Gilded

Chapter 3

The action movie wasn't very good, but I didn't tell Aaron that since he seemed to enjoy it. It just seemed like one long car chase with no character development. I left the movie theatre washroom and looked around for Aaron. It was fairly crowded since other movies had just let out. Finally I spotted him, chatting with two pretty girls. If I didn't know any better, it looked like they were all flirting with each other.

"Hello," I said, joining them and taking Aaron's hand. Was this a conscious or unconscious move? Yeah, I had to admit I wanted to let them know that he was my boyfriend. They continued to talk for a few minutes about a party that may or may not be happening at someone's house, and then the girls said good-bye.

"Catch you later Aaron," the taller girl said, brushing her hand on his shoulder as she left.

"You never introduced me," I said to Aaron as we headed to his car.

"Sorry," Aaron said, checking his phone.

"What are their names? Where do you know them from?"

"What?" he said blankly, typing on his phone. I repeated the questions.

"The blonde is Justine, the other one is Terri. They're my brother's friends."

"Are they sixteen?" I asked with surprise. They looked very umm, mature, more like our age, nineteen, if not older. Damn, I wished I could do my makeup better. These high schoolers were putting us all to shame. Or perhaps just me. "They look like they're our age, if not older."

"So what?" Aaron snapped. "Why are you giving me the third degree?"

I remained silent as we got into his car. Sometimes Aaron got so moody. Usually I just waited it out to pass.

"So now you're giving me the silent treatment? God, what is wrong with you?" Aaron demanded. "What are you jealous about? Do you see sixteen year olds as competition?"

"No," I said indignantly. Well, maybe the ones that look like that.

Aaron just shook his head. "So many guys would not put up with this."

"So you're one of them that do?" I shot back. "You're the one making a big deal out of nothing."

"Don't talk back to me," Aaron warned, as the speed of his car increased in correlation to his anger.

"Slow down!"

"Now you're telling me what to do," Aaron growled. "Well isn't that just great."

I was sick of fighting with this person who wasn't my loving boyfriend. "Just take me home," I told Aaron, feeling tears spring from my eyes. Don't cry, I told myself sternly. Whenever I was angry, I had the tendency to cry and I hated when that happened. I felt weak when I cried. I turned my face to look out the side window.

"Jesus, why are you so bitchy all of a sudden?" Aaron continued. "Are you PMSing?" I ignored him and when we got to my house, I was more than glad to get out of the tense car. I slammed the door shut without saying anything to him. Hard.

As soon as I got into my house, I could feel the tears running down my face. What if this was our break up?

Within half an hour my phone rang. I was sitting curled up on my bed with a light blanket wrapped around me even though it was summer. I checked and saw Aaron's name. A part of me wanted to answer immediately and apologize, another part was willing to ignore it. I decided to go with the latter.

I spent the rest of the night going over that scene again and again. I was starting to think it was my fault. Why was I giving him a hard time? Was I giving him a hard time? Maybe I should text him. Or call him. No, maybe I would wait to call him tomorrow after he had calmed down. I thought about calling my friends, but I didn't know what I would say. I was a little embarrassed. Too many thoughts meant I had a very restless sleep that night.

I woke up the next morning still conflicted. Sleep, or lack thereof, had not given me any clear resolutions or answers. I debated calling Aaron, but held back, even though I reached for my phone so many times. However, in the afternoon, I answered the door to find Aaron, carrying a big bouquet of red roses and a box covered in a sheet of cloth.

"Hi Sabrina," he said contritely.

I was so glad to see Aaron, relief flooded through me. He wasn't mad! I told him to come in.

"I'm sorry about yesterday," he said, handing me the bouquet.

I breathed in the sweet smell of roses. "I'm sorry too. Thank you for these. They're beautiful."

Aaron grinned. "Aren't you going to ask what's under the cloth?"

I obliged. "What's under the cloth?"

Aaron whipped it off. Underneath was a little blue and white budgie in a cage. "Her name is Honey. She's for you."

"She's so pretty! Hello Honey," I cooed.

Aaron came over to give me a hug. I hugged him back.

We spent the day together. My family was out so we hung out in my bedroom, having a heavy make out session, and then an early dinner since Aaron had to work tonight.

This Aaron was the caring, attentive person I fell in love with. It was just a silly fight, I told myself. Couples had fights and then made up.