Strangers, Friends and All the In Between

Chapter 4

"Aaron, hey. Just checking if you're still coming to the party tonight." It's Mallory again. I think for a moment before answering.

"Yeah, sure I'll be there," I respond. "Sounds like it'd be fun." I pull a finger along her jawline, smirking to her. A blush creeps onto her face as she turns away, walking away, hesitantly. As soon as she far enough away, I puff out a breath of air in annoyance.

"Girl troubles?" I hear a mocking voice behind me. I know exactly who it is just from those two words.

"Yes. God, why can't these girls understand that I'm just not into them," I respond. I turn to face her.

"Well, I mean, you did suggest that you were into that girl just now," Sam says to me.

"Heh, yeah, I suppose you're right," I say, smiling.

"Did you just laugh at the thought of leading that girl on?" she questions me, cocking an eyebrow. I nod.

"Yeah, it's only 'cause she's a major bitch who's asked me out before. She already knows I don't do relationships. We went on a 'date' and she saw me with another girl at the party I brought her to. Okay, yeah I can be a bit of a dick, but that's only to someone I don't actually care to be with."

"So, you're just in it for the sex?" she asks me, looking shocked.

"No, of course not. I don't have sex with them, I'm too much of a gentleman for that. I only ever go on first dates here. No one seems to be worth pursuing any further."

"It's still your fault that the girls fall over you. You make yourself out to be the school flirt," she says.

"You've got me there," I shrug. "Now, let's get to class before we're late." We begin walking inside.

"Why would someone like you care whether you're late to class or not?" Sam asks.

"Someone like me?" I question.

"Yeah, ya know. The one that's popular with all the ladies. The charismatic, charming, gorgeous one. Normally that type of person will walk into class whenever and the teachers just roll with it."

"First off, I'm not gorgeous; average maybe, but not gorgeous. Secondly, I like to be on everyone's good side. That includes teachers. If I'm constantly late, they'd hate me. It just helps with my, as you call, charisma."

"You don't think you're charismatic?" Sam stops, causing me to stop, looking me dead in the eye.

"I don't know if I am. When I was younger, I was hated by everyone." I start walking again, her following me. "I guess I still see myself s that little kid." We get to the door of the classroom and stop.

"I can assure you, you are not that kid anymore," she tells me, a smirk on her face as she eyes me up and down. I feel a light blush creep onto my cheeks. I walk past her into the room without saying another word. "I saw that," she whispers into my ear as I walk past her. My blush darkens a few shades.

'Seriously, though. What the hell has gotten into me? I've had a myriad of girls check me out and flirt with me. None of them elicit this kind of reaction.'

"Hey, watch where you're- oh, hi Aaron. I'm sorry, that was my bad." I just ran into some girl who was carrying her lunch. Literally.

"No, it was my fault. I was completely distracted. Are you okay?" I ask, helping her pick up the things she dropped.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Thank you for asking." I look her in the eye and notice a blush slowly appear on her face as she averts her eyes.

"Alright, well I'll see you later, then," I say, walking away. I walk over and sit down at the table that my friends are currently occupying. I pull out my lunch and begin eating it when I feel a hand on my shoulder. It's the same girl from this morning.