The good girl is changing me

Chapter thirteen - Answers

Chloe's POV:

If I keep talking with Aaron, someone might see me, but I can't stop now. Finally, I will receive all the answers to my questions. I felt really sad when I saw his face three days ago. This was the last time when I saw him. Since then we haven't talked. Until today. I guess that the rumors about fighting are true too. For some reason, I care about him. I don't know why, but when I saw all the scars on his face, I wanted to do something. He said that it's nothing to worry about, but I wasn't sure. Yes, he probably has been worse and I don't want to imagine all the things, which might have happened to him. I don't think that he trusts me completely, but I hope that after today's conversation everything between us will be ok. I am ready to open up because I don't have something to hide. I'm a normal girl who doesn't do much.

Aaron gave me an address and time when we have to meet. As usual, I didn't tell anyone, because I am not in the mood for drama. How I see, I'll never tell the girls about him or at least until they don't change their minds about him. He is not a bad person, I'm sure about that. The question is how to convince them to see it. Maybe one day everything will be back to normal. I wonder when this day will come. I don't think that it'll be soon. Moreover, I don't see anything bad to talk with someone. This is literally, what we'll do. He didn't invite me on a date or something. It'll be just a simple conversation. 

I woke up and made my bed. I walked into the bathroom and when I was done, I got dressed. It was still early so I sat on my bed. I started thinking about what should I tell the girls and how to go to the address without anyone to see me. I can call a taxi, but I prefer to walk. That's not important now. I'll think of something. I have to focus on the conversation. I want to know why he is doing all of this. There must be a reason. He acts like he doesn't care about himself. Maybe one day I have to talk with his friend as well. 

I walked downstairs for breakfast. Mom has made pancakes. They were really good, but I wasn't that hungry. Aaron's face from that day is like an image in my face. I don't know why I got so upset when I saw it, but I felt like something broke inside of me. I hate to see people who get hurt and the fact that he doesn't care about this made it worse. 

- Honey, are you ok? - mom asked

- Earth to Chloe. 

- What?

- I asked are you ok. Your head is somewhere else again.

- Sorry, I was thinking about something. 

- It's visible. Will you tell us? - dad asked

- I still think that it's because of someone. Am I right?

Should I tell them the truth? No, it's better to keep it for me at least until I know everything. Now I have to tell them something. 

- No, I was thinking about school. That's it. 

- Is there a problem? Maybe with someone. 

- Mom everything is fine. You can stop with the questions. 

Nothing else was said. I love my parents, but I don't like when they ask so many questions. I know that they only care about me and want to know that I am ok, but sometimes I don't want to talk and they have to respect that. I continued eating without saying anything. Mom and dad were talking about other things, but I wasn't paying attention. My brain was busy with its thoughts. 

When I was done with my food, I walked out. It was still early so I decide to walk around one park and then to go to school. It was empty, but it's probably because people are at their houses. Aaron and I talked here one morning. I sat on one bench for a while and then walked to school. The girls were in front of my locker. I walked up to them and they looked at me. 

- Chloe, are you ok? You look like you haven't slept much. - Kayla said

- I'm fine, just tired. 

- The football team is coming. - Katy said

The season is starting and as usual, the boys have to show themselves to the whole school. This Friday is their first match and they have to train. I don't know with who they will play, but I don't care. I have more important things to worry about. I looked at the time on the phone and the first class was about to start. I grabbed my things from the locker and walked away. The girls walked after me. 

- Chloe, calm down. You don't have to rush. - Katy said

- I don't want to watch the football team. 

- Ok, but are you sure that it's only that? Lately, your head is somewhere else. 

- I'm fine. 

After school, I walked home. I told the girls that I am busy and won't come today. I didn't talk with Aaron on the lunch break, because I am going too often and someone might connect the dots. It's about time the truth comes out. I hope that the consequences won't be much. I walked home and took a shower. Then I changed and went to the kitchen. I wanted to eat something, but I wasn't hungry. Instead, I sat on the couch in the living room and watched a short movie. We are supposed to meet at 4 pm at the address and I have almost an hour and a half. 

It was 3:30 and I walked out. I know where the street is and all I have to do is to find the number. Soon I arrived and started looking around. Here are only houses. Did he give me his address? I looked around but didn't see it. There was one old lady and I decided to ask her. Maybe she knows where is the house. 

- Excuse me. I am searching for a house with the number 48. Do you know where it is?

- Do you see the old house?

- Yes. - I said worried

- Next to it there is another house. This is number 48. 

- Thank you so much. 

- Be careful. 

- What? Why?

- This boy is dangerous. I don't know why you are going there but open your eyes. Sometimes the truth is in front of our eyes and we still can't see it. 

- Ok, I'll take care. Thank you. - I said and walked away

Why did she tell me all of this? I don't think that Aaron is dangerous. I hope that I'm not wrong. I walked to the house. It turned out that I have passed by it, but since I didn't say a number, I didn't stop. I looked at the right wall and then I saw the number. Next time I need to watch more carefully. I knocked on the door, but there was no answer. I tried with the bell. I was about to walk away when someone opened the door. It was Aaron who was a little bit wet and shirtless. I shouldn't be surprised. This is how boys think that they attract girls. Well, not me. 

- Sorry that I didn't open it earlier. I was taking a shower. Come in. I'll go to put on a shirt and come back. You can look around if you want. I don't mind. - he said and walked upstairs

His house is pretty. It looks like not many people live here. It's nice and clean. I walked to the backyard. It doesn't have so many flowers like Wesley's, but I like it. I was lost in my thoughts when someone put a hand on my shoulder. It was Aaron, who else. 

- My house is not that big, but it's enough for me. It's not like I stay in it. - he said, chuckling at the end

- It's nice. I like it. 

- Come with me. - he said and grabbed my hand

- Where are we going?

- Here. You can choose whatever you want. I went shopping three days ago. 

- I'm not here to eat. 

- But you are my guest and have to take something.

- Since when you are nice with girls?

- I'm not. This is a unique chance so don't miss it. - he said and I laughed

- Ok, I'll take the orange juice. 

Both of us went to the living room. I feel what I will learn today won't be something nice. Let's hope that I'm wrong. I know that he can be nice, but I feel like he is tired. Not from what he is doing, but from life. I don't know what is going on with him, but I hope that there is a way how I can help him. 

- What do you want to know? I'll give you all the answers, which you want. 

- I don't have many things to ask you. 

- Go on. 

- Why are you doing all of that?

- What do you mean?

- I know that you are not a bad person, but for some reason, you are always getting in trouble. Why are you doing it?

- I don't know. Even if something happens to me, nobody will care. Maybe only Dani. 

- That's not true. Your parents will care. - I said and he laughed

- Yeah, nice joke. If they care about me, I wasn't going to live alone. 

What? He lives alone. Why and where are his parents? How they could leave him alone? Yes, he is not a little boy, but not an adult. I don't see myself without my parents. Now I feel bad for him. No one deserves that. No matter what they did, it's still horrible. 

- Why did your parents leave you alone?

- Because their work is more important. Nobody tells me what to do and that's why I am like that. I know what is right and wrong, but I don't care. Since nobody cares about me, why do I have to do it? 

I felt how my heart broke in two. This is horrible. He feels lonely, no matter that he is always around people. I looked at him, but he didn't show any emotion. Like this is something normal. 

- How they could do something like that to you?

- Easy. My parents have another office in one town close to ours. Most of the time they were spending there and that's why they bought a house. Now they live there and I am here. At least they send me money every month. That way I know that they didn't forget me. 

- I'm sorry. Maybe I shouldn't ask. 

- No, it's ok. I just don't like to talk about that. 

- Probably you feel bad. 

- Only at the beginning. Now I don't care. I prefer to not see them. 

I felt tears in the corners of my eyes but wiped them before he could see. No kid deserved to be left alone, no matter the age. That includes him. 

- Hey, everything is fine. You don't have to worry about me. I'm good. 

- And wasted. Now I understand why you do all of this. Since nobody has shown some love and care, that's why you won't do it. 

- Something like that. Is there something else that you want to know?

- No. I think that I asked too much. - I said and nodded my head

- I said that I will answer every question so don't be shy to ask. - he said and lifted my chin

- It's your turn. 

- Ok, then. Why are you so sure that there is something good in me? I think that I have proofed you the opposite, but you still believe it.

- Because I see it. The way you are talking and acting around me says a lot. If you wanted, you could've gotten me and then dump me, but you didn't do it. At that party, you could get me drunk, but you didn't do it. Did I answer you?

- Yes, you did, but I suggest you give up. Don't waste your time with someone like me. 

- I'm sorry to break it to you, but you are not the one who will tell me with who I will go out. 

 - I'm just warning you. Are you always that good with people?

- Yes, no matter how many times they have proofed me wrong. 

- But you are still not giving up.

- And I won't do it. Trust me, I have an eye for that. I know when someone is faking and when they say the truth. Just like you. 

- What do you mean?

- I can tell if you are lying to me or talking from your heart. - I said and he looked at me

We were looking at each other, without saying anything. I guess that the cards fall. He told me the truth, no matter that this is not what I expected. I was honest as well. No one of us looked down and that's when I noticed new scars on his face. Well, I guess that he won't tell me anything, but I won't lie that this is making me sad. He chose the wrong way only because no one showed him how good the right one can be. I want to do something, but I don't know why. I carefully touched one of his scars and thought that he will remove my hand, but he didn't do it. I felt tears in my eyes again. I was about to wipe them, but he was quick and did it. Then he pulled me for a hug. 

- I think that it's time for me to go. 

- You can stay if you want. I won't mind some company. 

- I can stay for a while, but I have to go home for dinner. 

- Don't worry, you'll be there. 

All the time we were talking and for the first time, I felt that I am talking with a normal person. Not like my friends aren't, but most of the time they act like teenagers. I want to talk with someone more like an adult and Aaron is just like that. He can be irresponsible sometimes, but he knows when to be serious. I have to say that he is not very positive, but I don't blame him. In his place, I was going to be the same. Yes, his house is nice, but this doesn't replace the fact that he lives alone with no parental support. Now more than ever I want to help him. Probably he won't let me close to him, but I won't give up. I will help him.