I Choose You

14. Crosstown Rivals (Edited)

Edited 

"Watcha readin'?" Aiden asked, slamming his backpack down on the wooden picnic table as I jumped in surprise, nearly peeing myself.

Since fifth period was my study hall—and for the first time in my life I didn't have any other homework to do—I decided I'd go outside to the courtyard and start reading. The courtyard was in front of the cafeteria windows but stretching all the way around school. There were picnic tables set out around the entirety of campus and despite the chilling temperatures, I liked to come out here because it was quiet and the scenery was beautiful. From here, you could see the football field in the distance, along with the soccer field and forest that bordered it. As it was now early November, the leaves were starting to turn their beautiful shades of red and orange, while others were beginning to float to the ground, covering it in a brown, crispy blanket. In fact, this time of year you could always see the fields covered in an abundance of dead leaves. The only time the fields were clear of leaves was when there was an upcoming game or practice. Unfortunately, though, our football team isn't the best around. At South Riverside, the most popular sports have always been basketball and soccer.

I looked up at Aiden, answering his earlier question. "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,"

"You like Harry Potter?" he asked, raising his eyebrows at me.

What kind of a question is that?! Of course, I do! Who doesn't?! I've read the series so many times I can't even count it on my fingers, but the best thing about them is that each time I read it, I learn something new that I missed the last time, whether it be a small detail or a hidden symbol. The plot of the story is so intricately woven together, and so detailed that it's like trying to piece together a puzzle blind folded. It's so interesting.

"Of course!" I cried, shutting my book. "It's only the most epic book series ever written! I've read the whole series at least ten times."

Aiden winced, looking at me as though I were a stray puppy. "You've got issues."

I glared at him. "Says the one who's eating Go-Gurt right now." I gestured to the tube of Go-Gurt in his hand.

"What?!" he cried, slurping it out of the packet. "My cousin left them in my fridge when he came over a few days ago! And they're actually not that bad." he took another slurp of the packet, before leaning backwards and reading the ingredients on the label, shrugging his shoulders.

I placed my hand over my mouth giggling. Not for a second did I believe that story. It was like that one time Aiden gave me the scout's honor and told me that he learned it from when his dad was a boy scout. I totally don't buy it. I could just imagine a ten-year old Aiden running around with all his little badges, carrying Go-Gurt in his lunchbox. I wanted to die of laughter at that thought, but I held it in.

"You're such a kid," I giggled.

"Hey! I'm eighteen, mind you, I'll be nineteen on December seventh."

"You'll be nineteen?" I furrowed my eyebrows.

He nodded. "Yeah, my mom put me in school late."

It had never occurred to me of the age difference between us. Even though it was only going to be two years, it still felt strange. In the eyes of the law, Aiden was an adult, but I was still considered a child. It's strange to think about.

"Hey, so, uh... you coming to the game?" Aiden asked, wiggling his eyebrows before a grin broke out on his face.

I assumed he was referring to the legendary South Riverside versus North Riverside basketball game that was taking place today. South and North Riverside have been rivals since the day that both schools were built. There's lots of rumors as to why, but no one really knows the real reason. I've always just assumed it's because we're cross-town rivals and our schools practically have the same name, but I guess there's a deeper reason that no one knows about.