My New Love

Chapter 13

Nicole and I haven’t spoken to each other for the last couple of days. I still didn’t invite her to the picnic either. Drama is something I hate dealing with. I’m happy Alex is coming over. He’s made me smile a lot over the last couple of days. I’m still worried about him because he still has dark circles under his eyes. I’m glad that he didn’t pass out again.

            I hear a soft knock on the front door. Nicole is standing there with a sad. “I want to apologize to you, Aubrey. I’m really sorry I forgot that Saturday was your family day. I really should have realized that it was Carson’s three month anniversary. I know I’m a bad friend. I really hope you can forgive me.”

            I smile a little bit when I see that she came over to apologize. We may have had a tiny argument a couple of days ago, but I know I can still count on her. “I forgive you, Nikki. I should have reminded you on Friday. That was my bad. Do you want to stay? We’re having a picnic.”

            “I would love to stay for the picnic. Who else is going to be here?”  

            “Becky, Jess, Theresa, and Alex are coming.”

            “You’re right to be worried about him. I don’t know what’s going on his life. That was a foolish thing to say,” Nikki responds looking down at the ground. I look down at the ground. I really want to know what’s going on with him still.  I have a feeling he won’t tell me anything.

            “I know you were upset because you had been worried about me. I’m sorry that I didn’t respond at all. It was a really painful day for my whole family...I couldn’t answer because of my depression. Anyways...I’m going to go help set up for the picnic.”

            “I’ll help too,” Nicole says with a big smile on her face. I’m happy all is forgiven. I don’t know how we could have a party without Nikki. Mason also comes out to help us set the tables. My mother is cooking some of the food in the house. My father is setting up the grill. I’m going to make burgers and hotdogs. Mason is setting up the station for me. Nicole helps Mason carry out some of the items. Everyone is going to be showing up pretty soon.

            I hear a knock on the door. Alex, Becky, and Jess all arrive at the same time. I lead them to the backyard. We all have big smiles on our faces. It’s been a while since I had so many friends over. I’m in a pretty good mood since Nikki and I made up.

            “Hey Nicole, what are you doing here,” Becky asks a bit surprised.

            “Aubrey and I made up and she asked me to stay,” Nicole responds with a smile.

             I hear another knock on the door a few minutes later. It’s probably Theresa. I didn’t want her to be excluded. We’re building our friendship up pretty quick. Plus, she helped me out on Monday. After ten minutes or so my parent’s and Mason’s guests arrive. I start cooking the burgers and hotdogs.

            Alex walks over to me and sits down in a chair beside me. I’m still cooking so we don’t speak too much. He seems to be content with sitting next to me. “Do you want anything to snack on? We have chips and other things while we’re waiting on the burgers and hotdogs.”

            “Thanks, I already had some. I want to keep you company. Must be pretty lonely over here since you’re by yourself,” Alex responds.          

            “Thank you, Alex. The burgers and hotdogs should be ready shortly,” I respond with a smile. I’m happy when they are done. People are lining up for the food. I put them on plates and leave the station. People can grab their own burgers and hotdogs.

Mason and his group of friends are sitting under a tree across from me. He seems to be having a good time with his friends. I’m really excited to see that. I want my little brother to be happy. He deserves to be.

            “So how is everyone enjoying the picnic,” I ask my group of friends.

            “It’s going pretty well. I’m having a lot of fun. Thank you for inviting me. I’m happy I was able to make friends so quickly,” Theresa responds with a smile.

            “You’re a cool person, Theresa. I’m happy I was able to make a new friend,” I respond. My friends are getting along with Theresa as well. I’m happy they like her. Sometimes, my friends are really judgmental towards new people.

 A few minutes later I hear a knock on the gate. It’s Michelle and Jonathan. Who said they are allowed anywhere near my house?

            “What are you two doing here? You weren’t invited. I suggest you both leave. You have no friends here,” I say while crossing my arms. Alex, Theresa, Becky, Jess, and Nicole are by my side within seconds. My parents are upset that Jonathan and Michelle are here as well. They know that I don’t like either of them.

            “We’re here because we want to invite you all to the mall next week.”

            “No, we won’t go to the mall with you next week. Now leave,” we all say in unison. We all look at each other. That is a bit creepy.

            “Why weren’t we invited to the picnic? It seems like everyone’s having a good time here. Plus, I hear your picnics are always the best, Aubrey,” Michelle responds while pouting a little bit. That’s an extremely stupid question.

            “You weren’t invited because we’re not friends. Now get out of here,” I say at the top of my lungs. They look taken aback and then run away. Why do they have to show up every time I’m hanging out with my friends? It’s starting to get on my nerves.

            Alex pulls me into his arms right after they leave. He’s been doing this a lot lately. I don’t really mind either. I love feeling his arms wrapped around me. Michelle and Jonathan always try to ruin my day. I’m tired of it. Why can’t they leave me alone for once? Now I feel tears starting to well up in my eyes. Alex wipes them away. He’s such a sweetheart. I’m glad I met him.

            “Thank you for being here again, Alex,” I whisper softly to him.

            “You’re welcome,” he whispers back.

~

            “Please stay away. I don’t want anything to do with you. We aren’t even together. Just leave me alone,” I scream into the night. I’m running away from something. I don’t know exactly what it is, but it’s chasing me. I just want to be left alone.

            I trip over a piece of bark. The creature catches up with me. The creature pins me to the ground. The creature slashes at my chest. I throw it off me. I start running again.

            Blood is soaking through my shirt. My blood is falling to the ground as I ran. I can feel myself getting weaker and weaker. The creature is close on my trail. I try to gather the energy I need to run faster.

            I can see a light somewhere far off in the distance. It looks like there is a house in the nearby forest. I run as fast as I can towards the light. The creature has ceased following me. It seems to be afraid of the light.

            Before I can even get in the door someone catches me. It’s Alex. He has a concerned look on his face. I slowly feel myself losing consciousness.

            I wake up with sweat running down my face. I start trembling a little bit. That is one of the scariest dreams I’ve had in a while. Mason is shooting me a concerned expression. He’s sleeping in my room tonight. He’s afraid to sleep alone sometimes. Maybe he’s been having nightmares too. 

            “Are you okay, sis?”

“I’m alright. Thank you, Mace,” I respond and pull him closer to me. We both calm down again and he falls asleep with ease. I’m not so lucky because I can’t fall asleep at all. What triggered this dream to happen?