Nobody Like You

Chapter 8 Gabriella: Confessions and Danger

"So how's your relationship going?" Riley asked as we packed up to leave our history class. "You haven't told me much about what's been happening with you and Collin."

I thought before answering. It had been a few weeks since the sports banquet and I'd been trying to make this thing with Collin work. I wouldn't even call it a relationship because I didn't feel for him what I felt for Aiden. As stupid as it sounded, I wanted my bodyguard instead. Aiden had barely looked at me since the night of the banquet and I hated that I missed talking to him.

"Not much to tell," I shrugged. "We've just been hanging out. He likes to be touchy-feely with me but I'm not that into it so he usually ends up disappointed."

Riley nodded, not seeming to catch the unhappiness in my voice. "Well at least you got one of the most popular guys in our grade interested in you."

I rolled my eyes. I didn't want to just be satisfied with someone who clearly only wanted me for my body but when the person I actually wanted didn't want me, there weren't that many other options.

When I got home that afternoon, my happiness of it being Friday went away when my mom sent me a text asking that I play at her nonprofit's fundraising event tomorrow. For another night, I had to put on a happy face and pretend that I was okay and not like I was hurting inside from everything.

I felt my heart starting to race as I grabbed the nearest chair to steady myself. Right as the room started to spin, I closed my eyes, hoping the feeling would go away. I felt someone come up behind me and grab my shoulder. They told me to breathe and once I started taking deep breaths, I felt my breathing go back to normal as I looked up and saw Aiden standing next to me.

"Thank you," I mumbled.

"We need to get these panic attacks under control," he said with concern evident in his voice. "You can't keep going like this."

I shrugged. "I just get overwhelmed sometimes, it's not a big deal."

"It's a huge deal. You shouldn't be going through this so often."

Remembering how he'd been the past few weeks, I glared at him. "Why do you care? You made it clear that you're just my bodyguard so caring about something like this doesn't fit your job description."

"Gabriella—"

"Don't. I get it."

Without another word, I turned and went upstairs to my room. As I laid across my bed, I tried to forget about what just happened and instead tried to focus my mind on something else. When I turned on Chopin's Nocturne, I felt my body relax as I focused on what I was going to play at the fundraiser.

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As I sat in front of the piano ready to perform for everyone, I took a deep breath and reminded myself that this was what I loved. Regardless of everything happening around me, I could always rely on my piano. As I played the piece, everyone in the room faded away and the only things I could hear were the notes coming out beautifully.

When I finished, everyone applauded me and I took a small bow before walking over to where my parents were standing. My mom hugged me tightly and bragged to everyone about how I had been playing for years as Collin came over to us.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Carter. Could I steal Gabriella for a dance?" he asked sweetly.

My mom quickly smiled and nodded. "Of course, you two enjoy yourselves."

Collin led me to the dancefloor and pulled me close enough to him to where I could feel him harden against me. I tried to hide my disgust as he grinned at me.