"Oh, my mom said to say hey," I said as he started up the car.
"That was nice of her, tell her I said hey too," he replied with a smirk on his face.
"Think it's a little late for that," I replied with a smile spread across my lips.
"Ha ha comedian, you know what I mean, when you get back home. Anyway, how's life?" He asked.
"Erm...It's great yeah," I lied, suddenly feeling my whole mood change as thoughts of Kyle came back to haunt me.
"Yours?" I quickly added.
"Mine's just peachy thanks," he said in a high pitched girly voice.
"Still immature," I said as I looked out of the car window.
"Still sensible," he laughed.
We spent the rest of the journey in silence. I was trying to plan how I would behave tonight. I had a nice group of friends but I wasn’t exactly what you’d call a social butterfly. It was also no secret that Kyle had somewhat knocked my confidence. I knew that news of him and Rachel would have flown around pretty quickly, even though it was the summer break. I wasn't ready to handle the glares, whispers and silly comments that I knew would be heading my way tonight. I did of course have one weapon though, Crystal. She pretty much didn't take crap from anyone and she had always been somewhat of a bodyguard to me as we grew up. I always found comfort in having her around me. She was the true definition of a best friend.
As Aiden pulled onto his road, the nerves began to kick in again. He threw me a little smile.
"You look nice by the way," he said as he kept his eyes fixated on the road ahead.
I knew that he was just trying to give me a confidence boost but it was still nice.
"Thanks," I replied as I forced a smile onto my nervous face.
I suddenly heard the sound of music blaring as we came closer to his house. My stomach suddenly dropped as the realisation that I'd actually have to deal with people hit me. He must have sensed my sudden panic.
"Hey, you'll be ok," he said as he threw me a reassuring smile once again. I smiled back and then stepped out of the car. My heart raced as we moved closer to the house.
"Ladies first," he said as he held the front door open for me.
“Thanks.”
"Crystal's in the living room. I'm just going to grab a drink, do you want one?" He asked.
"Yeah ok, thanks," I said. I was a little apprehensive about being left alone but I would have to do this eventually.
I was instantly thrown into a group of wild teenagers dancing and laughing loudly. I watched as a few of them began to stare as they recognised my face. I took a deep breath and continued walking towards the living room to find Crystal.
The vibration of the music was resonating through my entire body and the heat of the room was making my already shaky hands become clammy. As I stepped into the living room a familiar face caused my heart to completely skip a beat. I felt the colour of my cheeks begin to change as the embarrassment filled my body. I felt as though everyone in the room was now staring at me even though they probably weren’t. I stood frozen.
"April, I have to tell you something," Crystal said as she ran over to where I was stood.
"I think that I already know," I said as my eyes remained fixated on my previous discovery.
"I am so sorry. I didn't even know that they were here till like two minutes ago. Someone must have invited them. I'll tell them to leave right now.”
"No, don't," I said.
"Huh?" She replied, sounding more puzzled than ever.
"I don't want him to think that he's won," I said as I watched Kyle's smile now turn to complete shock as he too made his discovery.
He quickly whispered something to Rachel. I knew that that something was about me because her eyes instantly met with mine. Slowly he walked over to me with Rachel watching at all times. She tried to act as though she was engaged in a great conversation with the red head who was also staring at me. It was clear that she was now desperate to know what he was about to say to me and to tell you the truth, so was I.
"Hey," he said as he shifted his eyes from my face, to the floor and back again. He seemed embarrassed.
"Hi," I replied in a bid to sound like I had gotten over him.
"Look, I can leave if you want," he said in a guilty voice.
"No, it's fine. I'm over it. I'm here with somebody else anyway," I said in as strong a tone as I could muster up in this kind of a situation.
"Oh," he said in a surprised tone.
I don't know what possessed me to lie but I had to. I didn't want him thinking that I still wanted him. I didn't want him to have that power over me anymore.
"So, who's the lucky guy?" He replied in what seemed like a jealous tone. I began smiling inside at the sight of his jealousy until I remembered that there was no guy.
"He's erm...He's..." I stuttered.
"Right here," I heard a voice say as a masculine hand wrapped itself around my waist, pulling me closer to his warm body.
When I turned my head to examine the culprit, I discovered that it was Aiden. A look of confusion swept over my face, he must have realised as he gently squeezed my side.
"Here's your drink baby," he said as he handed me a dark bubbly liquid, probably Pepsi knowing Aiden's obsession with it over the years.
"Thank you, baby," I replied in an attempt to sound convincing.
As I looked at Kyle's face, I realised just how jealous all of this was making him. I took the drink from Aiden's hand, took a sip and began to smile. Yep, it was Pepsi.
"Kyle, you remember Aiden don't you?" I asked, feeling rather proud of myself.
"Yeah vaguely," he replied with a baffled look on his face. This was really beginning to get to him. Result!
"Hi," Aiden said as he extended his hand towards Kyle.
"Hi," Kyle replied as he took Aiden's hand in his and shook it firmly in a bid to appear more masculine.
"Oh and thanks," Aiden added. Both Kyle and I now turned to face Aiden, rather confused by his last comment.
"For what?" Kyle asked.
"Letting her go," Aiden said with a smug look on his face. I gently dug him in the side to let him know that he was going a little too far. He didn't look at me but his smile told me that he was enjoying every minute of humiliating Kyle. Crystal had mentioned that for some reason he had never liked him, so I can only imagine that this was the perfect scenario for him.
"Anyway I better be off, Rachel's waiting," he said, putting extra emphasis on the word Rachel in a bid to now make me jealous. It worked of course but I played my role well.
"Ok tell her I...I mean we said hi," I said as I watched him walk away.
I watched as he walked back towards his stupid, blonde trophy, wrapping his arms around her waist and kissing her neck. She started to giggle as she enjoyed the new attention that she was suddenly getting. I almost got mad until I remembered just how jealous Kyle had just appeared to be.
"Did you see that?" I said as I span around to face Crystal.
"Yes," she replied in an uninterested tone.
"That dude was pretty jealous. I'd say Mr Macho isn't quite as over you as he thinks," he said as we began to walk towards the kitchen.
I couldn't help but allow a small smile to spread across my lips. After weeks of planning what I would do if I ever bumped into Kyle and Rachel, I had never imagined anything quite like this.
"Well as weird as it was to see my brother all over my best friend, that was quite amusing. Serves his right anyway, he's a jerk," Crystal replied looking rather displeased by my new found excitement.
"I hope that you're not thinking that this is a chance for you two to get back together April?" She demanded.
"No of course not, it was just nice to see him finally suffering, a little," I lied.
It was stupid but I did still want him back, I couldn't help it. For just that minute, it was nice seeing those old feelings that he had before, written all over his face again.
"That was some decent acting by the way, Mr Dani
els. Well apart from the whole 'thanks for letting her go' bit," I said as I took another sip of my drink before placing it down on the marble counter.
"Of course it was. And the guys a moron, he deserved it," he replied with a smile on his face.
"Yeah, well that was just the beginning," I said in the hope that he would instantly know what I was asking of him.
"So this means that I'll be playing the role of the boyfriend for the rest of the evening doesn't it?" Aiden asked as though he had a heavy task ahead of him.
"It sure does baby," I replied sarcastically.
"Great," Aiden and Crystal both muttered in unison.
“Only to Kyle, don’t worry I won’t cramp your style with the ladies,” I said as a chuckle escaped my lips.
“Good,” he said as he smirked at me.
“Thank you,” I said in an excited tone.
Suddenly I felt the best that I had in weeks. Somehow the ball was back in my court...
It wasn't long before my nerves had returned again. The excitement that had previously engulfed me had diminished as I began to think about Kyle and Rachel again. The knowledge that they were just in the room next door was not at all comforting.
"Hello, are you even listening?" Crystal asked as she waved her pale, dainty hands in front of my face.
I was so caught up in my own situation with Kyle, that I hadn't even remembered that this was supposed to be her night.
The dress that she wore, screamed Crystal. It was red, with a bow that sat just below her chest area. It was a beautiful satin material that fell to just above her knees and fit to perfection. Every curve in her body was exposed, which, knowing Crystal was the exact reason that she would have chosen it. She of course had on red, matching heels with a silver diamante buckle. She also wore a three piece, silver jewellery set that matched nicely with the buckle on her shoes. Her silky, blonde hair was tied up tonight. I suspect that this was cleverly thought out when considering the style of her dangly earrings. All in all she definitely looked like the birthday girl.
"Sorry, I was just daydreaming," I replied, now giving her my undivided attention.
"Number one, daydreaming is for the day, not the evening. Number two, I hope that your daydream had nothing to do with Kyle?" She asked as she glared at me with her bright, green eyes.
Instead of answering, I let out a big sigh and slumped myself onto the counter. Instantly I felt a pair of hands pull me right back up.
"Well stop, it has taken me weeks to get my best friend back and I am not about to let you, let him, ruin you again. April, this is an order, stay away from Kyle," she demanded as she stared directly into my eyes, causing a feeling of discomfort to come over me.
"Ok," I mumbled back, feeling rather sorry for myself.
I knew that what she was saying was right but my heart was telling me a completely different story.
Suddenly a girl stumbled into the kitchen, singing a song that was completely unrecognisable to the human ear well my human ear anyway.
"He...y Aaaa....dddeeeennn," she slurred as she moved towards him. I couldn't help but laugh as I watched him attempt to dodge the kiss that she was trying to plant onto his lips.
"Who the hell has been supplying people with alcohol? Mom is going to freak!" Crystal growled as she stomped over to the intoxicated girl.
"Who is she?" Aiden asked in a state of shock.
"Hayley, I think it's time for you to go home," Crystal said, gently as she tried to help her to stand upright.
"Hooooommmme?" She began to shout as she lost her balance and stumbled, head first into Crystal's chest.
"Yes, home!" Crystal shouted as she pushed the girl away from her in disgust.
"Do you know this chick?" Aiden asked with a still shocked look spread across his face.
"Yeah, her name's Hayley Gardener, she's in my chemistry class. Believe it or not, she's a straight A student," I said as I allowed a quiet giggle to escape my mouth.
"Wow," he replied.
"Ok, I'm going to help you outside now. Who did-"
Suddenly Crystal was interrupted as Hayley began to throw up all over the kitchen floor.
"You have got to be kidding me! Mom is going to kill us Aiden!" Crystal screamed with a completely serious look on her face. It took everything I had not to laugh at the whole situation. I hadn't been out in weeks and to tell you the truth, it was nice to just laugh and loosen up, even if it was just for a couple of minutes.
"Ok, just calm down. You take her upstairs and I'll clean this up," Aiden said as he headed towards the pine cabinet, above the toaster in search of a cloth.
"Great! She better not throw up on my dress. Come on Hayley, this way," Crystal said as she began to lead her towards the stairs.
"Need some help?" I asked as Aiden began to fill up the sink with warm water and dishwashing liquid.
"Are you any good with sick?"
"Not really," I replied.
"Then no," he said as we both giggled at the previous situation. I watched as Aiden removed the cloth from the warm water, wrung it out and began to tackle the puddle of sick that was now beginning to leave an unpleasant odour that was making my stomach do mini back flips.
"Crystal must be freaking out up there, maybe I should go and see if she needs help," I said as I began to rise from my stool.
"She'll be fine-"
Suddenly the phone began to ring as he attempted to finish his sentence.
"Sorry, do you mind?" He said, staring at the phone.
"Sure," I said as I headed towards the phone and picked it up.
"Hello, Daniels’ residence," I said as both Aiden and I began to laugh at my rather formal telephone voice.
"Hello, Crystal is that you?" The voice replied.
"Oh, no Mrs Daniels, it's me, April," I began to stutter as the embarrassment started to turn my cheeks red.
"Oh, April, sweetheart it is so lovely to hear your voice. How are you?"
"I'm great thank you Mrs Daniels," I replied.
"Oh that is wonderful, we certainly have missed you. How are your mom and Bob?"
"They're both great.”
"Lovely, lovely. Look, you must come around for dinner one day, I'm sure that Crystal would love that," she said in an upbeat tone.
"Yes, that would be really nice, thank you.”
"Well how about Monday?"
"Yes, I'll have to check with my mom, but that would be great," I said, feeling rather happy that she was still as nice as she'd always been.
"Lovely, well you just let Crystal know. Now is Aiden or Crystal there please?"
"Erm...They're just entertaining some guests," I said.
It was a stupid response, I could tell from the look on Aiden's face but I wasn't very good at lying, and it was the best thing that I could think of in such a short space of time.
"Oh, ok, well ask one of them to call me back as soon as they get the chance. I hope that everything is ok with that party?"
"Oh yes, it's lovely," I said, in the hope that I would sound convincing.
"Ok, well you take care and don't forget to pass the message along to Aiden or Crystal.”
"I won't, bye.”
"Bye now," she said before hanging up the phone.
"Entertaining guests?" Aiden asked as he began to wash his hands in the sink.
"It's all that I could think of.”
"Yep," he replied sarcastically.
"Right, all evidence of sick has been removed," he said, staring at the clean patch on the floor, where the sick had previously been.
"Yeah, you did a good job, well done," I replied with a slight hint of sarcasm in my voice.
"Thanks," he replied.
"So, you and that Kyle kid?" Aiden said as he began staring out of the kitchen window.
"What about us?"
"Was it serious?" He replied, now facing me as he leaned against the marble surface.
"I guess so, yeah," I mumbled.
Just as I had forgotten ab
out Kyle for a minute, suddenly it was all brought back again.
"I don't get it," he replied.
"Don't get what?"
"Just, you could do better," he said in a gentle tone.
"Yeah, I sort of guessed that by now,” I said in a flat tone.
I felt a warm, salty tear start to fill the corner of my eye as my thoughts drifted back to Kyle once again. I held it back, cleared my throat and looked up at Aiden.
"What about you?" I said in a bid to take the attention off of myself.
"What about me?" He said as a smile spread across his lips.
"Haven't you met the future Mrs Daniels yet?" I asked.
"As a matter of fact, I have," he said as he walked over to the refrigerator to take out a can of Pepsi. He had a mysterious smile on his face, which told me that I wanted to know more.
"Who is she?" I asked now feeling rather intrigued.
"Do you want one?" He asked, gesturing towards the can in his hand.
"No and you haven't answered my question yet," I replied, now keeping my eyes fixated on him.
"She's-"
"I cannot believe that Hayley girl! Four times she was sick, four times!" Crystal interrupted as she burst through the kitchen door.
"It didn't get onto any of the carpets, did it?" Aiden asked, with a look of panic now spread across his face.
"No, she at least managed to get it all into the toilet but it was still gross," she said as if she were relieving the moment.
"Where is she now?"
"Home, I hope. Her friend took her. Anyway enough about her, come on, we have a party to attend," she said as she grabbed hold of my arm and began dragging me towards the living room.
I felt a sense of panic come over me as I realised that I would be facing Kyle again. I was not looking forward to it. I turned back to face Aiden before we left.
"You'll be fine," he mouthed to me. He had obviously sensed my sudden panic.
As we walked through the living room doors, I felt my confidence slowly begin to slip.
I just hoped that he was right.
"Ready?" Crystal asked as we stood outside of the living room door.
"Yes and no," I mumbled back, feeling more nervous as we got closer to entering the room.
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