Something Unexpected

Chapter Eighteen

~Kaiden's POV~

"Kaiden," Laura called out. "Wait."

Pushing my way through the hall I tried to calm the anger bubbling under the surface. Why was she hugging him? Of all people, why him?

"Would you wait a second?" Her small hand wrapped around my arm as she pulled my body to a stop. "It's not at all what you're thinking so get it out of your head right this second."

Spinning around I reefed my arm free of her grasp. "Why were you hugging him to begin with, Laura?" 

"What, can I not hug my friends? I hug Lexi all the time and you don't complain or act like a child about it."

"Lexi doesn't have feelings for you," I replied flatly. 

As my voice rose, people started to turn their attention in our direction. Hungry eyes searched both of our faces as they listened in on a juicy piece of drama.

Lowering my voice, I continued. "You know that he has feelings for you, don't even try to deny it."

"I never said he didn't but he is also my friend, Kaiden."

I scoffed, "Well you can run back to your friend now. I'll see you later."

"Kaiden," Laura called out but it was too late, I was already barrelling down the busy hallway and out the door.

I might have overreacted but I don't really care. Nick was someone with an ulterior motive and feelings for Laura I didn't like. If I had to put my foot down and say she couldn't see him, so be it. My feet hit the concrete footpath loudly as I rounded the familiar corner before Julian's auto shop. 

"Cuz, what brings you here during school hours?" Julian laughed as if expecting nothing less. "Not feeling algebra?"

"Laura and I got into a fight in the middle of the hallway," I replied flatly.

Running a grease-stained hand through his hair, Julian grimaced. "What did you do this time?"

"Why do you automatically assume that I was the one who did something wrong?"

Laughing, Julian shrugged. "Because you're the guy, it's always your fault."

"Yeah well, this time, it wasn't."

Moving over to Julian's office, I waved at the few guys I knew before sitting down in one of the office chairs. Closing the door behind him, Julian smiled awkwardly.
"What did she do?"

Groaning I ran my hand over my face. "I was going to meet her outside her class to carry her bag for her but when I got there she was giving Nick 'the-douche-ex' a hug that looked a little too friendly for my liking."

"A hug? You're getting your pretty pink panties in a twist because of a hug?" Julian laughed hard at my jealous stupidity. Wiping a tear from his eye, Julian stood up. His face a mask of serious concern. "Sorry but come on, Laura loves you. She's having your baby for Christ sake."

"Yeah but she also started dating him before we got together," I replied. "They have a history together."

"So does half of the people in town. It's a small place bro, stop being so paranoid."

Groaning I slid my head into my hands. "I can't help it. We haven't been talking to each other much in the past couple of days, no thanks to you by the way."

"Me? How is any of this my fault?" He questioned.

"Well," I accused. "You decided to tell Liz where I was and she showed up. I think it's safe to say it didn't go well."