The Relationship Writer

The Relationship Writer - Chapter 14

Chapter 14

I grumpily stomped through the front door, Aaron trailing behind me. He closed the door behind me with a soft click. Then he sauntered ahead of me, saying, "I'll go get my laptop. Make yourself comfortable."

I sighed, blowing stray pieces of hair out of my face. I stood awkwardly in the living room, having no idea of how to make myself "comfortable". I glanced at the small coffee table, where there always seemed to be a convenient can of soda waiting. After looking around a few times, I nonchalantly grabbed the can, popping it open.

"Well I didn't say you could have that," Aaron's voice said behind me. I jumped, nearly dropping the soda can at my feet. Then I felt the cold, fizzy liquid spill all over my shirt instead.

I looked down. Oh. And my pants, too.

I spun around to glare at Aaron, who was already bursting into a fit of laughter. Setting my bookbag down, I quickly grabbed my notebook and thwacked him in the side of the head. I scowled and thrust the soda can into his hands.

"Go throw it away," I said bitterly, "since I don't know where your garbage is."

Aaron rolled his eyes, still chuckling lightly. "Bossy," he said. I wrinkled my nose.

"Because you're like a two year old," I deadpanned, "you need someone to boss you around. Or else you'd be running around like a loose cannon."

Aaron sent me an amused glance before putting the soda back into my hands. He held up his laptop bag, which I noticed was covered with stickers of bands and brand names. None of which I was even remotely familiar with.

"In the kitchen, under the sink. Where everyone's trash can is," Aaron told me. "I'll be getting started now, if you don't mind."

I frowned, walking into the kitchen and throwing away the can. I looked around half-heartedly, before realizing this wasn't my house. My mom wasn't going to be watching soap operas in the kitchen here.

I sighed, hoping I'd be at my own house soon. Staying at Aaron's and editing his completely flawed articles isn't my cup of tea.

Come to think of it, it probably wouldn't be anyone's cup of tea.

Except Dana's, my inner voice kicked in bitterly. I wrinkled my nose, remembering getting caught by Aaron, making all those faces at her. Great. He probably thought I liked him now or something.

Au contraire.

I walked out of the kitchen. To my surprise, Aaron was actually typing away on his laptop. I wandered over and peered at the screen. Then I frowned. All he had written so far was his name and the date. And it was only half the date. All he had typed was the month, which was January.

"Are you planning on starting soon?" I said bluntly, leaning closer to the screen. "I want to leave as soon as possible."

Aaron slumped over, giving me a flat look. "Ever heard of writer's block?" I mimicked his expression, hardly believing my ears.

"You've only written one article," I pointed out, "you can't have writer's block already."

Aaron nodded sullenly. "But I do. It's not fair; I've never written before in my life. Especially not on a topic so..." he made a face, "girly."

"But you did it last time!" I cried. Aaron glanced at me, raising an eyebrow.

"Beginner's luck?" he guessed. I groaned internally, my shoulders sagging. When I looked up again, Aaron was turned back to the screen, looking absolutely blank. I bit my lip, feeling a pang of pity. I sighed and sat down across the table, dragging the laptop to me. Aaron sent me a questioning look.

"Here's what we'll do," I proposed. Aaron raised an eyebrow. "I'll write the first half, and you can pick up from there. Trust me, it's helpful."

He stared at me blankly for a few moments, his dark blue eyes dull. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. How can someone so slow get all honors classes?

"Thanks, Riley," Aaron mumbled sheepishly. My eyebrows shot up, and I looked at him. He even had a little sheepish grin on his face. I frowned, a little confused. Was he... embarrassed? I small smile played on my lips at the thought. I stared at him, taking in his expression. It was really cute. Seeing Aaron Ross humiliated was somehow endearing.

Woah, woah. Wait. Did I just call him cute? First taking pity on him, now this.

Riley, you're losing it.

~~~

After I wrote the first half of the article and handing it back to Aaron, he quickly scanned the three paragraphs I had written, and picked up where I left off. I had started the article on anything pertaining to relationships, so the first thing that came to my mind was personality.

In the beginning, I posed the question: Plain personality, with amazing looks? Or amazing personality, with plain looks?

The main focus of the article was to address how looks are what attract someone, but the personality is what keeps them around. I didn't expect Aaron to understand at all, considering his personality needed a lot of work, but I was pleasantly surprised.

When Aaron was done and showed it to me, my eyes widened in shock. My mouth even dropped open a little. I didn't have to look at Aaron to know he was smirking.

"This is..." I trailed off, still in shock. Aaron suddenly rested his chin on my shoulder, making me wince in pain with every syllable. "Fantastic," he finished for me. I rolled my eyes, pushing his head off my shoulder.

"Arrogant," I scoffed. Suddenly, my eyes lit up. Haha, this is a good one... "Arrogant Aaron," I chuckled. "It's so perfect!"

"Are you saying I'm perfect?" Aaron said smugly. I looked at him flatly.

"You just have to ruin everything for me, don't you," I retorted. Aaron laughed.

"It's funny," he said, "how you get so excited with things like this. I mean, anything related to writing or language arts, you get so enthusiastic." I rolled my eyes.

"Like when?" I said. His blue eyes twinkled in amusement.

"Oh? Well right now is a pretty good example," he pointed out. I rolled my eyes again. Suddenly, his face lit up mischievously.

"Or maybe," he drawled, "we could go back to Mr. Wright's class."

Instantly remembering my embarrassing, mouse-like squeak, my cheeks flushed. Aaron chuckled, ruffling my hair. I pouted, feeling my face heat up even more.

"I think you've got a confused identity," Aaron said. I frowned at him. "You're becoming dangerously close to becoming a mouse, instead of a cat."

I grabbed my notebook, and smacked him again. How many times was it, now? Forty?

Then, all of a sudden, a loud bang of thunder resounded through the living room. I gasped loudly and jolted in fear, squeaking as I tumbled to the ground. I cringed.

So much for being a cat.

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So how'dja like it? :D This is only part of the plot; I'm planning to make this my longest story yet. :3 The plot will be revealed later, and Miss Dana Chapman will be getting more involved, along with a little more Mitchell and Heidi. I'm hoping, lol. Every time I write an author's note, I forget what I wrote. Short-term memory loss, anyone?

Anywaaaaays, the next chapter will be... cute. Like what Riley called Aaron. :3