Pitter Patter Of Hearts

Chapter ten

"Oh God, my socials are blowing up," Aarav sighs, putting his phone aside as I upload my shopping haul reels on my professional account.

After doing that, I open his Instagram profile in my private account when I saw that he made a couple of reels today with Laya- both of them are study vlog reels, collaborating on how to read analytically to gain more knowledge easily. Laya has a bookstagram account but she also uses it to post on how to study smart for exams and stuff like that.

Laya again? I feel a bitter taste in my mouth as I like those reels and repost them on my story to hype him up. It doesn't matter anyway, since I don't need anymore information on Varsh anymore, Aarav wouldn't be forced to hangout with them, especially Laya.

Laya is nice, but that's the problem, she's way too nice. Varsh can be in love with her and I don't mind but if she's slowly stealing my best friend, clutching him in her claws? No, I wouldn't accept that, even if it's not her intention.

I smile at him, "You don't have to hangout with her or them anymore."

"Why?" He asks, his fingers typing fast with a giddy expression on his face.

"Well I don't think I need information on Varsh anymore." I try my best to look absolutely fine. See, I'm okay with the rejection, it's embarrassing but that's it. I cannot let my friend fall into the quicksand of Laya Solanki too.

He stops typing to look up at me with a confused, quizzical expression on his face. "Why?"

"I got rejected-" His eyes widen at that but I grin, smoothing up the air. "But that's alright, I actually don't feel sad about it. Embarrassed? Of course. But not heartbroken."

Aarav doesn't say anything, he simply pulls me to his chest. My breath hitches, eyes widening. Sure, we hug each other all the time but maybe it's way too late at night and maybe it's my cyclic hormones or something but this time, his arms feel different around me. Like I want to stay in his embrace forever.

"Does my witch want me to beat his ass up with a broom?" He asks but I shake my head against his chest which vibrates as he speaks. My heartbeat picks up its pace as he nuzzles his head in the crook of my neck. "Do you want ice cream?"

I pull away even though my body starts aching for his warmth. It's not right to act up on my hormones with my best friend. It feels very wrong to even think this way but I won't let my hormones fuck my friendship with him.

"I want to go to sleep." I smile tightly, gulping as my eyes notice his muscles for the first time. I know that Aarav goes to the gym twice a week and I know how his body looks but I never felt whatever the fuck I'm feeling right now, all of a sudden.

"Do you want to cuddle?" He asks, his eyes filled with concern and as much as I want to jump on the offer, I push myself back. My cheeks redden. We cuddle all the time, even our parents know that we do. It's all platonic. Still is. I'm just in a mood and my body is not listening to me.

I force my voice and it comes out a high squeak, as if someone's choking me. "No, I want to be alone."

"Are you sure?" He doesn't look convinced but I nod furiously, practically shoving him out of my house, locking the door frantically as I collapse to the floor with my heart pounding and I fear if he can hear it down the hallway because it's so loud. I bury my head in my hands, barely resisting the urge to slap myself. For fucks sake, what the fuck even is this shit? What's wrong with me tonight?!