I Never Knew Him

Chapter Four

In the car, Peter kept up the small talk. "Do your parents approve of me?" I wasn't expecting this question because I never tell people my parents aren't around. "Well they don't know exactly."
"What do you mean? Where do they think you're going tonight?"
"My parents are never home. they basically live in another country for the work they do. They don't care what I do or who I date." The subject is kind of hard for me because I wish I had parents who were hovering over me sometimes. "Oh dang, I'm sorry to hear that." I don't think Peter knew how to react to that because he responded with something that made it sound like my parents were dead. "It's fine. Sometimes it gets hard. But my neighbor's son comes and checks on me pretty regularly. He's kind of a prick, though."
"What's his name?"
"Aaron. Aaron Simmons." I don't talk about Aaron to people much because I don't have much to say. Mckinley always says that I should've gotten with Aaron but I told her I'd never date someone like that. "I've heard of him before."
When we got to the restaurant, Peter opened my door for me. The restaurant was extremely nice. "Hope you like Italian. I should've asked but this is my favorite restaurant so I figured I'd show you."
        "It's great. I actually love Italian. My parents would take me at least once a week." It was true. My parents, before they went off for work, would take me to eat Italian pretty regularly. I loved it. The waitress sat us down. She asked what we wanted to drink and I got water. I soon got a text from Aaron. I didn't even look at it because I knew it was going to be something stupid. I hate Aaron. And he hates me. I'm okay with that. "Taylor I hope you know that every time I see you in the hallway, I want to talk to you. I've stopped myself because I never thought you'd actually like me." I got another text from Aaron. "Peter, if I'm being honest, I've dreamt of this. Every time I see you I get butterflies." Instead of a text I got a call this time. From Aaron. I finally decided to answer. The text read: Taylor where are you? If you don't answer Im going to search everywhere for you. Oh my god. There were more texts. I'm coming to find you. it's important. I told Peter I had to go make a phone call. "Aaron what do you need? I'm on a date right now." Aaron interrupted me. "On a date?" His voice was loud. "Taylor my mom was in a car crash. I need you to come home. I need help." Holy crap. "Aaron slow down. Why are you calling me? Why not someone else?"
        "You're the first person I thought of. I need your help Taylor please." He actually sounded scared. "Okay. I'll be home in like 30 minutes." I hung up the phone. Of course the one date that's actually going well has to be cut short because of Aaron. "Hey Peter. Can you take me home? Aaron's mom was in a car crash and he needs my help." Peter scoffed. When he spoke this time it was in an angry tone. "Yeah I'll take you home." He got up and we went to his car. This time he didn't open my door. "Peter I'm really sorry. Aaron hates me and if he hadn't sounded so panicked I wouldn't have gone." Peter smiled slightly. "I don't like that guy. But it's nice to know you don't either. I know that it sounds like i'm obsessed with you because of this. I just wanted the first date to be everything." I looked down at my hands. I felt horrible. "I'm sorry." Peter looked over. "It's okay." Once I got home Aaron was in my house. "Aaron why are you not at the hospital?" He looked up. He had huge tears in his eyes. I walked over toward him. "Stop. don't come closer to me. My mom didn't make it." The words rang in my ears. "Wha-what?" Aaron wiped the tears off of his face and cleared his throat. "Yeah. It was a head on. Neither of them made it."
          "Who was he other person?" I tried to move closer to Aaron to comfort him but he stopped me. "Do not get any closer. I don't know who the other person was." I felt horrible for him. I hated Aaron but I don't want anything bad to happen to him. "Aaron if you want to spend the night here we have a guest room. Or even my parents room."
          "I don't know yet. I think I'm just gonna go." He walked out of the house. I texted Peter. Hey if you haven't made it far, you can come over and we can watch a movie or something. I heard a car pull up shortly after. I opened the door and saw Peter. I had already changed into sweats and a t-shirt. "I like this look better than the dress." Peter laughed "Yeah sorry I didn't feel like getting out of these clothes. Aaron's mom passed. I was close to her." Peter hugged me. "Are you okay, Taylor?" I could feel the tears building up. I couldn't respond. I felt one drop out and then the other. Peter saw this and said "Go sit on the couch I'll bring some snacks." For the rest of the night I cried and Peter comforted me. It was nice. We ended up falling asleep on the couch.