Lunchbox Friends | Aaron Hull

21

Alexa's Point of View

I sat in Aaron's car. He was driving but there wasn't any music playing. It didn't seem to right to play music and enjoy ourselves meanwhile one of my best friends was suffering.

"What did Kathy want?" I asked knowing what she wanted but was desperate for a conversation.

"To thank me for donating to the fundraiser," He said.

"Oh," I said. "How much?"

"A thousand dollars," He said nonchalantly.

"Damn," I said, I was still surprised by it. "How do you.. have so much money to spare?"

"I'm a criminal," He said flashing over his pearly white smile.

"Seriously Aaron," I let out a small laugh.

"When my dad passed away.. he left me all of his money," Aaron said.

"Oh," I said instantly regretting asking. "I'm sorry Aaron."

He shook his head, "At least he's in a better place. Right?"

I nodded my head, "Definitely."

"We should go to my place," He offered.

"But I don't think your mom-"

"I don't even live with her anymore. I haven't since that night," He said.

"Really?" I asked in shock.

I felt really bad for not even knowing where he was living. Even if he was at home, it wasn't the most healthy environment.

"I live with my friend Ben," He said.

"Ben who?" I asked.

"Benny Bellson," He said.

"In Chico?" I asked.

"No," He shook his head. "Paradise."

"That's not that bad," I said.

Paradise was a town only twenty minutes away from Chico. It was a very expensive neighborhood to live in. I'm not surprised that Aaron, being rich, surrounded himself with rich people.

"How do you know Ben anyways?" I asked.

"His dad and my dad were business partners," Aaron said confirming what I had thought, Ben was for sure rich.

"Would it be weird for us to just show up in funeral attire?" I asked.

"Not at all," He shook his head.

"Okay," I said.

He put his hand on the radio and turned up a knob slightly which allowed for a slight tune to play in our ears.

***

"Hey Benny!" Aaron called as he walked inside the house.

"Hey Aaron!" Ben said. "Who is this?"

"Alexa Miller," Aaron smiled.

"Oh Alexa!" Ben beamed. "I heard so much about you." He winked at Aaron.

I could tell Ben was a complete fool, "I'm flattered."

Ben pulled me into a hug, "Hey I heard about.. today. I'm sorry for your loss."

"Thanks," I said giving him a sincere smile.

"I get it if you just wanna relax today. But we should all go out and go crazy," Ben said. "Distract you guys. Yeah? How does that sound?"