The good girl is changing me

Chapter twelve - She cares

Aaron's POV:

It has been a week since the party. The next day Chloe came for a while on her lunch break as usual. She said that this week she couldn’t come anymore. Maybe her friends got suspicious. I don't know what is the reason, but maybe that is better. I know Drew and he is a normal boy, except when he gets drunk. I told him one-two thing about Chloe. He can't act like that around girls. Even if he only wants to talk with them, this is not the way. Probably he won't remember it, because when I talked with him, it was clear that he was wasted. 

I woke up feeling bad. I haven't been to a party since the last one to which I went with Chloe. To be honest I kind of get used to seeing her every day and it feels different. I had a million opportunities to ask her to give me her number, but I don't know will she do it. I wish that her friends and school weren't a problem and we could talk normally without all the hiding. One day this might happen, but what will be the price for this? I don't want to make her choose between me and her friends, neither to risk. 

I have to go to school, but I'm not in the mood for that. I can go around the town and later to Chloe's school. I don't know will she come out today, but it's worth a try. There were no new messages on my phone. I got ready and went to eat something. I made myself some eggs and started eating. The thoughts from last Monday came again. Like they have left. I don't know why I got so mad. Something snapped in me and made me get her out of there. At least she didn't get mad at me for that. I have to admit that she knows how to calm down someone. I mean it worked on me. 

When I finished with my breakfast, I walked out. I don't know where I'll go, but it's better than staying at home. I texted Dani to tell him that I won't come and that he has to tell the teachers. Once when I was in my doctor's cabinet, I stole all his papers, which he gives to students when they are sick. When I'm not in the mood to go to school, I write one and give it to the teacher. I even have his print so it'll look real. Of course, I don't use my own handwriting. I write ugly so that way it'll look more like a doctor has written it. 

I walked into one diner and ordered a coffee. Usually, I don't drink it that early, but I need something strong, which is not alcohol. I was sitting at one table when someone sat in front of me. It was Dani. 

- What are you doing here?

- I never go on time, just like you. I'm here to check how are you.

- I'm fine. Just feel a little bit weird. 

- Is it because of Chloe?

- What she has to do with that?

- Well, since you haven't seen her a whole week, maybe you miss her. 

- No chance. I mean, yes, I get used to seeing her every day, but it's better for her if she stops coming. Someone might see her and I don't want her to get in trouble because of me. 

- I understand, but this doesn't mean that you can't miss her. I'm not talking about being together. I mean like missing her presence. 

- I don't know. Look, I don't want to talk about her. She is just a girl. 

- Are you sure? I haven't seen you talking so much with a girl without doing anything.                                      

- Well, she is a good listener and she's not complaining about my personality. I haven't hidden anything from her. She knows who I am. 

- The fact that she is staying is surprising. If it was another girl, probably she would've left. 

- It's her choice, not mine. 

Dani and I talked for a while and then we went to school. I gave him the note, which he has to give the teacher. He looked at it and laughed. I know what he thinks. When I finished with my coffee, I left as well. I can walk around or go to the same park where I was waiting Chloe for the party. The town still looked empty. Well, it's only 8:30 am so most of the people are at work. 

I was walking when someone said my name. 

- Well, well, well. If that is not Aaron Wright. 

Damn it! I know who is this guy. Sometimes is not good to know so many people. 

- Jeremy Jackson. I haven't seen you in a while. 

- I was preparing my future, but how I see you don't worry about yours. - he laughed

- I have things that are more important. 

- Like what? Have another girl in your pants.

- It's not of your business what I do. 

- Don't forget that you own me. 

- I don't own you anything. Moreover, I haven't seen you since the beginning of summer. 

- Don't make me remind you. - he said and came closer

- What will you do now? Beat me. You won't be the first one. 

I have no idea what this guy wants, but one thing is sure. I won't give it to him. I know that he won't beat me, because it's daytime and someone might see him. I also know that he won't give up and when he says something, he always does it. To say it shortly, don't mess with this boy if you don't want problems. 

- You have no idea of what I am capable of. 

- Actually, I know. You always do the same old tricks. 

He didn't say anything else and punched me in the face. That's it for my calm day. For some reason, I always fight with someone. As usual, I punched him back. I won't let some loser win. That's how it started. I have to say that he is not very good. I got only a few scratches, but I can't say the same for him. I waited until he fall on the ground and left. I went to the park and sat down on one bench. 

I sat there for a while until I felt hungry. I went to the store in front of Chloe's school and ordered some food. After not more than ten minutes, the waiter came with my sandwich. I ate it and stayed inside, while I was waiting for Chloe's lunch break to come. I ordered another coffee and sat down at the small stairs. The break started, but she didn't come. Maybe her friends are asking questions, which he has to deny and won't come anymore. 

I was drinking my coffee when I felt a presence. I turned around to see that she was there. I gave her a smile and she looked at me. 

- Chloe, is there a problem?

- What has happened to you?

Then I realize what she was talking about. My face. I won't tell her anything. It's better if she knows less. 

- Nothing. Don't worry. 

- How I'm not supposed to? Your whole face is covered with scratches. - she said and carefully touched every single one of them

- What are you doing?

- I want to know are you ok. 

- Don't tell me that you care. 

- What if I do? Is it wrong?

I can't believe it. She cares. Chloe cares about me. Why? She barely knows me and we haven't talked much. I mean not the way she wanted to. I will give her the answers, which she wants, but when the right time comes. She kept her hand on my face. I looked at her and she gave me a sad smile. I saw tears in the corners of her eyes. 

- Chloe, are you ok?

- Will you tell me what happened and who did this to you? I know that you didn't do it by yourself. You can trust me. I won't tell anyone. 

Maybe I have to tell her. I see how much this is upsetting her, no matter that I don't know why. This won't be her last time seeing me like this. 

- It was one boy. We don't understand each other very well. It's a long story. 

- So this is not your first time when something like this happens? Otherwise, you were going to care more.

- Yes, it's not. Can I know why do you care so much?

- Because I don't like when people get hurt. Especially those who are close to me. - she said and looked at me or mostly at my scars

I grabbed both of her hands in mine and made her look at me. I won't lie that I am surprised that she cares so much for something so small. 

- Listen to me. I'm fine. This is nothing compared to some other times, which I won't tell you. I want you to calm down. Soon the scars will be gone. 

- And new will appear, right?

- Maybe, but you don't have to worry about me. I am used to this. 

She didn't say anything and kept looking at me. I pulled her close and gave her a hug. Except for Dani, I didn't think that there will be someone else who will care what I do. Well, I didn't know that she is so sensitive as well. Maybe we really have to talk. I want to know some things about her as well. I don't want to hurt her, but she really doesn’t need to do this. I'm a death case. If I wanted, I could've changed, but I didn't. Now it's too late for this. 

I looked at Chloe and she gave me another sad smile. From the first day that I met her, I haven't seen her so sad. Maybe I can do something to make her feel better.

- Chloe?

- Yes. 

- Is there something that I can do to make you feel better?

- If you start taking care of yourself, you can make me feel better. 

- Something else? - I asked chuckling

- It's not something hard. 

- I know, but usually, no one cares for me. Well, except Dani. That's why I am like that. 

- There is someone who cares about you. 

- And who is that someone?

- Me. I care about you. - she said and I looked at her

- Why?

- I don't know. I just feel like behind all the things, which you are doing there is a reason. You feel lonely, don't you? Like you don't have support. 

- I wouldn't say it like that, but kind of, yes. 

- I know. It's visible. You are not a bad person. You just have a bad life. There is a difference. 

How everybody can say that I am the bad guy and she thinks the opposite? After all the things that am I doing, she still thinks that there is something good in me. Maybe I have to keep her. I won't be able to find someone else like her. 

- I think that it's time to give you all the answers, which you want. 

- Are you sure? I don't want to pressure you. 

- It's fine. I want to know some things about you as well. 

- Ok, then. Look, I have to go now, but we can talk later. 

- No problem. Go now. 

- Promise me that you'll take care of yourself. - she said and put her hand on my cheek, over one of my scars

- I promise. Now go or someone might see you. 

- I will. See you soon. Bye Aaron. 

- Bye Chloe. 

With that being said, she left. I don't know what happened, but I saw a different side of Chloe today. I didn't know that she cares so much for me. I mean, we are not that close. Even my parents don't care that much. There is something, which I don't know about her. Maybe something has happened and that's why she gets upset about this. 

After her last class, she came out. She walked with her friends by me and I gave her a piece of paper. I wrote my address and told her when to come. I was doubting should I write my number, but I didn't. Let's not rush that much. I don't know will she come, but I think that it'll be better if we talk. There are many things about which we have to talk. I hope that we can get close. As I have said, I won't deny another friend. Especially if it's like Chloe. She is a good girl and for the first time, I like that.