Letters from the Mysterious 'A'

t w e l v e

I couldn't wait until my sleepover with Jessica this weekend. We already discussed that we will be having a Harry Potter movie marathon. We would usually watch the first few minutes of "The Philosopher's Stone" and would get distracted and just let the movie sit as the background music. I guess you could say that I memorized the opening lines of the movie. 

I was on my way to Costco to get microwave popcorn and some other snacks when Jessica called me.  I quickly picked up, just in case it was because she wanted me to buy some more things while I was shopping. 
"Cheryl?" her voice came from the other side of the call. 

"I'm on my way now, do you need anything else?" I said, trying to balance my phone on my shoulder blade so I can drive with two hands. Driving still give me goosebumps sometimes, but it is the only way I can get to places. 

"Aiden!" she replied suddenly. "Aiden will be here during our sleepover." 

It was safe to say that I totally forgot about her brother's existence. My brain froze for a second. Oh yeah, Jessica had a brother. A pretty good looking one too. But he would know better to not interrupt two teenage girl's sleepover right? Besides, he isn't that immature now. He used to be annoying in a immature and childish way. Now he is more mature but is still an annoying guy. 

"He won't be too big of a problem right?" 

"He was being nosy when I was preparing drinks for two," Jessica groaned. "I think he is expecting you already, staying on the couch rather than shutting himself in his room." 

"So, should I get snacks for three people, or...?" I asked. I'm not really sure on how I feel about Aiden. I mean, we knew each other for quite a long time now and I had a crush on him, but I'm not sure if I had definite feelings for him or if it was just reliability since we spent so much time together. 

Jessica groans. "Just prepare his portion. He'll probably be stealing our food anyways." 

From the background of Jessica's phone, I heard a happy scream, then after a few seconds a "thump" and a groan, probably from a thrown pillow from Jessica to Aiden. 

I smiled to myself and hanged up the phone. 

oOoOoO

I pressed the doorbell of the Brooks residence. 

"Coming!" screamed a male voice from inside the house. 

"Hey Aiden," I greeted. "Here are the snacks," I continued, loading the box of snacks that I was holding onto his open arms. 

"You bought snacks for me too?" he asked grinning and showing all this gleaming white teeth. 

I rolled my eyes at his attempt. "Don't act like you didn't overhear my phone call with Jessica earlier. Now bring those snacks into the kitchen. "

"Yes ma'am," Aiden marched like a soldier in front of me and lead me to the kitchen, even though I already knew all parts of their house by heart. I've been to their house numerous time in my life and if you ever need a blueprint of it, I could draw it out by hand for you. 

"Hey Jess," I greeted my best friend as I walked into the kitchen. She was busy washing dishes for us to put on snacks later. 

"Seems like Aiden will be joining us for the night," she replied to me in a displeased tone. 

"You bet I am," her brother said back at her. "It's gonna be a fun night!"