Young Forever

Chapter 13

The following day at school, Aaliyah met up with Angela and they started talking. Angela told Aaliyah that she loved her story. Aaliyah blushed and thanked her. Then Angela gave her a USB drive.

"What's this?" asked Aaliyah.

"Its my game. I finally completed it yesterday. It's still in beta testing. Let me know if you find any bugs and stuff."

"Oh, sure. Thanks Angie."

The two said goodbye and went off to their class. Before she could go, Monica stopped Aaliyah and told her to meet her after school as she needed to talk.

During lunch time, Angela tried to sit with Aaliyah, as usual. But Monica told her she needed to talk to her privately and to sit somewhere else. Aaliyah wondered what the problem was.

"Don't forget Aali, after school today. We need to talk," Monica said sternly.

"Why can't we talk now?" asked Aaliyah.

"Well.... I think this matter is better suited to talk after school" said Monica.

Aaliyah senses that something was wrong. She did not like where this "talk" was going.

After school that day, Aaliyah went to say goodbye to Angela, but Monica stopped her.

"Remember, I need to talk to you," she said.

Monica waited till they were far enough from the school, and then spoke to Aaliyah.

"You and that Angela girl are getting a little too close, don't you think?" Monica asked in a condescending tone.

"I-I don't know what you're talking about" said Aaliyah. "Angela just wanted to be friends, so I became her friend."

"Oh, because you felt sorry for her, huh? I get it, Aali, I really do. You have a kind heart after all" said Monica.

"What? No, its not because of that. I actually did want to be Angela's friend."

"You wanted to be just friends with Angela, right?"

"Huh? Yeah.... That's what I wanted?"

"Or is it something more?"

"I..."

Aaliyah couldn't help but blush.

"See, you're blushing again. The librarian was right. You really do have a crush on Angela. How pathetic."

"The librarian? Monica, you.... Did she tell you?"

"No. I was there at the library while you two were there. You had such beautiful things to say about me, Aaliyah. I didn't know you felt that way about me."

"What- no. No, no, no, no. Monica, I-"

"No, its okay. All I wanted was the best for my friends. If you're gonna go against me for that, then so be it."

"Its not for the best when you're constantly belittling every little thing I do", Aaliyah raised her voice, then immediately regretted it. "I-"

"I know. All this is happening because of Angela's influence. She made you like this. She made you hate me. She made you question everything I do."

"Monica, I never hated you-"

"I don't want to hear it!" Monica retorted. "I'll make you a deal, Aaliyah. You will cut Angela Wang out of your life. Stop talking to her, stop sitting with her at lunch, don't even say hi to her. Ignore her completely."

"What?"

"If you do that, I will forgive you."

"You will forgive me?!"

"Don't forget you were nothing before me, Aaliyah Taylor. No one noticed you, no one even remembered your name. Once I became your friend, everyone knew who you were. So you have a choice. Either cut ties with Angela Wang or you can kiss your popular girl status goodbye. The choice is yours."

Saying this, Monica went towards her home. All Aaliyah could do was stare as she went off into the sunset.