Between Love and Friendship (Completed)

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Nineteen

The next day of school would have been extremely painful if it hadn’t been for Trevor.

My “boyfriend”.

I hated the word. It sounded so weird, just thinking about it felt … wrong . I never had a boyfriend. Not unless you take second grade rumors seriously. When I was about seven, a girl came up to me and asked if Gabriel was my boyfriend. I thought she meant friend who was a boy, so I stupidly said yes.

She told the whole class that Gabriel and I were “dating”.

Once during recess, the same girl dared me to give him a kiss. I was horrified, but I don’t think Gabriel even cared. He’s Hispanic—his whole family acted like kissing was nothing. But I didn’t end up kissing him, if that’s what you’re wondering.

Before first period started, Trevor came up to me and leaned against the locker next to mine.

“Hey there,” He said, beaming.

“Hi,” I answered, pathetically attempting to match his enthusiasm. “Yesterday was fun.”

The beach had been fun. The most fun I’d had in a while. Especially with everything that had been going on at school. I really needed the break.

“I’m glad that you had a good time, we should do it again sometime. You free this Friday?”

Before I could answer, someone else was approaching us. “Back in school already?”

It was Gabriel. “Get your ass off my locker.” He sneered, shoving Trevor to the side.

Trevor looked taken aback by his rudeness. I just stood silently, with a painful ache arising in my stomach. To my delight, Annabelle was nowhere to be seen.

“Chill bro,” Trevor said, putting up his arms in surrender.

“I’m not your bro,” Gabriel shot back, opening his locker, and pulling out his gym uniform.

At that point, Gabe still hadn’t seen me.

“Let’s get outta here, Aria,” Trevor said, immediately blowing my cover. Gabriel’s head turned in my direction, raising his eyebrows slightly, as if he expected an explanation. My stomach did a back flip.

“Uh-one second. I’ll see you in Trig,” I told Trevor, politely dismissing him. Gabriel was giving me the death glare and I knew if I went to class with Trevor, he would probably murder me.

“Alright.” He glanced at Gabriel before leaning down and giving me a quick hug. “Cya in a few.” His breath warmed my cheek, and a rush of both pleasure and embarrassment shot through me.

Seconds later, Trevor was gone and I was left alone to make conversation with my ex-bestfriend.

“What was that about?” Gabriel asked, clenching his teeth. “Why were you talking to him?”

“I can talk to whoever I want,” I replied smoothly. After I took out my trig textbook, I slammed my locker shut. It felt good to release a little of my pent-up anger.

“But why him? And why did he hug you?”

I wasn’t about to tell Gabriel that me and Trevor were in a relationship. A relationship. I cringed at the thought. I wasn’t sure if I even liked Trevor like that.

“I don’t know.” I shrugged, trying my best to be casual. “Ask him.”

It was Gabriel’s turn to slam his locker. “Did you cut school to hang out with him yesterday?”