To The Touch

Chapter 3

Aaron's words echoed in my head, along with the never ending scene from my past. Kate and I had decided to go out to eat at a sketchy looking Chinese place downtown. I held my head in my hand, staring at my untouched orange chicken. Kate was quietly eating, glancing up at me every so often before she sighed in frustration.

"Tay, what's been going on with you lately. Ever since you went for that walk, you haven't been the same. It's been three days now." I sighed and looked up at her, not sure what to say. Kate's dark brown eyes watched over me attentively. 

"Hey, you okay?" She asked in a softer tone. I looked back down, but then up again.

"That day, Aaron came up to me. At first he seemed, well, normal. Cheery and happy like anyone should be." I looked at Kate, who had stopped eating to listen more carefully, eyes wide in attention. 

"And, since he seemed like he was in a good mood, I asked about what he meant by No, you're not her. His expression had completely changed into that of somewhat despair." I rubbed my temples again and squeezed my eyes shut as Kate spoke up.

"So... something must've happened to him with that girl." I opened my eyes and looked up at Kate questioningly.

"Did she leave him or something?" She asked, taking a bite of her egg roll.

"Yeah, almost. He had to move, it's not like he had a choice." I sighed quickly. I felt Kate's gaze harden on me. 

"How... do you know that?" She asked slowly. I looked her in the eyes.

"It's me Kate. I knew Aaron when I was a little girl. He was my best friend, and he had to move away. I guess he really loved me and I was just too dense to see it." I looked down, away from her gaze, and tried to discretely wipe away my frustrated tears. Kate kept watching me from across the table quietly until I heard a quiet laugh escape her lips. I looked up, anger threatening to overcome me. 

"Tay, you really are adorable sometimes." Kate giggled in delight. My anger dissolved and I felt my cheeks grow hot. 

"What's with that all of a sudden?" I asked as Kate caught her breath. She smiled contently and leaned forward, moving closer to me from across the table.

"You've gotten so upset over this, when really you should be happy that you've finally been reunited! Really Tay, you're such a dork." I sat back. In the past four days, it had never occurred to me that Aaron was actually back. I smiled and leaned my face against  my hand. Kate giggled again.

"I'm such an idiot sometimes." I laughed to myself and looked back up at Kate. 

"You're right. I'm glad you always know how to keep me sane." Kate smiled and grabbed her stuff.

"Let's go back to the dorms and we can get your mind off of it." She said softly as I stood up and dropped a twenty on the table. Kate smiled and followed me out the restaurant.

***************

As Kate and I walked down the hallway to our dorm, I felt my chest warm up. I softly touched my fingers to the stone. It was lukewarm. Aaron wasn't that far, nor was he close by. I looked over at Kate who was walking into our room. 

"Hey, I'm gonna walk around for a bit, see you later." I smiled slightly and slowly walked down the rest of the hallway.

"Don't stay out too long!" I heard Kate call after me before shutting the door. I touched the necklace again. It felt hotter than the last time. I turned the corner and felt my chest burn. I saw a door open, and Aaron walked out. I smiled and began to walk toward him.

"Hey A-" I faltered as I watched him smile and plant a kiss on the lips the girl leaning against the doorway. My stomach dropped  and I felt numb, like I was in a dream.

I just stared at them, she looked happy, but he looked like he was forcing it all. Aaron pulled away from her and smiled that same forced smile until she shut the door. He began walking in my direction and I was desperate for him not to see me.

I pushed my back against the wall and pretended to have an interest in my phone. I felt him walk past me, and i just kept staring at my phone. My vision blurred and I couldn't take it. I lifted my head in the direction Aaron had went and walked after him. My slow paced walk turned into a run and I began to catch up to him. As soon as I got close enough, I threw my arms around him and held him close to me. I felt him stop in his tracks. 

"Miss me already?" He asked as he turned around in my arms. I looked up at him through my tear filled eyes and he looked back at me in horror. 

"T-Tay...?"