The Waters - A Beta Squad Story (bxb)

40. Treck The Path

As Niko and Aj approached the shore, leaving the water, they heard someone shouting from across the beach. "Niko! Over here!" A familiar voice called out, waving frantically. Niko squinted, trying to figure out who it was. "It's Brooke," he muttered to Aj, his stomach twisting uncomfortably. He felt a mixture of guilt and regret wash over him.

"Did you invite her here?" Aj hissed, swimming a bit faster as they made their way towards the shore. Niko rushed after Aj, feeling a mixture of dread and curiosity. "No, she just showed up," he replied, his voice slightly higher than usual.

As she drew closer, they could see that Brooke was alone on the beach, looking ecstatic to see Niko. Her long brown hair was tied up in a messy bun, and she was wearing a short summer dress that accentuated her waist. Niko felt a pang of guilt wash over him as he realised that she must have come here hoping to spend time with him.

"Hey, Niko!" Brooke squealed, running up to him and throwing her arms around him. "I'm so glad I found you!" She pulled back, a hopeful smile on her face. "I trekked almost the whole beach looking for you. You weren't answering the phone, so I was worried you had gone to a different beach."

Niko gave up listening to the girl when she started to sound like a mosquito humming. "Wh-what are you doing here?" He managed to stutter.

"You said you were going to the beach, and we haven't seen each other in a while, so I thought I would surprise you." She smiled brightly. The girl looked beautiful in her summer dress, the sun shining in her eyes, and it broke Niko to feel nothing towards the sweet girl. "I'm glad I found you." She squeezed his arm, and Niko could feel Aj's eyes burning a hole in the back of his head.

"Yeah, um, well..." He began, unsure of what to say. Brookes smile began to waver, and she pulled away from Niko.

"Oh. I'm so sorry; I shouldn't have come," she stammered. "I guess I shouldn't have just assumed we could..." Her voice trailed off, her cheeks flushing a deep shade of red. Brooke turned around and started to walk back through the sand.

"Wait, Brooke," Niko called out, feeling awful. "I was just shocked, that's all. I appreciate the surprise, and I am glad you came."

Aj had joined Chunkz and Kenny on the beach blanket, huffing as he sat down. He watched Niko from afar with a small, sad pout. He knew what it was like to be in love with someone who didn't feel the same way. It was a painful, helpless feeling. And seeing Brooke go through it made him feel a little less alone.

"What's up, Aje?" Kenny asked, stroking the head on Aj's hair as he lay on the blanket between Kenny and Chunkz.

Aj glanced at the two of them, a small smile playing at the corner of his lips. "Just thinking about how life can be so cruel sometimes," he said, his voice quiet. "I mean, here we are, enjoying the beach, and Niko's got this sweet girl who's head-over-heels for him, and he doesn't even know what to do with her. Then he has got me, who's so in love with him, it's unbearable, and he either doesn't know or doesn't care."

Kenny and Chunkz stopped still, looking at the rambling boy, both letting out a "What?!" at the same time.

Aj sat up immediately, turning to face the two men with wide eyes and mouths agape. "I didn't mean that. I didn't say that. I-I just..." He trailed off, looking between them, feeling more flustered by the second. "Holy shit, I love him, don't I?" He asked them, his voice barely above a whisper.

Kenny and Chunkz exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of shock, amusement, and understanding. They had suspected for a while now that Aj might have feelings for Niko, but hearing it come out like that was a whole other thing.

"Well," Kenny began slowly, choosing his words carefully. "I mean, you kinda did just say that."

"I think maybe you two need to have a good talk. You know, clear the air," Chunkz suggested, trying to sound reassuring. "Look, Aj, you don't have to freak out. We've all been there before-" He trailed off, leaving the rest unsaid.