we’ve tried that. It doesn’t work. The other night, after the game…” I told them about our conversation in the gym.
Nora quirked a brow. “Wow. It’s such a bummer you guys can’t just go out. If he was any other guy…”
“My dad would still not like it,” I interjected.
Scarlett gave me a small smile. “Ben says Aaron’s always been crazy about you.” She paused for a second. “Maybe right now it’s not working out, but I have the feeling that one day you guys will work it out. This won’t last forever.”
I gave her a small smile. “Maybe.” I knew all of my friends were trying to help me feel better. It wasn’t much, but it meant a lot that they were trying. That they were there for me. They were sweet. “Thank you.”
We went on eating lunch. I eyed Aaron from across the cafeteria. He was sitting with David. They had to be talking about something funny because my brother was laughing. Usually, Aaron was pretty easygoing. They were always goofing around. But today, Aaron had his arms crossed and resting on the table in front of him. He smiled but not really, kept his head down for the most part.
A few seconds later, he caught me looking at him. I immediately turned away.
I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and blew out some air.
After a couple of minutes, we got up, dumped our trays, and made our way back to class. The more I walked, the more something important hit me.
That image of David and Aaron had me thinking.
Maybe Scarlett had a point.
I kept thinking that one day Aaron and I would head off to college and things would be easier then because he wouldn’t be around all the time.
The truth was I would miss him no matter what.
It wouldn’t be easier to be away from him.
But I had missed a big piece of the puzzle.
David was leaving to college first and in just a few months.
Surely he’d find new friends, be busy, and not be home most of the time.
I was sure that he and Aaron would always be good friends, but probably not best friends. Maybe after he left, things could change between Aaron and me.
Maybe one day David would come home and see what was going on with me and Aaron and he wouldn’t be against it. Maybe he’d be open to it then.
Maybe I didn’t have to stop being friends with him now, which would be good because it was a lot harder than I had imagined.
I could just keep my distance for a few more months. We could still be friends, just not as close as before. I’d reign in my feelings, keep them in check.
All I knew was that I didn’t want to cause him or me any more pain.
But maybe this could give us some sort of hope?
I had no idea but it had to be worth a try.
Scarlett was right.
Maybe we could be more than friends one day, make this work without our world exploding.
He wouldn’t have to choose between me and my brother.
I wouldn’t have to choose either.
13
At the next away basketball game, I watched Aaron and cheered him on as he dribbled the ball down the court.
It was another tough game, but they were up five points. If they could keep up their lead for three more minutes, they could win.
Meanwhile, the more I watched him play, the more I missed him.
Even though he was just a few feet away and we saw each other in class and on the way home daily, I missed him so much.
I missed the connection we had.
As much as I didn’t want to cause any kinds of problems or drama between him and David, I found it more and more impossible to keep my feelings for him at bay.
It had been over a week of us hardly talking except as needed. Polite hellos and goodbyes and thank yous and you’re welcomes.
No longer being friends with him was hard.
It felt like I was reaching the point where I just couldn’t take it anymore. As much as I wanted to avoid trouble, I missed him as a friend more.
The more I thought about it, the more I was convinced that we would be okay once David left for college and made new friends. So there was no point in avoiding him now, was there?
The final buzzer went off loudly, bringing me back to reality. The opposing team made a basket just in