Nobody Like You

Chapter 6 Gabriella: Got a Crush on You

After hardly focusing on any of my classes, all I wanted was to see Aiden waiting outside for me when school was over. When he wasn't there when I walked outside, I immediately became worried that something was wrong. I didn't know what to say to him this morning after we had that fight and maybe he thought I was still mad at him. It wasn't like we were a couple and someone needed to apologize but it still felt like something was off between us.

"Gabriella!" I heard my best friend, Riley, call behind me before running up to me. "Did you talk to Mr. Howard?"

"No why?" I asked, still keeping an eye out for Aiden.

"He wants you to perform solo in this year's recital. He said he thinks you've earned the spot so you got it instead of Crystal."

I glanced over at Crystal who was standing with her usual group of followers and rolled my eyes. Crystal always thought she was a better pianist than I was and there were times when she was but getting the chance to perform solo at the recital was the perfect way to show that I was better than she thought I was. "I'm sure she's thrilled."

Riley must've heard the tone in my voice because her smile dropped. "Are you okay? You seem like your mind's been in another place today."

"I'm fine. Just tired that's all," I replied before finally seeing one of our cars pulling up. "That's my bodyguard. I'll text you later."

As I walked closer to the car, I felt my stomach drop when I saw that it was Mike driving and my mom was in the backseat. They were the last people I wanted to see and it took everything in me not to immediately demand to know where Aiden was when the door opened.

"Hi baby," my mom smiled as I slid in the backseat next to her. "Good day?"

"Yeah, I guess. What's going on? You never come get me."

"I know. I thought that you and I could go do some shopping since we haven't spent time together with just us in a while."

I glanced over at Mike who was avoiding eye contact with me. Something was up. My mom never randomly threw shopping sprees at me unless there was a catch. "Mom seriously, what's up?"

She sighed. "Do you remember Mrs. Hillcroft? She's one of the women I work with. You've met her once or twice."

"Yes, I remember," I answered, knowing that this conversation was about to go in a terrible direction.

"Well, she has a son who's in the same grade as you and he has a sports banquet coming up this weekend. He needs a date and I thought you two—"

I covered my face with my hands in embarrassment. "Mom please don't tell me you set me up with someone. I'm perfectly capable of getting a date myself but it's nice to know you think I'm that pathetic."

"Gabriella that's not the case at all," she shook her head. "Look, you spend so much time at the piano that your dad and I are beginning to worry about you."

"I thought you two wanted me to be perfect and ready for my Julliard audition?" I bitterly mumbled, remembering the many times I heard them tell me that.

"Yes, but we also don't want you to be missing out on your last year of high school. It's okay to have fun every now and then. Go on a few dates, maybe even go to a party."

"And you think being some guy's arm candy is fun?"

"It's a chance for you to get out the house for a night to experience something other than the piano. Please, will you at least give it a try? For me?" she begged.

I sighed and closed my eyes. All I could think about was Aiden and how I just wanted to talk to him about this first. When I realized how insane that was, I opened my eyes. Aiden wasn't my boyfriend. Not even close so it wasn't like I needed his permission. "Fine, I'll go."