The good girl is changing me

Chapter fourteen - We need to stop

Aaron's POV:

Finally, I talked with Chloe. To be honest she didn't ask many questions. I gave her my address because no one can see us here. I mean only Dani knows where I live. Well, now Chloe as well. I get some answers too and to be honest, I still can't understand how she trusts me. Not like I'm not glad about it, but after everything that has happened to me, I didn't think that there will be someone else who will believe me and be on my side. The last thing that I expected was this person to be a girl. I think that my story upset her. I don't live bad, just probably, she doesn't like all the things, which I do. It's understandable. I mean she doesn't do anything like me. I already have told her to stay away from me, but since she doesn't want to do it, I won't say it anymore. It's her own risk what will happen. 

It was my lunch break. This time Dani wanted to come with me. I didn't complain, because usually, he comes before his last class. Finally, we can talk for a while. I didn't tell him yet how was the talk with Chloe. I only have told him that there will be one and to not search me. I like that my best friend is interested in me and what I do, but sometimes I think that he goes a little bit too far. Chloe and I are not even friends. I haven't asked her that. It won't be surprised if she doesn't want a bad boy for a friend. 

Both of us took what we needed and walked to Chloe's school. I went and got us coffee. I don't know will she come today or not. Now she is not coming that often. Probably her friends got suspicious. I might want to see her, but I don't want her to have problems with her friends and the whole school. I am not that important and I'm sure that she can breathe without me. Moreover, I have Dani, who will keep me company. We have always been together. 

- Now tell me about Chloe. What did you tell her?

- Everything. 

- What? Even about your parents?

- Yes, but I don't think that she liked it. For some reason, after I told her the story, she got upset. 

- I think it's because she cares about you. Moreover, she told you this. Remember?

- I do. I don't mind having her around, but I still think that it's better if she stays away from me. Her friends might understand and I don't want her to have problems with them. 

- Why? Because you care about her? - he chuckled

- Because I don't want to have problems with you. I mean that we have argued and I know what is it like. 

- Let's not go back to these horrible memories. - he said sadly

- That's why I said it. I don't want her to go through this. Moreover, her whole school might hate her. I don't know how she will take it. 

- I don't want to imagine what is it like the whole school to hate you. 

- That's why is it so hard. How I see she won't stop coming even if it's not here. Somehow, we always meet each other somewhere. 

- I don't think that it's a coincidence. That day in the mall, maybe it was, but now I don't think so. Did you ask her for her number?

- No and for now I don't plan to do it. 

- Why? Nobody will know. 

- Her friends might see that she is texting with me. Even if she put another name, like a nickname, for example, they still will notice that she is always on her phone and will start asking questions. I know how girls work. 

- Why do you always think about the bad things? Look it from the positive side. You have the chance to talk with a girl who doesn't hate you and actually, wants to spend some time with you. Yes, she probably won't give you anything, but how I see you don't want something from her. 

- Yes, I don't want anything from her and if I have to be honest, it's nice to talk with someone who understands you without criticizing everything that you say or think. Nothing personal to you. 

- The fact that you said the last thing is proof that you are changing thanks to Chloe. 

- What do you mean?

- You are never nice and the last thing that you said wasn't mean at all. - he chuckled again

- I am not changing. I just don't want you to think that she took your place. 

- She can't do it. We know each other for years. You met her like a month ago. 

- True and how I see she won't walk away soon. 

Soon the classes ended and everybody started to come out. I saw Ricky with his girl, but when he looked at me I pretended that I didn't see him. He is the last person that I want to see. When he walked away, I looked up and saw Chloe with her friends as always. I smiled at her and she returned it. The three of them walked by us and she carefully gave me a note. I looked at her, but she didn't say anything. I hope that her friends didn't see it. I opened the note and read it. 

Are you free today? Can we meet at the place where I bought my blue hoodie around 5 pm? I want to talk with you. Don't worry, nothing bad has happened. I just want to talk with you. I will wait for you for fifteen minutes. If you don't come, I'll take it like you can't come. 

She wants to talk with me. I wonder about what. One thing is sure. I won't miss this chance. At least I was right. She won't walk away. I don't mind going out with her, but I hope that she won't get in trouble. For now, the only people who know about this are she, Dani, and I. My friend read the note, which I showed him and he looked at me with a smirk on his face. 

- Don't say it. This is just a talk. 

- For now. I think that you finally have to ask her for her number. You can't continue like that. Moreover, if something happens to one of you, how the other one will know about this?

He is right about that, but I just don't want to risk it. Maybe I can ask her and she agrees, we'll swap numbers. Not like I don't like the notes, but texting is better. 

- Let's see how this "date" will go. It's strange that she only wants to talk with me. I thought that I have answered every one of her questions, but maybe she forgot to ask me something. 

- Maybe or she just wants to see you. There's nothing wrong with that. 

- We'll see how it goes. 

- Don't forget to tell me every single detail. 

- If you want I will turn the video chat and you can see us. - I said and he laughed

- I would love that, but I don't want to make you nervous. 

- I nervous? That can't happen. 

- We'll see, shall we?

- Game on my friend. 

We talked for a while and later I walked home. I went into my bathroom for a shower. Only an hour and a half left and I need to get ready. What will take me the most is the shower. I don't spend much time on my look. I have other things to worry about. Around 4 pm I walked out. I won't lie that she chose an interesting place, but I won't complain. If I have to be honest, I like the day, which we spend there. No matter that I kind of ruined the end. I was just mad that she cares so much if someone will see her. Now I'm not. 

Soon I arrived at the mall and walked to the store where she bought the hoodie. I walked in and looked around. Where she could be? I'm so dumb. I went to the exact place where the hoodies were. There she is. Looking better than ever. I mean that she looks nice. I carefully grabbed her hand and she flinched. Maybe I shouldn't do it. She looked at me with a serious face. 

- I'm sorry. 

- It's ok. I have to get used to it. 

- What?

- Nothing. Can we go now?

- Sure. Where are we going?

- Obviously, I didn't invite you here to buy clothes. We can walk around if you want. I just chose this place, because it's not that hot. Outside is like a sauna, which is weird for this time of the year. 

- I'll agree here. 

We walked around and went to a couple of stores. None of us bought anything, but it was nice. Both of us made fun of some of the clothes in one of the stores. They were just out of our styles. At least I understood what type of clothes Chloe likes. She is of the simple kind. Nothing fancy. It only has to be comfortable. Later we walked for some food. We ordered some milkshakes. 

- Can I know for what is all of this?

- Why? If you don't want to be here, feel free to go. - she said she little bit cold

- No, I just... you are the first girl who is doing this. Every other girl wants the same. I'm just surprised. 

- Ok, I'll tell you. Before you think it, I won't ask you anything else. Just that day... the way you were talking was normal. I mean you might be a bad boy, but I was talking with the real Aaron and for some reason I liked it. That's why I made you come here. I wanted to repeat this. I hope that you're not mad. - she said and nodded her head down

That's it. She wanted to go out with me again just because I was honest. Ok, she is crazy. Now for real. I didn't expect her to tell me exactly this. I thought that she wants to ask me something else. I won't lie that I felt better when I heard this. I like that she is not like the other girls. I mean they only want one thing from me. Chloe doesn't want anything. Only a simple talk. 

- I'm not mad at you. I like that you want to talk with me. I know that now is not the moment for that, but can I ask you something?

- You can ask whatever you want. 

- Do you want us to swap numbers?

She looked at me without saying anything. I know that this is not the best idea now or at least if the hate around me gets less, but it's worth a try. 

- I know that it's risky and that's why I waited so long. I don't want your friends to understand this. 

- I don't mind, but I have my notifications on because usually, no one texts me. Well, I can turn them off, but I am a little bit afraid of my friends. 

- I'll make you a deal. You will keep me updated on how the hate about me goes in your school. If it gets less, we'll do it. What do you think?

- Yes, this sounds good. I like it. - she said smiling

- Do you want us to go around couple more stores?

- Why not? Let's go. 

Both of us walked to one clothing store. Probably we won't buy anything, but this doesn't matter. The most important thing is that we are still talking and everything looks good or to say great. Remind to not talk so fast. Someone came out of the changing room and I saw Chloe's friends. I grabbed her hand and quickly pulled her behind two mannequins. When the girls were far from the changing room, I pulled Chloe into one of the cabins. She looked at me confused, but I told her to be quiet.

- Aaron, what is going on? Why we are here?

- Your friends are here. 

- What? How? They didn't tell me that they will come today. 

- I don't know, but I saw them in this store. 

- We need to get out of here. 

- Don't worry. As soon as your friends go out of the store, we'll walk out. I'll go and check to see if they are still here. For me, it's most likely to be seen here. I don't know how they will react if they see you. 

- I'll wait for you here. Watch out to don't go in the wrong room. - she said chuckling

- Very funny. Stay here. - I said and walked out

I walked around and saw the girls looking at the dresses. Damn it! When they will go out? I don't want to stay the whole day inside a cabin. They might not see me if I walk out, but I'm not sure about Chloe. She doesn't seem like the type of person who is often here so they might notice her. I walked back and luckily, I was in the right room. Chloe looked at me.

- Well? Are they still here?

- Yes, they are. They're looking at some dresses. 

- I bet that this is Katy's idea. So now what? I don't want to stay here the whole day. 

- I don't mind. - I said and she looked at me

- But I do. 

- We need to stop. 

- Stop what? I don't understand. 

- Seeing each other. Soon on not your friends will understand the truth and I don't want you to be in trouble. You don't deserve this.

- And since when do you care about me?

What? I don't care about her. Well, what I said shows exactly the opposite. 

- I don't. I fight with my best friend and it's not good. Luckily, he was forgiving me every time. I don't want something like this to happen to you. I know that you won't like it. 

Chloe didn't say anything and looked at me. She stepped closer and for a second I thought that she might do something. Well, she did. Chloe gave a smile coming with a hug. It still feels weird, but I'm getting used to this. I mean it's not the first time when I hug her. I don't know what was that, but it was kind of nice. It's just that I am not used to things like that from girls. How I have said she is different. We pulled apart and I carefully rubbed her cheek with my thumb. I will miss her, but it's better if we put an end. I don't want Chloe to lose her friends because of me. 

- Look, I know that you won't like it, but I think that we have to stop. I will miss you, but for you is better if we stop seeing each other. At least for now. 

I excepted her to get mad, but no. She only gets upset. I'm doing this for her. I don't care with who people will see me, but she does. 

- Maybe we have to. Not like I want, but I don't want to risk it. 

- When things get back to normal, you can come to see me. Now you know my address. 

- I will do it. Ok, then. I'll go. Bye Aaron. - she said and I saw tears in her eyes

- Wait! 

- What?

- It was nice to meet you. I won't forget you. 

- I hope so. - she said and left

I did it for her, but I feel like I messed up. Chloe is the last person who I wanted to let go of, but that is better. What happened today was proof that it's better if we stop seeing each other. I know that her friends are important to her and I won't let her lose them. I might be a bad boy, but how she said I'm not a bad person. Well, that's what she thinks. I'm still not sure about that. One thing is sure. I will miss her. Now since she knows everything, things won't be the same. I hope that one day, we can see each other again, but this time without hiding. I get tired of this.