Chapter 10

Love and Jealously

"Oh, this was the best day of my life!" Aria declared on the phone to Vanessa that evening.

"I can't believe he walked you home," Vanessa added. "What a gentleman! You don't see a lot of that in boys our age."

"That is so true. Edmund is different from any boy I've ever met. Did I tell you he is planning on taking me out to dinner for my birthday next week?"

"That would be three times now. You guys sound like you are already getting serious."

"Yeah, so?"

"You have only known each other for a day."

This information suddenly hit Aria. Has it really only been one day? To her, it felt as of she had known Edmund for a very long time, years even. She could not believe how well they connected with each other and only after spending one day together. Aria replied to Vanessa, "I guess it seems like longer than that to me."

"Or maybe your making more of all this than it actually is."

"Hey, I know what I'm feeling. I know this seems crazy, but I think I'm actually in love."

"Aria, you don't even know him. Doesn't it seem strange that he just came out of nowhere and immediately fell for you? There's something off about him."

Aria started to get annoyed. "What are you implying? That since he fell for me, there's something wrong with him?"

"NO, of coarse not!" Vanessa assured her best friend. "This kind of thing just doesn't happen, unless your in a teen vampire novel or something."

"Are you trying to tell me you think Edmund's a vampire?"Aria started to laugh. Usually when the two of them began to argue, one of them would say something completely out there and the conversation would end with them joking around.

"Actually, I was thinking more like a werewolf since he's out during the daylight." Now Vanessa began to crack up along with Aria.

Once the girls were done laughing, Aria then said, "Okay, I guess I not exactly in love with him. It just that Edmund's not like other guys so he stood out to me and I think I stood out to him too since I'm not really like other girls. That may be why he chose to get to know me."

Vanessa considered this and commented, "Yeah, I guess it makes more sense when you put it that way. I'm no expert on relationships so the best advice I can give is don't go to fast."

"Don't worry. I won't," Aria assured. "Hey, do you know if Ms. Fleming back yet? I'll bet she would like to know I finally found a boy I'm interested in."

"I don't think so. I haven't seen her in a while."

"Oh well. I'll just tell her whenever she gets back."

"Hey Aria?" Vanessa sounded concerned.

"What is it?"

"We really haven't known Edmund very long. Just be careful, okay?"

"Alright, Mom," Aria rolled her eyes. "Look, I gotta go. I think I heard my actual mom calling me for dinner. See you tomorrow."

"See you!"

xXx

Vanessa still seemed suspicious of Edmund though she tried to hide her concern for her best friend's sake. Walter, on the other hand, welcomed Edmund to the group, enjoying the idea of having another guy as oppose to all girls. The four of them now sat together for lunch.

"So I hear you're taking Aria out to dinner for her birthday. May I ask where?" Walter inquired to Edmund.

"I was thinking about taking her to the Palace Royale," Edmund replied. "I hear its the nicest restaurant in town."

"Wow, Edmund. That's really expensive," Aria commented, surprised by this new information. "You really don't have to do that. I'd be okay with Chiles or even fast food is fine."

"You only turn sixteen once," Edmund responded.

Vanessa chimed in, "You know, Aria usually has a her birthday dinner with her parents and then celebrates with her friends the following weekend."

"Well, this year its going to be different," Aria stated firmly.

"Have you told your parents yet?"

"No, but I'm going to."

"You better do it soon. Your birthday in three days."

Once again, Aria got frustrated with her best friend. "What does it matter when I tell them? Its my birthday! I can do what I want."

Edmund commented, "I think I'm sensing a hint of jealousy."

"What, me?" Vanessa looked at Edmund appalled.

"I think he means behind you," Walter informed as he noticed where Edmund was looking.

Aria and Vanessa both turned their heads to observe Kendal starring daggers at Aria.

Aria rolled her eyes and turned back to Edmund. "I don't know what Kendal's problem is. She already has a boyfriend."

"Actually, I was talking about that boy sitting at her table."

This time when the girls looked, they saw Derek. Aria had never seem him look so furious nor could she imagine a possible reason as of why. Never the less, his angry eyes pointed in her direction or maybe Edmund's. She could not tell. Aria decided best to ignore him.

"If you don't mind my asking, Aria," Edmund seemed to approach this question cautiously. "Do you two have a history together?"

Aria nearly burst out laughing, "What? Me and Derek! No way! Believe me. I am not his type of girl and he most definitely is not my type of guy. Besides, we've only had an actual conversation once."

"When was that?" Vanessa asked. "You never said anything about it."

"Oh," Aria recalled. "It was when Ms. Malone gave us both detention, remember? We just briefly talked about that English assignment we were given about whether we would die for someone we loved. We just had similar answers that's all." Aria then turned to Edmund. "You see, I completely forgot about it until just now so it obviously didn't mean anything."

Edmund sighed, relieved. Aria could not help but smile. For some reason, it seemed nice that Edmund was worried about the idea of her and Derek. It meant that he considered himself in a serious relationship with her. Luckily for Edmund, he had nothing to worry about as far as Derek was concerned.

xXx

"I can't believe this! Who does guy think he is?" Kendal fumed. "And why is he interested in Aria of all people?"

"Where did he even come from?" Derek added. "Who changes schools in September?"

"Will you two give it a rest?" Ian grew tired of his best friend and girlfriend obsessing over this new kid. "What's the big deal?"

"The big deal is that this really cute boy comes to our school and just goes straight to Aria without a second thought."

"Yeah," Derek agreed. "They are acting like they're in a serious relationship and he doesn't even know her!"

Ian looked at him curiously. "Dude, do you like Aria or something?"

"What! No! That's ridiculous!"

"Okay," Ian then turned to Kendal. "And you better not say you like this Edmund guy."

"Of coarse not," Kendal assured him.

"Then you both really need to just chill about this Edmund guy. He has nothing to do with any of us." Ian put his arms around both Kendal and Derek as they headed to their next class and said, "Besides, its about time something interesting happens around here for a change."