Wish You'd Met Me First (boyxboy)

Chapter 25: Kissing Stranger

A/N: This chapter is just random I came up with, but it worked out anyway..for me, don't know about you..comment if it's shitty.

I wake up to my phone buzzing on the nightstand. Still half-asleep, I reach over and grab it, squinting at the screen. It's Brett, of course.

Brett: Morning, best friend! You ready for another day of fun? 😜

Best friend. There it is again. Every time he says it, it's like a punch to the gut. I mean, yeah, we're tight, but damn if it doesn't sting. He's with Blaine, and I'm just... here. Friend-zoned hard. I toss my phone back on the bed, groaning as I sit up. Gotta shake this off. I can't keep thinking about this crap.

Dragging myself to the shower, I let the hot water wake me up. I'm still running through last night in my head. Watching Brett and Blaine be all cute at the pizza place. Ugh. It's like I'm torturing myself. Whatever, man. I can't deal with this right now. I finish up, brush my teeth, throw on a hoodie and some jeans, and head downstairs.

My mom left breakfast on the table—eggs and toast. I grab a piece of toast, not really hungry, and stuff it in my mouth while I grab my bag. I'm out the door in no time, my brain already dreading the day. I know I'm gonna see them again, all close and shit. It's like watching someone else live the life you want.

I pull up to school, park the car, and head toward the lockers. The guys are already there, being loud as usual. Ryan's cracking up, and Jason's holding his phone up like he's doing some kind of TikTok challenge.

"Yo, Aiden!" Ryan shouts, grinning like an idiot.

"Hey," I nod back, trying to sound chill.

Jason's got this stupid grin on his face. 

"Alright, Ry," he says, holding up his phone, "kiss or slap?"

Ryan rolls his eyes but he's laughing. 

"Slap. Get outta here, bro."

Jason clutches his chest, pretending to be all hurt. 

"Damn, no love for me."

Ethan and Tom are dying, cracking up behind him. I shake my head, chuckling a little. They're idiots, but they're my idiots.

A couple minutes later, Brett and Blaine roll up. Brett's got that easy smile he always has, and Blaine's right next to him, looking like he's won the lottery. I feel my stomach twist, but I keep my face neutral. Can't let this shit get to me.

Jason's still in full-on clown mode. When Brett and Blaine get close, he turns to Brett with that stupid grin. 

"Yo, Brett, kiss or slap?"

Brett laughs, shaking his head. 

"Slap, man. I only kiss one person." He glances at Blaine, smirking. "And that's Blaine."

Another punch to the gut.

Brett leans over and gives Blaine a quick kiss, and I just... look away. Can't watch that. Not today. I stare at a locker or something, pretend I'm not bothered, but inside? Yeah, it hurts like hell.

Jason, oblivious as always, moves on to the rest of the guys, asking them the same dumb question. When it's finally my turn, Jason's still grinning like an idiot, holding up his phone. 

"Alright, Aiden, kiss or slap?"

I can feel everyone looking at me, waiting for my answer. Jason's acting all hopeful, like I'm actually gonna kiss him. I mean, come on, man. I laugh despite myself, shaking my head at him.

"Fine, kiss," I say, playing along. I lean over and give him a quick peck on the cheek.

The whole group loses it, laughing their asses off. Jason's laughing too. Even I'm grinning now, but when I glance over at Brett, he's watching me. His eyes linger on me a little longer than usual, just... staring. I don't know what's up with that, but he looks away when the others keep laughing, joining in like normal.