The New Girl

Decisions

Bennet

I spent last night sleeping on Gabby's new couch that was just delivered yesterday afternoon. Definitely a good purchase on their mom's part.

Ms. Roberts has been an extremely kind soul to me these past two days since I told her my story.

The Roberts are the only people to know my actual story. Whereas my friends think my dad was a bitter asshole who kicked me out because I reminded him too much of my mother. That probably was a factor in the whole ordeal, but not the main problem.

"Want me to just drive us both today?" I suggested to Gabby when she appeared in the kitchen.

She began peeling a clementine, and she shrugged.

"That works."

I rinsed my empty cereal bowl out in the sink and set it down while Gabby tossed the peel into the trash. Time to go.

I've known Ayden for roughly 10 years, I know what does and doesn't have the ability to piss him off. And I'm well-aware of the fact I'm pulling strings by driving with Gabby to school, but it'd just be stupid to drive in separate vehicles. Just like when I stay at Ayden's, only one of us drive to school.
Gabby and I are friends now. She and her family are the only people to know the full truth about my inner battles, making us closer than Ayden would appreciate. He has to get used to it. It's not like I'm going to turn around and sleep with his crush this time, for more than one reason.

As I could've predicted, Ayden looked pissed the second he watched Gabby get out of my car. He started walking away from his conversation with Dakota and toward my car.

I probably pushed it today. I took Gabby to school yesterday, too, and we were talking and walking in the halls together a lot. I probably should've stayed at Ayden's last night instead of Gabby's. Shit.

Dakota could tell Ayden was a ticking time bomb waiting for the second he was in front of me to explode. He hurried to catch up with him, but didn't stop him. Instead, he stood by Gabby's side in case this were to get ugly.

Probably a safer bet.

"Why are you suddenly spending so much time with her? Driving her to school in the morning? What the hell?" He's definitely angry. Maybe, maybe even angrier than when he found out I slept with his crush freshman year.

I had nothing to say. The situation already looked really bad and I didn't want to make it worse. And like Ayden, I have a temper. Though there's nothing going on between Gabby and I, my temper might have me say some stupid shit that says otherwise. It was too big of a risk.

"I really thought you've changed since freshman year." He chuckled, bitterly.

"Maybe if you'd just ask your girl out quicker." I snapped, my temper clearly taking over.

I fucked up.

That's exactly what I was talking about when I said my temper will have me saying something that will get Ayden to think there's more going on here than there actually is.

"Fuck you, Bennet." With that, Ayden walked away. One could practically feel the heat radiating off of him from his anger.

I closed my eyes as I massaged my temples, trying to figure out how I'd get myself out of this one.

"Really, man?" Colton and Dakota stepped in front of me where Ayden was previously standing, waiting for confirmation.

"No," I denied, honestly. "I say stupid shit at bad times, and this is one of those times."

They know I do that often, which is why they believed me. If Ayden wasn't pissed at me, he would believe it too. But he is. So he didn't.

Not only did I totally screw up my friendship with my best friend, but I screwed up Gabby's relationship with her potential boyfriend.