Forgotten Soldier: Part III
"How could he do this Aaron?" Aaron doesn't reply, instead he continues to rub my back soothingly.
"I mean, how can someone be so mean to make a bet like that? It's just so, so…"
"Shhh, Mattie, everything is going to be fine."
"But how Aaron, how? I liked Oliver, I really liked him but then he does something like this!"
I burst out in sobs again; to be frank I'm surprised that I still have any tears left after the sob fest that was last night. The initial plan was that I was going to sleep over at Julia's, but after that stunt of that little bastard I didn't want to stay there a minute longer. Romero brought me home at about midnight so I was quit startled to see Aaron wide-awake on the couch but I was relieved nonetheless. He gave me one look over and took me into a bone-crushing hug, he didn't have to ask me what was wrong, he already knew. I think I must have sat there for more than an hour, sobbing and clutching to him like my life depended on it. Aaron never spoke a word, that was what I liked about Aaron; he understood that sometimes just listening was enough. That was also the reason why I always went to him first when I had a problem, Miguel was too hotheaded, if I had gone to him, Oliver would've been a bloody pulp two minutes after I had opened my mouth. Claude was a bit better but he wouldn't have known what to do with that information so he would go to Miguel, and Oliver again would have been a bloody pulp. Aaron just sits and listens; never saying anything but his presence alone is more comforting than any words could ever be.
"Just…believe me Mattie; everything is going to be fine, I promise." He gives me a lopsided grin as he pats my head.
I open my mouth to protest but something in his voice makes me to shut up.
He laughs at my expression.
"Is there something you know that I don't Aaron?"
"Maybe." He stands up and ruffles my hair.
"Don't worry you'll see, now why don't you go and make breakfast and I'll try to wake up Miguel and Claude."
"Aaaaaron!"
He just grins and walks away.
Huffing I start to prepare breakfast. What does he know? How can he be so sure?
"Ouch, why does everything hurt?"
"Knowing Tala you should be happy that you're still alive so shut up."
"But Aaaaaron it hurts!"
"Like whining is going to help."
"C'mon just…"
"Could you two talk any louder?" Claude hisses.
Claude is already sitting at the table looking cross-eyed and clutching his head.
Aaron takes a seat next to him, his eyes are bloodshot from the lack of sleep and his lids are dropping.
Miguel, well… the only word to describe him is woeful. He's a tough guy, but he doesn't handle pain all that well. Wincing he pulls back a chair, his whole face is swollen and the right side looks like one big bruise. In all his pain he looks like a kicked puppy.
"Mattie? Why are you back so early?"
I quickly turn away from him; I don't want to tell him and Claude just yet.
"What's wrong? Mattie…"
The distinctive sound of letters being pushed through the mailbox is my escape.
"I'll get it!" before any of the boys can open their mouth I'm already in the hallway.
Disinterested I flicker through the bundle of paper. Some bills, a couple of commercials, a letter. I blink, a letter for me?
My Dearest Mathilda,
I'm sorry for the events of last night, I'm sorry I made you so upset.
Aaron contacted me late last night demanding an explanation and now it seems like everything has been a misunderstanding.
There is something I have to confess to you Mattie, I like you, I like you a lot, I have done so for a long time now.
See, when you thought you heard Enrique and me betting, my friend was in reality giving me an ultimatum.
He gave me one last night to confess my feelings to you or otherwise he said he would do it for me.
I deeply regret how everything went, but I want you to know that my love will be yours if you feel the same and there is one thing I want to say to you.
Je t'aime
With love,
Oliver
Tears are stinging in my eyes but I'm smiling from ear to ear.
"Mathilda are you alright?"
In answer I storm back into the kitchen and letch myself to Aaron's neck.
"Thank you Aaron. Thank you!"
He smiles and pets by back.
"No problem."
Miguel gives us an irritated look, "Can one of you explain what's happening?"
I just wave my letter, "Oliver likes me!"
Claude and Miguel just stare.
"What?"
Aaron grins, "That's a story for another time, now finish your breakfast, you have a doctor's appointment at nine."
"But…"
"No buts, I…" he yawns, "I'm going to catch some sleep, Claude can drive you."
Said boy looks at his food like he was going to be sick but he nodded.
"Okay then I…"another yawn, "I'm off to bed."
Clutching his head Claude nodded to Aaron, the one who always cheered him up and made him forget his troubles, he might never be let in the clique but Claude wouldn't trade him for the world.
Miguel watched his oldest friend leave the room, the world might think of Aaron as nothing but another fatso, to him he was the person who would calm him down and back him up, he was the one to patch him up after a fight. A friend worth fighting for.
I smiled at the retreating sight of Aaron, Julia might think of him as nothing but to me he is the one who would always lent and ear, the one who made thing right after all.
To the world, Aaron was someone who could be easily forgotten, but to them, he was the one who cared.
A/N: Okay, I know that limey was a nickname used for English sailors but I used it because of Oliver's hair color. (Lime Green)
You're probably wondering about the title, well here it goes:
In the Jappanese series the Barthez battalion are called Barthez' soldiers, the forgotten soldier is Aaron because he seems to be truly forgotten. I tried to do some researche on him for my other fic but do you know what I got? Nothing save for a bloody wikipedia page. I mean this, I couldn't find a single fanfic on him, I wonder why is this? Just because of his looks? I can't recall any story with him as a maincharacter, not even one in which he actually is more then just a name. Even in the series he is singled out by the maker:
1. He's the only obese blader.
2. He's the only one in his team that wears normal clothes.
3. He is the only one in his team who doesn't grown some sort of wings during battle.
Personally I think a character like Aaron is a challenge, we know so little about him that as a writer you have to fill in his whole personality. Am I the only one who noticed that Aaron just seems to disappear in stories with the Battalion in it or am I just being to much of a critique?
Please tell me what you think about.
~*~
Silent Pandemonium
p.s.
( I know that the ending was cheesy)