What Hurts the Most

The Torture Begins

Aaron’s P.O.V

               “Let me Explain” I say almost afraid of her response remembering our last encounter. I mean I am not scared of her or anything it’s just that she surprised me with her sudden use of words. She looks at me perplexedly as if almost debating whether she should listen to me or not. I release a breath I didn’t even realize I was holding, when I hear her sigh and begin to speak.

               “If you came here to get an apology or put in your final two cents about yesterday you’re crazy” she states bluntly. Her bluntness almost makes my throat go dry. I shake my head, to let her know that I am here trying to be as mature as possible. When I open my mouth to speak no words come out and I realise I didn’t go over what I was going to say. WAY TO GO AARON! “Well aren’t you gonna speak?” she questions.

               “Uh yeah, I want to apologize about yesterday” I say and her chocolate brown eyes almost pop out of her head. “Look I didn’t know you and I’m sorry for the things I said about you and your dad.” and with the mention of him her body tenses. “Truth is I lied. I really do need this project if you don’t help me I will probably fail Mr Thompson’s class. All I need is one more chance to get an A+ on this project and after you won’t have to talk to me again a day in your life I promise.” I finish plead to let her take it all in.

               “Okay fine, I just have a few conditions” she utters bluntly.

               “Conditions?” I question nervously.

               “Yeah, this can work but one you have to stop treating me like crap, two this doesn’t mean were friends and three don’t talk crap about my family or my friends and the minute I see you slacking off is the minute this partnership goes through the roof, got it?” she says bluntly and extends her hand.

               “Got it.” I stated firmly as I shook her hand.

               “Oh there you are I thought we lost you” I hear Stacy, the store manager say, “and I see you’ve found my son Aaron”. That’s right Stacy the store manager is my mom.

               “I guess I have met him” Kimberly answers unaffected by my mother’s confession.

               “Kimzy, that outfit is cute I totally think that you should,” Helena blabbers but pauses when she realises I’m standing right there, “Oh hey Aaron, what are you doing here?”

I am just about to give a smart reply when my mother answers for me “He’s trying to flirt with Miss Henry but somehow he forgot that he’s 10 minutes late for his shift.” She states.

“Mom, I was not flirting with her” I whisper shout.

 “Mom?” Helena shrieked.

“Yes he’s my son and I would like to borrow him for just a quick minute while you two ladies continue shopping alright.” my mom said with a mischievous look on her face. I’m not joking when I tell

you she literally dragged me into the storage room. I swear she gets stronger overnight. “Why didn’t you tell me you were friends with the owner of the mall” my mom gushed as soon as the door to the closet was closed.

“I’m not.” I respond

“Yes you are, you were just talking to her”

“Kimberly?”

“Yes”

“Mom, we aren’t friends and why is that important?”

 “She’s the owner of the entire mall, your sister was just diagnosed with cancer and our salaries aren’t going to cover the chemo cost plus all our other bills.” My mom states clearly explaining the obvious. I mean I was really close with my sister and when he was diagnosed it was a hard blow but I don’t get what my mom’s trying to say. “And, the point is?” I questioned.

“She has a lot of money and she could help us with your sister’s bills.” my mom retorts with a duh expression on her face.

“Mom we aren’t even friends and if you want to ask her for a loan or whatever that’s on you but don’t drag me along” I state blandly.

“Look she is your sister just as much as she is my daughter but you need to help with this” my mother says poking me in the chest.

“I don’t know what you want me to do” I respond.

“If you weren’t friends before be her friend now, invite her to parties be her boyfriend for all I care.”

“What? Her? Have you seen her she doesn’t scream Miss Universe if you know what I mean.” Can you imagine me Aaron Taylor, the big man on campus, Mr most wanted, with her. “If I date her mom my reputation will be dead.

“Look I didn’t say marry her or even ask her out today just work your way there, try speaking terms first. Just think which one is more losing your reputation or losing sister” my mom uttered looking up at me with her bright blue eyes, immediately making me feel guilty.

“Okay, fine” I sigh while releasing a loud breath.

“Okay now go out there and make that young millionaire fall in love with you” my mom almost squealed making me feel sick to the stomach. This is low even for me.

When we get out we meet two giggling best friends at the counter with a mountain of clothes and some guy from school.

“Uh, Stacy were finished so could you please ring this up” Helena asks nonchalantly pointing towards the colossal.

“No problem ladies” my mom responded while going to register and ringing up the bill. After what felt like hours my mom finally gave them their bags. There were about like 20 bags. After Jeremy, I think his name was, took up like half of the bags Kimberly began reaching for a bag but my mother stopped her. “A young lady should not have to carry her own shopping bags. Aaron will take those to your car for you, right Aaron?” my mom hints.

“My pleasure” I state with the most insincere smile ever.

“Really?” Kimberly gasped in shocked.

“Yeah it’s cool” I say a little more convincing.

“Okay lets go home to prepare” Helena says not really to anyone in particular.

“Prepare for what?” I voice and I hear Jeremy mumble something under his breath, okay who screw him over?

“I guess you’ll see, oh and Aaron here’s your phone back” Helena says while giving me back my beat up Blackberry.

“Thanks” I declare just above a whisper. Well after an awkward silence we finally make our way to her car and man do I wish I had a ride like this. I place the bags in the trunk of the car, shut the door and watch them get into the car.

“Thanks for bringing our bags to the car, see you tomorrow then I guess we can meet up at my house and work on the project, for real this time” Kimberly states.

I nod my head to let her know that I understand her instructions. And as I watch the car drive out of the parking lot I whisper to myself “Tomorrow”. I guess tomorrow the torture begins.

 

              

‘