Between Love and Friendship (Completed)

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fourteen

“Hey, watch it,” Gabriel warned, as I carved an indent into a small piece of wood. I was over at his house that Thursday afternoon, building a model of a trebuchet. We were learning about ancient European weapons in global class, and of course Mrs. Park had to make it into some kind of homework for us to waste our time on.

There were wood pieces, string, paper clips, and a bottle of glue scattered on the dining room table. It was a mess, but neither of us cared too much. “Ours is gonna launch for sure,” I said, gluing the last pieces of wood together. We still had to build the metal hook part, using the paper clips, but we were going to give the trebuchet-in-progress some time to dry.

“Of course,” Gabriel smiled. “Because I helped make it.”

I rolled my eyes. “Annabelle must really stroke your ego,” I teased, playfully.

Those days, everything seemed to relate back to Annabelle. He had been texting her almost the entire time I was there, which made it next to impossible to talk to him about anything else.

“She does, but I don’t need her in order to feel good about myself.”

“So what do you need her for?”

“Oh, that’s between me and her only,” He said, suggesting some stuff that I’d rather not think about.

“You’re just saying that. You probably haven’t even kissed her yet.”

“You wouldn’t know what I did or didn’t do,” He said matter-of-factly, tapping my nose.

I swatted his hand away. I hated when he touched my face. It was so annoying, and I liked my personal space bubble. “I wouldn’t want to know either.”

He looked up from his phone, while typing a message to Annabelle. He simply gave me a look.

The conversation died after that. I wanted to ask if he and Annabelle were official yet, but I figured if he wasn’t open to tell me, then he probably didn’t want to bring it up for one reason or another.

“Trevor’s supposed to be back in school next week,” I mentioned casually, while picking up a paper clip.

“Yeah, I know.” Gabriel answered, still texting.

“Do you think he’s going to tell?”

“If he hasn’t already, then probably not. He must’ve had amnesia or something because if he knew he had the chance to get me thrown out of school, I’m sure he’d take it.” Another text.

“Maybe he had a change of heart,” I suggested. “Why do you and Trevor hate each other anyway?”

That got his attention.

“’Cause, he’s a pretty-boy douchebag, and I just can’t stand him. He’s annoying as shit and he thinks he has a chance with you or something.”

“He’s not such a bad guy, you know. You’re just all set on hating him and-”

“Did you already forget what he said about you?” Gabriel asked, rudely cutting me off.

I was silent. 

“Right before we started fighting, he said something about getting in your pants,” He informed me. “I’m telling you, he’s a douche.” Gabriel picked up his phone again and began typing. Again.

“He was drunk or something. I doubt he meant it, seriously.” I couldn’t believe that I was defending Trevor like that. But I was thankful that he didn’t tell on us, and pissing Gabriel off seemed to be the only way to get him to talk to me.

“Do you like him or something? You should just fuck him, if that’s the case.”

Did he really just say that?

“I’m his friend,” I said bitterly, giving Gabriel a dirty look. “You’re such a jerk about it sometimes! Last time I checked, you can’t control who I talk to. If you don’t like that I’m friends with Trevor then too freaking bad!”

“I’m just saying you shouldn’t be friends with someone who only wants to get you in bed!”

I was angry. And once I was angry, nothing could stop me.

“Well, he’d be a better friend than you and Annabelle are these days! All you ever do is flirt, it’s like I’m nonexistent when I’m around you two! If anything, you guys should be-”

“So that’s what this is all about,” Gabriel smirked, crossing his arms and leaning back in his chair. “You’re jealous of me and Annabelle.” He informed me, putting his phone down for good. He didn’t pick it up again for the rest of the conversation.

“What? I-no, I just-” I was at a loss for words. Was I jealous?

“Let me rephrase that. You’re jealous of Annabelle because I’ve been spending time with her instead of you.”

“I’m not jealous of anyone,” I said smoothly. But that time, it came to my realization that I was lying. I was jealous that Gabriel gave her more attention than me, but not to the point where I disliked her for it.

“You are.”

“I’m not!”

“Now you’re just being defensive.” I hated the way he could read me like an open book.  

“I’m not jealous, okay?”

“Why won’t you just admit it?” He asked, looking me in the eye.

I looked down at my hands and the straightened-out paper clip. “There’s nothing for me to admit.”

“Look me in the eye and tell me that you’re not jealous of Annabelle.” He took the paper clip from my hand, forcing me to look up.

“I’m not jealous of-” I swallowed. “Annabelle.”

Curse my stupid throat.

“You’re nervous,” Gabriel smirked. “I make you nervous.” He said, as if he was testing the way it sounded out loud.

I opened my mouth to protest, but before I could say a word, he asked me a question that made my stomach do a backflip.  

“Aria, do you have a crush on me?”

“No!” I answered, furiously shaking my head. “And even if I did, you’d be an asshole to ask me like that, especially when you’re with someone else.” I added, bitterly.

Gabriel’s expression hardened. “I’m not with anyone.”

“So then what? You’re just playing with Annabelle’s feelings? Because according to her, you guys are together!”

“She can believe whatever she wants but I’m telling you we’re not. I’m not playing with her, I’m just confused about a lot of things right now, okay?”

“So you’re leading her on?”

“No, I’m just-”

“Stringing her along,” I finished for him.

“No, it’s not like that.” Gabriel rubbed his temples, as if he was thinking hard about something. “You make it seem like I’m such an asshole.”

“Maybe that’s because you are one.” I blurted without thinking.

Gabriel looked genuinely hurt. Who knew that my stupid little comment would have that kind of effect on him? “You should go,” He said, getting up.

”Gabe, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean-”

“It’s fine, just go.” He opened the door for me to leave.

“What about the trebuchet?” I asked pathetically.

“I’ll finish it myself.”

I picked my book bag off the floor and slung it onto my shoulder. He closed the door as soon as I stepped outside.