The End Is Only the Beginning

05. N O T H I N G

"Aaron kissed me," I admitted; I couldn't be bothered to put up some sort of fight.

"Shit," was Grayson's response, how helpful. "What did you do?"

"Nothing, I pulled away."

Grayson raised an eyebrow at me, "I thought that's what you wanted?"

"Gray, I'm not you," I answered. "Aaron has a girlfriend and I'm friends with his girlfriend; I'm not being the person to get in between their relationship."

"I hate to break it to you Caleb but I think you did that the second you bedded Aaron back home."

That was kind of true, and I didn't know how to answer. Luckily my phone went off at that second with a text from Noelle that simply read: 'i now know what being in hell is like'.

-

When Monday rolled around I wasn't prepared to face school, or Aaron.

My first class of biology passed in a breeze, and then I had history followed by English. Like always, I made it to the history class before Aaron. I was hoping that Aaron would avoid class today, he did that quite often; at least then I would have the chance to avoid him for another day.

The second he walked into the classroom I wanted to yell in frustration.

"Morning," he spoke calmly, like he totally hadn't kissed me on Friday.

"Hey."

Aaron rubbed his hands together; I knew that was a nervous habit of his. "We need to talk about Friday," he mumbled.

"It's fine, I already get it," I answered, not looking up to meet his gaze. "You were drunk and it meant nothing, Aaron this is the same story you've already given me, it's just a different day," I continued while taking paper and a pen from my book-bag.

"Caleb, don't be like this."

"Like what Aaron?"

Aaron took his time taking his own things from his bag, ignoring Miss Flaherty who was beginning to teach.

"All defensive," Aaron replied. "I would've kissed anyone at that point, and you just happened to be there." Of course he would have, there was nothing special about the kiss; he was drunk and I was there.

"Thanks for confirming that for me, Aaron." I could feel the brunet's eyes on me yet I still didn't acknowledge him; instead I raised my hand, getting Miss Flaherty's attention. "Miss, do you mind if I move next to the window? I don't feel too good."

Aaron was still staring at me as I left.

-

"I swear I'm still hungover," Noelle announced as she walked into our English class, Kasim behind her.

Mr Dawson sent her a disapproving glance but didn't bother to say anything.

"I think Aaron might still be hungover as well," Lindy laughed as she slouched against the desk. "Did anything happen on Friday that I don't know about? He's been acting really strange."

Noelle shrugged, "I don't remember much of the night, but I don't think anything happened," she answered. "And I doubt Caleb would be any use, he spent half of the night exchanging grinding partners." Both Lindy and Kasim laughed at her comment, I just flipped her off.

"Excuse me; I spent half of the night keeping your drunken-ass off of the floor."

If only they knew what really went down. But then again, Aaron said that what happened meant nothing so it wouldn't have been the kiss that made him act strange...right?

"I wouldn't worry about it, Aaron's always acting strange," Kasim spoke up.

Lindy nodded, and then sighed loudly while pulling lightly at her hair, the tight curls instantly springing back to her head when she let go. "But he's acting really strange," she stated. "Like he wouldn't kiss me on Saturday, and I didn't even see him on Sunday."

"Hasn't he got a football game coming up? Maybe he's just worried about that," Noelle suggested.

"Aaron never gets nervous about games," Lindy stated. "But it's not even like this is the first time he's acted like this, I'm mean he's been acting a little weird ever since summer. Maybe he's just getting bored of me," she added; I could see the sadness in her eyes.

It's just got to be a coincidence.

-

Rather than sitting with Kasim, Adam and their friends, like I usually did at lunch, I instead found myself sat in between Noelle and Lindy on a separate table. Another difference in our seating arrangement arose as Aaron had taken it upon himself to sit with us, slotting himself in between Lindy and one of her friends, Gina.

"So Caleb," Lindy began, pursing her lips. "You know Marie, right?"

"She's ginger right? Used to live in Chicago?"

"Yes," Lindy continued I noticed how she had her hand intertwined with Aaron's and both of their hands were resting on the tabletop. "Well the other day Marie told me she liked you- I'm just gonna get to the point. She's too nervous to ask, so what I was wondering was would you like to go on a date with Marie?"

Aaron looked up at her questions, staring at me with the same intense look that Lindy was. "Surely if she wanted to go on a date with him she would ask him herself?" Aaron questioned, and he untangled his hand from Lindy's.

"Not everyone is as confident as you are, Aaron," Noelle answered.

He was still staring at me, his stupid, golden eyes looking right into mine. "Why not? Marie's a lovely girl, maybe we'll get along," I decided. This time there was no mistaking it, Aaron's face clearly dropped at my answer.

"Yes!" Lindy grinned. "I'll let her know and you two can sort something out."

---

Author's Note:

Chapter 5, complete!

Aaron's jealousy is finally starting to show.

- T xox