What Hurts the Most

A Dreadful Evening

Aaron's P.O.V

"You did what?" Derek shouts.

"Why are you being so dramatic, it's not that big a deal." And almost instantly Derek gets up and starts pacing the floor, as if he has some big decision to make.

"Do you realize what dating her could do to your reputation?" He says overdramatically. I mean Derek is my best friend, but boy is he over-the-top. He overanalyzes everything. I guess that's why our friendship works so well. I'm cool and laidback while he's loud and melodramatic. "I am not okay with this. Call and cancel, tell you're going to be sick on that day, just do something".

"What reputation? Since when do I have a reputation to uphold?" I ask.

"You're Aaron, big man on campus, can get any girl that he wants-"

"Just because I can get them doesn't mean I want them" I interrupt.

"Wait, what? Are you gay?" Derek inquires questioning me.

"What the heck, dude no?" I retort, but Derek still continues.

"I mean no judgment, but you could have said something."

"I'm not GAY" I try to speak as slowly as possible, just to make sure he gets the picture. "Now about the reputation thing"

"Yeah you can have any girl or guy you want-
"I'M NOT GAY" I shout, but can't help but laugh when I see his demeanor change.

"The point is you can do a lot better that Keisha. She isn't on your level. Do you see how she dresses? For a while I thought she was just some dude in a poytail. I have never even heard her speak. She's never at my parties, and everyone who's anyone comes to my parties." he brags.

"Her name is Kimberly and she just so happens to be your girlfriend's best friend; which would make your girlfriend not on your level by association." I reply jokingly.

"Aaron don't start with me." Derek states defensively.

"And home girl has been looking right these days. I don't know what is but damn, I was at her house the other day and somehow she ended up on top of me and I just couldn't und-" I'm trying to explain what happened when I went by her to study, but by the way his eyes are widening I can tell he misunderstood everything I said.

"You slept with her? I thought you were a virgin why didn't you tell me?" Once again Derek is pacing his room, hollering because of my not so taken virginity. I can't even take him seriously at this point. He's just so boisterous. He and that Helena chick definitely belong with each other.

"I did not sleep with her." I say defending myself. "I came to her house so we could work on our Biology project. I went to her room and I may or may not have caught her in her underwear, but that's beside the point. We were discussing the project and I guess I blacked out.  According to her I became some kind of hippo something because I hadn't eaten anything that day." I babble.

"Still not getting how she just magically landed on your lap and you couldn't blah blah blah" Derek mocks.

"I guess when I was out of it she tried waking me, she smacked me and somehow landed on me, you know now that I think about it I'm not too sure how she ended up on me"

"Aaron this sounds a lot like molestation to me. Did you she touch you?" You see this is what I mean he's just so extra.

"No, she did not touch me"

"Don't be afraid to tell me, even guys are victim of sexual molestation. I mean there was a time when"

"Derek did you get molested?"

"No, I was just trying to make you feel comfortable"

"You can't just joke about things like that."

"You're the one pretending to be gay"

"I'm not gay Derek" I laugh.

"I know that's why I said pretending"

"You make me sick."

"But all jokes aside you really want to go out with this Kimberly chick?" Derek looks at me with a serious expression on his face.

​"Yeah, I'm not sure how I really feel about her to be honest. I know that I'm attracted to her, the new version of her at least. I just feel guilty for treating her so badly. Yesterday I needed her help and she was so kind and generous. There's just something about her that intrigues me. She said something that got me thinking and before I knew it I was asking her out. Then there's this thing with my mom and I just don't know anymore" I jabber, not even truly realizing what I'm saying.

​"What happened to your mom?" Derek questions. Crap, I wasn't supposed to mention that.

​"Nothing, forget I mentioned it" I stammer, hoping he doesn't start to pry.

​"Well before you started talking about your mom, it genuinely sounded like you had some kind of interest in her. I mean she's no Helena but if you want to go out with her, then so be it." He says nonchalantly.

​"Kimberly just might have an edge over Helena now that I think about it." I say taunting him.

​"Nah man, Helena is another level of woman."

​"You're only saying that because you're hormonal and she makes out with you" I mock teasingly.

"And your point is what exactly? She's my girlfriend and that's what people in relationships do. They make out, not that you would know anything about that. Wait, how exactly did you get a date with her? Isn't she with that Jeremy guy?" Derek says looking at me with a puzzled looked on his face.

"I think they're just friends, but I know for a fact he doesn't like me. He always looks like he's ready to fight me for some reason."
"Reason being that you're trying to roll on his woman." He snaps.

"They're not together, or at least I don't think so. It doesn't even matter, because when I asked her out she told me she had to think about it."

"She has to think about it? What? Are you're not good enough for her now?" What is with him today?

"I understand where she's coming from though. I mean I was very mean to her and like you said I have this reputation. Even though it's not a good one, it's a reputation nonetheless."  Everyone thinks I'm a ladies' man. Lots of girls throw themselves at me, but I prefer a chase. I like being able to court a girl. My grandfather taught me to be chivalrous. I'm a little old fashion and women these days don't appreciate that. I guess my bad attitude overshadows the whole chivalry thing, but it's there. "I have to see her later today, so I can get Arianna ready for some dance at the hospital" I say unenthusiastically.

"How is she?"

"Rude." I laugh. "But she's doing okay. I actually have to leave here soon. I'm supposed to be picking her up at four." Derek looks at his phone and gives me a look of disapproval.

"You know its 4:15 right?"

"Crap, I have to go." I say while standing to my feet.

"Tell your sister hi for me." Derek shouts as I leave his room.

"Yeah, we'll talk". I honestly can't believe I let time get away like this; and I'm sure Arianna is going to be pissed now. I don't even know where the time went. Hopefully Kimberly can make up for my tardiness somehow. She's supposed to bring that girly touch, but up until a couple weeks ago, I wasn't even sure she knew how to be a girl. Now here I am rushing down the street, with what seems to be a start of a dreadful evening.