Changed Hearts

📖 Chapter 2- New day, new drama

After a long day at school, I was finally home.

Today wasn’t too bad. I might’ve made a new gay friend, and I saw Aiden. He didn’t walk home with us though, miles said something came up and he left school early.

I wanted to ask my brother for Aiden’s number and text him. But I hesitated. The way he acted this morning made me wonder if he even wanted to talk to me.

He’d been around since the holidays. He had my brother’s number. He could’ve reached out, said hi, anything. But he didn’t.

So I decided not to text him. Besides, I promised myself that semester I would not get involved with boys. I just want to bury my head inside my books and keep up with my good grades.

Ding!

A notification jolted me out of my thoughts.

It was a message from Devon.

Devon: >hey girlll, I just wanted to apologize for today. I hope we can be good friends.

Me: >Heyy Devonn

>What happened today wasn't that big of a deal. And yhh I would love to be friends with you.

Devon:>Ouu, same, baby girl. I barely have any friends. I started your school last semester and people there are just horrible.

Me:> Oh pls tell me about it😭. I had a best friend before though, but she betrayed me, so yuhh..... People there actually suck.

Devon:> Betrayed you?!, Girl please spill the tea.

So, Devon and I ended up texting the whole night. We realized we had so much in common, and by the end of our conversation, we’d already decided to be besties, and he also promised to introduce me to his childhood best friend Melissa.

He showed me her picture and she looked so pretty.

----

Morning..

---

I woke up super late today. I had barely slept, I went to bed at 4 a.m. and woke up at 6. Not the best start.

I didn’t want to overthink my outfit, so I threw on a basic gray top and a pair of baggy jeans (okay... technically, I stole them from my brother). They were a bit snug around my hips and butt, but they were still loose and baggy toward the bottom, so I rolled with it.

I brushed my hair quickly and clipped in a little flower accessory, then packed my bag and headed out.

Today, Miles and I went to pick up Aiden early. I don’t know why, but I was feeling both nervous and excited. I really hoped today would be different, that maybe we’d finally talk.

---

(At Aiden’s house)

When I saw Aiden walking toward the car, my heart started racing. I couldn’t explain it, I was just anxious.

“Hey man, wassup?” Miles said as Aiden slid into the car.

“Hey bro,” Aiden replied with a smirk.

I waited for him to say something to me, even just a simple “hey.”

But nothing.

Just silence.

My heart dropped. I didn’t know what I was expecting, but still... It hurt.

We used to be so close back in middle school. I mean, sure, we lost touch, but how could everything just fade like that?

---

On the way to school, all I could think about was Aiden. His behavior left this weird pit in my stomach.

As I pulled my books from my locker, Devon came up with his usual cheerful energy.

“Hey, babes!” he grinned.

“Heyyy,” I said, smiling.

“That didn’t sound good. Did you sleep well?” he asked. “I barely slept at all. After our little chat last night, I couldn’t stop thinking about how much you need therapy.”

“Aww, thanks... I think I’m okay. I don’t know,” I said, shrugging.

At least someone saw that I wasn’t okay.

“Well, that’s why you have me,” he said, placing a hand on his chest dramatically. “If anything’s going on, I’m here. Always. Plus, a pretty girl like you can’t be stressing over one dude. You deserve, like, a million guys. Girl, you’re so tea, and you don’t even see it.”

I laughed. “I’m chill, Devon. Thank you, seriously.”

I really liked Devon. He had this energy like, sunshine bottled up. And that’s exactly what I needed right now.

“I know this might seem weird,” I said, narrowing my eyes, “but I see potential in you.”

He blinked. “Girl, excuse you?”

I burst out laughing. “I’m sad and lonely, so... will you be my best friend? I know it’s fast and weird, but I love your vibe. And I’ve always wanted a gay best friend, I can’t just let this opportunity pass by,” I said, giving him puppy dog eyes.

“Awww girl, you didn’t have to ask. And you’re so cute, I couldn’t resist anyway,” he said, grinning. “But you kinda scared me a little.”

We both laughed.

“I see potential in you,” he said in a horrible imitation of my voice. “Like, who the hell says that?!”

We cracked up even harder.

Devon walked me to my English class before heading off to his art class.

Aiden's pov

When I got into Miles’ car and saw George sitting there, my heart skipped a little. She looked as beautiful as ever, those bright blue eyes and her long, curly brown hair. She had this effortless vibe that made her feel so... untouchable.

I wanted to say hi. I really did.

But I froze.

What if she didn’t want me to talk to her? What if she thought I was weird or annoying?

She seemed cooler now. More confident. And I wasn’t sure if I still fit into her world the way I used to.

---

As Miles and I walked to class, he turned to me with a smirk.

“You know my sister likes you, right?”

“For real?” I asked, caught off guard.

“Yes, you dumb freak,” he said, laughing. “Haven’t you noticed the way she looks at you? Like you are her Disney prince or something.”

I didn’t know what to say, but before I could respond, Miles kept going.

“Look, I don’t know what your deal is, but you better man up and stop snubbing her. Or I swear, you’ll need to find another ride to school,” he said, only half-joking. “And don’t act like you don’t like her too.”

I let out a sigh.

“Honestly, I do like her. A lot. I just... I feel nervous around her. I don’t know why.”

Miles let out a dramatic “awwnn” and burst into laughter.

“It’s not funny, man,” I muttered.

“Hell yeah it is!” he said, still cracking up. “Awwwnn, little Aiden’s nervous. Ouuu!”

I rolled my eyes and tuned him out. Typical Miles.

George’s POV

It was finally break time!!!

Devon came to pick me up for lunch, and to top it off, he even paid for my food.

“So I just got myself a gay and rich boy best friend? Best day everrr,” I said, grinning as we laughed.

“And I just bagged myself one of the prettiest, hottest girl in school,” he replied, smiling in that cheeky (and very gay) way of his.

“Aw, stoppp,” I said, laughing.

We were halfway through lunch, just vibing and chatting, when suddenly Aiden appeared out of nowhere.

“Umm... hey,” he said, eyes flicking from Devon to me. “Can I pull George for a chat, please?”

Devon leaned back and grinned. “Sure, go ahead, boy,” he said, almost too happily.

I was too shocked to even say anything. I just stood up and followed Aiden as we walked out of the cafeteria together.

He stopped just outside, near one of the school garden spots.

“First of all, I want to say I’m sorry,” he began, voice low but sincere. “Honestly, I have been wanting to talk to you for a while now, but... I just didn’t know how to. And I know it probably seems stupid. But I’m really sorry.”

“Oh, I-” I started to say something, but..

“I’m not done,” he cut in gently.

"I hope we can friends again, just like we used to.." then he came down to whisper in my ear "I miss you stink stink"

I blinked at him, completely caught off guard. My heart did this weird fluttery thing I couldn’t control.

Stink stink.

He remembered.

No one is like literally no one had called me that since middle school. And even though it was the dumbest nickname ever, hearing it now made something warm bubble up in my chest.

I laughed like, actually laughed and covered my mouth.

“You’re such a loser,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady even though I felt like melting inside.

He smiled. That shy, crooked smile he used to give me when we’d sneak snacks into class or when he’d write dumb notes on the back of my math homework.

“You remembered that?” I asked softly.

“Of course I did. I never forgot,” he said, looking straight at me now. “You were... kind of my favorite person back then.”

I looked down at my shoes, suddenly very aware of everything, my heart racing, the silence between us, the fact that his voice still made me feel like I was in middle school all over again.

“I wanted to talk to you too, you know,” I admitted. “I just thought... maybe you didn’t care anymore.”

He stepped just a little closer. “I always cared. I was just... scared.”

“Scared of what?” I asked, looking up at him.

“Scared that maybe you didn’t miss me the way I missed you.”

And just like that, my walls cracked a little more.