Stalker

Chapter 26- Amanda

Maria

I had never formally met Amanda, but I strongly disliked her. She was the kind of person who didn't care about you unless you're popular, not wasting her time with anyone who wasn't going to peak in highschool.

And what really aggravated me was the fact that she was very clearly interested in Aiden.

On the way to school on Monday, Aiden assured me that I was wrong, and Amanda had zero interest in him.

"Sweetheart I shut that down fast." Aiden had one hand on the wheel, one hand on my thigh as he drove. "You don't have to worry."

He was dressed in a black t-shirt for once, no longer hiding his tattoos. Even though it was October, California never got too cold in Autumn.

I on the other hand, liked to fully embrace fall. I was dressed in a black sundress with an orange cardigan, brown boots on my feet and my hair pulled back with a headband.

"I like that dress on you." Aiden said, eyes leaving the road to look me over. "A lot."

I couldn't hide my blush as I leaned over, kissing his cheek. "Thank you."

"Are you going to be okay?" Aiden asked once I had settled back down in my own seat, glancing over at me. "Being back, the school talking about Jackson."

"Oh." I remembered the way he had helped Aiden get to me, a frown on my face. "I haven't really thought about him, but you were the one that was there..."

"I'll be okay princess." Aiden said, hand leaving my thigh so he could grab my hand. "Just try not to think about him."

I nodded as we pulled into the school parking lot, one of the parking spots covered in flowers and signs. Definitely Jackson's spot.

Not thinking about him was going to be difficult.

As I climbed out of the car, I felt a million pairs of eyes on me. Everyone was staring at me and Aiden, who wrapped a protective arm around me as I slid on my backpack.

"Breathe." He whispered in my ear, his lips close enough to my skin that I got that funny feeling in my stomach.

It came randomly, but frequently. Something I never felt with Jackson. It seemed to be there whenever Aiden was close or touching me, and it was very much there a few nights ago when I was in Aiden's lap.

Aiden and I walked into the school building to find the hallways lined with posters of Jackson, what I was assuming to be his locker covered in flowers.

And still, all eyes seemed to be on me.

Luckily, thanks to his bodyguard duties, Aiden and I shared almost every class. He was there to keep me calm, his gentle touches reminding me that it's going to be okay.

And it was okay, until lunch rolled around. I spotted her from across the cafetria, strutting towards me with an odd look on her face.

"Maria, can we talk?" Amanda asked, tilting her head as she placed a cold hand on my shoulder. Her blonde hair and icy blue eyes stood out against her spray tanned skin, her nails done to perfection.

For a moment I let myself wish I was like her, one of the popular girls that always looked and acted perfect.

Amanda then glanced up at Aiden, continuing. "Privately."

"Mm no." Aiden chimed in, his arm wrapped around my waist.

We were currently standing in the middle of the cafeteria, both Aiden and I on our way to our usual lunch table when Amanda walked over. Lauren and Evan were staring at us from said lunch table, probably very confused.

Amanda scowled, her hand leaving my shoulder as she crossed her arms. Aiden carried his lunch tray in one hand while I carried mine with both, Amanda however was carrying nothing.

"Fine." Amanda looked down at me before her eyes met Aiden's again. "Why were you flirting with me at the football game two weeks ago?"

Aiden laughed, Amanda seeming unamused. I on the other hand felt like puking. "Flirting with you?"

"Well I just thought I would let your girlfriend know, seems like the relationship is having a rocky start." Amanda glanced down at me with an expression full of pity, forcing a small pout.

"Let's go Maria..." Aiden said, scowling at Amanda as he tightened his arm around me, turning us the other way.

"Yeah I would never date you." Amanda's voice was louder than necessary, turning heads. She was definitely trying to cover up the fact that she was the one who was basically throwing herself at Aiden's feet. "Weirdo."

Aiden seemed unphased as he led us to Lauren and Evan, keeping his arm around me as we sat down.

"What. the hell. was that." Lauren's mouth hung open as I set my tray on the table, the food looking unappetizing.

I knew Aiden hadn't genuinely been flirting with Amanda, but the idea put a bad feeling in my stomach.

Aiden looked at me and I looked up at him, waiting for him to answer. Eventually, he began to explain the situation.

"At the last football game Amanda came up to me because she saw me watching the game. She tried to flirt, even tried to get me to meet up with her after the game but I declined. Guess I bruised her ego." Aiden shrugged, not seeming to care. He took a bite of the sandwich that the school served, handing me his apple slices because he knew I liked them.

As I began to eat, an announcement came over the loud speaker.

"Schoolwide ceremony will be held wednesday in honor of Jackson Richards, an honor roll student and captain of the football team. The ceremony will take place after lunch, so classes will be shortened. Please see your teachers for wednesdays schedule." The principal's voice was still in my head once the announcement was finished, and I could feel eyes on me again.

If I were anyone else I would be looking at me too, wondering why I feel nothing because as of two weeks ago, Jackson was my boyfriend.

But I did feel something, it hurt my heart to hear about anyone passing. No matter who they were. I just didn't want to cry in school, so I kept my head down and tried to focus on something else.

"You okay?" Lauren asked, reaching across the table to wrap her hand around my fist. "If you want to skip on Wednesday I'll skip with you, we don't have to go."

I shook my head quickly, knowing that would be wrong. I was responsible for Jackson's death, my family. The least I could do was show up.

"No that's okay, I should be there." I said, lifting my head to look at Lauren, and then turning to Aiden. "You should be there too."

"I'll be wherever you are." Aiden said, kissing my forehead.

The boys began to talk about Evan getting moved up to the captain of the football team, but Lauren was rubbing my hand. She understood without me having to say anything the amount of guilt I was feeling, knowing Jackson never got to live his own life.

He was forced into his fathers corrupt world, and for a moment I wondered what Jackson would have been like if he was raised with a normal family.

I loved Aiden truly, but Jackson was a friend of mine for a long time. I didn't feel anything romantic towards him, but in my heart I wished things had gone differently at Daniel's facility.

I wished Jackson made it out.