His Leather Jacket

Episode 03

Once I walked outside of school the F430 Spider red Ferrari immediately caught my attention, to say that it was remotely possible not to notice such a car would be the understatement of the year, anyway, I noticed Aaron on the driver’s side so I hurried to the other side and stretched my hand to open the door but the handle wouldn’t move, I frowned for a split second but Aaron beat me to it and opened it from inside

Great,   now I feel dumb! Because I didn’t know how to open the door, and I’m not really sure what just happened

Aaron leaned back and that was my cue to get inside the vehicle, then the door closed back automatically once I was seated –or so I thought–

It was the first time I entered that car, and I didn’t give it much thought, I was worried more about Tyler than the fact that I just got inside Aaron’s car with him on the driver’s side  not to mention that I couldn’t open the damn door !

But my thought dissipated the second Aaron run the engine and the car started moving

I was startled as I felt that I was pulled back because of the speed  then came to  realize Aaron’s hand on my belly fastening the belt and back on the staring wheel;

Shit! Aaron’s never had his hand that close to me and I cursed inwardly about being so self-conscious about this right now!

First was the handle and now this? Great job at humiliating yourself again Grace! My inner voice scolded

I adjusted my posture and brushed a nervous hand on my clothes

“I thought you’d know how to handle a car baby girl” He said, I could picture his smirk without even looking at his face

“And I thought you acted like a gentleman for once,” I sounded surprised for my own good

“Did you?” he replied, his usual playboy tone with a hint of amusement.

“ Of course not!” I replied sarcastically as I rolled my eyes and turned towards the window , not that I was staring at him in the first place but, enough of this  chit-chat , I know where this is going to end

The usual; a word, two and one of us gets hurt at the end; and guess who? Of course me!

Aaron will find a way to get on my nerves and once he does, consider he succeeded.

We both remained silent for a while, I tried to focus on the road and hopefully we’ll get to the hospital soon. But my wish vanished so soon

“Just so you know, the car was locked from the inside but I bet you’re happy I opened it for you”

“No way,” I told him annoyed

“Okay fine then, you are  dumb enough not to fasten your belt, unless you wanted me to do it for you baby girl” he countered immediately

“Not a chance!”  I said stiffly.

In a normal situation–meaning when Aaron is at our house or at school– I would’ve run away to my room or outside and just ignored him, but right here I was literally stuck with him and I was running out of replies.

“Just admit you did it on purpose!” He insisted, I could feel he was staring at me with his devilish green eyes

“Not even in your wildest dreams,” I replied unfazed while he chuckled

“You have no idea how wild my dreams are!”

 I felt the need to slap him on the face but refrained from doing so because somehow he always finds a way to be both annoying and perverted at the same time, classic move coming from Aaron! And today he got another chance to make my life miserable since I’m in his car and I’m talking to him when I shouldn’t  

Truth is ; I wish I could see Tyler right now and hug him  and make sure he’s all right, then maybe I could go back to my sane spirits , he is all I have ,

Tyler is my only brother and I don’t know what to do if something bad ever happened to him; I admit I was worried as hell, thus I talk back to Aaron when I should just ignore him

I was deep in thought when I heard Aaron’s voice

“Don’t worry baby girl, he’ll be fine!” he said on a different tone– a more serious one-if I may say I was able to feel his empathy and it made me uncomfortable, I can’t handle this

“You don’t have to do this, really” I didn’t know what else to say, I wonder if both of us needed consolation, I turned to look at him

 I’ve never seen Aaron like this; he seemed more affected than I ever imagined he would be, Tyler is his best friend after all.

“I know we’re not on the best terms but seriously, let’s just call it a truce, for Tyler’s sake, okay?” He forced a smile as he looked at me and I didn’t know how to react, it was the first time I saw Aaron worried.

“Fine” I worded out  

“We’re here,” he said as he swiftly parked to the side

I unlocked my seat belt and we both hurried outside the vehicle, Aaron joined me to the entrance and  as I walked towards the receptionist to ask  about Tyler’s room  Aaron grabbed my arm and dragged me to the opposite side. I assumed he came to see Tyler before; so I followed his lead

I walked silently by his side along the hospital’s corridor and towards the nursing rooms,

I was picturing the worst case scenario, where I’ll find Tyler unconscious and under artificial respiratory devices but when Aaron opened the door I noticed the huge plastered leg and his childish smile

 “Tyler!” I ran immediately to his bed

“I’m fine, Grace!” he rubbed my arm gently and I felt my tears run on my cheeks, I didn’t want to cry, but I couldn’t hold my emotions when I saw him like that.