Can't Help Falling in Love

Ch. O7

I couldn't think straight, that message kept replaying in my head.
Vivian keeps looking over at me.
I smile at her and quickly look away and get back to reading.
It's so hard to concentrate with your crush sitting next to you and the text message I just got.
Mason and I are talking back and forth, his eyes flirting with me and my face blushing.

"So are you going to the party this weekend?" His lips turn into a faint smile.

"How can I miss the party of the year?" I say with a wink.

He laughs and it makes my heart melt.

"Well in case you decide to go Sophie-" my heart drops.. breathe in breathe out.
"You're more than welcome to catch a ride with me."

"I'll think about it." I say as I go back to doing my work.

I can feel someone staring at me.

Aiden, my mind tells me not to look up but I do and I can see the green eyed monster taking over him.
The bell rings for 2nd period.
I make my way towards the door and I can hear Aiden asking Michael to distract Vivian.
My heart starts to race and I try to hurry to the girls locker room before Aiden gets a hold of me.

Too late.

"Sophia wait."
I stop and look at him crossing my arms.

"What Aiden?"
I try to put some authority in my voice.
He grabs me and pulls me towards him, so close to where I can smell the alcohol off his breath.

"Give me another chance Soph. Let me prove that I've changed." His eyes are pleading, and his breathing gets heavier.
It's almost as if I can feel the blood rushing through his hands.

"No Aiden. You say you quote in quote changed.. but here you are asking for a second chance while you're dating my bes- best friend. My feelings for you are long gone." I say trying to sound believable.
"You had so many chances.." I say crying now. "but no you always chose the other girls over me Aiden."
I look deep into his eyes and I know he can see the pain in them.

Silence.

I feel his hand let go, and a rush of relieve floods over me.
I turn and start making my way back to the girls locker room but he swings me over in front of him again and he kisses me on the lips.
I try to push him away but it's no use, his grip just tightens. The more I struggle to get him off, the more he pulls me in closer.
I try to knee him but he's holding my legs with his legs, almost like my body was tangled into his.
Whenever Aiden wants something he gets it. One way or another.

"Get off of her man!" I feel Aiden get shoved off me.

I open my eyes and see Michael standing there, my hand over my mouth and tears running down.
Aiden looks over at me confused, for a moment I see some sort of guilt but a smile creeps up on his face.
Michael stands in front of me yelling at Aiden to get the fuck out.
Michael cups my face in to his hands and kisses the top of my head while wiping away the tears. I look around to make sure that Aiden was gone but instead I spot Mason.
I wanted to chase after him but he took off before I can pull away from Mikey.

"I'm so sorry Soph. I should have known that Aiden would try to pull some shit like that." His eyes look sad and angry.

"Mikey it isn't your fault, Aiden will never change. I just need to be more careful and keep my distance between him and I."
My eyes stare at his, trying to read his mind.

I head to the locker room and make my way straight to the bathroom, I wash my face making sure that there isn't a trace of tears down my face. I get dressed and meet up with Kaity and Vivs.

"Where'd you go?" They both ask at the same time.

"I was uh talking to Michael." I lie.
It's a good thing I practiced covering for Aiden all the time, made me better at lying. We walk to the field and walk the track. I look for Mason everywhere but no sign.

"Have you guys seen Mason?"

"No Soph. Why?" Kaity asks eyeing me up and down.

"Hey baby girl."
Aidens voice makes my body completely stop. I see him kiss Vivian without a problem, just like he did a couple of minutes ago with me. I walk away with Kaitlyn hot on my trail. My body stops and I turn to look at her.

"Kaity, I'm okay. Let me just be alone."
I try to retain my anger, making sure I don't blow up on my sister.
Her eyes widen but walks away and heads towards Michael, letting me be alone like I asked.

2 unread messages
Mother: Make sure to join the dance team this time sweetheart.
Mason: Should've mentioned you have a boyfriend.

Ignoring my moms message I immediately text Mason back.

Me: It isn't what you think Mason. Michael and I, we're just like brother and sister.
Five minutes go by, and I catch myself biting my nails.
Mason: Explains why he calls you babe.
Me: Where are you?
Mason: Don't worry about it.

The bell rings and startles me.
Time to go to nutrition.
I head to the vending machine to get some hot fries, man oh man how I love them.
I reach down to grab the bag of chips but something catches my eye.
Mason has April on his lap. My hearts feels heavy, he throws a smile my way.
I look at him in utter confusion as April grabs his face and they start to make out, I could almost swear that Mason threw a smirk my way.
I grab the bag and disappear into the crowd. This day seems to get worse and worse.
Isaiah manages to find me and sits with me until nutrition is over. The rest of the day goes by in blur.
This week seems to stretch on each day that goes by, I can tell that Kaity is worried about me.
Mason and I haven't spoken since that day and Aiden hasn't gotten in my way. Vivian is too busy with Aiden to pay me any attention. Lately I've been hanging with Isaiah, I'm trying to make a better person out of him.

"The party is tomorrow Soph! What are you gonna wear?" he asks.

"You seem really eager." I say laughing. "You must really love Halloween." I say.

"Are you going? Even if you don't I'm sure Michael will drag you out of your house." he tries to hold his laughter in.

"I don't know Isaiah. I might or might not." My fingers start to do this little tap dance on the table.

"Sophia?" His voice sounds insecure.