smile.
I love how blunt she can be at times. She finishes my makeup and tosses me the hand mirror. I look in the mirror and I don’t even recognize the girl in the reflection. I am not used to this at all. I do feel as if I look like a hooker, but I know my friend would never do that to me. It’s probably due to the fact that I barely wear makeup. This is nothing that I’m used to. We leave the house and get into Larissa’s car. She drives a blue Ford Taurus. She got her license last year. I haven’t even attempted to get mine. I enjoy walking. I enter the car and she puts on her Three Doors Down CD. We jam out to music on the way to this beach house. It only takes a few minutes until we reach our destination.
I love beaches and sitting out in the sand. I just may end up wandering out to the beach rather than stand around a bunch of fakes. We enter the house and there are people everywhere. It seems like the entire school is here. Once we make it inside, my gut wrenches. I don’t have a good feeling about tonight. We make it to the kitchen and there’s a bunch of people standing around making drinks. I hope Aiden makes it soon. I don’t want to hang around all these people. We round the corner to the kitchen counter and I stop in my tracks. There’s Jeremy making drinks. I was hoping I wouldn’t see him. Just my luck, I see him within the first five minutes.
“Serena, wow you look sexy as fuck. What do you want to drink?” he asked as he was looking my body up and down like he was an animal ready to pounce.
“No thanks. I’m good.”
I wouldn’t take a drink from him even if he wasn’t such a jackass.
“Suit yourself,” he said and turned away from me.
I seriously can’t stand that guy. I hope this day goes by really fast. I’m ready to jet out of this place. I walk over to Larissa, who is talking to some guy.
“Why don’t you have a drink?” she questioned.
“Jeremy is there and I don’t want to be near him,” I told her.
“Okay. I’ll go get you a drink.”
Before I can say anything she’s already on her way. I have a very uneasy feeling as if someone is watching me. I look around but I don’t see anything out of the ordinary. Everyone is having a good time, either chatting in the corner or dancing. But my gut is telling me that something is off. Larissa arrives back with a drink in hand. She hands it to me.
“What is this?” I ask.
“I don’t know. I asked him to surprise you. I know you like fruity drinks so I said anything fruity,” she answered as she’s weaving her way to the dance floor.
I take a sip and I’m very shocked. It tastes really good. I could probably down this in two minutes. This isn’t the first time that I’ve had an alcoholic beverage. I remember the first time as clear as day. Cadence and I went to a bonfire at one of her friend’s houses. Her friend thought it would be clever to sneak some booze out of her parent’s fridge. We had a lot of fun. I have never been drunk but I will always remember that time to be special because it was one of my firsts in life and it was with my sister. I take a swig of the drink to help block out the tears that are starting to form. I start to drink quickly. Once I finish with the drink, I really start t
o feel the effects of the alcohol. I have never felt like this off one drink. Maybe I should lay off the drinks. Larissa comes up and pulls my hand onto the dance floor. I join her on the dance floor and I’m dancing so much and having so much fun. It’s been a long time since I really let loose. I’m starting to feel really good.
Larissa leans over to talk in my ear.
“I’ll be right back, I need to use bathroom,” she walks towards the bathroom.
I turn back around and go to dance. I start moving around the dance floor and I can feel someone behind me. I can feel a hand wrap around my stomach as they grind into my backside. I know it’s a guy since I can feel something protruding to my backside. Something doesn’t feel right. Dizziness has taken effect on me and I’m frantically trying to focus on something long enough to clear my vision. I try to turn around to see who is behind me but I can’t focus long enough to see a face. The person behind me starts walking me away from the dance floor. He isn’t talking and I’m not sure why. I try to look but I can’t seem to see straight. My vision is clouded. I sense that I’ve entered a room of some sort. This unknown person sat me on a chair? A bed? I’m not sure. It’s dark in this room. I can’t see a thing. I hear a door close and I hope I’m not mistaken but it sounded like a lock engaged. I feel a person sit next to me. I want to know who this is but I can’t seem to speak. I’m trying so hard. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. Is this what being drunk really is? If so, I don’t want to drink again. The person must feel my unease because a hand closes over my mouth and all I could hear is whispers through my ear.
Never say forever (Never series Book 1) Page 4
