My Best Friend's Brother

Chapter 7

Nine Years Earlier: 1994

"Something up with you? I've noticed that you haven't insulted me in a while" Aaron joked walking up to me as I grabbed my books from my locker. "What? Yeah, I'm fine." I lied, unable to look him in the eye.

For years I've been looking forward to finally being in high school. It was one step closer to achieving my dreams. But now as freshmen I've already seen Aaron change so much since he joined the football team. His popularity grew even more than before if that was eventually possible.

He was so cool and suave and was kind to everyone. People effortlessly gravitated towards him and his calming, flirtatious and funny personality. It was easy for him to be liked all he had to do was be himself.

Girls constantly flocked around him, he was in his first serious relationship. If you could even call it that. All they ever did was make out and flirt around school. It was enough to make me want to gouge out my own eyes.

"Are you sure your girlfriend would be happy to know you're talking to me?" I looked up at him unamused.  His past 'girlfriends' were always intimidated by me always being around and the friendship we had. They wanted all of his undivided attention and that was difficult when we were constantly bickering.

"No, of course not." Aaron said as I continued to dig around in my locker. Right, why would they be? I'm just the ugly dweeb that's always around.

"Are you jealous, Betty?" Aaron dragged out through a wide grin. "What? No." I snapped as he towered over me making my heart race.

"I'm not jealous. Why would I be jealous?" I continued quickly. "You think I want to be like one of those bimbos? With their perfect hair and their perfect clothes? Like that's all that matters in life." I scoffed, squirming under him as he studied me.

But I want to be the only one who kisses you and holds your hand and hears your laugh. Is that too much to ask for?

"Alright, fine. But I've known you for years, Betty. I can tell something is wrong." Aaron continued, more annoyed than sympathetic. "Then you should know that when I say I'm fine it means I'm fine." I pressed with a forced smile as I closed my locker.

"Do you have to be so difficult? You know people won't think of you any differently if you actually show emotion for once. It's normal human behavior." Aaron retorted, making me turn to him with fake revelation.

"Oh, gosh really? You know, you're so right. What have I been doing my whole life? How dare I not care about what people perceive me as?" I replied sarcastically with wide eyes as he rolled his. "Alright, alright." He groaned.

"No wonder people dislike me. You've changed everything. Let me just shed a few tears for them-" I continued making him interrupt me. "Alright, I get it." Aaron smiled as I couldn't help but do the same.

"I just hate how people aren't able to see how amazing you are. You keep to yourself so much it wouldn't hurt to put yourself out there more." He suggested gently making me tilt my head.

"Why would I do that? I hate everyone in this school. And I barely tolerate you." I said walking away as he quickly followed me.

"Why is it always the ones I want the most who put up the biggest struggle?" Aaron sighed, making my heart race. I stopped walking to turn to him as he towered over me.

"Because when I do finally give in, I want us to enjoy it all the more." I breathed seductively as his lips parted.

"That is if I'm not too distracted by the fact that every man on Earth has died."

I continued to walk away from him leaving him stunned in his tracks. "You're literally the most frustrating person I've ever met." Aaron groaned, rushing after me as I walked to my next class. "Clearly you never met yourself." I replied, unable to look at him.