My Best Friend's Brother

Chapter 26

Eleven Years Earlier: 1994

"We're finally Seniors! This is the last year of being in this hellhole. Maybe I'll reinvent myself. Should I cut my hair? I always thought I would look good as a brunette." Connie walked up to us as Susanna and I stood at her locker.

"I wouldn't mess with perfection." I answered, making her smile. "Awe, are you getting soft of me, Beth." She gushed, making Susanna chuckle. "Can't I just be in a good mood?" I replied.

"Besides I don't think short hair would suit you very well and I don't want you to come running when you're in the middle of a crisis." I continued. "Ah, now that sounds more like you." Connie smiled. I noticed Gillian in the distance with her friends all huddled around her staring at me.

Susanna and Connie both noticed what was bothering me. "Don't let her get to you. This is our last year with her and then we will ever have to see her again." Susanna said. "I don't think I could ever be that lucky." I replied walking over to her across the hall.

"I'm feeling the calculating stare but where's the villainous hand-wringing and maniacal laugh?" I asked Gillian, making scoff as the rest of her friends avoided looking at me.

"You know, you should be nicer to me." She replied crossing her arms, revealing more of her cleavage under her cheer uniform. "Or what? You'll huff and you'll puff and burn my house down?" I asked. "This is our last year. Let's just avoid one another and leave each other alone until we finally graduate. Or until I finally graduate." I said making her features harden.

"I don't think so. I see this year as all the more reason to make your life a living hell." Gillian sneered as my jaw tensed as they all swaggered away from me.

Turning back around to walk back to my only two friends to see Aaron talking with them. Forcing myself to walk closer to him as he shoved his hands in his pockets talking to Connie.

As I made my way closer a group of guys from the football team rushed towards him. They almost knocked me off my feet, shoving me aside to slap his shoulder and praise him as they walked by.

"They like you. They really like you!" I exclaimed, making Aaron turn to face me as Susanna chuckled. "Hey, Aaron." I muttered.

I haven't seen him all summer which was probably because of the fact I was trying everything in my power to avoid him. Limiting the time I spent at Connie's house forcing her to spend all her free time at mine or out in town.

"Hi." He replied with a small smile. "How was your summer?" I asked, trying to remain civilized for Connie's sake. "Good. Yours?" "Good." We exchanged a short conversation without any rude remarks making Connie and Susana look between us.

"I don't think I've ever seen you two go this long without saying anything threatening or insulting." She said slightly concerned about us. "Don't worry there's still time." Aaron replied, making me genuinely laugh. "A whole year actually."

"What will we ever do once we graduate?" Aaron smiled down at me. "Uh, oh. You might have to find a new hobby, Betty." He continued.

"Maybe you'll finally see what it's like to not be irritable all the time." Susanna replied, making me glare at her as Aaron and Connie laughed.

"Hey, Aaron." A girl greeted in a seductive voice as she sauntered past. Her eyes never left his as Aaron raked her up and down. That didn't last long.

"Who's the hoochie?" I asked them. "Nadine? She's in our grade." Susanna answered. "You need to socialize more. That's your problem." Aaron continued.

"Wait. That's my problem?" I expressed with fake newfound revelation. "Yeah, I know school hasn't always been great to you." He continued. "The gentleman does have a gift for the understatement." I said as we all began walking down the hall.