A/N I didn't get a lot of reviews on the last chapter, but I am sure everyone is crazy busy. I know I am. So I just wanted to make this installment because I don't think I will be able to upload until maybe Sunday/Monday. We'll see how things go. After next tuesday, I am pretty sure I will be back in a normal schedule :D

Misunderstood

"Where have you been all my life?" Cheyenne joked as she walked up to Aria a week later and leaned her entire body weight onto Aria's, making Aria fall into the lockers. Although they had avoided each other the day after their fight, they had blown it off long ago. Aria realized she was acting ridiculous and that Mike taking Cheyenne out to coffee was... well not what she approved of, but nonetheless, was happy that Cheyenne was happy.

"You weigh like 50 pounds and you're still crushing me." Aria complained teasingly as she pushed herself off the lockers.

"Whatever," Cheyenne rolled her eyes playfully as she threw a little box into Aria's hands. "Happy Birthday." She grinned.

"Aw you shouldn't have." Aria said sweetly as she began tearing through the box. When she reached into the box and saw nothing but a receipt she looked up at Cheyenne with a questioning look, "You shouldn't have?"

Cheyenne threw her head back and laughed out, "Check your locker." Cheyenne teased. Aria took a step aside so that Cheyenne could open it for her, but Cheyenne shook her head with a large grin on her face.

Aria rolled her eyes, "You know I can't open my locker by myself."

Cheyenne shrugged, "Tough luck." Cheyenne turned on her heals and walked away, quickly turning back to give Cheyenne a teasing wink.

"Evil." Aria muttered as she began to attempt unlocking the lock, but no such luck. "ugh." She kicked her locker.

"A little birdie told me it was your birthday." A voice behind her said. She turned around to become face to face with Brett.

"What do you want?" Aria groaned as she turned her attention back to the lock.

Brett shrugged, "Nothing, but I am pretty sure that kicking the locker won't open it."

"No shit sherlock. Well unless you know how to open locks, then I suggest you leave." Aria muttered, silently cursing Cheyenne for putting her through this.

"Here, let me help." Brett said, gently pushing Aria out of the way and taking the lock into his hands. "What's the combination."

"30-10-24" Aria replied. A couple seconds later Brett pulled the lock off. "Seriously? Am I the only person that can't open lockers." Aria laughed as she reached into her locker and found a small envelope. She quickly opened it and screamed out when she read what it was.

"Geez, what is it?" Brett asked leaning over her shoulder to read what it was, "Weezer and Blink-182 tickets? Seriously?" Brett asked in shock. "Those have been sold out for the past three weeks. How'd you get them?" Brett asked.

Aria grinned, "Cheyenne bought them for me for my birthday."

"Cheyenne has always been a thoughtful person." Brett admitted.

"Yeah," Aria nodded with a grin and quickly sped off to find Cheyenne.

"Oh my gosh, thank you!" Aria shouted as she ran through the gym, jumping into Cheyenne's arms. She ignored the glare Cheyenne's coach was giving her and began jumping up and down enthusiastically.

"I thought you'd like it." Cheyenne smiled.

"Like it? Love it!" Aria grinned happily as she leaned in to hug Cheyenne again. "This is the best present ever, Chy."

"Well, I mean, we both love them, so I figure we can both enjoy them."

"Come on Cheyenne, back to practice." The coach yelled.

"One second." Cheyenne shouted back, "So, listen, I figured that, that night will be just a girls night. You know, concert, all nighter with massive loads of junk food. Horrible stomach-aches in the morning." Cheyenne laughed, "and..." Cheyenne drawled out, "since Mike is going to be out of town the weekend of Junior Prom, would you like to be my date?" Cheyenne asked in a mocking flirtatious tone.

"It'd be my pleasure." Aria went a long as she laughed at their silliness. "You coming to the birthday dinner tomorrow, right?"

"Wouldn't miss it for the world. I can bring Mike, right?" Cheyenne asked hopefully with her hands up at her lips as if she was praying.

Aria put on a fake smile, "Sure." She forced.

"Fantastic." Cheyenne cheered. "Anyways, I better get back or else my coach is going to kill me."

"Alright, see you later." Aria smiled weakly before turning on her heals and walking out.

Cheyenne waved as she watched Aria run out of the gym in excitement.

As Aria walked out of the back entrance of the school, she noticed Brett sitting by himself on the football bleachers. Aria normally would've ignored him and gotten into her warm car, but ever since that night, she felt kind of bad for him. She didn't know why, but she was going to find out.

"Brett." Aria called out to him. He looked up at her before quickly returning his gaze back to the field.

"Hey." He mumbled.

"What are you doing out here? Shouldn't you be playing football or smashing beer cans to the side of your face?" Aria asked jokingly. She couldn't understand why she was trying to make him laugh. If anything, she should be happy that he looked so miserable.

"Probably," he shrugged.

"What's wrong?" Aria asked softly, "You seem a little bummed out."

"Meagan broke up with me." He laughed at the irony.

"Seriously? You're mopey because your little whore broke up with you?" Aria rolled her eyes, as she got up to leave. She can't believe she almost felt sorry for him. He was pathetic.

"Wait..." he reached out for her hand, "Can you just sit with me?" He pleaded.

"Why should I sit with you? You're a pathetic excuse for a human being. You cheat on Cheyenne with Megan, and then you treat Megan as if she doesn't exist making her act extra slutty around you, and now you are upset because she broke up with you? No freaking shit she broke up with you. She just wanted a little bit of your attention, but you were too busy being a prick. I feel bad for your mother. I'd kill myself if I gave birth to you." Aria replied rudely as she began walking away.

"Well aren't you a psychic." Brett shouted after her, almost angrily. He must've stunned himself because, he quickly down at his feet ashamed. "My mother killed herself a year ago, today." Aria stopped dead in her tracks when she heard the words being uttered from Brett.

"Is that some kind of sick joke?" Aria asked venomously without turning around.

She heard Brett let out a bitter laugh. "You have no idea how much I wish it was," His voice cracking at the end.

Aria turned on her heals and sat back down next to Brett not knowing what to say. She felt like the biggest bitch on the entire plant.

"I'm really sorry for what I said, sometimes I just-" Aria began after a couple minutes of awkward silence.

"Don't worry about." He waved his hand motioning for her to stop. "I deserved it."

"That must've been awful... I can't begin to imagine how you must feel." Aria whispered.

"Did you know Cheyenne and I were basically born best friends." Brett asked.

Aria shook her head, "She never really mentioned that. In fact, she never really mentioned your relationship with her at all."

"Well, ever since we were born, we were inseparable. She was like the sister I never had. Our fathers are partners in their law firm, so we always went on family vacations together, dinner parties, and stupid poutings together. On the outside we had the perfect families. The all american family." Brett let out a bitter laugh. "You know the ones you see in those old t.v. shows."

"Like the cleavers." Aria suggested quietly.

"Just call me Beaver." Brett joked sarcastically. "So, one weekend, my mom and I were supposed to go to New York to see a play and basically just spend some quality time together because my dad had a big case, but the airport cancelled our flight due to bad weather, so we decided to just head back home. Personally, I was just excited because that also meant my fathers flight was cancelled and that we could all spend the weekend together. As soon as we walk into the house I know something is wrong." Brett admits quietly as he began twiddling his thumbs nervously.

"My dad was having an affair with Cheyenne's mom." Brett whispered. "It went on like that for a few years, until my mom couldn't take it anymore." Tears began to fall from Aria and Brett's faces. Aria had no idea why she was crying. She had never met Brett's mom, but she could just feel the hurt that Brett was feeling. "At the time, I was already with Cheyenne, and the thought of having to be with her after that was... horrifying. I couldn't see her every day, kiss her, and not tell her what my father and her mother did to my family. I couldn't. So I did the only thing I could think of."

"You cheated on her." Aria supplied.

"I know it hurt her." Brett nodded sadly, "but knowing this truth about her mother..." Brett paused, "it would've killed her. I know everyone thinks I'm an ass, but I truly loved her. I did the best thing I could've done in that situation. I was just doing my best."

Aria nodded in understanding as she laid her head on his shoulder and grasped his hand tightly. "I'm sorry you had to go through that, Brett. You shouldn't have had to."

"I've never told anyone that." Brett told Aria quietly.

"Why'd you tell me?" Aria asked curiously.

Brett shrugged, "You're easy to talk to." Aria nodded and left it at that.

"You better go." Brett finally mumbled after about five minutes of silence, "It's getting late, and I know you probably have birthday plans."

"My mom is throwing me a birthday dinner. It's probably going to be completely lame, but the food will be terrific." Aria nodded, "You can come if you'd like."

Brett shook his head, "Nah, I'm gonna stay here. I like it here."

"Okay." Aria whispered as she got up to walk away.

"Hey Aria,"

"Yeah?" She asked turning around.

"Happy Birthday." he smiled softly. "I know I didn't really tell you happy birthday earlier."

"Thanks." Aria smiling back. She had to admit, Brett wasn't such a bad guy after all. He was just misunderstood.

TBC...

So Brett's not such a bad guy :D

Tell me what you all think :)