Invisible ( COMPLETED)

Chapter 17

I'm silent most of the day. Ignoring questions from old and new friends. Passing up the lunch and basically blending in with the usual chaos, that is until Ariel finds me during passing period. I'm surprised when her and I make eye contact and she doesn't pounce on top of me with kisses. I take a real good look at her and notice that she's not wearing makeup, or her regular cheerleading outfit, or heels or anything girly. She simply looks beautiful.

 Her blonde hair is up in a messy bun with a minimum amount of stray hair brushing past her flushed cheeks. I look down to admire her grey hoodie and grey sweats with her Nikes. Everything is so simple, yet she makes it look like she's actually trying. My breath is taken away from her hands trying to brush away  tears from her soft cheeks when she's suddenly standing in front of me. I look down at her for a moment and brush a tear away with my lips. When I move my face away, she's looking down and the cries are heavier.

My hand moves to her chin, tilting it up so that our eyes lock once again.

"Ariel. What's wrong?"

A small hiccup escapes her lips and she wipes away wet stains from her face.

"My dad. I got a phone call late last night informing me that he got hit by a car, and he didn't survive. They said they called me a little late because they couldn't Identify him to find family members to call, but a nurse recognized him as her old co-worker and gave them our house number."

Goosebumps crawl up my arms.

I rub my arms to get rid of the guilt that is crawling beyond skin deep.

"Do they know who did it?"

She shakes her head and pulls out an already used napkin from the front pocket of her backpack.

"I don't even know what to tell my baby sister..."

I can't bare to look at her. Is her father the one I hit yesterday? If so...I could have easily just ruined her and her baby sister's lives. But another thing hits my thoughts...

Why did her father, if that was him, have a picture of Rae and her parents in his belongings?

Were they somehow related?

"Ariel, I know you're grieving, but I have to know. Were you related to Raven, at all?"

"No. Why?" I'm startled by her abrupt reply and shake it off. The bell rings and I tighten my backpack strap.

"Nothing. Just...nothing. I've got to go, but come over tonight. I'll make dinner." With one last tight hug, I walk in the opposite direction with my head throbbing.

As soon as my old man leaves for a night out with his friends, I prepare Ariel's favorite, Salisbury Steak and Mashed potatoes. I set the table up and make sure everything is perfect, I want her to be happy tonight. The doorbell rings and I jump up from the couch and open the door to see Ariel in a plain white dress that hugged her body with ease. Her curves showed more and her flat shoes made her look shorter than usual. I liked this Ariel a lot, the girl that now has her hair up with a few strays fallen. I smile and forget that I'm leaving her out in the cold.

She giggles and raises an eyebrow.

"May I come in?"

"Oh of course."

I move over to make room for her and shut the door.

"I made your favorite dish. Or at least I tried. I don't know how it really tastes." I scratch the back of my head and give a nervous laugh. I pull out her chair for her and push her in when she's seated.

"So, where's your dad?"

She serves herself the Mashed potatoes and takes one huge bite out of it.

"He's out with his friends tonight. Bingo I think."

"Ah. Hm. This is really amazing, Aiden."

I smile at her compliment and thank her.

After dinner we sit in the family room to watch a horror movie. As I press play on the remote, Ariel snuggles in closer and I can't help but feel pity. I don't think this night has anything for me having true deep feelings for Ariel...just pity because I think I might be the cause of her father's death. Don't get me wrong. Ariel looks breath taking tonight, but I just don't feel anything towards her.

"Aiden?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks for having me over tonight." She leans off my chest to give me a peck. Something happens and I just throw myself on her, our lips moving in sync. She hurries me to take my shirt off and I reply the act, snapping her bra off at the same time. The whole time, my mind is just blank. I need something to take my mind off of things. And right now this seems like the only option.