Just Friends...?

Crushed

Chapter 19: Crushed

Dawn’s POV

“Dawn, babe, are you alright? You’ve been distracted a lot lately,” Shane trailed off. I had been distracted lately. But honestly I think I was justified. I mean AIDEN was back. The guy I had been in love with my whole life, my best friend, my everything, the one who broke my heart. He was back for good, at least that’s what Skylar and Demetri told me.

He had been back from rehab for about a week now and he returned to school like if nothing had happened. The first day he was back he was bombarded with people wanting to know where he had been but all he replied was he had to leave because of family issues. Most people believed him but there were still a few who doubted what he said was true. Audrie had followed Aiden around and started saying that they were together. Aiden quickly shut her up by insulting her and telling her he would never date her. It was his second day back in school when he said this….

*Flashback*

I was standing by my locker talking with Sky. Shane and Demetri had gone to detention since those two idiots got in trouble during lunch for almost having started a food fight. Dumbasses. Aiden’s locker was across from mine and I could feel him burning holes in my skull but I ignored him. Audrie walked passed me but I could here what she was telling her followers.

“Yes Aiden and I are dating. I mean we’ve been dating since before he left. We hooked up at Erick’s party and have been dating ever since,” Audrie bragged. Someone slammed their locker and Sky and me jumped. We turned to see it had been Aiden and we could see him glaring at Audrie. Audrie had also stopped walking and looked at Aiden sweetly.

“Audrie, you really need to stop spreading all this bullshit around school! One, we are not dating. Two, we are NEVER going to date. Three, I never fucking slept with you! You drugged me at that party you damn bitch and thanks to your manipulative ways you made Dawn believe I had cheated on her. Because of you I lost the only person that mattered in my life! I cant stand you Audrie! You’re a damn bitch and you destroyed every good thing in my life. Besides you think I don’t know that your poor of excuse of a brother is in prison because he tried to RAPE Dawn. You think I hadn’t heard about that? I know everything that has gone on this whole time I’ve been gone. One more thing Audrie and get this through your thick skull I will NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS date you!” Aiden finished his rant.

Everyone stared open mouthed at Aiden who stormed out of school. People had started laughing at Audrie for having been humiliated. She left in a hurry, her followers not far behind. I turned to look at Sky who was already looking at me with an emotionless look. “He didn’t cheat on you Dawn, he would never hurt you that way,” was the only thing she said before she too left school.

*End of Flashback*

I had started believing what Sky had told me, but I still wasn’t all that sure. I mean surely Audrie couldn’t be that devious. Could she? Oh who am I kidding this is Audrie I’m talking about! Her brother almost took advantage of me! I wouldn’t put it beneath her to having planned the whole thing.

And you’re barely realizing this now, my annoying conscious asked me.

Well I just thought of it, I replied.

Six months later, my conscious scoffed.

But its possible, maybe Aiden didn’t cheat on me, I thought.

Again you think of this now! Instead of having doubted Aiden you should have known he would never hurt you, but instead you let what you saw cloud your judgment and you didn’t even let poor Aiden explain. You do realize it is partially your fault he cut himself right, my conscious reminded me.

I stayed quiet because I knew it was true. Aiden had cut because of me and thanks to me he had to go to rehab. Even if Aiden hadn’t cheated on me, I was with Shane now and I was happy with him. He made me happy.

“Babe,” someone was shaking their hand in front of my face.

“Huh,” I asked confused.

“I asked if you needed a ride home. What’s wrong Dawn you’ve been so out of it,” Shane questioned me.

“I’m fine, just been thinking a lot lately. And yes I do need a ride home,” I replied.

“Okay lets go then,” Shane said and intertwined our hands together. He pulled me to his car and opened the door for me before going to the driver’s side and driving me home. The ride was silent and a bit awkward but lately my thoughts had been consumed with Aiden and I didn’t know how to stop.

Once we got to my driveway, Aiden was getting out of his car. He looked at us and locked eyes with me for a second. I hadn’t realized Shane had gotten out of the car and was now opening my door.

“Thanks,” I told him softly.

“No problem,” he said smiling. He then kissed my lips softly before leaning back. He turned and saw Aiden.

“Hey, Aiden right?” Shane questioned.

“Yeah. Your Dawn’s boyfriend right,” Aiden asked back. I cringed a little when Aiden mentioned Shane as my boyfriend, but I shouldn’t feel guilty for having a boyfriend. Aiden and me weren’t together anymore for crying out loud!

“Yeah that’s me. Nice to meet you dude,” Shane walked over and shook Aiden’s hand.

“Same. Hey Dawn, how are you,” Aiden proceeded to ask me. I was surprised he was talking to me. He hadn’t tried to since he got back so this was a bit unexpected.

“I’m good Aiden, and you,” I asked politely.

“I’ve been better,” he replied sadly. My natural instinct to see if he was okay kicked in.

“What’s the matter,” I asked concerned.

“Nothing really, just that the girl I love well she moved on during the time I was gone and I know I lost her forever…” he trailed off.

“Oh,” was all I could manage to say. I knew he meant me and I didn’t know if that should make me feel mad or sad. “Well uh we’re gonna go inside. See you around Aiden,” I said and quickly ushered Shane into my house. I made my way to the living room and sat down. Shane sat down next to me and placed his arm around my shoulder. I placed my head on his shoulder and exhaled deeply.

“He’s your ex-boyfriend that hurt you isn’t he,” Shane asked me out of no where. I jumped back surprised not expecting him to ask me that. I stared at him wide-eyed while he gave me a small smile. “I’m right aren’t I?” he questioned. I couldn’t do anything besides nod my head slightly.

“I didn’t think he was going to come back, I was surprised when I saw him,” I whispered.

“Do you still have feelings for him,” Shane asked me seriously. I looked at Shane for a second. Do I still have feelings Aiden? It not simple to fall out of love with someone. Especially not someone you’ve loved for years. But Shane makes me happy. Even if I still loved Aiden, I couldn’t do that to Shane, he’s been here for me ever since Aiden left. He protected me from Aundre. It would be wrong of me to leave Shane just because Aiden is back.

“No,” I replied to Shane. He smiled down at me and quickly pecked my lips. “I love you Dawn, I really do.”

“I love you too Shane,” I responded. We heard a door slam and I jumped a little. In the doorway stood my brother and Aiden. My brother looked at me disappointed and Aiden looked like he was about to cry. He heard what I had said to Shane.

Sticking a knife through his heart might have hurt him less, my conscious said and for once I agreed with it.