Don't Hide From Me, Please? |✔

Chapter 21| So Much For Friends

As of right now I am officially eighteen. After all the years I have turned eighteen. The craziest thing is I don’t feel any different at all. Usually kids my age are all jumping up and down. Which isn’t my thing. A heavy weight is dumped on me. My eyes jolt open. The eyes of Aaron appear. I smile. “How can I help you?” I ask in my hoarse morning voice. Aaron rolls his eyes a smile still on his face. “Happy Birthday Sis!” He screams.

I push him off me. “Thank you, kiddo.” I reply ruffling up his blonde hair. He rolls off my bed and runs downstairs. No one else barges in. I climb out of bed. I walk into the bathroom and I brush my hair and teeth. I pull on a pair of black leggings and a light purple V-neck shirt. I walk downstairs. Mom and Kaitlyn stand holding hands as they light the cake. A cookie cake. I’m not an enthusiastic fan of regular cake. They usually have way too much icing on it. It’s gross. They don’t see me as I watch them. My mom has been so happy lately.

I’m glad she’s marrying Kaitlyn. She deserves happiness after Aaron and I have brought nothing but sadness. Lynnette is standing beside Mom and Bianca stands beside Kaitlyn. They both admire the cake. I wonder if Zayn will come over? Ever since the water accident he’s been super distant. My mind always wonders to the thought that Lynnette told Zayn what I had said.

If that’s the case, then I know I was right and Lucas was wrong. That’s good because that means I won’t see the Outer Banks and I can focus on important stuff like where my options lie for college. I know I can get into almost any school I want. Maybe it’ll be good that Zayn not come. I sigh deeply. “Aaron! What are you doing?” I hear Mom ask him. “Looking outside.” He says.

I turn my head towards his voice. It’s true. Aaron’s head is secretively peeking outside. I raise my eyebrows and I quietly walk over. I slide up beside him. “What are you looking at?” I ask looking at him. “I’m spying.” He whispers. I chuckle lightly. Aaron slams his hand on my mouth to cover it. My eyes widen. I remove his hand and I look outside with him.

A girl with beautiful platinum blonde hair seems to be yelling at a guy with black hair. I can only see the black hair. “What are they arguing about?” I ask thinking out loud. Aaron shrugs. He slowly and carefully opens the window. The voices become more audible. “Why can’t you just tell her?” The girl’s voice rains out. Sounds familiar.  “Like I’ve said a million times I don’t like you!” A familiar voice shouts back.

That voice. I look over at Aaron. The things you learn when you eavesdrop. “That’s not what you acted like last night. There for we’re together. She’s my friend.” The girl shouts. The voice! Zayn Peterson is arguing to a beautiful blonde girl over me! My friend?

I glance at Aaron and his eyes widen. I turn my focus onto the conversation. “Violet will lose her mind if you tell her.” He shouts. “She’ll find out one way or another.” The girl says. I watch the girl march over to my door. My eyes widen. No! She wouldn’t!

Aurora walks over to the house. Aaron and I jump away from the window. My heart breaks in a million pieces. My only friend betrays me like that. She secretly knew I liked him. I gulp down my heartbreak and my anger. The doorbell rings. I jump up and rush to the door. “Violet! No!” Aaron whisper-yells. I pull the door open. “Oh, hi Aurora.” I beam with a fake smile.

Aurora’s face lightens up and she smiles. Her smile has always naturally fit her face. I feel my heart in my throat. I gulp. “What do I owe the pleasure?” I ask fighting back tears. Is it so wrong that I’m upset? She’s my best friend. I thought she liked Matthew. I guess not. She fooled me! I look down at the ground. I look at the dark dresser. My mom’s car keys lay there. My body urges me to grab it and run. Just hide away. Go to the place you vowed to never go. To finally bury the dead part of me.