Castle

Ch. 06: A Date with Aaron

My head spun as my eyes swung opened in search for my ringing phone, once my hand found the cell I opened my eyes to see an unknown number, I groaned when I saw it was 10:45.

"Hello?" I croaked into my pillow.

"Hey?" A familiar voice responded. "It's Aaron."

I shot up surprised by the call. "Oh hi."

"Yeah, I was just wondering if you wanted to do something this evening? Sorry if it's too fast, I know college classes start tomorrow." Aaron questioned eagerly.

"Don't remind me." I laughed with a hint of stress in my tone. "What time do you want to hang out?"

"Is 6 alright, i'll pick you up?"

"Yeah totally, what are we going to do?"

"We're gonna eat and then hang out at the beach." Aaron informed.

"Sounds great, I will text you my dorm number." I assured.

"Thanks."

"Alright, bye Aaron." I said before I hung up.

I got up and walked into the small kitchen where food was being prepared by Ava.

"Smells good." I pointed out as I staggered to make my plate.

"Thank you." Ava said with her flawless smile. "I got a call from this lady today."

"From who?" I asked before shoving food in my mouth.

"A newspaper editor, she was wondering if I am interested in finding a story for her in a week, good enough to have published in SIN magazine."

"Oooh, that's awesome!" I answered swallowing.

"You have no idea how excited I am, if she loves the story enough, I will officially be a news reporter for SIN magazines." Ava gushed. "I just need a bizarre conspiracy story to fall in my lap."

"You will Ava, I know you will get that job." I assured, brushing my curled hair behind my ear.

"Yeah, well anyways has Aaron called?" Ava asked, grabbing a chip out of a bowl in front of me.

I swallowed nervously, "He asked me out to dinner."

"What did you say?" Ava asked carefully.

"I didn't see why not." I answered truthfully.

Hours of getting ready, and Ava's constant criticism of my outfits. We -meaning she- decided for me to wear a wine-colored bikini underneath a black lace dress. I personally thought the dress was a little much, so I wore nude flats and clear lipgloss. Ava strangled my hair into a half ponytail and half down do. Ava was admiring my look when there was knock on the door.

"Ava, no I can't wear this dress. It's too much isn't it?" I hissed.

"Go open the door, you look perfect." Ava assured before hiding into her room.

I breathed out slowly as I opened the door to see Aaron wearing a black polo over white swim trunks holding a single rose.

"Here." Aaron greeted handing me the rose.

"Oh thank you, let me put inside." I rushed into Ava's room and handed her the rose. "Can you take care of this, thank you. I'll be back by 8 or 9."

I walked back out and I got into Aaron's car. Very little was said on the way to the restaurant. We got inside and a waitress led us into a red booth

The rustic walls were framed with graffiti, and the red chairs and booths outlined the metal tables. The restaurant smelled like beer and burger grease, which I love the smell of burgers. I just thought it was a very odd first "date".

I watched as a group of drunken college students staggered into the booth behind me. One individual was in the middle of the pack, making a scene out of himself. The boy's laughter was muted by the loud rock music playing through the restaurant's speakers.

"This place is interesting." I commented gazing around as the waitress gave us chips and menus.

"I love it here." Aaron questioned, grabbing a chip and spooning guacamole onto the chip.

"Yeah, I mean-" I was cut off.

"Oh. Em. Gee. Aaron Mitchell Scott!" Someone shouted from behind me. I quickly snapped my head towards the loud screaming.

It was a young women who wore her bright pink hair in a braid. In a high-pitched voice, she whined for an Aaron to give her an autograph as she partially lifted up her shirt and pointed to her thin belly. Aaron took out the pen that he always kept with him for this type of 'situation', and signed the girl's stomach with his fancy signature.

Once the girl finally left our table, we were visited by someone I barely recognized who slid into the booth beside me. He propped his tattooed arm onto the table, and the stench of alcohol and cigarette smoke clouded my nose. I scooted over in a small panic.

"Hey Jeslyn right?" He started with a devilish smirk.

I looked into Marshall's annoyed eyes, and gave him a death look so severe, I could have stared a hole right through him. I quickly turned away from his arrogant, drunken self, to Aaron. Then the intruder grabbed my arms pulling me near him. Enraged, Aaron stood up and leaned toward Marshall. His fingers wrapped around the collar of his ECU t-shirt.

"Get. Your. Hands. Off. Of. Her." Aaron demanded aggressively.

The man looked back from Aaron to me, his hand clamping a little tighter on my arm then freed his painful grip from my arm, waving his hands in defense as he retreated to the booth he belonged in. His entire table started bursting out in laughter.

"What was that about?" I questioned, trying to hide my anger.

"He has obviously had too much to drink. Just ignore him."Aaron said.

I started to feel a headache coming on. I didn't feel comfortable being inside here anymore. I ordered a small burger with avocado and seasoned fries were to die for. We didn't talk much throughout eating. What an interesting date so far...