The Gallagher twins

~• 12 •~

The next few days were the same, nothing very interesting to talk about. Aidan continued with his antics of avoiding us and, to be honest, I wasn't going to waste my time thinking about that. But the matter of Ryan and Arabella was of my importance. Getting more into it, she hadn't spoken or written to me. Perhaps she had the idea of ignoring both Ryan and everything connected with him.

—You're going to expose the importance —Jasmine, the group leader, pointed a pencil at me.

The teacher had put us together according to our groups to coordinate the presentation. But more than group work, it was Jasmine's mandates. She had me stifled and very exasperated.

—No, no, I told you I wanted the characteristics — I claimed, odious (because, obviously, I couldn't stand her).

—I'm sorry, but Ryan asked me.

At that moment any hostility I felt was transferred to my stepbrother.

—Oh, really? And I guess you didn't give it to him —I said, sarcastically.

—It doesn't matter who the characteristics belong to

—Well, yes, i don't even care, but if I remember correctly, I told you first.

—Oh, ___, we're not going to argue about that little thing, are we? Whether it's yours or his doesn't matter. End of story, no more.

In the end, I didn't want to make a show because I would look more irritating than Jasmine. And that's really lowering yourself.

—Stop that stupid grin — I whispered to Ryan. We were already in the next class.

—And if I don't want to, what? Are you going to throw another tantrum? —he exclaimed, laughing. When he did, his eyes glazed over a little.

—You just did it to annoy me, didn't you?

—I thought it was pretty obvious.

—Oh, right, and I guess you used your alpha male skills.

—Huh? What are you saying?

—Don't play the fool, it's obvious that Jasmine gave you my topic because she likes you. She's only nice to those she wants to be nice to.

He didn't flinch. I'm sure he was used to having a lot of girls on his back.

—Well, I don't give a fuck.

—Many people here want to be with her, but they can't because she doesn't even look at them.

—-For such a dignified woman, she's not very pretty.

I looked at him, offended.

—I don't know if your ego is too high or something, but Jasmine is beautiful. She has a good body, an attractive face and she's intelligent. She's everything a woman could envy and everything a man could want.

—I don't know if it's more embarrassing that you have insecurities or that you show them by comparing yourself to her. Besides, remember, that's not everything.

—How can it not be everything? Look at her. She's got a lot of people behind her and she has the luxury of rejection. And then there we are: people that not even bird poop falls out of the sky for.

—And you think they love her for what she is? They love her for her looks, but the day they realize she's insipid and unbearable, nobody will love her.

In his tone of voice there was scolding.

—Oh, but that day is not today.

He rolled his eyes and grimaced.

—That's why you don't have a boyfriend.

We laughed, but deep down Ryan's talk hadn't changed anything. It doesn't help when an attractive person tells you that it's okay to be ugly and that it's really what's on the inside that counts.

My day become joyful again as I remembered that it would soon be summer vacation. It's not like I would be going anywhere, but at least I wouldn't be going to school. Maybe my plans would take a different turn, since it was now Lauren and the twins.

Me and the boys were at a park. We decided to hang out there for a bit before heading home. Ryan encouraged his brother, since his brother didn't want to have the slightest interaction with anyone.

It was a nice day. My surroundings were very beautiful. Where we were, there was shade. The small artificial lake, next to us, reflected the sky. There was no noise, it was very calm. And I was accompanied by two handsome boys.

The best mental image, of course, if they weren't my brothers.

—Did you fall into depression? —I came back to reality, where Ryan was questioning his brother like a little boy.

I hadn't stopped to think, but why was Aidan trying to distance himself? What did we do to him?

—Are you all right? —I dared to say.

—What do you think, ___? Look at him, he looks like an emo!

I don't know, call me crazy, but I had a feeling Aidan was more repulsed by me.

In the end, he just stood up and walked away. Anyway, men.

[...]

Aidan

From that day on, something changed. But only in me. I was the only one who was behaving abnormally. And, in fact, what I was doing was making me feel ashamed of myself. But if I had let my feelings flow, I would have spoiled everything. So I had to continue with my outlandish attitudes.

I left as soon as possible. When I was away from those two, I exhaled and stopped pretending.

Good thing the park wasn't far from the house. I was walking in the door when my mom saw me.

—What' wrong?

—Ah? Nothing.

She analyzed me.

—What happened to you? Problems with Astrid?

That reminded me that I hadn't spoken to my girlfriend all day.

—No, no, we're fine.

—Anything on social media?

I shook my head.

—Don't worry, I'm fine, but thanks for your concern —I blatantly lied as I kissed her on the head.

I went upstairs, impatient, to my room. I wanted to get it off my chest. I'm the worst at keeping secrets, in case you hadn't noticed.

I found no other way to unload my thoughts than to write them down in a little notebook. To put it romantically, a diary.

That's what I did, thinking that no one would ever read it.