The Biker

09 | Aiden

Carrie, for some reason, insisted that I come to the hospital and visit her. Immediately. It apparently was an emergency. I highly doubted it, but I wasn't going to take any chances.

When I flew into the room, Carrie was waiting patiently on her bed, hands folded on her lap innocently. "Hiya there, Kool Aid!"

"Carrie." I gritted out, approaching her bedside. "What was it that you told me was an emergency and that I needed to get here as soon as possible?"

"I just needed you and Ms. Evangeline to make up." That little meddler.

I bristled at the mention of her. We hadn't seen each other in a couple of days since the club. "What are you talking about? We're fine."

"I'm not blind, Aiden. I've seen the way you're so on edge around her. And whenever she comes, you leave straight away! How could you be so mean to her?" Carrie crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes at me.

"How could you take her side?"

"I just want two of my favorite people to get along! Is that so much to ask for? Come on, Aiden. See? There she is right now! So can you just stay and make some conversation or something?"

She had used my real name twice in our five minute conversation, so I knew she was being as serious as she could be.

"Fine." I grumbled, taking a seat by her to wait for Evangeline to come inside.

"Oh, Aiden." Her voice wafted into the room as the door creaked open. I looked over my shoulder at her to see her holding the door open for me. A silent invitation to get out of here like I usually would.

"You can just close the door."

She blinked curiously, but shut the door behind her before bustling around Carrie and conducting some brief tests. I was practically a statue as I stared at the wall.

When Evangeline's back was turned to me, Carrie signaled with her hands for me to say something. I held up my hands in exasperation. What exactly do you say to a girl who you told you guys weren't friends, but then proceeded to bend her over your shoulder and apologize profusely in a bathroom?

"So, Evangeline. What's your favorite food?"

She remained stiffly silent. "Why?"

"I just want to get to know you a little better. You know, since we're going to be spending more time together as of late."

Her hazel eyes were questioning, wide-eyed. "What are you talking about?"

"I realized I was being a horrible person, so I'd like to try and make it up to you. Since we're friends and all that." Right after I used the word, I wanted to take it back. Just a few days ago, I had told her we weren't friends. That we were nothing. And then the next day, I had said the opposite.

I was going to give her whiplash with the way I was changing my mind left and right. I wasn't sure she was going to respond, but she eventually seemed to be less surprised.

"I like my mom's Phở." Evangeline said quietly.

I didn't say anything, but it was pretty peculiar that her mom was making Phở often enough that it would be her favorite dish. "That's cool."

Our conversation was idle, and very stagnant. I would ask her a question, she would answer, and vice versa.

We had basically gotten nowhere when she asked what my hobbies were as we were walking out of the hospital. Her shift had ended, and we were going down the elevator to leave.

"I don't really have time for much. I ride my bike occasionally. But that's it. You?"

She tapped her finger to her chin. "I like to bake. Oh, and crochet. I read when I have the chance."