Clara's P.O.V.
So, that just happened.
I witnessed the entire confrontation between Aiden, Nicky, and that kid, Cody. Apparently the Cody kid Aiden was talking about was my neighbor who lived a few houses down. When I witnessed the way Aiden threatened him and nearly attacked him, it kind of caught me off guard, but it also excited me in a way.
I couldn't make up my mind about him ever since that night at the party. I found myself wondering if my attraction to him was actual love, or if I just had a sexual attraction to him.
I'm currently pacing back and forth around my room all the while trying to figure out what I really like about Aiden. Well let's see. He's kind when he needs to be, he's...a good listener, and he does have patience. The looks are definitely a bonus too.
When comparing him to my ex-boyfriend, he is similar in ways, but also quite different too. Aiden certainly wasn't as insecure, or needy as he was, but I have to admit that he is a bit more aggressive. I wonder if this would become a potential problem if Aiden and I were to ever get in a relationship because I didn't know how deep his aggression went.
Maybe I should talk to him about it. Perhaps I've kept him in the dark long enough, but I'm surprised that he hasn't complained about the wait, although he probably is eager for an answer. Alright, I've made up my mind. I'll talk to him about it tomorrow, but I'll make sure it is private. I know I could just text him, but I felt like I had to talk to him face-to-face about it.
That night as I tried to fall sleep, I was tossing and turning around the bed sheets while trying to keep my eyes shut. My stomach started to twirl and an uncomfortable knot forms and I struggle to control my rapid breathing.
Why was I getting so anxious? I hang out with Aiden all the time and I could say I'm rather comfortable around him, but...Jesus what's wrong with me?
I sit up and take deep breaths. Eventually my breathing slowed and returned to its normal rate, but my anxiety still lingered. Maybe this was my fear of history repeating itself. I'd fall into the same trap where I am tricked into believing that he is a good guy only to find out later that he is a controlling psychopath.
Wait, no. Aiden wouldn't do that. Would he? I press my face into my palms. My paranoia is getting the better of me and I can't let it get worse. I swing my body backwards and slam back onto my black silk pillow with an exasperated sigh. I really need to calm down.
I reached over to my cabinet that was sitting on the right side of my bed and pulled the drawer open. Although it was dark, my scrambling hand manages to find my sleeping pills. I grab it and pop the cap off with a single twist. I take two of them before putting the bottle away and pressing my cheek into my pillow. This time I manage to keep my eyes closed and within minutes, I was fast asleep.
The next morning, I wake up with droopy eyelids and a light headache. I glance at my alarm clock which read, "6:30." Damn, I had to get ready. I sluggishly get out of bed, my legs practically feeling like jello, as I make my way over to my closet. Since I was too tired to even care about what I wanted to wear, I decided to stick with wearing a "My Chemical Romance" t-shirt and a pair of dark blue denim jeans. I also put on a new bra like I usually did before heading out.
While driving down the busy streets of San Francisco, I couldn't help but grip my hands on the steering wheel which was caused by the growing knot forming in my stomach. I really need to get it together. If I was willing to talk to Aiden, I would need to compose myself.
I manage to arrive at the high school without crashing my car before putting it in park. I step out of the car, making sure to close and lock it, before making my way up to the school. While walking, I noticed a familiar figure who was leaned against the school's brick walls. As I got closer, I managed to identify the person as none other than Aiden Pearce.
Great. Just the person I was extremely anxious to talk to not too long ago.
He didn't seem to notice me as he was looking down at his phone with a bored expression on his face. I guess he was waiting for class to start which was about thirty minutes away.
Although I swore to myself I was going to talk to him about my feelings, I couldn't help but stay glued to the spot I was in. I do want to talk to him, but I didn't expect to see him so soon. Yesterday, I mentally prepared the conversations we could potentially have in fifth period, not outside the school at seven in the morning.
I continued to watch him carefully in order to make sure that he hasn't seen me. Maybe I could sneak by him and stick to the plan of talking to him during fifth period.
Christ, what am I thinking?
How would I even manage to sneak by him if he is literally right next to the front doors? Come on, Clara. Stop acting like some weirdo and just talk to him! He probably won't mind anyway. At least, thats what I kept telling myself.
I take a deep breath and mentally prepare myself as I march up to him. As if he heard my black combat boots hitting the concrete of the stairs that led to the school, his emerald eyes catch mine and I find myself frozen in place.
"Hey," he greets me while shutting off the screen of his phone and putting it in his jean pocket. "Woah," he says once he gets a full view of me with his eyebrows raised slightly before he suddenly starts laughing.
I was confused. What was he laughing at? Me? Oh no. Was there a booger on my face? Did I give him a weird face? I was silently panicking as he continued to let out fits of laughter. There was even a small tear in the corner of his eye. I felt too exposed and awkward to say anything.
For fuck sakes, Pearce, just tell me what you're laughing at! You're setting my mind into overdrive here.
"Is that the new style trend, or was that by accident?" Aiden managed to speak between laughs.
Wait, what? What the hell is he talking about?
Eventually his laughter died down into small chuckles which left me even more confused.
"Whats...whats so funny?" I ask hesitantly.
His mouth gapes open at my response as if he wasn't expecting me to say that.
"You don't know?" He sounds astonished as he glances down at my clothes before looking back up at me.
This prompted me to look down at my clothes and as soon as I did, I was completely horrified by what I saw. My dark red bra was displayed directly in front of my t-shirt instead of underneath it. What the hell? How did I manage that?
"Oh my God," I muttered as Aiden simply stared at me with a shit eating grin. He looked like he was about to laugh again.
"You uh...you might want to fix that," he suggested. My face was starting to feel hot from embarrassment.
Please sink me into the concrete and never let anyone see me again for this. How did I not notice that my bra was on wrong?!
I glance around to make sure nobody was coming before I immediately pull the straps off my shoulders before awkwardly attempting to unsnap it from behind. Within seconds, which in my personal opinon felt like hours, I manage to get it off and quickly stuff it in my bookbag. It was after the removal of the garment that my chest felt exposed regardless of my black t-shirt.
Aiden's laughter seemed to die down as I hunched over in an attempt to hide my breasts that were threatening to poke out of my shirt. He seemed to sense my discomfort and he took off his brown leather jacket before walking behind me and wrapping it around my shoulders. The sudden contact of his fingers brushing against my shoulders gave me goosebumps, which wasn't a bad thing. A part of me didn't want him to let go, but unfortunately he did.
"Put that on and I'll walk with you to the bathroom to get changed," he said.
I tuck my arms in the smooth fabric of the jacket sleeves before zipping it all the way up. The new article of clothing made me feel a bit better about being covered, but I was still desperate to get my bra back on.
I still couldn't believe I left the house like that.
"Come on," Aiden gestures his head towards the front doors.
I made sure to stay close beside him as we walked rather quickly inside the school. As we made our way to the bathroom, I couldn't help but glance down at the jacket that I was wearing. I must look weird to everyone in the hallway considering that my t-shirt is longer than the actual jacket itself and the shirt was awkwardly sticking out underneath it.
I took a quick glance up at Aiden and saw that he was scanning the hallway. Okay, so he wasn't staring at me. Good. I already felt embarrassed enough that I was wearing his jacket all because I failed to put a freaking bra on! A bra! A simple under garment! But no, Clara. You had to go and get all worked up about having a somewhat simple conversation with the guy you talk to literally everyday. Way to go.
And now you're stuck wearing his jacket. Great. He's probably never going to talk to me again after this.
"Clara," Aiden's voice jerks me out of my thoughts as we suddenly come to a stop. "There's the bathroom if you want to go in at any point." He spoke sarcastically.
Jeez. Did I zone out?
Not bothering to respond to him, I waste no time bolting into the bathroom. Luckily the bathroom was empty so that meant that the bigger stall was open. I go inside, being mindful to shut the door and lock it since I wanted to at least do something right today before I take off my jacket and shirt. I snap my bra back on before placing the t-shirt over it.
I hold Aiden's jacket in my hands before exiting the bathroom. As soon as I step foot out of the bathroom, I jump at the sight of Aiden appearing to my right. As soon as I realized that it was Aiden, I sighed in relief. Aiden, who looked to be taken off guard by my sudden movement, furrowed his brows.
"Seriously, are you okay?" Aiden asked with his arms crossed.
I gaze up at him and I couldn't help but notice that he appeared worried. I sigh knowing that there is no point in holding myself back anymore.
"I...I wanted to talk to you," I started to explain as I glanced away from him, "about the kiss."
I could tell by the way Aiden's brows raised slightly that he hadn't expected me to say that.
"Erm, what about it?" He scratches the back of his neck.
"Well..." I twiddle my fingers out of a nervous habit. It's now or never. "Look, I kind of want to give us a chance, but...I feel like we don't really know each other despite us being friends."
Aiden stares at me intently as he crosses his arms.
"So I'm thinking maybe...we should try to get to know each other better," I propose as my mind drifts back to the incident I had witnessed yesterday with Aiden and Nicky confronting that boy.
I wanted to know if Aiden potentially had an anger issue, or if he just sometimes get caught up in the heat of the moment when it comes to people he cares about.
"Okay," Aiden seems to take in what I said. "Are you suggesting that we should go on some kind of date?"
"Well technically a second date, but...yeah. A date."
"Alright. I'll let you decide this time as to where we should go." A smirk forms on his face which compliments his green eyes. It made him look confident and all too attractive, and it made my face heat up. I was praying that my blush wasn't too visible, otherwise he'd tease me about it.
"Well, maybe we could go to the movies and then after we could eat at that pizza place we went to at the beach," I suggest. I'm not sure what made me want to pick the pizza place again, but maybe it was because I had such a good time with him last time.
"What movie were you thinking of seeing?" He asked.
"Um," I try to think of any movies I'd be interested in seeing, but I couldn't think of any decent ones, so I decide to bring up one on the top of my head. "The only one that I keep hearing the most about is some movie called 'Cyber Driver.' I don't know if it's any good or not."
I hear a chuckle from Aiden and he replies, "I saw the trailer for that movie and I hate to break it to you, but it looks like it's gonna be complete shit. I don't think they're even trying with the acting."
I let out a small laugh, "Well I was just making a suggestion. We don't have to see the movie if it's that bad."
"We could watch it just to make fun of it," he shrugs.
Although he probably meant it in a joking manner, I've always gotten a kick out of watching shitty movies just for the fun of laughing at them.
"That doesn't sound like a bad idea," I smirk. "Besides, it's about time I had a good laugh instead of watching cheesy romance films all the time."
"Why am I not surprised that you watch those?"
"Hey, I like a good action movie when I see one, but I'm a sucker for those love films," I cross my arms with a grin. "So, we could try to go tonight if you're not busy. I'll even pick you up if you give me the address to your house."
"Don't you think that it's part of popular custom that I pick you up?"
"Nope. I'm the one who offered the date so I am taking care of everything, and don't even try to argue about it," I point at him with a playful grin on my face.
He sighs and raises his hands as if he's surrendering. "Fine, Lille. We'll do it your way," he says before chuckling.
Just then, the bell rings for homeroom and it made me realize just how long we were talking. As the hallways became crowded by students heading to their classrooms, I prepare myself to leave.
"So is four a good time for you?" I ask.
"Yeah. I don't have anything planned after school anyway."
"Alright. It's a date then," I grin at him. "I'm sure we both need to get to class, so I'll catch you later."
He nods and we both give each other a quick wave before parting ways. As I'm heading to class, I glance down at my chest by instinct to make sure that my bra wasn't in front of my shirt even though I knew I had fixed it prior. Merde (shit), I'm a complete mess this morning and I'm surprised Aiden didn't bail the minute he saw me.
Still, I'm looking foward to our supposed first date and even though I do worry about potential anger problems if we do get into a relationship, I have a feeling that Aiden isn't the abusive type.
He always seems ready for a fight when it comes to people he is close with, but there's always the thought that bugs me whether if he is the type that will take a challenge to a fight in a heartbeat. Don't get me wrong, I love to see a guy stand up for himself and for others when he needs to even of it means getting physical, but when it comes to the point where they will take any chance to get into a fight if they are the slightest bit challenged, thats when I start to lose interest.
I was so lost in thought that I nearly missed my classroom, but luckily I managed to spot it in the corner of my eye. As I enter the classroom, I sit in my usual spot and set my bag down. Throughout class, I couldn't care less about what the teacher was saying. All I could think about was Aiden.
Was it bizzare to say that I wanted us to kiss again?
My mind drifts back to the night when we first kissed at Sitara's party. I remember how he had stared me down almost as if he was checking me out while he complimented me. I had to admit that I wanted that pleasant feeling again. I then start to think about the kiss itself. Just the thought of him kissing me so passionately and the way his fingers glided up my back gave me pleasant shivers and goosebumps throughout my body.
The thought made me yearn for his touch, but I had to be patient with myself. Besides, I had to learn more about him before doing anything. Hopefully I can keep these naughty thoughts at bay when fifth period comes.
Wrench's P.O.V.
"I heard he cheated on her with her sister or some shit. Then it turns out his girlfriend and her sister are banging. What the fuck?"
Next.
"So I'm at a funeral right? It's for my aunt and my mom was putting down flowers and she so happened to have roses and I'm allergic to those so we both go to her sister's open casket and before she sets them down, I had to sneeze like REALLY had to sneeze. I can't hold the shit in so I just do it and when I tell you it was the loudest sneeze, the floor shook and this huge ass snot lands on my dead aunt's face. Fuck me."
Boring. Next.
"I traded my liver for a plate of chicken nuggets."
Ah, fuck it. I'm hacking into people's phones and peeking into their texts and none of them have interesting lives. I would have thought people at this school had more to deliver, but I am disappointed yet again.
Lately I've had nothing to do besides the same old bullshit homework, and I'm searching for anything of interest. I pitch in to another conversation between a chinese guy with a slice of pizza in his hand and some white guy who I didn't know mainly through their phones and not their texts.
"Jordi, I just witnessed my neighbor watch his dog puke all over the floor and you know what he did? He scooped it up with his bare hands and poured it into the spaghetti he was cooking. Then he pats the dog on the head and tells him he's a good boy before the guy starts puking on the floor so the dog can eat it."
Well...that is somewhat interesting, although I really hate dogs.
I could see Jordi's completely repulsed expression from a distance. It looked like he had just finished his next bite of pizza and his mouth was gaped open.
"Are you fucking kidding me, Douglas?!" He shouted. "You've officially ruined my day far more than it already has been! Yep! Ruined!" He takes his pizza and throws it at the guy's face before storming off.
I sigh and make a last effort to search for any conversations that would interest me. As I look around, I was a little surprised to see Aiden and Clara talking to each other in the hallway. Instantly, I tune into their conversation.
"Is four a good time for you?" I hear Clara say.
"Yeah. I don't have anything planned after school anyway," Aiden replies.
"Alright. It's a date then."
Wait what?
A date?
Clara is going on a date with Aiden?!
Now I'm intrigued. I watch them intently as they part ways and an idea comes to mind. I'm sure the others will love it since they have nothing to do either. I pull up all of my friend's contacts, minus Clara and Aiden's, and I make sure to send each of them an important text about my plan that I have in store for later in the day.
The first bit of the day went by suprisingly fast and before I knew it, it was time to go to fifth period, which so happened to be where my friends were. Once I got there, I only caught sight of Josh and Horatio. It was no surprise that the other two love birds were running behind which was weird considering they're the fastest runners in our entire friend group.
Or perhaps they're fast when it comes to other things and thats why they're about to be late...
I'm fucking great aren't I?
No less than a second later, I catch sight of Marcus and Sitara entering through the doorway, the two of them seeming to be having a friendly exchange. Marcus even gets a laugh out of Sitara before he starts snorting out laughing as well. Maybe I could set those two up somehow. Perhaps get them into a rather romantic position by giving either of them an "accidental" nudge.
I'd have to figure it out later as they sit down in the two seats next to us. It was then that I noticed that they were sitting next to each other which was unusual since Marcus usually sat next to me. I'd normally be offended if my bestest friend of the whole group was sitting next to someone else, but this time I wasn't. The two of them were still having a conversation about some guy on the internet who did terrible graffiti art.
"Yeah and what the fuck is up with the guy's nostrils on this picture? He needs to save some air for the rest of us," Marcus bursts out laughing while pulling up another picture on his phone and showing it to Sitara.
I couldn't exactly see the picture, but once Sitara sees it, she clasps a hand over her mouth and attempts to stiffle her laugh which threatened to become loud. She playfully slaps him on the shoulder.
"Shut up. You're terrible," she says between giggles.
I could see in the corner of my eye that Josh and Horatio had stopped whatever they were doing and they were watching the two as well. As entertaining and fluffy as this was, I was getting antsy about what I wanted to tell everyone, so I decide to interrupt.
"Alright," I announce. "Now that everyone is present, I can finally tell you all what I have in mind for today."
I make sure that all of them are looking at me before continuing. "So, are you all ready to hear my super spectacular plan?"
"Not really," Josh says.
I glare at him and cross my arms all in good manner. "Well nobody asked you, Josh."
"I don't blame him," Horatio chimes in. "Your plans are usually batshit crazy and I sometimes wonder if you actually follow through with them, or you just like to sound nuts for the fuck of it."
"But you haven't even heard what I have to say yet. Trust me, you guys are gonna love it once you hear it," I say, feeling a rush of excitement run through me as I shift in my seat.
I catch Sitara eyeing me skeptically before she says, "Alright, fine. We're all ears."
"Okay, so," I practically slam my arms down on my desk as I lean foward, "You know how we've all been bored out of our minds wanting to kill ourselves, right?"
"Well I wouldn't put it like that, but yeah," Marcus replies.
"Well you get the gist," I wave him off. "Anyway, I picked up a conversation between Aiden and Clara and apparently they're supposed to go on some date at four o'clock. Now I'm thinking we should try and spy on them just to see if they've got anything interesting going on."
"Wait a minute," Horatio chuckles. "You want us to come with you on your weird escapade to spy on our friends, who maybe just want to have some time to themselves?"
"I'm in," Sitara says.
"I second that," Marcus agrees.
Well that was fast although it was no surprise since we've been shipping Clara with Aiden ever since we met him. I glance over at Josh to see if he would contest, but instead I catch a mischievous grin on his face. He knew damn well that he didn't have much to do either, so of course he'd take this opportunity.
I feel a sense of victory as I look back over at Horatio who is absolutely dumbfounded.
"It's four against one, Horatio. You better decide," I challenge him.
He blinks rapidly before shaking his head. "I still wonder why I hang out with you guys."
"Because you love us," I wink at him.
"Still," he sighs, "I'm part of the group so I guess I'm going too."
"Damn right you are," I say feeling immense amount of joy knowing that we finally are going to do something with our lives. "So I'm thinking we should all meet up at the parking lot and I'll drive all of us to Clara's house, but in secret."
Marcus scoffs. "Bitch, please. Your car is the least bit discreet. I'll just drive y'all. Besides, he'd probably crash his car out of road rage because somebody looked at him the wrong way."
I grow silent for a moment before saying, "True."
The bell rings and the teacher shushes everyone which means that our conversation is put to an end. After forty five minutes of sitting through fifth period, it was finally time for lunch. While everyone else was already ahead of me to get their lunch, I was about to head to the line before I was stopped by a familiar voice.
"Hey, Wrench," I turn around to see Aiden approaching me with his phone in his hand.
"Hey, Aiden. What's up?" I greet him. I have a feeling that he needs something because he usually doesn't talk to me one on one.
"Could you do me a favor?" He asks.
Called it.
"Depends on the favor."
"Well Josh told me that you guys are familiar with tech stuff. Do you know how to trim or cut out parts of audios?"
"Of course, Aiden. What kind of amateur do you take me for?" I chuckle. "Send me what you've got. I'm sure I could get it done for you."
"Okay. I appreciate it," he says before sending me an audio file.
"So what sort of audio is this? Why do you need part of it cut?"
He sighs. "My younger sister, Nicky, made her douchbag of an ex confess to hurting her and I recorded the whole thing, but," he scratches the back of his neck, "I kinda snapped at him and pushed him against the wall. We're planning on turning the audio in to her school, but since he's in middle school, that probably won't sit well for the both of us. That's why I'm asking you to cut out the part where I snap at him and Nicky slapping him."
After listening to his story, I am now fully convinced that Aiden needs to be my best friend.
"The fact that he hurt your sister and you potentially getting in trouble just because you pushed him is complete bullshit. It just shows how school rules are stupid. I'd say you're completely justified."
He scoffs. "He's lucky I didn't do worse to him. If it wasn't for Nicky, he'd be in a hospital having to eat through tubes."
I burst out in laughter. "You're speaking my language, Pearce. I'll make sure to take care of the audio by the end of the day and send you the finished result."
"Alright. Thanks, man. I owe you one," he grins.
"Don't stress about it. You're one of us now, Aiden. We look out for each other." After finishing that sentence, I take notice of a crowd of people heading to the lunch line. "I gotta get my lunch. Those fuckers aren't about to get to it first. I'll see you at our table."
I give him a quick wave and as I'm taking off, I shout, "I'll get that audio done!"
I didn't get a chance to see Aiden's reaction as I make a full sprint towards the line feeling determined to not get stuck in the back. Once I made it in line, I huff in relief knowing that I have achieved my victory. Once I got my lunch and made it to my table, I saw that everyone was already seated, including Aiden and Clara who had packed their lunches for today.
Throughout lunch, we make sure not to spill the beans to our fellow lovebirds that we would be stalking their date. I eyed Horatio to make sure that he wouldn't say anything since he had been reluctant about it earlier and much to my surprise, he was acting like things were normal too.
During the last few classes, I sorted through Aiden's audio clip and I made sure to cut out specific parts and still make it seem like the conversation was running smoothly. I played it back a few times while every so often getting pissed at the kid bad mouthing the two of them. Once I concluded that I had perfected the audio, I sent it back to Aiden who thanked me yet again.
It's a shame that he trusts me since I'm about to be nosy on their date without his knowledge, but as long as we aren't caught then what he won't know won't hurt him.