Make My Way

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Aria's POV

I slept in until nine the next morning. All that laughing at the bonfire had really worn me out, but I could never sleep past nine-thirty. Everyone close to me knew that. Stella knew that. Blake knew that. Blake.

I started thinking, maybe I had made a mistake breaking up with him. Maybe we could have a future together. No. We can't, I reminded myself. I could never see myself marrying him. I just couldn't spend my life with him. It would never work. He was like my brother. One of my best friends.

I looked at my phone. I had a bunch of notifications from games and snapchat. I slid to open the one from Stella. We talked and talked and talked the day away.

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When I woke up on Monday, the ground was covered in snow, but not quite enough for a snow day. I slipped on a pair of simple, black leggings and threw on a maroon sweater. I tied my hair into a quick, messy bun, slipped on my beat-up combat boots, and jumped in my car to drive to school. The parking lot was covered in a thick layer of snow and my car, not having four wheel drive, slowly heaved itself through the snow before crunching to a stop 10 feet from the parking spot I was aiming for.

I sighed and got out of my car. I saw someone running across the parking lot in only a sweatshirt and jeans. He came over to me and offered to try and push my car into a parking space so that it would at least be out of the way. I definitely wasn't going to turn down that. He waved over one of his friends and together, they pushed my car out of the way. His friend left and he turned to me.

"So... I heard you and Blake broke up," Caden mentioned casually.

"Yeah, why?"

"I was wondering, well, would you ever consider giving me a second chance? Will you go out with me Aria?"

I thought for a moment. Maybe he would make an effort to be better this time. "One date. I'm free tomorrow night."

He grinned. "I'll pick you up at 6."

What did I just agree to?

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The next day, school went by way too fast. By 5:45 that evening, I still hadn't mentally prepared myself for whatever I had gotten myself into. Caden had texted me and said simply 'Dinner and a movie.' At first I thought it was cute until I remembered most of his 'dinners' meant fast food and it was Tuesday, so all movie tickets were $5. He'd probably spend $30 tops on the night.

I slipped on some nice jeans and a simple gray t-shirt with my tan, leather jacket. At 6:03, he pulled his car into my driveway. I ran out and jumped into it before I got too cold. We went through the Wendy's drive through and ate in his car in the movie theatre parking lot. Not exactly my definition of 'romantic.' The movie started at seven so we went in at 6:50. There wasn't much of a line, so he bought tickets and a bucket of popcorn and a drink. Great. He expects us to share.

He lead the way into the theatre and chose seats in the back corner. That shows enough about his other expectations for the evening. I sighed and sat down next to him.

It was barely 10 minutes into the movie before he wrapped his arm around my shoulders. I sighed in annoyance but leaned in anyway. He lasted another good 45 minutes before he leaned closer to me. Crap. I thought about this but never decided what I'd do....

I turned my head toward him slightly and my lips brushed against his. When he tried to push in harder and make it more than just one kiss. I turned my head and felt his lips on my cheek. "This doesn't feel right," I whispered.

He leaned back into his chair and took a deep breath. "I understand. I guess I just wanted what we had before again." I knew what he meant. "I was hoping this could work but I guess I should have known. I don't really feel that spark either. Thanks for the second chance though."

We watched the rest of the movie in silence. As soon as it was over, we went out to the parking lot and I saw someone else walking in. Someone I had desperately hoping not to see.

Blake and Easton were walking in, most likely to see the 9:15 showing of the movie we had just watched. Easton waved at me and smiled but Blake kept his head down. Which probably meant he had already seen me. Walking alone with Caden. Out of a movie theatre.

I sighed and got into Caden's car and he drove me home. At my house, I avoided my siblings and went into my room. I pulled out my phone and found a notification from Stella. I slid it open and waited for the snap to load.

I told him
It read.

Confused, I responded.
Told who what?

I told Neil I don't like him.
He's just been such a jerk lately.
He was telling the other guys that I was begging to wear his football jersey and stuff.
I'm just so done with him.

Wow
I responded
How did he react?

He got really snappy and seemed pretty pissed.
I think he still likes me.
But I like Luca.
There's something else....

What?!

So you know how Luca had that long distance relationship with that one girl in 9th grade?
Well apparently they're back together.
Even thought they live thousands of miles away and it's never going to happen

Poor Stella. She gets over one guy and the next is taken.
Wow. They're terrible for each other though!

I know. There's nothing we can do though.
Talk to you tomorrow

I sighed and turned off my phone before anyone else could start a conversation with me. I didn't need to be up until 1:30 AM.