IT'S ONLY YOU (Book One)

Chapter 7

Aaron has always been somewhat a kind of friend. Like they didn't have long, deep conversations but he was there for her when needed. Like they were the kind of friends who you'd just wave in the hallway or the one who would just smile at you in class. Or the one whose posts you'd like. Daring not to comment because you are not that close of a friend.

She vaguely remembers their friendship shifting. As a code, enemies friends are enemies Anna had avoided talking to any of the Tylor's friends. She didn't want to even be around them.

But the thing is Aaron was her friend along with Tylor. But Tylor was more of what would classify best friend. Aaron was juts there so after that petty thing Tylor did and laughed in her face, she thought that Aaron would stop talking to her as well. Because they were 'bros' but that didn't happen. Turns out he told Tylor that it is not his business who he talks to.

And this embarrassing crush she had on Aaron. My God it was evident. Rafael went as far as tricking them into going to date but that didn't succeed. And she felt so guilty later because she wanted him to succeed.

For some reason she gets tongue tied to even talk about his dating life. It's like her mouth stops working all of a sudden. Aaron was so attractive and every girl atleast have tried asking him out and mostly he rejects them and she didn't want to go through that. They had a pretty solid friendship, considering he likes her posts and occasionally drops comments on them. So it was good friendship.

"Anna? Ann?" Jade screeched near causing her to startle and squeak. It was not funny.

"What? You scared me." Anna mumbled adjusting her seat. She looked around and saw that actually no one was paying attention to them which was a good thing.

"Geez then don't wander off." Violet mumbled stuffing her face with that muffin. She had never been this satisfied with cafeteria food.

"Thank you for your suggestion" Anna sarcastically mumbled while twirling her spaghetti noodles. They were a bit raw. How are students not complaining about this already? She should have received some complains by now.

She turned her gaze around to see that most of them had their lunch along with them, not everyone had home made lunch but it was there. So maybe that's why no one was filing a complaint.

"Always a pleasure." Violey bowed.

"Anyways I was asking about your trip to Tylor's house yesterday. How was it? Is he dead?" Jade asked munching on the cucumber slice.

Anna exasperatedly groaned.

"Why do everyone assume that I would be the one to kill him? It can be other way around as well." She pouted. It was ridiculous that everyone thought she was a violent one. Her sister constantly reminded how much of a cupcake she is. What's wrong with her friends?

"Are you kidding? You have zero patience when it comes to him. You have threatened to kill him so many times. And you actually rant about him. And..." Jade listed as if she had all that memorized.

"I don't need the list." Anna grumbled and got back to twirling her noodles she had no intention of eating. They were not best thing but she had no choice. She should have picked something else beforehand. Like a muffin.

"No I'm serious. Like I don't think he has any intention of killing you like you do for him."

"Jade are you saying that he doesn't hate me as much I hate him? Because that's absurd."Anna defended. She was sure that he hated her more than she does. Of course he does. She has annoyed him so much.

"J leave it. It's moot point." Violet patted her arm and sipped on her water. It was not even worth talking about this to Anna because she would never accept it. It was a futile attempt.

"Wait I want to hear it if you are both so sure about it." Anna narrowed her eyebrows and looked at Jade. She never thought they talked about this without her, more like behind her back. She loved to know what do they think. Because she's sure that the feeling is mutual, with Tylor and her.

"You really don't." Jade answered, the smile somewhat weak on her lips.

"No go on. Try me."

"Okay I just think- we think that he doesn't hate you as much as you hate him. I never heard him rant about you or even mention that he never wanted to see your face. I mean you have a streak for blowing things out of proportion." Jade shrugged.

Anna took a deep breath. It was difficult to hear those words. She accepts that she's a bit dramatic but she's not that petty. She's sure that he hates her as well. If he doesn't then she would forgot about this way long. Okay lies. But she would have tried to not talk to him or something like that.

"He always tells me the feeling is mutual. And besides he's not going to talk to you how much he hates me. You are my friend for f sake." Anna shook her head. It was idiotic to think he would go talk with her friends to express his hatred. She continued, "And ofcourse you don't see how much he infuriates me with the things he knows irks me the most. I can't believe you think I'm taking it too far. Now if you think I am being dramatic, fine, bye."

Anna did not even bother to pick her lunch. Just stood up and moved away from the table.

"Anna?" Jade yelled after her but she didn't turn around. She sighed. She should not have opened her mouth.

Jade turned around and looked at Violet. She was still eating her muffin. Jade rolled her eyes. She was so relaxed. She literally didn't take the bullet, instead threw her under the bus. Not exactly but you get the jist.

"You are not going to say anything?" Jade asked with a frown.

"And she says she's not a little dramatic" Violet shook her head and looked ahead to see Anna but she had already disappeared from cafeteria.

"Vi!" Jade sighed. It was going to take a hell of apology to make upto Anna.

"Jade you said what you have to say though it's bitter but it's true. We'll just apologise to her." Violet mumbled. And that was that. They were going to apologise.

"I hope she forgives us. She had pretty valid points as well but she needs to think about it. There's a thin line between pretending to hate and actually hating. Hope she'll never have to deal with the later one." Jade sighed.

***

Anna furiously walked through the hallways, not even bothering to look ahead. She was a bit angry. Her friends don't think Tylor hates her enough. It's ridiculous. He has stated that so many times. They are just not there when that happens.

Just when she's about to take a turn she collides with something solid. She groans as her nose hits something hard and tears instantly form in her eyes. She raises her head to look at the wall and curse out but closes her mouth looking at Aaron.

"I'm so so sorry Anna. I was just... Are you fine?"

She just blinks at him like a person who has just witnessed something surprising. She can hear him talking, asking her how is she feeling but she's unable to form answer. Her nose hurts, her eyes are terribly squinting cause of tears but she's fine.

"Anna? Have I injured you stupid? Please answer me." Aaron asked trying to wave his hand in front of her. She blinks few more times before shaking her head. No.

"No... I mean I'm fine" She croaked. She moved a bit away from him because his scent was really addicting and so good. It smelled something like fresh mint and chocolate.

"Clearly you are not." Aaron observed. He looked at her and saw her sigh. He saw how her bangs fell on her forehead almost hiding her beauty. He was so mesmerised to see just the way she tucked her hair behind her hair and raised her head. Her dark chocolate eyes widened as if she was still complimenting

whether she should tell him or not. It was kinda cute.

"Okay but you need to give me an honest opinion." She warned looking at him with her wide orbs. She would have looked intimidating if she did not have that shirt rolled up and her nose scrunched up.

"Count on me" Aaron smiled and she bet that she suddenly felt like everything was ton brighter than it was. Okay maybe it was a tad bit exaggerated but who's asking.

"Okay let's go to the CD room." Anna said and without a thought starts walking towards the cultural department room. Aaron smiles at that and follows her. It's not like he has a choice and besides he would really like to hear her.

Anna could feel his stare the entire way there but she tries not to preen at that. And also feel self conscious about it.

After a while of walking she stopped near the room and pushed it open. It was calm and quiet. There was no one in there and of course no one would be there because it's break time. And also because they don't have too many people working on their project. It's supposed to be kind of surprise for teachers.

"Wow this room is dusty." Aaron remarks looking around. It was kinda dusty. It's expected because no one comes in here and it's always erm... not cleaned. But the thing is it's spacious and it's very dark. Also this a bit aloof from the school building because students should not he distracted by it. And well there's only a single bulb here making it look more creepy. But thankfully there were few chairs sprawled out and a huge white board and creative photos hung on the wall. So not so creepy.

"Yeah I should tell the janitor to clean this. We haven't used this in a while." Anna coughs and walks inside.

"So..." Aaron begins not sure what to say.

"I just had a bit if argument with J and Violet. They think that I am too dramatic in hating Tylor and I am the one who takes it too far." Anna slumped on a nearby chair and propelled her legs by sides.

Aaron took a seat beside her.

"He hates me more than I hate him. Are they hearing themselves? He always find wars to makes my life difficult." Anna poured her heart out and looked at him, waiting for his answer.

"Umm... That's it?" Aaron asked hesitatingly. This was such a miniscule thing. Also her friends were kinda right. Tylor doesn't hate her, atleast he isn't vocal about his hatred like she is. Also they don't talk about Anna much. Aaron wants to but Tylor avoids it and always changes the subject. Maybe this is why. Like he doesn't have feelings towards her and thinks it's best to ignore. Yeah that may be a plausible explanation.

"Yeah. Wasn't that enough?" She asked confused.

"You need my opinion in this? You know that I'm his best friend, right?" Aaron asked dumbly.

"Of course that's why I am asking you. I am sure he hates me more than I do and if not atleast in the same amount. You are his best friend. So tell me I am right" Anna mumbled looking at him with hopeful eyes. He didn't want to tamper with that so he decided to lie. But he knew it was kind wrong but it was those eyes okay. They are like so innocent and makes you do anything. Those eyes.

"Yeah. Your friends don't know because they don't him that well but trust me Anna he hates you as much as you do. You know how he sabotages your works right?" Aaron lies. He feels so guilty.

Anna brightened up like a Christmas tree. See Aaron is perfect. Okay that is a biased opinion but yeah. She smiles at him. So shiny and beautiful.

"I knew it. Thank you so much Aaron." Anna laughed excited to even notice the motion at the door and the creaking sound.

"What is going on here?"

***