Lost in the minute of it all

Part 3

River's house was packed, not just with Rainbow High students, everyone in his block managed to show up, even Karma's rapper boyfriend - known as 'the sac' to most.

The moment Aiden and his teammates walked in, they were met by a sea of hugs and cheers from everyone in the room, even the peeps at the back who simply raised their red solo cups. It only took a "Let's get this party started" for Poppy to turn up the music and the full house to get wild on the party.
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"Wait, Aiden where are you going?", asked Stella as Aiden handed over his mic and strutted away impatiently.

"Do the next song without me, I'm gonna get more punch", Aiden yelled back. He lied, as much as he wanted to sing another Queen medley on the karaoke with Stella, he still had one thing left to do before the party ended.

Tell him how you feel, the worst he can do is say no. Aiden searched around for River like a kid who lost their mom at the grocery store. Finally catching the glimpse of him all the way by the pool, Aiden got his nerves together, slid the glass door open and began approaching him. The closer he got to him, the clearer he could see him. It started to become clear that River had his arms wrapped around somebody, somebody who seemed to be Amaya. But it didn't seem like they were hugging anymore - they were kissing.

Nope, that's the worst he can do, Aiden walked back to the party in regret. He tried to remind himself that he shouldn't let his broken heart get the best of him. He knew that in times like these there were not one but two amazing ladies he could count on-

"It's not my fault he couldn't get enough of this body ody", Ainsley yelled at Karma, right after slapping her so hard she lost balance.

"Bring it on you little-", Karma said fighting back but was held back by her man before she could even try.

"Yeah you better calm your girl, ball sac", raged Ainsley, being held back by Avery before she took Ainsley to the bathroom to sober up from all the 'punch' she had been drinking all night.

In the process of giving up, Aiden found a lonely spot under a tree to sit on, peacefully staring at the night sky as he breathed the fresh winter air.

"Great party huh?, a voice sounding to be behind him interrupted the distant party music. He looked up at Ruby holding two red solo cups full of punch.

"Tell me about it", Aiden rolled his eyes at her sarcasm.

Ruby squatted down to sit next to Aiden and handed him one of the cups, "you missed Stella's epic death drop at karaoke, is everything okay?"

"Of course", he said fidgeting with the grass.

Ruby raised an eyebrow, knowing Aiden's reactions to situations the way she knew the script of Ratatouille.

"Okaybutpromisenottotellanyone", he snapped. Ruby mimed a zip on her mouth.

"I like River...and I know i don't stand a chance. I mean he's with Amaya, and he's probably straight anyway. It's so stupid! Plus, only Avery and Ainsley know I'm gay, I don't even have a shoulder to cry on at the moment-"

Ruby held Aiden as she side hugged him. "It's not stupid. What's stupid is Ainsley and Karma fighting about Karma's boyfriend letting Ainsley twerk on him", she said getting a good chuckle out of Aiden, "but love is not stupid, and you're capable of it - doesn't make you any less human. You're just one heat break closer to finding true love".

"Thanks queen", they sat up straight simultaneously.

"I know what it's like to love someone who doesn't love you back, can i give you some advice?", said Ruby before chugging a sip of punch. Aiden nodded slowly.

"Focus on self love. Once you learn to love yourself, that's when life knows you're ready to love somebody else".

Ruby was right. Aiden spent his entire life hiding who he really was, mostly because he was told to hate his true self. Although he had already gotten far on the journey of self love, he didn't feel ready to let his love shine bright.

"Now c'mon up, I think Stella's still doing the Karaoke and I'm not leaving until you slay another song with her", Ruby got up and held out a hand to help Aiden up.