Chapter 5: Bonding
1103 Words
"So tell me, what's your deal with Nate?" Rosie suddenly asked and my pen slipped slightly.
I corrected my writing with a laugh I hoped was normal passing enough. "What do you mean?"
I'd come over at Rosie's house to do our assignments together. When I'd told my mum about it, she just seemed too excited to see me leaving the house outside of my run and school that she gave me permission before asking details.
Rosie's dad was somewhere around in the house; he didn't really pay me much attention when I walked into their house. Just a little nod of acknowledgement then he wandered off.
"Come on! I'm no fool." Rosie dropped her pen and I could feel her stare. "I tried to mind my business–which being me is no easy feat–but it's getting a little too obvious now."
"What is?" I blinked as I looked at her, not sure what next I was going to hear but till dreading it.
"The stares, tension, just everything that screams 'I HAVE A LOT TO SAY!' bruh."
"Rosie!" I heard her dad scold at her scream and she sighed.
"Sorry, papa."
I turned back to the equations which looked so more entertaining right now. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
Rosie sighed then picked her pen back up to focus on her homework. "Well if you say so."
I peeked at her, her tray curls tied into a messy bun on top her head. If I got to learn anything about Rosie these few days we've known each other, it was she always wants some type of "tea". And not knowing details killed her.
Just when I was jut about to say f**k it and tell her about Nate, she spoke up again.
"What about Aaron?"
I blinked again. I was not expecting that.
"What about him?"
"He's cute, isn't he?" She wiggled her brows at me, a silly smile on her lips.
"Are you trying to set me up with him?"
"Is it working?"
"Not when you're that obvious."
She slumped.
Of course, I found Aaron cute. Overwhelming cute. However, we barely talked. Not that he was rude, no, he was one of the nicest people I know however he spoke only out of necessity.
And in my case, I think he only spoke to me just because I'm friends with Rosie. If circumstances were different, I don't think I would ever have talked to him.
"Don't worry, you two will get closer soon enough." Rosie said and I almost choked on my own spit. "He's like that with everyone, except me, don't take it personal."
"Did I say anything out loud?" I asked, spooked at how accurate her response matched my thoughts. "And by the way, please don't make it so awkward. I just find him cute, nothing else."
"AHA!" Rosie slapped the table, getting another stern warning from her dad. She apologized again then lowered her voice. "So you do find him cute."
I felt my cheeks go hit when I realized what I just admitted on my own. She would never let me live this down.
"It's not that... well... leave me alone, Amber-Rose."
She gasped, throwing her pen at me. "Don't."
I smirked, hoping I'd closed the conversation. It was just a week in this school, I really didn't want to get entangled into any drama yet, if ever.
By the time Rosie escorted me to the end of her street, it was already over 7p.m. I also don't know how that happened, considering that I came by like 10a.m.
We made icecream together while sharing random personal facts then watched tons of random movies together before settling on a new fantasy series on Netflix. If my mum hadn't called me, I wonder.
"See you Monday." She smiled. "Thank you for coming over today. Sorry for keeping you."
"It's fine, I'm glad I came over."
We both waved goodbyes and went our ways.
I sighed. Mum may have been really happy that her almost antisocial daughter was going to visit people, but I doubt she would be too pleased about me not contacting her for long. I mentally prepared myself for a talk that was sure to hold when I got home.
When I got on the bus, there weren't a lot of people so I picked a seat in the middle row that was unoccupied. I took out my earpiece and plugged it in my phone, about to pretend to be in a music video to pass time.
Then I saw Aaron walk into the bus, holding a little girl's hand.
Oh wow.
His eyes met mine, and he looked a little surprised before managing a small smile. I smiled back, with a little nod of acknowledgement.
The girl skipped to the chairs across the aisle of where I was sitting. Aaron looked like he had no choice but to sit beside her.
This was probably his little sister. They looked nothing alike. While Aaron had jet black hair, hers was in a light shade of brown that bordered on dirty blonde. And their facials were so different.
The genes must've come to an agreement.
I felt it a little awkward at the realization that really, we had nothing in common except Rosie and that really he interacted with me because of her. Everything was so awkward, but I had my music with me at least.
I increased the volume so I wouldn't hear any other thing but the music. A few moments later, I felt tiny hands tapping my shoulder.
I turned to see the little girl with Aaron giving me a piece of paper.
"My brother asked to give you this."
Then she skipped back, squeezing between Aaron's knees and a chair's back to get back into her chair.
I looked at Aaron but he wasn't looking at me, so I read the pretty handwriting.
"I really am not ignoring you (or anyone), I just don't know what to say most times. Like now."
I blinked, wondering what prompted this sudden confession.
I looked back at him and this time he was had somewhat apologetic smile. I smiled back and turned the back of the page, scribbling something of my own too.
"It's perfectly fine. That makes both of us."
Not to disturb his sister who was the first time messenger, I folded up the paper and tried my best at an accurate aim.
There was a smile when he read it and we both nodded at each other. I felt content, and the ride was no longer awkward.
- Writer
