Between The Lines

eleven

       The moment the meeting ended I couldn't wait to just start clicking away. The basketball season was starting soon. The pep rally was coming up, and I was supposed to cover it. I just had to make sure that I don't get biased and only click Zach. I wasn't a sports enthusiast but I had been to all the games partly because I was the photographer for the school newsletter, and partly because Aaron was on the team. This time I had another reason to look forward to it.

       By the time the meeting was over it had been over an hour after school and the building was pretty much deserted. I padded down the hallway, immersed in my own thoughts. The sound of my footsteps bouncing of the walls as I heard the distant sound of a few people talking who were yet to leave the clubroom. I was checking my phone if I had any messages or something. My mind wandering to my conversation with Zach this morning. I had to it up to him. Maybe I could come up with something to do.
     While my vision was still glued to my phone, replying to some group messages, I felt someone walking in front of me. I looked up to see Aaron just walk out of the coach's office.

"Hey!"

     I called out to him and he turned back to look at me. He seemed surprised.

"What're you still doing here? I haven't seen you since after lunch."

     I told him I had a meeting and caught up with him. We now walked side by side.

"So what are you still doing in school? Classes ended like an hour ago."

"Why! I was waiting for my best friend of course!"

    I couldn't help but laugh. Just moments ago he asked why I was still in school.

"Aaron, I'm your best friend, not some girl you're trying to impress. Now why are you still in school, really?"

"Well the coach wanted to talk to me since this will be my first season as the captain. But I was serious about the best friend part. I'm freaking out!"

     I stopped him and put both my hands on his shoulders. Then I looked straight into his eyes with the most serious face I could muster.

"Aaron Parker, you are great at what you do and love the sport to death. You have worked hard. Your performance has never been disappointing. Also at any given time you are confident to the point of cocky. This is not the time to loose composure."

      His shoulders relaxed a bit. I could see his expression change as well.

"On second thought. Maybe tone down the cockiness a notch. I might punch you in the nose someday."

      He threw his head back as he laughed whole heartedly. I knew his concern would not be wiped out at least until the first game, but I hated seeing him so low. An ego boost always worked wonders on this guy though.

      
"By the way, I met Miller at practice today. Didn't you guys get together just last night? Why did he look like a puppy kicked to the curb."

"Ermm.. he wanted to go out today, but I had this meeting so I had to cancel."

"Just that? Wow he's lame. And here I was getting ready to congratulate you for coming to your senses within 24 hours."

     I rolled my eyes. Aaron always got all worked up whenever I got into a relationship which was only a grand total of three times as of yesterday.

"You get along perfectly well with him. He is one of the closest guys to you from the team. I don't see why you have a problem here"

"He's jus_"

I cut him off before he could say anything.

"He's a nice guy and you've said that yourself. Don't you dare deny it."

I fixed Aaron with a stern look.

"I'm not denying that but do you really need a boyfriend. I think Brooke and I are perfectly adequate company for you."

     Oh Aaron. He'll know when he finally starts liking someone. I had long accepted the fact that there was no point in trying to convince him until then.

"So since Brooke is probably gone I'm guessing I'm your ride?"

     He nodded and we made our way out of the school. He'll see. And by what I've been observing between him and Brooke, quite soon too.