HALLUCINATED

THE THING ABOUT LOVE

The car ride home was unexpectedly quiet. The thing about being with Aaron was that there is no sign of peace for you. But somehow, the ride home was peaceful. Aaron kept his eyes on the road and I was mostly dozing off and back on.

I was really enjoying the silence unless, of course, Aaron chose to speak.

“So from here I might need you to guide me.”

“Take a left.”

Me, directing the devil seemed kind of out of roles but i can’t deny that it felt good seeing he was listening to at least someone for something. My small bubble of happiness plopped away before I knew and we had reached home. I knew at this hour no one would be home. Mom would be doing her social service thing and dad would be at work.

Way to go Girl!

“Nice home!” Aaron had this breath taking smile on. And for once in a year I had seen something genuine cross his beautiful face.

I opened the door to the house and Aaron followed like a cute curious little kid. I could not deny it, no matter how much of an a**hole he was, he was a star in my night-sky. Having him walk around in my house was oddly comforting. He had gotten comfortable on my couch and was going on about classic romances while prepared drinks and popcorns. Despite his change of attitude and acting all sweet and all, I had to get this over with as soon as possible.

“Stop wandering around.” I told him. This was getting really annoying. At my words, to my surprise, he stopped and moved to the couch in the living room. He sat down and propped his legs up on the arm rest and laid himself back down.

“Get off my couch.”

“What? I finally settled. I did what you said.”

“Get your shoes off my couch!!!”

“Geez, alright.”

And that’s how we settled, ready to run a marathon. A movie marathon, I mean. Aaron took out the list of movies I had made today in school and stared at thoughtfully.

“You should choose which movie to watch first. To me all of them seem lame and boring. I don’t have a favorite.” He said pouring in a needless touch of sarcasm to the last line.

I give it a thought for two minutes before jumping in excitement at the answer like some 4 year old.

“Let’s watch Pride and Prejudice.”

Aaron rolled his eyes before mumbling an ‘okay’.

I was smiling throughout the movie. I loved this film and this was my hundredth time watching it. I loved Mr. Darcy’s personality. Authoritative. Cold, but gentle to the ones he loved. Man of few words. He was a mystery. And anything unknown to you is intriguing.

Every once in a while I would glance at Aaron. He had a bored expression on his face. The only comment he’d made throughout the movie was when Mrs. Bennett was scolding her daughter for rejecting a marriage proposal.

“Such a desperate woman!” He’d said.

I chose not to argue at that because……Pfft! There was no use of it.

Next movie suggestion came from Aaron himself when he said we should watch The Great Gatsby.

He seemed pretty interested in that one. And I just couldn’t help but smile when he whined at the scene when Gatsby got shot. He went on with a string of swears at that and kept calling Daisy a b***h.

By the time we finished watching Gatsby it was almost 8 in the evening and mom and dad could be home any minute.

“I want more Chex mix” Aaron whined.

This boy could act like a six year old when he wanted to get his way. I wanted him gone before my parents arrived so I wouldn’t have to answer their questions. Not questions like why did you bring a boy home, more like who is that hot boy with you, your boyfriend? But Aaron insisted on staying longer.

“Come on Ivy! It would be so rude if I left without even saying a hello to your parents.” He batted his eye lashes at me innocently.

“Leave, Aaron.”

“Give me one good reason why?”

“My parents don’t like 17 year old babies.”

“Oh and they are fine having a hopeless romantic roam their halls?”

At that I didn’t speak, instead I picked up my bag from beside me and dropped over him to which he hissed followed by a chuckle before continuing.

“That reminds me that Justin told me, you’ve never had a boyfriend before? Who are you waiting for by the way, ‘princess’ ? A prince charming to fall in love with?”

And with that he broke into a fit of laughter. I hated to admit but I was at lack of words. Maybe he’s right because I never came across someone who make me wanna fall in love.

Then, maybe Aaron noticed that my silence or something but he suddenly stopped laughing and instantly the air around us grew thick with tension. Silence fell upon us until he spoke sending me into a shock all over again.

“The thing about love, my princess, is that it makes you experience the beauty of life and then you wake up to find that all those beautiful moments were just a dream. Nothing but an illusion.”

Before I could react to that, I heard the doorbell and, as if on cue, both my parents walked in.

I mentally face palmed myself now that I was gonna be stuck for hours with this.

“I see you have company, Ivory.” Mom spoke from behind me. I didn’t have to look at her to tell that she had a big smirk plastered across her face.

This is gonna be a long night.